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.

Big Names Playing Concerts to Aid Japan Disaster Relief

In addition to the concerts below, this limited-edition screen print is being sold to benefit Japan relief.

In addition to the concerts below, this limited-edition screen print is being sold to benefit Japan relief. 

It's no surprise that someone decided to hold a benefit concert to aid the relief efforts after the Japan earthquake/tsunami/nuke incident. But New York will be host to not one but five benefit concerts over the next few weeks, featuring some big-name performers playing in modest-sized venues.

According to Oh My Rockness, the shows are:

• Sun., March 27th (8 p.m.): Sonic Youth, Yoko Ono, Mike Patton, Sean Lennon, Cibo Matto, Mephista, Marc Ribot, Uri Caine, Aleph Trio — Miller Theatre ($25)
  
• Tues., March 29th (10 p.m.): Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, Patti Smith, Tony Shanahan, Cibo Matto — Le Poisson Rouge ($100)
  
• Fri., April 8th (6:30 p.m.): Thurston Moore, Matthew Shipp, Gyan Riley, Masada String Trio, Ned Rothenberg, Alhambra Trio with Rob Burger, Erik Friedlander, and more — Abrons Arts Center ($35)
• Fri., April 8th (9:30 p.m.): Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, Vinicius Cantuaria, Buke and Gass JG Thirlwell's Manorexia, Elysian Fields, Sex Mob — Abrons Arts Center ($35)
• Sat., April 9th (11 a.m.): Philip Glass, Hal Willner, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bill Laswell — Japan Society ($5)

As often happens, these benefit concerts offer a unique chance to see a range of performers who may not normally play together on a single bill—and in small venues, to boot.