The concert, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., has been organized by Victoria Elder of New Market as well as other area residents.

Lesa Cook, a member of Christ Reformed United Church of Christ who recently joined the concert's promotions committee, said she volunteered to coordinate after "the overwhelming tragedy" of the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster that killed more than 150,000 people in South Asia and left thousands more homeless.

Cook said Middletown community members are anticipating the concert, three-hours of performances from a variety of musicians.

Elder, who developed the concert idea with her two teenage sons and several Middletown volunteers, said by Tuesday about 50 tickets had been sold. Organizers are planning for more than 400 attendees and a variety of performers.

"People are looking for a way to help and this gives them a way to do that and to listen to good music," said Cook, a fan of David Morreale, a folk acoustic musician, and the Good News, a gospel group, which are both included in Friday's lineup.

Laura Secker of New Market, whose regular gig is at the Frederick Coffee Company Café, signed on with organizer Elder last month. Elder began organizing the event as worldwide relief efforts gained publicity.

"Victoria said, 'Look, I've been feeling so helpless and so awful for these people. What I want to do is have a concert.' I said, "Sign me on ­ definitely,'" Secker said.

Elder is not a musician, but musicians say she is part of the local band scene as a fan of many groups performing Friday.

"Musicians just love her. She's a huge admirer and lover of music," said Secker. "She's an ideal person to be putting this together,"

Secker, who plays acoustic guitar music, will perform two original songs and one cover song in her 15-minute time slot.

"I want to play stuff that inspires hope and songs that were inspired by hope," she said. She and several other artists will sell their CDs and will donate proceeds to the Red Cross.

Tomy Wright, an acoustic guitarist who regularly plays Sunday afternoons at Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick, is scheduled to play the charity concert. "We understand the gravity of the circumstances and we want to give a good performance," said Wright. "The music will be pretty energetic."

Musician Brian Maddox, who is producing the show and doubling as a sound engineer, said the grand finale will include a rendition of "Amazing Grace" by all the performers. He said the styles of music will range from Gospel to acoustic folk to comedy.

Local businesses and several residents are also contributing to the event.

High's on Old National Pike offered to donated bags of ice for beverages, Frederick's B&B Bagels will donate dozens of bagels, Frederick Coffee Company will donate coffee and many Middletown residents are contributing baked goods, Cook said. A Pennsylvania artist designed and printed the 100 color promotional posters, collages of photos of the featured bands that hangs in several shops in Frederick and Middletown. And local businesses have offered to sell tickets.

"People have bent over backwards," Elder said. "I almost feel like I haven't done anything."

Musicians such as Secker, Wright and Maddox are eager to contribute to the worldwide relief effort.

"I can't go over there and bandage wounds," Maddox said about the difficulty of giving direct aid to the tsunami victims. "But I can play guitar."

If you go

When 7 p.m., Friday

Where Christ Reformed United Church of Christ, 12 S. Church St., Middletown

Cost Tickets are $15 and $10 for students and are available at several Frederick and Middletown businesses. Includes refreshments and childcare.

More information Victoria Elder at 240-446-2111 or Lesa Cook at 301-834-6577.