29

SATURDAY

The Red Clay Ramblers, an eclectic North Carolina string band that plays gospel, bluegrass, folk, “old-time,” country, and rock, is presently celebrating its 25th year. Sadly, however, founding member Tommy Thompson is suffering from a serious illness. To help Thompson with his medical and daily living expenses, a benefit concert has been organized featuring the Ramblers’ current lineup (with “special guest” Tony Ellis) along with other leading East Coast folk musicians: the Hollow Rock String Band (Alan Jabbour, Bertram Levy, Jim Smith), the

L-7’s (Bruce Molsky, Rafe Stefanini, Bev Smith), the New York-based klezmer ensemble Henry Saposnik and Freylekh Freylekh, and a special duo of Debby McClatchy with Takoma Park’s Jennifer Cutting. At 8 p.m. at Silver Spring Unitarian Universalist Church, 10309 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. $15. (301) 588-7525. (Ken Roseman)