Pulse of Go-Go, Promise of Peace Mingle at D.C. Dance Event for Youth

At the Market Lounge, 13-year-old Shandeliha Walker of Benning Terrace spent her first afternoon at a go-go and pronounced it a success, dancing in the crowd as though she was a veteran. "I had fun," she said. "It was peaceful."

Terrance White, 18, and B.Y. Milton, 16, were among those on the outside, pleading to get in. The bouncers said no.

"How do you get a card?" asked one of White's friends.

"You have to go through the training," the bouncer said.

Disappointed, they went back home to Southeast, but not before White complained to his friends, "They don't take money or Visa or debit card or nothing."

Organizers said they're making no exceptions because the stakes are too high. They want to show city leaders and potential sponsors that there's a better way to keep youths engaged than simply telling them to stay inside after 10 p.m.

At the end, Moten took to the stage with a final word of pride and warning.

"We have 12 different neighborhoods up in here, and you all are getting along. And I know some of y'all don't get along in the street," he said before pledging: "If you fight, you will be banned forever, forever, ever. Ever!"

A handful of kids raised two fingers in a peace sign as they filed out.