The city of Charleston will host MOJA on King, a free block party featuring live music, vendors, outdoor dining and extended retail hours, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The event will take place along upper King Street, primarily between John and Warren Streets, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during event hours.

 The Queens of Hip Hop and Soul, the event’s headline musical attraction, will perform at 7 p.m. at the corner of King and Ann Streets. The event will also feature steel drumming from Mason Prep and Deninufay African Dance & Drums Co.

Additionally, a number of resource organizations, including the city’s Minority & Women-owned Business Enterprise office, MOJA Arts Festival, Black Charleston Professionals and Increasing H.O.P.E. Women’s Business Center, will be in attendance.

In addition to the outdoor entertainment, MOJA and Explore Charleston, in partnership with Buxton Books, will host two poetry and literary offerings in the Camden Room at the adjacent Charleston Visitor Center (375 Meeting Street). Poet Georgia Nubia will present at 6 p.m., followed by poet Roger Reeves, who will discuss his most recent book and debut work of non-fiction, Dark Days, with Gary Jackson, Associate Professor at the College of Charleston. Books will be available for purchase.

MOJA on King is being hosted as part of the 2023 MOJA Arts Festival, an 11-day celebration of African-American and Caribbean culture hosted annually by the city in partnership with the MOJA Planning Committee and a network of local civic and cultural leaders. This year’s festival is taking place through October 8 and features a variety of performances, art exhibitions and community celebrations.

For more information on MOJA on King, please visit www.charleston-sc.gov/streetevents or contact the city’s Business Services Division at (843) 697-5273 or [email protected].