MOJA Arts Festival 


MOJA Arts Festival

The MOJA Arts Festival is a celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts. Selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for many years, the MOJA Arts Festival promises an exciting line-up of events with a rich variety of traditional favorites. Nearly half of the events are admission-free, and the remainder are offered at modest ticket prices.

The event is a multi-disciplinary festival produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs.

Moja, a Swahili word meaning “One,” is the appropriate name for this festival celebration of harmony among all people in the community. The Festival highlights the many African-American and Caribbean contributions to western and world cultures. MOJA’s wide range of events include visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, storytelling, theatre, children’s activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food, and much, much more. In addition to its myriad arts presentations, MOJA also includes an active and busy educational outreach component of workshops in public schools and senior outreach in senior citizen homes.



MOJA Arts Festival Photos


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MOJA Arts Festival
MOJA Arts Festival
MOJA Arts Festival
MOJA Arts Festival

Click Photos to Enlarge

MOJA Arts Festival
MOJA Arts Festival
MOJA Arts Festival
MOJA Arts Festival

MOJA Arts Festival 
Location and Map


MOJA Arts Festival
Gaillard Center Box Office
95 Calhoun St
Charleston SC 29401
(843) 724-5212
MOJA Festival Website





MOJA Arts Festival Dates 


Dates: September 29 - October 9, 2022 
Time: Varies by event
Admission: Varies by event. Some events are free to the public. 
Tickets can be purchased at the box office, on-line, on the phone or at the event.  


MOJA Arts Festival Events



Thursday, September 29, 2022


Sept. 29
6:00 PM

Opening Day Parade • Join us as we kick off the 2022 MOJA Arts Festival with an opening day parade! The parade will begin at at Marion Square then will travel down King Street through Market Street and will end at the US Custom House. Free. No ticket required


Friday, September 30, 2022


Sept. 30
6:00 PM

MOJA Reggae Block Dance • Reggae at Brittlebank Park makes its triumphant return to MOJA and will feature the internationally known reggae artist Monsoon as well as South Carolina reggae royalty the Ras Bonghi Reggae Allstars featuring Papa Robbie and Ric Mystic! MOJA strives to ensure the rich traditions laid forth by the God Father of the Reggae Block Dance Osei Chandler live on through positive vibrations and unity. Make sure to sample some of the delicious food from our local food vendors and take home original artwork form local artisans. Free. No ticket required


Sept. 30
7:00 PM

Cuba dentro de un paino • Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera presents Cuban-American soprano Elaine Alvarez in an exciting recital of classical and popular music of Hispanic origin. Ms. Alvarez is joined by Rolando Salazar on piano for an intimate evening celebrating the classical musical traditions of Cuba & Spain. Special guests; The Gino Castillo Quartet. Tickets start at $35.


Sept. 30
7:00 PM

When I First Remember • A play “Eyes Fus Member” or “When I First Remember” That use songs, dialog, Gullah stories and African drumming to tell the story of how the enslaved people made it over. All of this helping to make Old Bethel a destination for visitors coming to Charleston “If you can’t go to Africa come to Charleston” and discovery a people and their connection to Africa. 


Saturday, October 1, 2022


Oct. 1
12:00 PM

2nd Annual Gullah MOJA Arts Experience • Bring chairs, drums, ancestral tribute items and the entire family for this Gullah/Geechee intergenerational gathering of Arts, Education, Music, Dance and Culture. Enjoy a "Gullah/Geechee" afternoon of "Spoken Gullah/Geechee Talk, Our story, Artwork by Gullah/Geechee Quadre' Stuckey, Poetry by Poetess Georgia Nubia also Elder Carlie Towne, Singing by Gullah Singers African Drumming and Dancing by Deninufay Dance Co., Destiny Cafe Food Truck and More Performers/ Surprises. "Ancestral Tribute," Honoring the 36 ancestors found buried under the Gaillard Center and Doctor Ade Ase. Free. No tickets required


Oct. 1
12:00 PM

Junior Tennis Round Robin • This one-day tournament showcases youth from the City of Charleston Tennis Program and other area programs. Awards and refreshments will be available for participants.


Oct. 1
1:00 PM

Black Biz on the Block • Come celebrate excellence in your community at Hampstead Square Mall Park! The purpose of this event is to provide a space for black-owned small businesses to sell their product, and in some cases, services to residents and attendees. There will also be community resources present to provide information to residents on financial and economic empowerment services and programs. Entertainment will be located in Mall Park and the stage will feature the ever popular First Class Band as well as South Carolina reggae legends Reggae Infinity. Enjoy tasty treats from local area food trucks. Free Event. Not ticket required.


Oct. 1
7:00 PM

An Evening of Jazz with Momentum and Da'rrel Ravenell • MOJA Arts Festival favorites Da'rrell Ravenell & Peace of Mind Band will grace the stage of the historic Dock Street Theatre for an evening of soul stirring Jazz and Soul. Charleston Jazz’s own Momentum will open the evening and features the lowcountry’s most skilled players. Tickets are $25.


Oct. 1
7:00 PM

When I First Remember • A play “Eyes Fus Member” or “When I First Remember” That use songs, dialog, Gullah stories and African drumming to tell the story of how the enslaved people made it over. All of this helping to make Old Bethel a destination for visitors coming to Charleston “If you can’t go to Africa come to Charleston” and discovery a people and their connection to Africa. Tickets are $30.


Sunday, October 2, 2022


Oct. 2
3:00 PM

When I First Remember • A play “Eyes Fus Member” or “When I First Remember” That use songs, dialog, Gullah stories and African drumming to tell the story of how the enslaved people made it over. All of this helping to make Old Bethel a destination for visitors coming to Charleston “If you can’t go to Africa come to Charleston” and discovery a people and their connection to Africa. Tickets are $30.


Oct. 2
4:00 PM

The Back Home Gospel Hour • “The Back Home Gospel Hour” featuring Howard Brown and the Voices of Deliverance, Minister Mario Dessausure, Elder Javetta Campbell and Reverend Randolph Miller; NEW LOCATION: Second Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $15 - $25.


Monday, October 3, 2022


Oct. 3
7:00 PM

Lowcountry Voices Presents Hymnology II • Lowcountry Voices presents Hymnology II, a lowcountry worship experience! Nathan L. Nelson, Music Director. Special guests include Rev. Dr. Clinton Brantley, Rev. Randolph Miller, and Pastor Desmond Pringle. Free. No ticket required.


Tuesday, October 4, 2022


Oct. 4
3:00 PM

NEA Big Reads Book Discussion: Homegoing by Yaa @ BFWAL Gyasi • The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is hosting two special book club discussions as part of a partnership with the City of Charleston’s MOJA Arts Festival. The discussions will be centered around “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi, which is the featured title for MOJA’s Big Read program, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).


Wednesday, October 5, 2022


Oct. 5
9:30 AM

Harambee Dance Company at the Main Library • In Swahili, Harambee means “let us pull together.” Enjoy a performance by the Harambee Dance Company. Designed for children and families, this performance incorporates the traditional and contemporary to create a new style of African Dance. This enlightening and thought-provoking presentation will challenge the audience to expand the perception of dance! Free. Not tickets required.


Oct. 5
3:00 PM

NEA Big Reads Book Discussion: Homegoing by Yaa @ BFWAL Gyasi • The Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is hosting two special book club discussions as part of a partnership with the City of Charleston’s MOJA Arts Festival. The discussions will be centered around “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi, which is the featured title for MOJA’s Big Read program, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).


Thursday, October 6, 2022


Oct. 6
4:00 PM

One Love: A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Culture • Presented by The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston and the MOJA Arts Festival, featuring the sounds of Spiritually Yours, Mystic Vibrations, and Black Diamond Band. Free. Not tickets required.


Oct. 6
6:00 PM

Jazz on King Block Party • This event is free and open to the public - No ticket or reservation is needed.


Oct. 6
8:00 PM

Harambee Dance Company at the Main Library • In Swahili, Harambee means “let us pull together.” Enjoy a performance by the Harambee Dance Company. Designed for children and families, this performance incorporates the traditional and contemporary to create a new style of African Dance. This enlightening and thought-provoking presentation will challenge the audience to expand the perception of dance! Free. Not tickets required.


Friday, October 7, 2022


Oct. 7
1:00 PM

Gullah Storytelling with Theresa Hilliard • Bring the family and come listen to Gullah Storyteller and local historian, Theresa Hilliard speak about her childhood on Edisto Island. Fluent in the Gullah language, Theresa grew up on the island with her grandmother whose only language was Gullah. Theresa will share stories about her experiences, traditional medicines, spirituality,customs of her upbringing, and personal history in the Lowcountry. She will bring artifacts from her childhood to share and the children will enjoy seeing items the Gullah Geechee people used before modern conveniences. Free. Not tickets required.


Oct. 7
8:00 PM

Wonderverse: The Music of Stevie Wonder • Stevie Wonder has been a cornerstone of Pop Music for decades. His songs have become classic hits that have been heard by billions of people. From the “Classic Albums Period” of the ‘70s into the ‘80s to songs written for other artists Charlton Singleton and Friends will draw from his massive catalog for a night of high energy and sing-a-longs! Tickets are $25.


Saturday, October 8, 2022


Oct. 8
7:30 PM

Joey Morant - All That Jazz Inc. Concert • The inaugural JOEY MORANT – ALL THAT JAZZ INC Concert, featuring internationally renowned piano virtuoso Danny Mixon with special guest Antoinette Montague, celebrating the life and legacy of Charleston icon Joey Morant. Tickets are $25. 


Sunday, October 9, 2022


Oct. 9
11:00 AM

MOJA Finale • Close out the Festival in style! A day-long celebration of Lowcountry culture and Charleston history, culminating in a knock-out mainstage performance! You’ve heard them coined “Charleston’s Queen of Soul” and “Charleston’s Tina!” Black Diamond & LaFaye will join forces as The ZD Experience Presents “Simply the Best” a tribute to Tina Turner & “Queen of Soul” a tribute to Aretha Franklin. Everyone in your family will enjoy this free-to-attend celebration of all that the MOJA Arts Festival has to offer. Free. No tickets required.


Oct. 9
1:30 PM

Metropolitan Opera Singer Edward Washington II • The Unitarian Church in Charleston is pleased to announce that Edward Washington II will be giving a concert at the Unitarian Church in. Mr. Washington will be presenting a program of Spirituals and Art Songs. Mr. Washington was recently in the Metropolitan Opera's productions of Porgy and Bess, and Fire Shut up in my Bones. He has also performed with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Orlando Opera, Central Florida Lyric Opera, International Festival of the Voice, and New York City Opera. Mr. Washington was formerly the Music and Education director of the “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation based in Orlando, Florida and directed their ensemble “Master Singers.” He still is a proud ambassador for the foundation. Washington has soloed in concert with the United States Air Force Band, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Morgan State University Choir, and the American Spiritual Ensemble. He was a featured vocalist twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Free. No tickets required


Oct. 9
3:00 PM

Oh Happy Day • From the creators of The Sound of Charleston comes the Oh Happy Day Gospel Series at Circular Congregational Church on Sunday, October 9th and Sunday, December 4th, both at 3 pm. Come and join in celebrating Charleston’s rich gospel music heritage. Clap your hands, tap your feet, and join in singing this joyous music. Tickets are $28. 


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