Sirius Company at Fort Dupont Park Summer Concert Series

This summer, due to the pandemic, the National Park Service will host its 49th annual Fort Dupont Park free concert series virtually, rather than on the large Southeast stage. The series, which runs through Sept. 4, spotlights jazz, Latin, Caribbean, old-school hip-hop, and R&B music. But on Aug. 7, local bands Sirius Company—led by guitarist/singer Frank “Scooby” Sirius and vocalist Ms. Kim—and The JoGo Project will showcase D.C.’s official music: go-go. Previously of the go-go band Team Familiar, Sirius has also handled lead vocals in the Chuck Brown Band ever since the legendary namesake passed away. Ms. Kim was with Rare Essence, where she achieved renown for her vocals on their take on Ashlee Simpson’s “Pieces of Me.” Sirius Company is often billed as a “grown and sexy” band for their lush, percussion-filled takes on R&B songs, but the group’s February 2021 single, “She Ready,” hits harder. Ms. Kim raps “I hope you don’t mind if I get ratchet,” while Sirius chants “she ready” and “We’re here for it” over skittering bouncebeat, go-go influenced drumming. “We wanted a song to showcase Kim, and we wanted to do something that sounded a bit more non-traditional as far as go-go is concerned,” Sirius tells City Paper. “We wanted to kinda keep up with the times—if you want to stay relevant you find a way to reinvent yourself.” Recent live shows have successfully demonstrated the group’s new offerings without neglecting their classic call and response vocals over cowbell, snares, and horns. While Sirius Company ultimately recorded this weekend’s Fort Dupont set indoors at Echostage, Sirius has fond memories of the green space where he spent time with his family as a youth. “Being able to be part of that Fort Dupont Park legacy is something special for me,” he says. Watch the band perform virtually with The JoGo Project at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 7. nps.gov/fodu. Free.