Briefly in East Cooper

IOP Exchange Club plans oyster roast

The Isle of Palms Exchange Club is having its annual Oyster Roast Charity Fund Fundraiser "Shuckin and Shaggin at Sunset" 4:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 in the Club House, 201 Palm Blvd.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Children's tickets are half price. Food includes, oysters, chili and hot dogs. There will be silent auctions and door prizes donated by local businesses.

Health screenings on way to IOP

Preventive health screenings are coming to the Isle of Palms Feb. 4.

Life line screening will be held at the Wild Dunes conference room for one day only. For more information call 800-635-0475.

Pinckney site plans Gullah programs

The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site will host a range of Gullah programs starting Feb. 2 on Saturdays through March.

The Gullah culture, developed by enslaved Africans on plantations, has made significant contributions to the Lowcountry plantation system and the American culture in general. The culture will be highlighted in programs ranging from craft demonstrations such as quilting, cast-net making, ironwork and sweetgrass basket sewing to cooking, African drumming and storytelling, folk tales, spirituals and other musical performances. The list of performances follow, each program begins at 2 p.m.

-- Feb. 2: Carolyn "Jabulile" White, Sea Island storyteller; Thomas Mark Pinckney, poetry reading, Spoken Words for My Soul; Vera Manigault, sweetgrass basket demonstration

-- Feb. 9: Anita Singleton-Prather, "Aunt Pearlie Sue" Gullah Tales; Vera Manigault, sweetgrass basket demonstration

-- Feb. 16: Sharon and Frank Murray, rice production; Paul and Loretta Hromoga, indigo dyeing

-- Feb. 23: Ann Caldwell and the Magnolia Singers, spirituals; Jeannette Lee, sweetgrass basket demonstration

-- March 1: Veronica Gerald and Jesse Gant, Gullah cooking demonstration; Alada "Muima" Shinault-Small, African tales; NIA Productions, African drumming and dance

-- March 8: Vermelle and Andrew Rodrigues, quilting and toys; Vera Manigault, sweetgrass basket demonstration; "Sista, Sista" stories and skits; Charles C. Williams, cast-net making and woodwork

-- March 15: Philip Simmons, master ironworker, documentary and book signing; Dorothy Montgomery, quilting; Elijah Ford, sweetgrass basket demonstration

-- March 22: Ann Caldwell and the Magnolia Singers, spirituals; William Rouse, sweetgrass basket demonstration

-- March 29: Anita Singleton-Prather, "Aunt Pearlie Sue" Gullah Tales; Vera Manigault, sweetgrass basket demonstration

'Spirit of Marathon' in area theaters

A documentary telling the stories of six runners as they prepare for the Chicago Marathon will be placed in area theaters for one night only.

"Spirit of the Marathon" will be shown in more than 460 select movie theaters across the country beginning at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, and in three theaters in the Charleston area.

The documentary was filmed on four continents and features Deena Kastor, a 2004 Olympic bronze medalist, who will attempt the marathon before trying out for the 2008 Olympics.

Theaters in Mount Pleasant, North Charleston and Summerville will participate in the production presented by National CineMedia's Fathom, Active.com and Wasserman Media Group in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound.

Movies at Mount Pleasant Stadium 12 at 963 Houston Northcutt Blvd. and Charles Towne Square Stadium 18, 2401 Mall Drive in North Charleston and Movies at Azalea Square 16 on Highway 17-A will all participate.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $12.50.