Najee October 7 The Gaillard Center 95 Calhoun Street Having collaborated with everyone in the music business from Prince and Quincy Jones to Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Herbie Hancock, Najee’s technical agility, grace, compositional prowess, unbridled passion and fearless genre bending have made him one of the most sought after musicians of his generation. 2011MOJA Program Book_2004 MOJA Program Book 9/12/11 9:54 PM Page 2 City of Charleston South Carolina DEAR MOJADear MOJA FESTIVAL Festival Guests: GUESTS: Welcome to MOJA,Welcome Charleston’sto the 2011 MOJA annual Arts Festival, celebration Charleston’s annualof African-American celebration of African- and Carib- American and Caribbean Arts and Culture, produced by the City of Charleston Office of bean arts andCultural culture! Affairs. The 2016 MOJA Arts Festival assembles an amazing array of talents and traditions, affording locals and visitors alike the opportunity to celebrate This year’s festival highlights include: An Evening of Jazz Under the Stars with Najee at the cultural heritagePorter-Gaud and School artistic Stadium (pg.vitality 10); City of Gallery the Lowcountry.at Waterfront Park exhibitionProudly “Special produced by the Moments: Works From the Collection of Dr. Harold Rhodes, III” (pg. 27); A Classical City of CharlestonEncounter Office with Eleganza of atCultural the City GalleryAffairs at Waterfront in a longstanding Park followed by a champagnepartnership with the all-volunteer MOJAreception Arts(pg. 11); Festival Mt. Zion PlanningSpiritual Singers’ Committee, soul stirring Camp year Meeting after (pg. year 11); MOJA an brings enchanting evening of dance by PHILADANCO at the Gaillard Auditorium (pg. 7); Gwen Charleston togetherButler’s jazz as cruise we on gather the Charleston and Harborengage aboard in the festive Spirit of Charlestonperformances, (pg. 18); and exhibitions, African writer Jacqueline Maduneme’s lecture about her compelling autobiography, Ada’s and events thatDaughter enrich (pg. 8).and New enliven this year, is aour unique community. partnership between the Preservation Society of Charleston and the MOJA Festival that offers three concerts in historic downtown churches called “Architecture in Concert” (pg. 10). These are just a few of the outstanding programs During the elevenin this year’s days MOJA of Festival.the MOJA Arts Festival, our city resounds with rhythm and revels in a colorful palette, as we immerse ourselves in arts and traditions that are Each year the MOJA Festival is produced by the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs in collabora- deeply rootedtion in withAfrica the MOJA and Planning blossom Committee, brilliantly chaired this throughout year by Edna Edwards the Williamsworld, with particularly Elease Amos-Goodwin serving as the Planning Committee Liaison to the OCA. MOJA’s here in Charleston.Advisory InCommittee the pages assists with of advocacythis program for the festival guide and is you chaired will by the find Honorable compelling stage plays; musicalJames performances E. Clyburn. Special ranging thanks go to from Charleston gospel City Council and for classical their on-going to support jazz andof R&B; pre- the MOJA Festival and also to the individual donors, foundations, government agencies and miere dance work;corporations poetry who provide and literaryfunding, grants talks; and visualin-kind donations arts exhibitions; to help us make and MOJA public events that animate ouraccessible parks to everyone and streets in the community. with the sounds and spirit of our shared African heritage. And finally, Bravo to the members of our hard-working Office of Cultural Affairs team along with all of the City departments that help make it happen: Parks, Recreation, Legal, Finance, Budget, Police, Traffic & Transportation, Information Technology, Human Resources, Public The City is extremelyServices, Public fortunate Information, to Special be ableFacilities to and work the Mayor’s with Office. a host of tireless community partners, dedicatedWe invite youvolunteers, to bring your family and and the friends inspiring to attend this artists year’s MOJAand Festival enthusiastic which con- audiences nects everyone in a joyous atmosphere celebrating the arts. Enjoy! that bring MOJA to life. We extend sincere thanks and gratitude to the members of the MOJA ArtsSincerely, Festival Planning Committee, chaired again this year by Angel R. Quintero. We also recognize the heroic efforts and contagious enthusiasm of our MOJA Program Coordinator for 2016, Romaine Marion-Heyward, who has worked closely with committeeMayor Joseph P. members Riley, Jr. and coordinatorsEllen Dressler to bring Moryl, thisDirector year’s Festival to City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs fruition. Special thanks to Charleston City Council for their steadfast support of the MOJA Arts Festival and to the individuals, foundations, government agencies and corporations who help make MOJA sustainable2 and accessible. A round of applause, as well, to the Office of Cultural Affairs staff and to the vari- ous 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 invite you to bring your family and friends to this year’s MOJA Arts Festival, and City of Charlestonto delight in MOJA’s many and diverse arts and cultural experiences. We look forward John J. Tecklenburgto seeing you! Mayor May 12, 2016 Most sincerely yours, MAYORJohn JOHN J. Tecklenburg J. TECKLENBURG SCOTT WATSON, DIRECTOR City of CharlestonMayor, City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs 1 P.O. Box 652, Charleston, South Carolina 29402 843-577-6970 FAX 843-720-3827 MOJA ARTS FESTIVAL A CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN ARTS DEAR MOJA SUPPORTERS: On behalf of the MOJA Planning Committee we extend greetings and welcome you to the 2016 MOJA Arts Festival: A Celebration of African-American and Caribbean Arts. We hope that your experience at this year’s Festival (our 33rd annual) will be memorable and rewarding. From our perspective, we are excited to be coming home to the beau- tifully restored Gaillard Center, where Dance Theatre of Harlem will grace the stage, and then on the following evening, Najee will fill the hall with his musical artistry. We equally welcome the premiere of Stick Fly by Art Forms & Theatre Concepts, Inc. at the historic Dock Street Theatre, which will also host the MOJA debut of Charleston Black Theatre, with their presentation of Harriet’s Return. And, naturally, we are thrilled to give Charleston a chance to get into a collective groove; whether you like reggae, salsa, funk, pop, or R&B, MOJA always strikes the right chord. From the opening parade to the final notes of the Finale at Hampton Park, we hope to see you at multiple events. We are also proud to once again honor at the MOJA Community Tribute Luncheon members of the community who give unselfishly of themselves to improve the quality of life in our community. This annual gathering salutes the accomplishments of Charles- ton’s best and brightest and provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the remarkable individuals who make our city such a special place. We express our sincere thanks to all of you who continue to support MOJA as sponsors, contributors, volunteers, Planning Committee coordinators and members, and ticket buyers. We especially express our deep appreciation to the Office of Cultural Affairs’ small but dedicated staff, Scott Watson - Director, Harrison Chapman, Shannon Drake, Mindy Manziano, Anne Quattlebaum, Gordon Rooney, Ray Swagerty, Kelly Walker, and Rachel Workman. We also applaud our 2016 MOJA Program Coordinator, Romaine Hey- ward, as she assumes a new role with the City as Managing Director of the Dock Street Theatre. Heartfelt thanks to adjunct staff members, with a special nod to our talented graphic designer, Marcus Amaker, who this year was named Charleston’s Poet Laureate. We welcome and sincerely thank the Honorable John J. Tecklenburg, Mayor of our fine city, as well as the members of Charleston City Council. MOJA’s stature as a major arts festival in the Southeast is due in large part to their continued stalwart support and commitment. We feel that we have, once again, planned a first class festival featuring phenomenal artistic talents and public events that will engage and inspire the entire community. We hope you enjoy the 2016 MOJA Arts Festival and we will look forward to greeting you at many Festival events this year and in the years to come. ROMAINE MARION-HEYWARD ANGEL R. QUINTERO 2016 MOJA Program Coordinator Planning Committee Chairperson Managing Director, Dock Street Theatre 2016 MOJA Arts Festival 2 MOJA ARTS FESTIVAL is produced by The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in cooperation with the MOJA Planning Committee. CITY OF CHARLESTON Romaine Heyward Theresa J. Hilliard SOUTH CAROLINA 2016 MOJA Program Franklin Hilliard John J. Tecklenburg, Mayor Coordinator Greg Jenkins Managing Director, Vertelle Amos Kenion Dock Street Theatre Arianne King Comer CITY COUNCIL Jazzie V. Clay King MEMBERS Veronica McDaniel F. Gary White, Jr. ADJUNCT STAFF Hampton R. Olfus, Jr. District 1 Rebecca Gosnell Yvonne Tolley Orr Rodney Williams Logistics Coordinator Clifton Polite District 2 Marcus Amaker Bev Prince-Muhammad James Lewis, Jr. Graphic Designer Terri Prince-Gilliard District 3 Debbie Davis Erica Prioleau-Taylor Robert M. Mitchell Ticket Agent John S. Purvis