Tonight in NYC: Diane Birch, Rachael Yamagata, Tift Merritt, Marshall Crenshaw, Nicole Atkins, & More in Japan Benefit

Last week I wrote about a series of benefit concerts to aid the Japan relief effort, and recently found out that City Winery is hosting one at 8 p.m. tonight called Bridge to Japan with a lot of great talent on it. I know it's short notice, but if you'll be in the City tonight you'll see an impressive roster of talent (many of whom aren't as famous as they should be):

Rachael Yamagata, Tift Merritt, Diane Birch, Marshall Crenshaw, Dar Williams, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Nicole Atkins, Ben Sollee, classic pianist Taka Kigawa, the New York based big band Morning Musuko, Syd Straw, "12-year-old phenom Cecilia Gault," and more, including Jesse Smith (daughter of Patti, with Lenny Kaye and Tony Shanahan of the Patti Smith band).

As of 4 p.m. today, tickets for Bridge to Japan are still available at several price levels, starting at $25 for standing room (limited number available). Check the website or call 212-608-0555 ext 714 for information. All proceeds will go to Japan relief, the website says.

This is quite a lineup of talent, and I'd guess it's one of those chances to see different combinations of musicians playing together, probably playing tunes you wouldn't normally hear. It should be a great show.

New York Concerts on Sale: Sting at the Met, Public Image Ltd. (2nd Show), Modest Mouse, John Mayer, More

Above: John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) and Public Image Ltd. play a second show at Terminal 5 on May 19th. Photo: Flickr user Ed Vill.

More summer concerts are going on sale, and more summer festivals are showing up on the schedules. Here's a look at some of the in-demand events and other shows of interest going on sale this weekend, along with a few that went on sale today or recently.

Now on sale: 
* Diane Birch - Highland Ballroom - Tues., June 1 (went on sale April 16)
* David Johansen - Highland Ballroom - Sun., June 27, (on sale now)
(Performing the songs of the New York Dolls, David Johansen, Buster Poindexter, and more)
* B-52s - Highland Ballroom - Tues., July 6 (on sale now)

On sale Friday, April 16: (times in parentheses, if known)
* Public Image Limited (PiL), 2nd show added - Terminal 5 - Wed., May 19 (on sale 12 p.m.)
* Toby Keith's American Ride Tour - PNC Bank Arts Center - Sat., June 19 (on sale 10 a.m.)
(with Trace Adkins and James Otto)
* Sting with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra - The Metropolitan Opera - Tues., July 13 and Wed., July 14th (on sale 10 a.m.)
("Performing his most celebrated songs," the site says)
* Modest Mouse - Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ - Thurs., July 22 (on sale 12 p.m.)
* Modest Mouse - Williamsburg Waterfront - Fri., July 23 (on sale 12 p.m.)
* Rockstar Energy Drink Festival - PNC Bank Arts Center - Wed., July 28 (starts 2:15 p.m.) (on sale 10 a.m.)
(featuring KORN, Rob Zombie, Lamb of God, Five Finger Death Punch)
* Lyle Lovett - Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ - Sun., Aug. 15 (on sale 12 p.m.)
* Heart - Hammerstein Ballroom - Tues., Aug. 3 (on sale 10 a.m.)
* Dirty Projectors - Terminal 5 - Sat., Sept. 11 (on sale 12 p.m.)

On sale Saturday, April 17:
* John Mayer - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater - Wed., July 21 (on sale 11 a.m.)
* John Mayer - PNC Bank Arts Center - Tues., Aug. 3 (on sale 11 a.m.)

Last Call for Amazon.com's 50 $5 MP3 Album Downloads for September

(Meant to post this much earlier, but forgot. But if you're on the U.S. West Coast [or an earlier time zone], you can still get in on these deals.)
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The end of the month means that time is running out for the September edition of Amazon.com's 50 MP3 albums for $5 each.

New-ish releases include Bible Belt,the acclaimed album by pop-folk singer Diane Birch, the self-titled debut by country-rock band Gloriana,and the album by rockers Billy Boy on Poison.

As usual, there are classics by bands such as the Rolling Stones (Black and Blue), Soul Asylum (Grave Dancers Union), Shawn Colvin (Steady On), the Cowboy Junkies (The Caution Horses), The Frames (The Cost),Lou Reed's self-titled album, Steely Dan (Gaucho), and Beatles covers on the "I Am Sam" soundtrack.

The Free J&R Music Fest & Tech Expo, August 27 - 29, Lower Manhattan

The huge music and technology retailer J&R periodically hosts live music in its lower Manhattan neighborhood, and starting today is its 2009 J&R Music Fest & Tech Expo. The proceedings actually started Wednesday with a performance by the pop group Air Supply, but things get going in earnest on Thursday, August 27th.

Here's the schedule (all events are at City Hall Park, except where noted). See the J&R Music Fest & Tech Expo Web site for more details and biographical sketches of the performers:

* Thursday, August 27th
2pm - Dick Dale and Jimmy Dale (J&R Musical Instruments Store, 33 Park Row)

5 pm - Diane Birch
6 pm - Jemina Pearl
7 pm - The Smithereens

* Friday, August 28th
5 pm - Melinda Watts
5:30 pm - J Moss
6 pm - Clipse
7 pm - Mario

* Saturday, August 29th
1 pm - Randy Jackson (J&R Musical Instruments Store)
1 pm - KRS-One and Buckshot
2 pm - Letoya
3 pm - Nikki Yanofsky
4 pm - Roberta Gambarini
5 pm - Roy Hargrove

Note: Hurricane Danny is projected to blow up around the East Coast Saturday, which may throw a monkey wrench into the Festival. Check the Web site above for the latest updates.