2023 MOJA Arts Festival announces new closing weekend highlights
October 5, 2023
The city of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the MOJA Planning Committee, has announced details of additional MOJA Arts Festival performances and performing artists ahead of its closing weekend.
The Festival, an 11-day celebration of African American and Caribbean culture, will culminate with a finale in Hampton Park at 4 p.m. on October 8.
Closing Weekend Highlights:
- MOJA on King: This free-to-attend block party will feature live music, vendors, outdoor dining and extended retail hours, with King Street between John and Mary Streets closed to vehicular traffic from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m on Thursday, October 5. At 7 p.m., headline musical attraction The Queens of Hip Hop and Soul will take to a stage located at King and Ann Streets for a high energy performance of classic hits.
- Marcus Anderson: Saxophonist Marcus Anderson is a Spartanburg, SC native with 13 studio albums on his list of accomplishments. Charting number one in both Billboard’s Smooth Jazz and Sirius XM’s Watercolors categories, Anderson’s fusion jazz blends R&B, Pop, Rock and Funk. Marcus Anderson will perform at the Dock Street Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 6.
- Music Celebration for Gino Castillo: This fundraising jam session for beloved local musician Gino Castillo, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, will feature Jonathan Lovett, Quentin Baxter, Tyler Ross, Jake Holwegner, Mike Quinn and others at Festival Hall at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 7.
- New Jack Swing Dance Party: Two-time Grammy Award Winners Charlton Singleton and Quiana Parler will feature favorites and forgotten gems from the New Jack Swing era of the late 1980s and early 1990s at Charleston Music Hall at 8 p.m on Saturday, October 7.
- Joey Morant-All That Jazz, Inc. Fundraiser featuring Mark Whitfield: In celebration of the life and legacy of Charleston’s legendary Joey Morant, world-renowned jazz guitarist Mark Whitfield, who performed on some of Morant’s final recordings, will be the featured artist at a fundraising concert for the Joey Morant-All That Jazz, Inc. Foundation at Forte Jazz Lounge at 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 8.
- MOJA Finale: On Sunday, October 8 beginning at 4 p.m., this free-to-attend event at Hampton Park on Mary Murray Boulevard will close out the festival with live music, artisan crafts, food vendors, and health and wellness exhibitors. Mainstage musical performers will include the Terence Young Project, as well as DJ SCrib and hip hop icon, Chubb Rock.
Many MOJA events are free to attend, with others being offered at affordable prices. For a complete calendar of events and online ticketing information, please visit www.mojafestival.com.
The 2023 MOJA Arts Festival Poster Artist is visual artist and graphic designer Alexandria Searles, whose featured painting, “Heritage,” will be exhibited as part of the Juried Art Exhibition at City Gallery.
