Family of Chuck Brown says they ‘no longer support’ annual D.C. celebration of the Godfather of Go-Go
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In a statement released Thursday, Chuck Brown’s family withdrew its support for Chuck Brown Day, calling for new leadership to organize the event.
The family of the Godfather of Go-Go has discontinued its support for Chuck Brown Day, citing issues with Washington, D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
On Saturday, August 22, thousands of go-go music fans are expected to gather in Washington D.C. to honor Chuck Brown, the pioneer of the city’s born-and-bred funk music genre who died in 2012 at age 75. However, the Brown family has decided they will not back the event, releasing a statement on social media Thursday saying they do not wish for the annual celebration to continue.
“The Brown family has decided that due to their marginalization over the past three years with regard to the planning and substance of Chuck Brown Day, which we notified DPR of on Feb 3rd of this year, we no longer support the Chuck Brown Day event and do not want it to continue unless a new director and project leadership is in place to ensure that our duty to protect the integrity of Chuck Brown’s legacy is respected, and that his family’s wishes are taken seriously at all times,” the statement from Chuck Brown’s family said.
The event, which features performances from local go-go bands, was held at Chuck Brown Park in Northeast D.C. until three years ago, when the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation moved it to Southeast’s Fort Dupont Park for its amphitheater and space for larger crowds, telling WUSA9 News that Brown’s memorial park could not accommodate the biggest celebration of go-go in the country.
The family statement continues, “We can no longer risk allowing the event’s organizer’s lack of communication, professionalism, and inability to abide by guidelines in contractual agreements to be interpreted as the family’s approval of the event and its management.”
This year marks the twelfth anniversary of Chuck Brown Day. Thennie Freeman, the director of D.C.’s DPR told WUSA9 that the event is a “special moment for our city—an opportunity to come together, celebrate DC’s cultural legacy.”
“This year, we’re excited to deliver an even more dynamic event for families, music lovers, and fans of Go-Go from across the nation,” Freeman said.