THROUGH JAN. 22 Charleston

Dining deals on the coast

The winter edition of the twice-a-year Charleston Restaurant Week is now being served, and continues through Jan. 22. Participating restaurants feature a fixed-priced menu for $20, $30 or $40. The restaurants are spread across the S.C. Lowcountry - from Isle of Palms to Summerville to Kiawah Island, and range from smaller establishments to notable high-end eateries. Details: www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com (there are links to Restaurant Week eateries; contact them for information/reservations).

THROUGH MARCH 1 Murrells Inlet, S.C.

See 'Silent Cities' at Brookgreen

Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon and 2:30 p.m., ride the Trekker down back roads on the Brookgreen Gardens roads to explore its "Silent Cities" - cemeteries. Walk through former slaves and plantation owners' graveyards and hear about the historical burial customs of European and African origin. Tickets are $15 in addition to garden admission ($14; $12 for 65 and older; $7 for ages 4-12) for this two-hour excursion. Tickets must be purchased at Brookgreen at least 10 minutes prior to departure; reservations suggested. Details: 843-235-6042; www.brookgreen.org.

JAN. 28-29 Wilmington

Think small (trains)

The annual Cape Fear Model Railroad Show and Sale returns to Wilmington Jan. 28- 29 for fans of "O," "G," "HO" and O27-scale trains. Dealers will show and sell their items. Admission to the show - at American Legion Post 10, 702 Pine Grove Drive - is $5; $3 for kids. Details: 910-270-2696; www.capefearmodelrailroadclub.org.

JAN. 28 Raleigh

African American Cultural Celebration

On Jan. 28, the African American Cultural Celebration returns to the N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., in Raleigh, with a full day of free events.

Headliners this year include Shana Tucker (award-winning jazz cellist, singer and songwriter), Ironing Board Sam (piano playing blues and R&B singer), jazz pianist Elmer Gibson, Winston-Salem State University Burke Singers (female a cappella) and Leviticus, a Raleigh hip-hop group that has performed to sold-out audiences at Harlem's famous Apollo Theater.

There will be performances by theater groups, storytellers and playwrights, plus cooking, craft and beauty demonstrations and activities for children.

Special recognition will be made of North Carolina's 11 historically black colleges and universities. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Details/schedule: 919-807-7900; www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.