For many who move across the country, the challenge of finding community in a new city is real. Washington, D.C. transplants and HBCU alumni in Los Angeles know this well—the longing for familiar faces, familiar sounds, and a sense of belonging runs deep. That is where Westside Go-Go, founded by Washington, D.C. native Martin Proctor, step in.
Westside Go-Go was born out of a simple but important need: to create a home away from home for D.C. transplants and HBCU communities in Los Angeles. More than just a music and events platform, Westside Go-Go is a gathering place. It is where people come together not only to dance, but also to share their culture, celebrate their heritage, and build connections that make Los Angeles feel just a little smaller—and a lot more like home.
Proctor explains, “When you move to a city like Los Angeles, it’s easy to feel disconnected. But the culture we bring with us, especially from D.C. and our HBCU traditions, deserves to be celebrated. Westside GoGo gives us that space to come together.”
Enter TommyGuns of INationLive
The organization hosts monthly live music nights, deejayed events,fundraisers and community mixers always anchored in Go-Go—the percussive, funky, deeply rooted sound born in Washington, D.C. Each month, featured bands and DJs turn spaces across Los Angeles into cultural celebrations. At the center of this effort is iNationLive, one of the premier GoGo bands on the West Coast, founded by another D.C. transplant: Thomas “TommyGuns” Collins.
TommyGuns is no stranger to the culture. As one of the original founders of the legendary Northeast Groovers, a cornerstone band in Go-Go’s history, he brings decades of authenticity and passion to the scene. After moving to San Diego with his family, TommyGuns faced a major health challenge—battling cancer. Following his recovery, his dedication to music and culture only grew stronger. With iNationLive he’s built a powerhouse group that blends the traditional D.C. Go-Go sound with Los Angeles’ diverse music talent, creating a sound that is both true to its roots and open to new influences.
“Tommy’s story is one of resilience,” Proctor said. “He came through a tough time and used his recovery to double down on his mission to bring Go-Go to new audiences. His energy fuels what we’re doing here in L.A.”
Together, Westside Go-Go and iNationLive have positioned themselves as forerunners of the Go-Go movement in Southern California. Their events aren’t just concerts—they’re cultural exchanges. They are places where longtime Angelenos and East Coast newcomers dance side by side, where HBCU alumni reunite with old friends, and where D.C. culture takes root thousands of miles from home.
This month, Westside Go-Go is set to host one of its biggest events yet: Saturday, September 13th at Resident DTLA, right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The evening will feature a live set by iNation Live, alongside DJs spinning throughout the night, bringing the unmistakable energy of D.C.’s Go-Go to the Arts District. With Resident’s indoor stage and outdoor park-like setting, the event promises to capture both the intimacy of community and the wide-open joy of a night under the city lights.
The goal remains simple but powerful: celebrate and preserve GoGo culture while bringing people together. For many D.C. transplants, hearing the familiar rhythms of Go-Go in Los Angeles is more than music—it’s memory, connection, and pride. For HBCU graduates spread across the city, these gatherings serve as reunions and affirmations of community.
“Rep your school, rep your org, rep yourself,” Proctor said, echoing a motto that defines their events. “Our culture deserves to be uplifted, and in L.A., we’re creating that space.”
As Los Angeles continues to attract people from across the country, Westside GoGo is proof that culture travels—and thrives—when communities commit to celebrating it. With monthly events, a dedicated following, and partnerships with bands like iNation, the sound of Washington, D.C. is alive and well on the West Coast.
On September 13th, as drums and congas fill the DTLA air, Westside GoGo will once again do what it set out to do: build a home away from home for those seeking connection, culture, and joy. www.westsidegogo.us
