Japan Society
333 East 47th St. at First Ave.
Tickets available beginning Tuesday, March 22, 11:00 am
Event takes place Saturday, April 9, $5-$100, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
212-715-1258
www.japansociety.org
As the horrific devastation continues in Japan, people around the world are gathering together to help. Here in New York City, many institutions are holding benefits and donating proceeds to disaster relief. Japan Society has already raised nearly a million and a half dollars, and on April 9 they will host one of the biggest charity events yet, the twelve-hour Concert for Japan. The show centers around two $100 gala blocks, featuring Philip Glass with Hal Willner and the trio of Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, and John Zorn at 1:00 and a solo performance by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Bill Laswell with gigi band at 6:00. Admission at other times is only five dollars at the door, first come, first served, with all proceeds going to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Scheduled to appear are Masayo Ishigure, Mutsumi and Masumi Takamizu, James Schlefer, Sadahiro Kakitani, Taikoza, Taka Kigawa, and Yumi Kurosawa playing traditional Japanese instruments and music, in addition to such bands as Echostream, Hard Nips, the Suzan, and Me & Mars, with many more to be announced. There will also be special activities all day long, including ticketed classes in basic Japanese, origami, and calligraphy, Kamishibai storytelling, and the splendid new exhibit “Bye Bye Kitty!!! Between Heaven & Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art” will be open until 8:00. Tickets for the gala blocks and classes go on sale this morning at 11:00 am, limited to two per person. They’ll go quickly, so don’t hesitate to help while seeing a great show as a bonus.