Monday Essentials: Civil Rights, King Philips' War Lectures; Pendragon Performs

Here are some things to know about this week in and around Bristol and Warren:

A weekly “brown bag lunch” series for East Bay business women continues on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, 16 Cutler St., Warren. The women’s winter series is hosted by W.E.B.O.N.D. (Women's Empowerment and Business Owners Networking Development) and sponsored by RE/MAX River’s Edge from 12 to 1 pm. Terrie Wildemann speaks tomorrow on “Intuitive Leadership.” Admission is $5 a week. 

The first of three fireside lectures takes place Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7 pm at Mount Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Ave., Bristol. It’s a partnership with the Bristol Historical Society. Author Michael Tougias will discuss, “King Philip’s War: The War in Our Backyard.” The narrated slide presentation is based on his book about King Philip’s War, which on a per capita basis was the bloodiest conflict in our nation’s history. It will focus on the Indian way of life, Colonial Settlements, and the events leading up to this cataclysmic war. Admission for members is free; non-members pay $5. For more information, call 401-254-1745. 

Bristol’s Stone Church Coffeehouse at the First Congregational Church, 300 High St., presents “Pendragon,” an acclaimed Celtic group, on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 pm. The group includes Bob Drouin on fiddle, bouzouki and tenor banjo; Russell Gusetti on guitar and concertinas; Josh Kane on flute and whistles; Mary Lee Partington on vocals; and step dancer and percussionist Kevin Doyle, a U.S. champion dancer. It has been entertaining in New England for more than 30 years. Pendragon performs their original songs and dance tunes on a combination of fiddle, flute, bouzouki, concertina, banjo,guitar, whistle, and percussion. In performance, the group elaborates on the cultural and historical context of the music while projecting a humorous stage presence. Pendragon performs their original songs and dance tunes on a combination of fiddle, flute, bouzouki, concertina, banjo,guitar, whistle, and percussion. In performance, the group elaborates on the cultural and historical context of the music while projecting a humorous stage presence. 

The Baptist Church in Warren presents The Rev. Dr. Albert Brinson, a lifelong friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 26, to talk about the slain Civil Rights’ leader's legacy. His talk starts at 3 pm as part of the year-long lecture series celebrating the founding of the church 250 years ago. Brinson is the retired associate general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA). With King, he helped fight for civil rights in his native Georgia and throughout the South after Martin Luther King Sr. became his surrogate father and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became an older brother figure and mentor. Both Drs. Martin Luther King Sr. and Jr. ordained Brinson as an American Baptist minister. A free will offering will be taken to benefit the Baptist Church’s Historic Rehabilitation Capital Campaign Fund.

Bristol vocalist Ashley Hewitt and friends will present a concert on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 4 pm at St. Mary’s Church, Bristol, to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Hewitt is training to run in the 2014 Boston Marathon in support of the New England chapter. Tickets are $20 with all of the proceeds going to MS. A reception will follow the concert. Click here  to see her webpage or make a donation online.