Taylor Sets Second Benefit Concert for Haiti
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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— If you're trying to see James Taylor
at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center this Friday, you're out of luck. But you've got another chance for Saturday.
Tickets for the just-announced Haiti benefit concert were sold out Tuesday morning within 90 minutes after going on sale online and in person at 9. The 8 p.m. event will simulcast on WAMC Northeast Public Radio and WFCR.
The concert raised $300,000; half from ticket sales, half from matching funds by Taylor and his wife, Kim. After hearing of the successful fundraising, Taylor offered to hold another concert the following night.
Proceeds from "Help for Haiti: An Intimate Evening with James Taylor" will benefit Partners In Health. The tickets are $100 for balcony and $200 for orchestra and mezzanine. For $1,000, you could get into the "golden circle," including a private postshow reception with the artist.
The theater seats about 680.
Tickets for Saturday's show went on sale at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, with the $100 balcony and $200 orchestra seats selling out within an hour. As of 5 p.m., ticket sales reached $150,000 for the Saturday show, including 75 $1,000 tickets.
Golden circle tickets are still available at Mahaiwe.org or in person at the Castle Street theater. No phone calls will be accepted.
Taylor and his wife will be joined by his longtime singers Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller and Boston Symphony Orchestra cellist Owen Young.
"Our hearts go out to everyone in Haiti," said Taylor. "We need to do everything we can to help the country recover after this tragic earthquake. I'm grateful to do my part and hope my neighbors here in the Berkshires will join me and be as generous as possible."
Partners In Health has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years and has brought medical care to poor communities in nine countries around the world. Based in Boston, it employs more than 11,000 people worldwide, including doctors, nurses and community health workers.
