East of the River Steel Band @ Brunch
Date and Time
Sep 28, 2019 12:00 pm
Location
Anacostia
2004 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20020
Sep 28, 2019 12:00 pm
Anacostia
The East of the River Boys & Girls Steelband started in 1993 with the vision of Dr. Gladys
Whitworth Bray to bring this unique musical experience to youth living east of the Anacostia River. Over
the years, the program has provided music training and arts and cultural education to hundreds of children
and youth through its core steel pan and youth development programs.
The Steelband provides instruction in steel pan music by pan master Roger Greenidge. The music
repertoire consists of genres from Caribbean and calypso to pop, rhythm and blues and gospel. The
Steelband performs at a broad range of events and venues throughout metropolitan Washington, DC and
eastern states. The band has recorded two albums, Rising and Pan in DC.
To complement music instruction, life skills sessions include academic reinforcement, health
education, violence and substance abuse prevention, etiquette and social skills, and other topics of
interest and relevance to participants. Infused in all activities is the history and culture of the African-
diaspora locally and globally
The Steelband is more than a musical group--the band becomes a family. The emphasis on cultural
experiences and learning about the African-American and other diaspora cultures broadens their world
view. They receive support and encouragement for their academic studies and other extra curricula
activities. Yes, the band becomes a family.
