Snow and sleet couldn't keep the crowds away from last night's sold-out 25th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The show was led by some of music's most trailblazing women including Debbie Harry, Patti Smith and Laurie Anderson and was punctuated by a surprise appearance by Miley Cyrus that had the audience overflowing into the aisles. This was just one of many unforgettable moments from the eclectic concert, curated by artistic director Philip Glass.
Debbie Harry had the whole crowd mesmerized and clapping along during a three-song set which included a newer Blondie song "A Rose By Any Name" and the classic "Heart of Glass." The Flaming Lips, along with ambient artist Juliana Barwick and the Scorchio Quartet, performed dazzling covers of songs by The Beatles and David Bowie. Ashley MacIsaac, joined by with Maybelle Chisholm McQueen, performed with such energetic passion that a string on his bow popped. Laurie Anderson brought a unique element to the evening with her moving spoken-word pieces. Patti Smith shared a poem for the Dalai Lama as a gift for his 80th birthday before performing with Her Band and Jesse Paris Smith. Other notable performances by Dev Hynes, Sturgill Simpson, Ira Glass, and Tenzin Choegyal rounded out this special evening, with proceeds going to support the work of Tibet House US as they forge ahead with their mission to protect and preserve the unique Tibetan culture. The show closed with a special guest appearance by Miley Cyrus, who joined all of the artists on stage for an electrifying performance of "People Have The Power" led by Patti Smith, that had the crowd out of their seats streaming toward the stage.
The festivities continued late into the night as all of the performing artists, Honorary Chairs Uma Thurman and Arden Wohl, VIPs and Tibet House supporters enjoyed the elegant post-concert gala at Metropolitan West. After a delicious dinner and cocktails, Tibet House US President Robert Thurman presented international lawyer and author Eliot Pattinson with the Art of Freedom Award for his outstanding artistic contributions to the people of Tibet, a perfect end to one of the longest-running and most acclaimed live cultural events in NYC.
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Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images.
