Pitchfork: Sufjan to Perform at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall

Sufjan to Perform at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall

New Yorkers will have several opportunities to pay lots of money and get dressed up to go see Sufjan Stevens play in the coming months. One's even for a good cause (other than getting to tell your friends you saw Sufjan work his magic in ritzy venues that usually house world-class orchestras, that is).

Speaking of orchestras: this Saturday, January 14, Sufjan and an expanded backing band, including "strings [and] horns...violas and violins" according to the Asthmatic Kitty website, will play two shows at the Allen Room at Lincoln Center, as part of the institution's "American Songbook" series. (Future participants include Fountains of Wayne and Duncan Sheik.)

New arrangements of Sufjan faves, as well as new tunes, are expected. "This is not rock-n-roll," Asthmatic Kitty warns. "Nor is it Broadway Theater." Nor is it the Come on Feel the Illinoise tour: "The pom poms have been put in retirement. Instead, Sufjan's band could be wearing shirts with collars and neckties. Or even--dare we say it--street clothes."

And if you just can't get enough upscale Suf-jeezy, the man is also scheduled to perform at the 16th annual Tibet House Benefit Concert, which will take place March 1. Sufjan will be joined by Laurie Anderson, Damien Rice, Allen Toussaint, and the event's artistic director, Philip Glass. More artists will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Tibet House is an NYC-based organization that works to preserve and promote Tibetan culture in the West. Just like Richard Gere. Last year's roster included the Black Keys, Antony, Nellie McKay, Patti Smith, Ray Davies, and Lou Reed. So keep in mind, this ain't no Tibetan Freedom concert with the Beastie Boys and Bodhisattva vows. It's more wistful and minimalist.

In addition to Tibet House, portions of the proceeds will go towards aiding New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina, although the specific charity has yet to be named (maybe VH1 Save the Music with The Edge crying in the gutter?).

And if you were wondering, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will not cold rock a party on stage or at the after-concert reception, since he has to, you know, flee for his life and stuff. But you might be able to tear it up and meditate with Uma Thurman and her whole freakin' family, as they are all on the Tibet House board. Word.