Local artists do what they can for Haiti

The students at the High School For Recording Arts in St. Paul created and recorded this song and video to inspire people to support relief efforts in Haiti.

It's amazing how a disaster thousands of miles away can move people to do whatever they can to help. In the case of artists, that help comes in the form of art. In the wake of the earthquakes in Haiti, many Twin Cities artists have organized events to raise moeny for relief efforts. Here are the ones I know about:

UPDATED FRIDAY, JANUARY 29

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

On Saturday, January 30, Veteran improv and stand-up comedians from across the Twin Cities give two performances at Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret in Bloomington. All proceeds go to the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. There will be two shows - the one at 8pm is booked, but 10pm still has seats available.

"Unite for Haiti" Benefit Concert to Be Held at the Dakota Jazz Club, 6 pm Sunday, January 31. Features Estaire Godinez, Nachito Herrera, IBe, Adam Levy of The Honeydogs, Davina Sowers of Davina & the Vagabonds, and more. Tickets are $20. All door proceeds will benefit Haiti.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 4-7pm : Art Sale for Haiti: Un Object d'Heart

Alliance Française of Minneapolis/St. Paul hosts a benefit sale of work by local artists, potters, photographers, writers and others. All proceeds go to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and the American Red Cross for their Haiti relief efforts. Haitian food available for purchase.

**************

The below events have already taken place:

The Minnesota-based Haiti Mission Project is hosting the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fundraiser tonight from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Tickets are $20 through haitimissionproject.org or $25 at the door, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the earthquake relief efforts of the Haiti Mission Project, Heartline Ministries and Haiti Lutheran Mission Society. The event features live music, a silent auction and food and wine.

On Friday the Cedar Cultural Center hosts "Solidarité Avec Haïti" Starting at 6pm and running til midnight, the line-up includes live Caribbean, Brazilian and African music and dance, as well as an art auction and Caribbean food.

From 2 - 8pm on Saturday, Arnellia's in St. Paul hosts "Haiti Mi Amour Fundraiser" with live performances by One Mic Productions, Desdamona Rox, Toni Paul, Kendra Glenn and others.

At 2pm on Sunday, musicians Robert Robinson, Timothy Frantzich, Jerry Steele and others perform in the Chanhassen High School auditorium, and volunteer Bonnie Steele will talk about the work she does in Bouzy, Haiti. All proceeds will go to Feed My Starving Children as well as the village of Bouzy. Tickets $20 for adults, $10 for teens, free for children under 12,

Later in the afternoon that same Sunday, Open Sing performs Mozart's Requiem at the Church of the Epiphany in Plymouth. All who love to sing are invited to bring their own choral score or borrow one at the door. Participants rehearse for an hour starting at 4pm, break for a bit, then come back and perform the piece once through in its entirety. A donation of $10 is suggested -all money raised will go to CARE, the international relief organization, for their efforts in Haiti.

Are there other artistic performances out there aimed at raising money for Haiti? Let me know and I'll add them to the list.