Hello Saturday.
April 20 2024
Charleston + Mt. Pleasant are home to a longtime Gullah tradition that has become a staple of the South: sweetgrass baskets.
Anyone who visits the Lowcountry can experience the authenticity of this craft, as basket makers use a special coiled weaving technique to create intricate designs with their own set styles — no 2 baskets are the same.
The art of weaving sweetgrass baskets — SC’s official state handcraft — was first introduced to the Lowcountry in the seventeenth century by enslaved African people.
First constructed using bulrush — a tough type of marsh grass — these baskets are now made of a softer sweetgrass that requires minimal care.
Recognized as some of the nation’s most treasured cultural traditions, sweetgrass baskets have evolved from agricultural + household items to timeless works of art.
As one of the oldest surviving African art forms in the US, this one-of-a-kind artwork has become part of a tradition that is a fundamental piece of SC’s history.
The construction of Highway 17 + the Cooper River Bridge allowed basketmakers to bring their business to roadsides.
This increased the popularity of this art form, as they became directly available to tourists, museums, gift shop owners, and collectors. With over 50 sweetgrass vendors in the Charleston City Market, it’s easy to see why this Gullah tradition is so cherished.
Basket makers, such as Mt. Pleasant local Mary Jackson, have received national + global recognition for this craft.
First selling her baskets in a stall at the City Market in 1980, Mary’s work has been featured in National Geographic and can be found in the White House + Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Click the button below to learn about local sweetgrass makers you can visit today + more about this prominent piece of Lowcountry history.
Use the buttons below to share this news with your friend who loves learning about Lowcountry history.
Today
- North Charleston Farmers Market | Thurs., Sept. 23 | 3-7 p.m. | 4800 Park Cir., North Charleston | Free | Support local farmers like Joseph Fields Farm + shop for fresh produce — The Pita Stroller is this week’s featured food truck.
- Wine Stroll | Thurs., Sept. 23 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | $40 | Sip on your favorite wine while strolling the gardens + enjoy a live performance by Run River Run. 🍷
Friday
- This is the Year Movie Premiere | Fri., Sept. 24 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Terrace Theater, 1956 Maybank Hwy. | $10 | Walk the red carpet + meet the director of the film, Wizards of Waverly Place star David Henrie. 🎬
- Fossil Friday | Fri., Sept. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | The Charleston Museum | Free with admission | Kick off the weekend with fossils as the Curator of Natural History shares his latest finds. 🦴
Saturday
- Bridge Run Bar Crawl | Sat., Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | The Brick, 24 Ann St. | $10+ | Cool down with post-run brews — first crawlers to check in will receive a signature koozie + t-shirt.
- Comedy @ The Sparrow | Sat., Sept. 25 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. + 9-10:30 p.m. | The Sparrow, 1078 E. Montague Ave., Ste. D, North Charleston | $12+ | Laugh along with the hosts of the Cheaties Podcast with comedians Katherine Blanford and Lace Larrabee — must be 21+ to attend. 🎤
Sunday
- Climbing Wall Sessions | Sun., Sept. 26 | 11 a.m-1 p.m. | James Island County Park | $15 | Step into adventure with a climbing course for all skill levels — participants 15 and under must have a chaperone.
- Beats, Brews & Bingos | Sun., Sept. 26 | 3-5 p.m. | Ghost Monkey Brewery, 522 Wando Ln., Mt. Pleasant | Free | Put your music knowledge to the test with this interactive bingo game — winner receives a round of drinks. 🍻
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Photo provided by Morning Brew
There's a reason over 3 million people start their day with Morning Brew — the daily email that delivers the latest business news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Unlike much of traditional biz news, Morning Brew knows how to keep you informed and entertained for free. Ⓟ
Weather
- 81º | Sunny | 9% chance of rain ☀️
Tide
- Low: 4:02 a.m. + 4:30 p.m.
- High: 10:10 a.m. + 10:33 p.m.
Biz
- 6AM City, CHStoday’s parent company, raised over $5 million in its latest round of funding. The company is 1 of the fastest growing startups in local news, and will have newsletters in 24 cities by Thanksgiving — including Boston, San Antonio + Seattle. Want to work with us? 6AM City is hiring for 30+ positions in editorial and sales. (Axios)
Announced
- Boone Hall Fright Nights in Mt. Pleasant are back this year — including scary attractions like the Fallen Oaks Motel, Tiny’s Toy Factory Anarchy, and the Sinister Cinema Haunted Hayride. Opening night is this Saturday + tickets are on sale now. ☠️ (WCBD)
Coming Soon
- Bapkó Grill House is headed downtown this fall. The Greek restaurant will be housed in the Port of Call food + brew hall at 99 S. Market St. Eateries such as Empire Oyster and Palmira Barbecue are also set to open at the spot, which was the former Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. location. 🍽️ (The Post and Courier)
Civic
- CARTA will provide a safe + free connection across the North Bridge for cyclists and pedestrians in a new initiative starting on Oct. 3. In the event that bicycle racks are full, this change allows bicycles to be brought on board the bus in-between stops. 🚌
Arts
- Artwork by members of the Pastel Society of SC will be on display at North Charleston’s Park Circle Gallery from Oct. 6-30. The community is invited to attend a free reception including award announcements hosted by the artists on Fri., Oct. 8 from 5-7 p.m. 🎨 (Holy City Sinner)
Legacy
- Coach Anthony Houston — a longtime Lowcountry basketball coach — has passed away at the age of 54. His career included being the head coach at Northwood Academy for 20+ years, bringing the school a basketball championship for the boys and girls teams. (WCIV)
Gallery
- If you missed the Mayor’s Music & Art Reception in Mt. Pleasant, take a look at these photos where visitors had the opportunity to meet artists + listen to music at Town Hall. 🖼️ (Moultrie News)
Plan Ahead
- Explore this local Halloween guide + map out some fun around town in October. From ghost tours at the maritime center to a ghost walk and hayride in Hutchinson Square, there’s no shortage of spooktacular fun. 👻 (Charleston Mom Collective)
Health
- Heart arrhythmias can present themselves in different ways — some may be completely harmless to a patient and others can be life threatening. Dr. Parinita Dherange, an electrophysiologist at MUSC Health Cardiology, breaks down the common causes and warning signs of heart arrhythmias and when someone should seek treatment. ❤️ Ⓟ
There’s a new building in town — Trident Technical College’s $80 million S.C. Aeronautical Training Center.
The 218,000 sqft facility includes a ramp, 2 hangars made to accommodate large aircraft training aids, 22 classrooms, a manufacturing lab, a mechatronics lab, and 23 specialty labs.
The community is invited to tour the facility at 7000 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston on Oct. 14 from 3-7 p.m. Who’s ready to take flight?
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Just use #CHStoday on social media.
Answered: We asked if you wanted to see local sunrise + sunset times in the newsletter. Out of nearly 300 responses, 97% of readers want this information added to the newsletter. With that being said, today’s sunrise is at 7:08 a.m. and sunset is at 7:14 p.m. 🌅
💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?
✏️️ Want to write an article for us? Find out how here.
👀 Want your business featured in our newsletter? Learn more about advertising opportunities here.
📖 Check out our Editorial Ethics Policy here.
Did a friend forward this to you?
It can be in your inbox tomorrow a.m.
|
