Notable singer-songwriters to raise money for ACLU

By Scott Benjamin

A guitar-based singer-song-writer who has toured with Richie Havens and Melanie and played the legendary Greenwich Village clubs will headline a concert to raise money for a non-political organization.

Cliff Eberhardt, who now lives in Massachusetts, has had “a long and distinguished career,” said piano-based singer-songwriter George Mallas, who lives in the North Salem, N.Y. area.

Eberhardt has performed the “On A Winter's Night” showcase for years with John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and Patty Larkin. He also has sung on commercials for Coke, Miller Beer and Chevrolet.

Mallas, who is currently working on “my fourth album of new material,” organized A Musical Benefit For ACLU [the American Civil Liberties Union] Of CT.

He, Eberhardt and other musicians and speakers will appear on Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. at the Sherman JCC [Jewish Community Center], near Route 39 South. Tickets cost $35 and are available at https://wwweventbrite.com/E/Musical-Benefit-For-The ACLU-Of-CT-Tickets-1316875844099

Mallas said they chose the JCC because many of the musicians have performed there. He said he expects that more than 100 people will attend.

All of performers are donating their time. The rest of the music roster: David Ray, Louise Coombe, The Red Dirt Girls and Bruce T. Carroll. The speakers will be Nadine Strossen of New York City and New Milford, who is a past president of the ACLU, and Amber Vlangas from the Connecticut chapter of the ACLU.

Mallas said he contributes money monthly to the ACLU and “wanted to do something to help the cause.”

He said the ACLU is non-political and protects civil rights and civil liberties across the globe.

He said financial support is “needed now more than ever”, since the ACLU has a “number of cases presently in court and ones that they are defending in court.”

Regarding the rest of the roster: Mallas said he recently performed in Brewster, N.Y., with Coombe, a guitar-based singer-songwriter from Tennessee.

She has opened for America, Joe Ely and Steve Earle.

Rich Warren of WFMT in Chicago has said that Coombe “may well be the brightest young folk-oriented artist to emerge from Nashville in many a year.”

Carroll, who lives in Kent, operated the legendary Water Color Café in Larchmont, N.Y., for 14 years.

He has recorded three albums and a single – “Lift Your Head Up”– which is a call for activism.

Ray, a guitarist, has shared the stage with Roger McGuinn and has had his work performed by Gammy winner Shawn Colvin.

The Red Dirt Girls - Missy Alexander, Pat Walker and Susanna Marker – perform songs with great harmonies.