Charleston City Paper: 2022 MOJA Arts Festival

OFFICIAL GUIDE SEPT. 29 OCT. 09, 2022

Amiri Geuka Farris

MAYOR’S GREETING

Dear

MOJA

ARTS FESTIVAL

Guests,

MOJA Arts Festival 09.28.2022

Welcome to the 2022 MOJA Arts Festival, Charleston’s annual celebration of African-American and Caribbean arts and culture! Proudly produced by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs with the year-round assistance of the all-volunteer MOJA Arts Festival Planning Committee, MOJA remains true to its founding mission to build bridges of understanding and respect for the beauty of artistic and cultural expression among people from all parts of our community.

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Each year, MOJA brings together an impressive calendar of festive performances, exhibitions, and events that enrich and enliven our community, offering locals and visitors alike the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural heritage and artistic vitality of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

This year, MOJA renews it commitment to longstanding partnerships while launching new collaborations and looking to the future, with the full calendar of uplifting music programs, compelling dance and theatre productions, and vibrant visual arts offerings. It is a fantastic line-up that is certain to reward return guests and equally inspire new attendees, all made possible by the talents and vision of artists from across the Lowcountry and the Southeastern United States.

We extend our thanks and appreciation to the members of the MOJA Arts Festival Planning Committee, chaired by Robert Sanders. We also recognize the tireless support of Charleston City Council, and the contributions of individuals, foundations, government agencies and corporations who

together help keep MOJA accessible to all while making a lasting, ongoing impact in our community. And of course, we salute the audience members and community participants who make this such a special event every autumn.

A round of applause, as well, to the Office of Cultural Affairs staff and to the various City departments that make MOJA possible: Parks, Recreation, Legal, Finance, Budget, Police, Traffic & Transportation, Information Technology, Human Resources, Public Services, Public Information, Special Facilities, and the Mayor’s Office.

We look forward to joining you, your family and friends at this year’s MOJA Arts Festival, as we once again come together to celebrate the arts here in Charleston. Enjoy!

John J. Tecklenburg Mayor

DANCE

SEPT. 29-OCT. 09, 2022 For tickets, visit MOJAFESTIVAL.COM

The dance troupe’s founders are from Charleston County but now operate in New York and Atlanta.

“That was where I first got interested in African music and dance,” said Frank, who serves as Harambee’s executive director.

Sandella joined him in Ghana. There, the duo learned firsthand the traditional African dance styles that have become the calling card of their company.

Coming home … and leaving again

They returned to Charleston in 1992 as husband and wife, and opened a gallery and art store on King Street. Two years later,

By Michael Smallwood they founded Harambee Dance Company, arambee Dance Company’s Oct. 6 MOJA show, Origin, with Sandella handling choreography and isn’t just another dance performance. It is an act of Frank playing music.

“Fortunately and unfortunately, we started coming home.

“On a personal level, this is a homecoming for us, coming branching out,” said Frank. “We started travback to Charleston,” said Sandella Malloy, artistic director eling because we were really motivated and of Harambee Dance Company, which is based in New York inspired to reach as many artists as possible and Atlanta. “There are a lot of people in that city that have and to learn as much as possible.”

This branching out led the company to poured into us — that have been inspirational in our lives. relocate to New York City in 1996, where And being able to come back home and connect with them also is they have remained for over 20 years. something special.”

During the pandemic, they also took their Sandella and her husband and partner Frank Malloy are dance company to Atlanta, Georgia, and Charleston natives. Frank and Sandella were high school sweethave maintained the two companies since. hearts, having attended what is now James Island Charter High School. After graduating from College of Charleston, Frank entered But there has always been a desire to come the Peace Corps in 1988 and went to Ghana in western Africa. back to where it all started.

H

“That is a long time to want to do a hometown gig and not have it happen,” said Frank. Harambee Dance Company did not return to Charleston for a performance until 2019, when it celebrated its 25th anniversary with a show at their old high school on James Island. Being in town for that show and meeting city arts officials laid the groundwork for this year’s big performance at MOJA. “So we are just doing cartwheels every day.”

This year’s show

Origin digs deep into the rich traditions of African and African-American dance and music, as well as speaking directly to the experiences and history of the Malloy family, which includes son and musical director Frankie Malloy. Sandella’s choreography draws on African-based movement, modern dance, original music and live percussion, and the show includes storytelling aspects, too.

“There’s just a lot of history, a lot of culture in Charleston,” said Sandella. It was only upon arriving in West Africa that she realized just how much African heritage CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

charlestoncitypaper.com

HARAMBEE’S ORIGIN show is an Oct. 6 homecoming

Provided

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DANCE

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL MOJA Arts Festival

The is a multi-disciplinary festival produced annually and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the MOJA Planning Committee, an all-volunteer community arts and cultural group. Additional assistance and guidance is provided by the less formal networks of the MOJA Advisory Board, a group of civic leaders who assist with fundraising and advocacy, and the Friends of MOJA patron circle, representing individual and corporate donors.

Moja, a Swahili word meaning “One,” is the appropriate name for this festival celebration of harmony among all people in our community. The Festival highlights the many AfricanAmerican 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 the public schools and senior outreach in community centers.

FESTIVAL STAFF MOJA Arts Festival is produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and the MOJA Planning Committee

Chris Adejo

The company will perform for free at the Main Library on Oct. 5.

Harambee CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

was present in the Charleston culture of her youth. From the food to the basket weaving, so many things she recognized from her childhood had its roots in Ghana. “Growing up in Charleston, I really didn’t understand that I was living African culture.”

Origin features five pieces and runs about an hour and Growing up in Charleston, I really a half. The pieces cover stories of didn’t understand that I was living religion, the 1970s, African culture.” —Sandella Malloy ancestral daughters and the division of we’re doing now if things did not originate families. The settings are mostly contemthere in Charleston. We are so grateful to porary, but draw on deep cultural history.

The 25-member ensemble will also feature be from the South. To be from Charleston.”

The Malloys are looking forward to some local talent joining onstage. seeing friends and family, and per“Origin really is about our roots,” said forming for all those people who helped Sandella. “So what you’re going to see is shape their journey. They’re also excited our roots, but you’re also going to see an to share their performance style to extension of those roots where you see a Charleston’s audiences for what, hopemore contemporary format.” fully, won’t be the last time.

Frankie Malloy looks to his parents for “It’s gonna be a grand time on that inspiration for the show’s original musical stage,” said Sandella. “It’s gonna be a party compositions.

“I like to consider myself and the on the stage. We’ll all be there.” music that I compose a representation Harambee Dance Company presents Origin of my parent’s vision and experiences on Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. at the Dock Street Theatre. growing up,” he said. “So you’re gonna Tickets are $25. see some traditional West African percussive instruments.

“You’re going to see some Western For more information or to purchase tickets, instruments in the form of bass and keys. visit www.mojafestival.com.

MOJA Arts Festival 09.28.2022

“

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You’re gonna see a beautiful marriage of all of our musical experiences, all of our musical backgrounds.”

His father, Frank Malloy, sees a deeper meaning to Origin in its title and its purpose right now.

“Everything that we’re doing now is a result of people pouring their heart and souls into us. We would not be doing what

CITY OF CHARLESTON _____________________________________________________________ John J. Tecklenburg Mayor CITY COUNCIL _____________________________________________________________________ Boyd Gregg Karl L. Brady Jr. A. Peter Shahid Jr. District 1 District 5 District 9 Kevin Shealy District 2

William Dudley Gregorie District 6

Stephen Bowden District 10

Jason Sakran District 3

Perry K. Waring District 7

Ross A. Appel District 11

Robert Mitchell District 4

Michael S. Seekings District 8

Caroline Parker District 12

OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS _____________________________________________________ Katie LaPorte Scott Watson Basil Punsalan Cultural Projects Director Associate Producer, Coordinator MOJA Arts Festival Mindy Manziano Ray Swagerty Box Office Manager Anne Quattlebaum Production Manager City Gallery Manager Harrison Chapman Rachel D. Workman Farmers Market Manager Finance Manager MOJA ARTS FESTIVAL PLANNING COMMITTEE 2022 _______________________________ Robert Sanders Reginald C. Graham Edna Edwards Williams Chair Vice Chair Secretary Elease Amos-Goodwin S. Johari Andika Cheryl Brown Carl Campbell Karole Turner Campbell Cheo Chandler M. Jeffrey Fielding Jr. Thuane B. Fielding Joseph Frasier Jr. Brittany Gaillard Isaac Gaillard Jonathan Green Radia Heyward

Franklin R. Hilliard Theresa J. Hilliard Vertelle Amos Kenion Jazzie Clay King Veronica McDaniel Rev. Randolph Miller Ellen Moryl Earline Nelson Yvonne T.Orr Noelle Orr-Blaney Toni Parnell Clifford R. Polite Jr. Terri Prince-Gaillard

Bev Prince-Muhammad John S. Purvis Angel R.Quintero Edmund S. Robinson Annabell Seabrook Cherry Seabrook Charles Seabrook Latoya Vickers Alishia Ward Kelvin B. Williams Carolyn Wright-Porcher

SCHEDULE

SEPT. 29-OCT. 09, 2022 For tickets, visit MOJAFESTIVAL.COM

For tickets

and more information on everything about the festival, visit MojaFestival.com.

Every day Juried Art Exhibition, City Gallery, 34 Prioleau St. More than 40 artists with wide-ranging media are part of this year’s juried ing exhibition selected by juror Open ion t Dana Coleman. recep

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eduli

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NEA Big Read The Charleston County Public Library and MOJA will officially kick off the NEA Big Read for Africanborn writer Yaa Gyasi’s novel Homegoing on Sept. 29 and will offer community programs and special events through March 2023.

3 p.m. Oct. 4: NEA Big Read Book Discussion on Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.

Bees Ferry West Ashley Library, 3035 Sanders Rd. “Procession” (detail) by Robert Maniscalco

6 p.m., Oct. 5: NEA Big Read Book Discussion.

Main Library, 68 Calhoun St.

The MOJA Juried Art Exhibition at City Gallery runs through Oct. 9.

Sept. 30

Oct. 1

6 p.m. to 11 p.m. MOJA Reggae Block Dance, Brittlebank Park.

Reggae at Brittlebank Park returns to 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. Food and artwork will be available.

Coolers not permitted. Free.

Noon

John Williams

Sept. 29

6 p.m. MOJA Opening Day Parade The parade will begin at Marion Square, travel down King Street, through Market Street and end at the U.S. Custom House on East Bay Street.

CANCELED

Note Schedule is subject to change. Be

sure to check back with MOJA Arts Festival and the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs for the latest up-to-date information.

The most up-to-date calendar information can always be found at: MojaFestival.com

mojafestival

7 p.m. Cuba dentro de un piano, Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Cuban-American soprano Elaine 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.

Shows also on Oct. 2 and 3.

Tickets are $35-$70.

7 p.m. When I First Remember, Old Bethel United Methodist Church, 222 Calhoun St. This performance uses songs, dialogue, Gullah stories and African drumming to tell the story of how the enslaved people made it over.

Tickets are $30.

Noon Junior Tennis Round Robin, Charleston Tennis Center, 19 Farmfield Ave. Free.

1 p.m. Black Biz on the Block,

Philip Simmons Park, 64 Columbus St. The event offers a space for blackd e owned small businesses to sell their l u ed Resch ct. 22 products and services as well as for community members to get various to O resources. Entertainment and food trucks will be on site.

7 p.m. An Evening of Jazz with Momentum and Da’rrell Ravenell,

Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. MOJA Arts Festival favorites Da’rrell CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

charlestoncitypaper.com

CANCELED

2nd Annual Gullah MOJA Arts Experience, Cannon Street Arts Center, 134 Cannon St. Bring chairs, drums, ancestral tribute items and the entire family for this Gullah/Geechee intergenerational gathering of arts, education, music, dance and culture. Free.

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SCHEDULE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

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.

7 p.m. When I First Remember, Old Bethel United Methodist Church, 222 Calhoun St. Tickets are $30.

Oct. 2 3 p.m. When I First Remember, Old Bethel United Methodist Church, 222 Calhoun St. Tickets are $30.

4 p.m. The Back Home Gospel Hour, Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting St. This show features Howard Brown and the Voices of Deliverance, Minister Mario Dessausure, Elder Javetta Campbell and Rev. Randolph Miller.

Tickets are $15 (seniors/students) to $25.

Oct. 3

MOJA Arts Festival 09.28.2022

7 p.m. Lowcountry Voices presents Hymnology II, a Lowcountry worship experience, Greater St. Luke AME Church, 78 Gordon St. Free.

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Oct. 5 9:30 a.m. Harambee Dance Company, Main Library, Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun St. Harambee Dance Company pulls together the essence of African and African-American dance and music, presenting it from an innovative and exciting new contemporary perspective. Free.

For tickets

and more information on everything about the festival, visit MojaFestival.com.

Oct. 6 4 p.m. One Love: A Celebration of African American and Caribbean Culture, Enston Homes, 900 King St. Presented by The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, the event featuring the sounds of Spiritually Yours, Mystic Vibrations, and Black Diamond Band. Free.

6 p.m. Jazz on King Block Party, Ann at King Streets.

Enjoy outdoor dining at participating restaurants, shopping at your favorite retailers, and musical performances by Tonya Nicole and Latoya Renea. Tonya Nicole and her expert band of musicians will be paying tribute to two icons of Jazz Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Live painting performance by painter kolpeace. Free.

8 p.m. Harambee Dance Company presents Origin, Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. Harambee Dance Company pulls together the essence of African and African-American dance and music.

Tickets are $25.

Oct. 7 1 p.m.

Gullah storyteller and local historian Theresa Hilliard, James Island Arts and Cultural Center, 1248 Camp Road.

Gullah storyteller and local historian Theresa Hilliard speaks about her childhood on Edisto Island. Hear how Gullah sounds. Free.

8 p.m. WonderVerse: The Music of Stevie Wonder, Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St. 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! Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Oct. 8 7:30 p.m. Joey Morant – All That Jazz concert, Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St. The inaugural concert features internationally renowned piano virtuoso Danny Mixon with special guest

Rūta Smith file photo

LaFaye (above) will join forces with Black Diamond for the MOJA Finale.

Antoinette Montague, celebrating the life and legacy of Charleston icon Joey Morant. Tickets are $25.

Oct. 9 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. MOJA Finale,

Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Blvd.

Close out the Festival in style at this day-long celebration of Lowcountry culture and Charleston history, culminating in a knock-out mainstage performance! 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. Free.

1:30 p.m. Metropolitan Opera Singer Edward Washington II, Unitarian Church, 4 Archdale St. Washington will be presenting a program of Spirituals and Art Songs.

Free.

3 p.m. Oh Happy Day, Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. Celebrate Charleston’s rich gospel music heritage with the creators of The Sound of Charleston.

Tickets are $28 adult; $26 senior; $16 student with ID.

2022 POSTER

SEPT. 29-OCT. 09, 2022 For tickets, visit MOJAFESTIVAL.COM

S.C. artist’s poster displays

RICH, MOVING TEXTURES of festival

By Andy Brack

T

“The collection begins with ‘The Stories We Define’, a collaged painting depicting a mother reading to her child,” said MUSC art collection assistant Noah Williams. “This piece anchors the collection and encourages viewers to resort back to a place learning, hearing a story and embracing traditions passed down.

“At the very end of the space, you see two of Amiri’s self-portraits, ‘Yellow American’ and ‘Magenta American,’ are painted on top of layered and rich cultural references ranging from sweetgrass baskets to comics.”

Next month on Oct. 24, Farris will start a five-week residency at the Gibbes Museum of Art in downtown Charleston. He’s going to work on a piece using older paintings and clippings to depict the rhythm of life.

“I’ll be working on a big piece in the study that people will be able to come in and see me working,” he said. His residency will end Dec. 5.

Through the years, the artist’s work has been featured across the country in more than 50 solo exhibitions and juried museum

“

The piece is about moving from the past into a positive future. So you can see elements of dance and celebration and also elements of Gullah Geechee and Caribbean culture.” —Amiri Gueka Farris

exhibitions. He’s been shown in past MOJA Arts Festival shows and once served as the judge of one of its juried exhibitions.

For more information, visit AmariFarris.com.

You can view this year’s poster for free at the City Gallery, 34 Prioleau St., Charleston. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. from Sept. 29 through Oct. 9.

charlestoncitypaper.com

his year’s MOJA Arts Festival poster vibrates with emotion and texture. Although it’s a two-dimensional image, it seems to thrum with a pounding drum rhythm. You can feel the movement of dancing. Vibrant colors pleasantly sting your eyes.

The piece, commissioned this year, offers a rich multidimensional texture created by Bluffton artist Amiri Gueka Farris that shimmers, haunts and spins.

Called “MOJA Dance: Past, present and future,” the work was created in September for the Festival, which runs Sept. 29-Oct. 9 in Charleston.

“The piece is about moving from the past into a positive future,” Farris said. “So you can see elements of dance and celebration and also elements of Gullah Geechee and Caribbean culture.”

Farris, an accomplished 47-year-old artist who has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design, said viewers should look for different symbols in the piece, such as the Ghanaian sankofa, swirls, snakes and more.

“There’s a sweetgrass basket at the top and there are the three faces that represent MOJA from the logo,” he said. “There are dancers and music symbols and different Courtesy Amiri Gueka Farris things that I thought would emulate and The works by Farris pulse with color talk about the festival.”

Farris, who uses a wide range of media in and energy. his contemporary works, has been getting a lot of exposure in the Charleston area lately. In March, the Medical University of South Carolina opened a year-long exhibition on the hospital’s second floor that includes several works from Farris’s Indigo series as part of Heirlooms: The Black South Collection.

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FESTIVAL SPONSORS

SEPT. 29-OCT. 09, 2022 For tickets, visit MOJAFESTIVAL.COM

MOJA Arts Festival salutes its sponsors

for the

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT

ARTS

MOJA Arts Festival 09.28.2022

BIG READ

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Managed by Arts Midwest

arts.gov/neabigread

DiscoverSouthCarolina.com

The MOJA Arts Festival Presentation of Harambee Dance Company is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the South Carolina Arts Commission.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.