How To for Jan. 31, 2016: Celebrate Gullah history during month of events
How To ...
Be joyful
Embrace the Lowcounty's rich heritage throughout February at the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration.
The 20th annual event offers lifelong residents, newcomers and visitors a wonderful sampling of Gullah culture through art, song, dance and food.
Start the festival off on the right note at the Gullah Music Series at 7 p.m. Friday at the First Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 10 Robertson St., Bluffton.
The concert features the voices of El Shaddai, the acclaimed community choir of the Lowcountry, and Time for Two, a sister duet who perform modern and traditional music on stringed instruments. The music series continues at other venues on Feb. 12, 19 and 26.
WHEN: Through Feb. 28
WHERE: Hilton Head and Bluffton
COST: Ranging from free to priced events.
DETAILS: www.gullahcelebration.com or call 843-255-7304
WEDNESDAY
Interpret your DNA results at a new ancestry class called "Autosomal DNA -- Make the Most of Your Results"
The course is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Heritage Library for those who have tested their autosomal DNA on sites Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA or 23andme.
Genealogist Jan Alpert will guide the class on how to get the most out of results, and more. Other genealogist classes are offered on Wednesdays in February and March.
The fee for each class is $15 and $10 for library members. Reservations are required at www.heritagelib.org or by calling 843-686-6560.
The Heritage Library is at 852 William Hilton Parkway on Hilton Head (second floor; parking and entrance in back).
SUNDAY
Future brides, grooms and parents can a gather under one roof for an afternoon of one-stop wedding shopping at the 20th annual Hilton Head Bridal Show, presented by Media Monthly.
More than 50 vendors will be at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, 2 Grasslawn Ave. from 1 to 4 p.m. to display dresses, tuxes, cakes, flowers, music, menus and needed (or wanted) for the big day. Admission is $10 at the door or $8 in advance.
For tickets, go to hiltonheadmonthly.com.
WHY I CONNECT
Ezra "Cal" Callahan, volunteer at Gullah Geechee Consortium of Beaufort County
"The organization is necessary as a vehicle to provide the history of the Gullah Geechee people in the Lowcountry. It's also important for Beaufort County to be known as the epicenter of the Gullah Geechee culture and make sure its history is not lost."
Be active
Get a jump on Super Bowl Sunday by running or walking in the Chili Bean 5K and 10K race at beautiful Coosaw Point on Lady's Island. The race begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by a chili cookoff at 1 Coosaw Point Blvd., in Beaufort.
The cookoff includes unlimited chili tasting and is free to those who register for the race. run. all the chili tasting you can eat! Admission is $10, and children under 10 get in for free.
Register online at www.active.com/beaufortsc and click on 5K races. For a printable registration form, go to www.chillybeanrun.com.
This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 7:41 PM with the headline "How To for Jan. 31, 2016: Celebrate Gullah history during month of events ."