Local musicians, Bryant Belin and Beth Thomas, will provide entertainment at this year’s free Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Sat., Jan. 17. Sponsored by the Thermal Belt Friendship Council, the event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Tryon Fine Arts Center at 34 Melrose Ave. in Tryon. Through the generous Polk County Community Foundation Free Community Event grant, the event will also offer keynote speaker, Willie Ratchford, director of the Charlotte Community Relations Committee, and free refreshments catered by Impeccable Taste.

A trained musician and vocalist, Belin entertains audiences of all ages, performing in concerts, recitals, choirs, operas, and musical theatres in the southeast. Originally from Hartsville, S.C., he currently sings every Sunday morning at the Congregational Church in Tryon. Thomas, an accomplished pianist who plays regularly at numerous local venues, will accompany Belin. She has played for the MLK event for three years.

There is no fee to belong to the Friendship Council and new members are always welcome. Monthly meetings are open to the public and are held on the second Tuesday at Roseland Community Center in Tryon on the corner of East Howard and Peake Street. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tues., Jan. 13. Other upcoming events include monthly lunch gatherings at local eateries and a free annual potluck picnic at Harmon Field in June.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Friendship Council, email Donna Tatnall, at dtatnall@yahoo.com or mail donation checks to Thermal Belt Friendship Council, P.O. Box 414, Lynn, N.C. 28750. Please specify in the memo line whether the gift is for the MLK Scholarship, MLK Art Competition or Unrestricted. For more information about the Thermal Belt Friendship Council, go to http://friendshipcouncil.homestead.com.

–Submitted by Robin Edgar