Here’s the story on musicians: we usually want to help, but we’re also often broke. The great thing about being on Long Island is that music and charity often mix. Venues like The Home Grown Music Cafe (http://www.homegrownmusiccafe.com/) use their profits to feed hungry Long Islanders, and events like the RetroFest (http://www.retrofestival.org/) benefit local charities like the Long Island Crisis Center (http://www.longislandcrisiscenter.org) and the Freeport Animal Shelter (http://www.freeportanimalshelter.com/).
And when disasters strike, everyone gets out and starts playing to raise funds for those affected. This is what I love about our scene. A musician can help even if all she’s got is a guitar and a song, and a music-lover can donate money and hear great original music at the same time. Here are some upcoming shows benefitting the relief effort in Japan.
On Thursday, April 7th, the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor is presenting Just for Japan, an evening of local band music to benefit the Japan relief effort. Featuring The Aqua Girls, Caroline Doctorow & The Steamrollers (http://www.carolinedoctorow.com/), Cassandra House (http://www.myspace.com/cassiehouse), Gene Casey & The Lone Sharks (http://www.lonesharks.com/), The Nancy Atlas Project (http://www.nancyatlas.com/), and The Who Dat Loungers (http://www.whodatloungers.com/), this evening is sure to rock. It’s hosted by Bonnie Grice (a WLIU DJ who is really supportive of local music), and Jay Schneiderman. Suggested donation is $40 at the door; more details on the show here: http://www.baystreet.org/Calendar/?eventID=243
On Monday, April 11th, Long Island artists Eggplant Queens (http://www.eggplantqueens.com/) and The Crusher (http://www.myspace.com/thecrushermusic) are heading to Williamsburg to join the Rock for Relief concert. Also playing is Brooklyn artist Vinyl Gypsy (http://www.reverbnation.com/vinylgypsy)—I’ve played with “the gypsy” before and she’s a unique voice you won’t want to miss. Doors are at 7; more information on that event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176539265727218
On Sunday, April 17th, the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst is hosting a benefit concert with some really great local performers. Like the Babylon music scene itself, this concert has more awesome original music than you can shake a stick at. To name just a few acts: Cathy Kreger (http://www.cathykreger.com/), Kerry Kearney (http://kerrykearney.com/), Martha Trachtenberg, Hank Stone and Rough Folk (http://www.roughfolk.com/), and Tom Ryan. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds will go to benefit the Japanese Red Cross. For the most up-to-date information and complete performer list, check out the facebook page for the event: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LI-Musicians-for-Japan-Relief/189713921069889?sk=wall