Bridge to Japan: City Winery Hosts Earthquake and Tsunami Benefit on March 31st

City Winery is partnering with New York-Tokyo to host a benefit show on March 31st to benefit those displaced by the earthquake and tsunami. Recognizing that times here are tough but one of the after-effects of this catastrophe is many of the displaced people don't have basic amenities like food and shelter. Please support this effort if you can.

Tickets are as follows: Bar Stools $45.00, Reserved Tables $55.00, Reserved Best Tables $55.00 and VIP Tables $65.00. Click through the flyer to purchase tickets.

Below is write-up on the event from City Winery's website.

"In light of devastating earthquake and tsunami that afflicted the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, effectively the entire northeastern coast of Japan, we are producing a benefit concert with the goal of raising $30,000 for immediate aid to assist some of the 500,000 people who have been made homeless. While the 24hr news cycle obsesses over the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, these internally displaced people are trying to survive in frigid conditions with little access to shelter, water and basic amenities - a tragedy regardless whether it happens in one of the world’s poorest or richest nations.

Our neighbors in Japan, like our neighbors in Haiti, are part of our global family and need our help.

In 2010 in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, City Winery reached out to our friends, fans, artists and peers in the music industry to support a series of benefit concerts that raised over $100,000. Then, as now, the much-needed funds were put to immediate use helping those in dire need. The warmth and passion of those who attended and participated was a thing to behold, the generosity of spirit and community was humbling, and left an indelible mark on all those who benefited

Once again we are asking you to help support a worthy cause and purchase tickets to the benefit concert. We will donate 100% of all ticket sales to relief efforts. Matching donations from the Ogawa family in San Francisco will double your contribution.

Our target of $30,000 will be directed to help with the immediate efforts of the American Red Cross through the who are assisting those most keenly affected by the catastrophic event that has literally reshaped their lives. We have partnered with our friends at New York-Tokyo to produce “BRIDGE TO JAPAN”, which will feature performers from both countries. Japan like New York City is a collection of islands joined by common experience but comprised of dynamic communities of musicians, artists and fans. It is our hope that the concert will bring together individuals from these communities with the common goal of helping those in need."

Performers include Rachael Yamagata, Tift Merritt, Marshall Crenshaw,Dar Williams, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Nicole Atkins, Ben Sollee, classic pianist Taka Kigawa, and the New York based big band Morning Musuko.

Paula Cole and 12year old phenom Cecilia Gault just confirmed and more artists will be announced in coming days.

Links:
Japanese Red Cross Society
New York - Tokyo

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore Release New Disc "Dear Companion" / All Proceeds Benefit iLoveMountains.org

DOWNLOAD: "Something, Somewhere, Sometime" - Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore

Ben Sollee's new disc, Dear Companion, was released today and here is the copy of the note that Ben sent out earlier this morning:

Just wanted to send a brief note to let you know that my new record, Dear Companion, is just released today. It's a collaborative project between fellow Kentuckian Daniel Martin Moore and myself produced rock-maestro Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket. We've come together to make some music celebrating our cultural ties to Appalachia and to raise awareness about mountain-top removal coal mining. It's an unfortunately efficient means of strip mining to removes to summits of mountains to dig out coal. Daniel and I feel that losing our environmental and cultural heritage is far too big a sacrifice for something as inefficient as coal.

We're donating a portion of the proceeds to the organization Appalachian Voices to help with all the good work they are doing to help raise awareness around the issue and to help amplify the voices of people struggling in the coal fields. You can find out more about what they do at www.ilovemountains.org.

We had a tremendous amount of fun making this record and we hope that will enjoy and make it a part of your listening. We're not trying to change the world with this music. We're just trying to discover our role in it all. I hope you can share with others and spread the good.

Thanks to Sub Pop records for getting beyond this project and recognizing that we're all in this together as a nation.

Take Care,
Ben

The tour kicks off this week and stops at Joe's Pub on March 5th and 6th. Here are the complete tour dates:

2.16 - Louisville, KY - Ear X-tacy (In-Store)
2.17 - Lexington, KY - CD Central (In-Store)
2.19 - Cincinnati, OH - Shake-It Records (In-Store)
2.19 - Cincinnati, OH - Northside Tavern
2.20 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
2.25 - Nashville, TN - Grimey's (In-Store)
2.25 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
2.26 - Louisville, KY - Brown Theater
2.27 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
3.01 - Boone, NC - Boone Saloon
3.02 - Carrboro, NC - Carrboro Arts Center
3.04 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
3.05 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub
3.06 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub
3.09 - Albany, NY - The Linda
3.11 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
3.12 - Evanston, IL - SPACE
3.13 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's
3.15 - Cedar Rapids, IA - CSPS
3.16 - St. Louis, MO - Old Rock House
3.18 - Austin, TX - SXSW
3.19 - Austin, TX - SXSW
3.26 - Santa Monica, CA - McCabe's
3.27 - San Francisco, CA - Swedish American Hall
3.29 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
3.30 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
4.02 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
4.03 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater

Links:
Dear Companion
Ben Sollee
Daniel Martin Moore

Ben Sollee Plays an Early Show at Mercury Lounge Tomorrow Night

Here is my pick of the week...Ben Sollee caught my attention last year when he was named one of NPR's "Top Ten Unknown Artists".

Ben is off on his first solo tour and he has a new EP out, Something Worth Keeping. This disc is knee-deep in poignant imagery and, in keeping with the buildup to the recent election, there are a few songs with a political bent.

Check out the video for "A Few Honest Words".


Here are Ben's comments on the political songs on the new disc:

"The beauty of people is anchored in imperfection; it is not that we are destructive but that we are ignorant to a better way. We dream big with even bigger costs. Furthermore, we learn the lesson daily that we don’t know what we have until it is gone. Combined, these two qualities are child-like but ever present.

When I look around I see a lot of things that are worth keeping: the mountain tops of Appalachia, family and community farms, art and music in schools, and, most of all, a government by the people and for the people. But how? The challenge that our leaders and us face is that we don’t know how to accomplish these goals. There are many eloquent ideas out there about renewable energy, educational systems, and governing, but realizing them means trying new things; which is daunting at least, and terrifying at most. As my generation takes the reins we should not sacrifice some qualities of this nation and the land in its boundaries to the wayfaring spirit of economy. They are important for Americans, our children, and the rest of the world.

These thoughts inspired these two new songs. But they are only songs…" - Ben Sollee

I have high expectations for this show. Ben is playing solo with his cello and his stage set will be featuring the visual art of Phillip March Jones. Kim Taylor is opening the show and tickets are $12.

This is an early show -- Kim is playing at 7PM and Ben is playing at 8PM.

Links:
Ben Sollee's MySpace Profile