CheekyChicago

As the world begins to receive images from the devastating aftermath of the earthquake that shook Haiti last week, the music world joins those rallying around the cause to aid Haiti in its dire time of need. Artists, bands, venues, publications, and record labels spanning the world have united in efforts to raise money for Haiti. Earlier this week, Chicago’s own Hideout hosted the Waco Brothers and Eleventh Dream Day at their venue, with proceeds (of nearly $8,000) benefiting Partners in Health. We’ve gathered a guide of music-related Haiti benefits, raising money for the relief cause. Please spread the word to friends in listed cities, and donate to the cause if you’re so able. Readers, feel free to add additional or updated benefits to our list.

New York:

- January 20-25: New York’s City Winery holds benefits for Haitian-born Wyclef Jean’s Yéle charity, featuring performances by Roseanne Cash, Patti Smith, Josh Ritter, the Swell Season, and more.

- January 24: Lady Gaga plans to donate all proceeds from tickets and merchandise for her Radio City Music Hall performance to Haiti. All purchases made via her website that day will also go to relief efforts.

- January 27: Brooklyn’s Bell House hosts the Save the Children benefit, featuring Ted Leo, Cold War Kids, The Wrens, A.C. Newman, and more.

Austin:

- January 24: The Austin Music Hall hosts artists including The Gourds, Asleep at the Wheel, Robert Earl Keen, and Shawn Colvin, plus a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting Help Us Help Haiti.

- Antone’s music venue hosts Austin Helps Haiti fundraiser; they will be openly collecting medical supplies this week.

Los Angeles:

- January 25: Comedians Sarah Silverman and Aziz Ansari will perform at Largo, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity.

January 22: Bono, Alicia Keys, Sting, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake are among the artists who will perform during Wyclef Jean and George Clooney’s Hope For Haiti telethon, with proceeds benefiting Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yéle. The telethon will be broadcast on several TV networks. According to MTV, Clooney will host the Los Angeles telethon segment of the event, while CNN’s Anderson Cooper will take part live from Haiti.

Paste Magazine has launched Songs for Haiti, a project raising money for Haiti relief efforts and promoting awareness. An array of artists including Andrew Bird, Ludacris, Of Montreal, Hanson, The Decemberists, and 200+ others have donated MP3s (many unreleased) for those who donate. Interested parties may donate through Paste or a charity of their choices. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, and Yéle. Visit www.songsforhaiti.org for more information.

U2 and Jay-Z are teaming up to record a song for Haitian relief efforts. According to Billboard, the collaboration will most likely be sold via iTunes.

Music for Relief has produced a downloadable compilation, featuring Slash, Lupe Fiasco, and Peter Gabriel. Proceeds benefit the United Nations Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the Dave Matthews Band’s Bama Works foundation.

Arcade Fire’s Régine Chassagne (whose family is of Haitian descent) wrote a moving editorial for Britain’s The Observer, calling for the world’s aid during Haiti’s time of dire need. She, along with husband and bandmate Win Butler, took to the band’s website, asking fans to donate to Partners in Health to aid the relief effort. “This is the moment where we need to show our best support and solidarity… Time has stopped, but time is of the essence… Somewhere in my heart, it’s the end of the world,” Chassgne writes. Read her full editorial here.

Again, please feel free to add to our progressing list of benefits. Visit www.redcross.org/en to donate to the Red Cross.