Tag Archives: Haiti

Music raises money for Haiti

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The Young Peoples Chorus of New York City kicked off the evening at City Winery on Wednesday. (Photos copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

John Wesley Harding

The Carolina Chocolate Drops

Michael Stipe didn't sing, but his mere presence got the crowd stirred up.

Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye are always there for a good cause.

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, aka The Swell Season

Yo La Tengo

Joshua Bell and friends

There was a bit of irony in a crowd gathering at City Winery in TriBeCa to feast on great food and wine and listen to some of the most-loved bands around play to raise funds for those suffering in Haiti. But Wednesday night’s show, the first of four aimed at raising $100,000 for Haiti by charging $75 a head ($200 for VIP).

The irony quickly faded to the background once the part started Wednesday. There was a real feeling of joy from the performers and artists alike. This tremendous tragedy seems to have galvanized New Yorkers in gratifying ways.

The sets were all too-short, but consistently well-done. It was a very impressive effort.

Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? didn’t have a prime spot for photography, but got some images that will help us remember the great night

Tim Griffin got some truly awesome photos, which you can check out by clicking here.

And please consider attending on of the two remaining shows. Mystifyingly, ticket prices are lower for the remaining shows than for the first. Rosanne Cash, Nada Surf, Tabou Combo and others are performing at 8 pm tomorrow (click here for more information and tickets at $50; $200 VIP), while piano-based singer-snogwriter Vienna Teng and guitarist singer-songwriter Ari Hest are two of the better-known indie artists on Monday night’s show, which also starts at 8 (click here for more information and tickets at $20; $75 VIP).

City Winery is at 155 Varick St. (between Spring and Vandam). Doors open for dinner at 5 pm. Seating is first-come, first-served, so if position matters, be early. Showtimes are pretty accurate.

Meanwhile, if the City Winery lineups do nothing for you, check out A Night of Comedy and Music to Benefit Haiti at the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. It’s presented by Bowery Presents and BrooklynVegan. It features short sets by: Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel (of Spoon), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), St. Vincent, Janeane Garofalo, Wyatt Cenac (of the Daily Show), the live debut of John Shade (ex Dave Godowsky) & possibly more. Advance tickets appear to be sold out, but some may be available at the door for $40. The Music Hall of Williamsburg is at 66 North Sixth Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

City Winery’s four nights for Haiti relief

Patti Smith is just one of the artists who will perform for Haiti relief at City Winery. (Copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? will be at the first of four nights of fantastic Haiti-relief. I’d like to make all four, but I’m not sure I have the cash (it’s $75 minimum,  but it’s worth as it’s for an important cause!) or the free time to do that. But everyone who cares about music and about the tragedy in Haiti should try to make it to at least one of these shows. It’s a great way for music fans to make a contribution.

All four nights are shaping up to be amazing. Patti Smith, Yo La Tengo, John Wesley Harding, comedian Lewis Black, Vernon Reid, Corey Glover, Roseanne Cash, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Carolina Chocolate Drops and many more entertainers of all types. City Winery promises that more will be added.

The third night (Jan. 25) in particular, should be a great party given that U.S-based Tabou Combo (misspelled on the poster as Tambou Combo), one of the longest-running bands specializing in an irresistible Haitian dance music called compas (or konpa direk), is on the bill. I haven’t seen TC in years, but by all accounts it remains an amazing dance band.

City Winery’s goal is to raise $100,000 for Haiti relief over the four nights. Tickets ($75 general admission, $200 for Big-Hearted Donor tickets, which include a bottle of special wine) are tax deductible. Proceeds are being split among three charities: Wyclef Jean‘s Yele Haiti Foundation, Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health.

Click here for more info and to buy tickets. As of this posting, it seems that tickets are still available for all four shows. Showtimes vary slightly from 8 to 9 pm, so check the time when you buy tickets. Unlike many City Winery shows, these shows are all general admission — although the $200 ticket will get you into the VIP area. My advice to you is to ignore your New York concert-going instincts to arrive late. If you want a good spot, arrive on time. Or even early! The good people at City Winery assure me that the kitchen will be open for all four shows, so you’ll be able to pass the time until the show starts with eating as well as drinking.

City Winery is at 155 Varick St., New York, NY 10013. Call (212) 608-0555 or email info@citywinery.com for more information.

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