The Pioneer Valley has already proven its amazing capacity for giving in the wake of the local arson tragedies and more recently in efforts to aid Haitian victims of a disaster the gravity of which is perhaps difficult to comprehend from our removed vantage point. This week, the push to raise more funds for the fundamentally crippled nation continue, with three more events featuring a host of the area's considerable musical talents.
The first, Stand With Haiti: A Benefit Concert for Partners In Health, takes place at the UMass-Amherst Fine Arts center, and showcases performances by Martin Sexton, Erin McKeown, the Young@Heart Chorus, Tehillah-St. John's Congregational Church Gospel Choir, Joe Velez and Creacion, UMass Jazz Ensemble I, the FlavaEvolution Jazz Quartet, Haitian American poet Lenelle Moise, Steve Tracy, the Haitian American Student Association Dance Group, the South Asian Student Association Dance Team, Casa Dominicana's Cayena and The Doo Wop Shop. It is sponsored by a virtual who's who of Valley businesses, associations and media (including the Valley Advocate and the Daily Hampshire Gazette).
Secondly, the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield presents A Concert for Loved Ones in Haiti, a Valentine's Day benefit headlined by Sarah Lee Guthrie (Arlo's daughter), The Mammals, Tift Merritt, Vetiver and others.
Finally, also on Valentine's Day, Maximum Capacity nightclub in Chicopee holds its own Benefit for Haiti featuring the talents of I Am Disaster, Talos, The Raft and Tidwells, along with raffle prizes.
The earthquake in Haiti has left over 100,000 people dead and nearly a million homeless, orphaned and/or in need of food and serious medical attention.
Stand With Haiti: A Benefit Concert for Partners In Health: Feb. 11, 7 p.m., Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, UMass-Amherst, (413) 545-4482.
A Concert for Loved Ones in Haiti: Feb. 14, 7 p.m., The Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., Pittsfield, (413) 997-4444.
MaxCap Haiti Benefit: Feb. 14, 7 p.m., $5/21-plus, $10/18-plus, Maximum Capacity, 116 School St., Chicopee, (413) 592-6406, www.newmaximumcapacity.com.
