The annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert returned to New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall on Monday evening, which mesmerized, thrilled and inspired concertgoers. The benefit concert, now in its 37th year, is one of the longest running cultural events in the city and known for delivering the most unique one-night-only performances and collaborations all for an important cause, and last night was no exception.
Revered composer and artistic director, Philip Glass, and avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson assembled some of the most exhilarating names in music and art to raise funds for Tibet House US, a non-profit educational institution and cultural embassy founded in 1987 at the request of the Dalai Lama to promote and safeguard the survival of the Tibetan heritage.
This year’s enchanting lineup featured legendary singer Joan Baez, singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers, Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang, the Philip Glass Ensemble, Gina Gershon, Tenzin Choegyal, Jlin, the Patti Smith Band, Gogol Bordello, Shazad Ismaily, and the Scorchio Quartet. The honorary chairs for the concert were Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Arden Wohl, Jonah Freeman and Uma Thurman, who attended the concert and cheered on her daughter Maya Hawke, who beautifully performed two acoustic songs accompanied by Christian Lee Hutson.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: Chloë Sevigny and Arden Wohl attend the 37th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert After Party at Ziegfeld Ballroom on February 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Tibet House US)
The concert kicked off with Tibetan Monks performing resonant chants, followed by Tibet House President Bob Thurman who shared his gratitude for the evening’s co-artistic directors and the Tibetan people.
Baez made a rare public appearance and delighted fans by singing a few songs. She kicked off her mini set list by crooning “God Is God” which drew a huge applause from the crowd. A standout moment from the concert was when Baez brought out Rogers to sing a duet of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”
Rogers sang the fan-favorite “Alaska” and her latest single “Don’t Forget Me,” before introducing Baez, which she called “the greatest honor of my life.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: Jason Weinberg and Uma Thurman attend the 37th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert After Party at Ziegfeld Ballroom on February 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Tibet House US)
Yang, the beloved actor and comedian, read the poem “Who Be Kind To” by Allen Ginsberg with the Patti Smith Band. Just before he began, he joked, “I’m wearing Fenty Beauty concealer, just like Allen Ginsberg would have wanted,” which drew a laugh from the audience.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Christian Lee Hutson, Maya Hawke, and Tenzin Choegyal attend the 37th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert After Party at Ziegfeld Ballroom on February 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Tibet House US)
Gogol Bordello performed “When Universes Collide” and “Solidarity,” which transformed Carnegie Hall into a rock concert as Baez, Rogers, Hawke and Yang danced on stage together.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: A view of atmosphere during the 37th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert After Party at Ziegfeld Ballroom on February 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Tibet House US)
The concert ended with Baez singing a rendition of the iconic Pete Seeger protest classic “We Shall Overcome” with several of the performers from the night. The concertgoers all stood on their feet and sang along in union. “That was so beautiful,” said a guest. “What a perfect way to end the night.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Lorenza Ponce, Gina Gershon, and Bowen Yang are seen backstage during the 37th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall on February 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Tibet House US)
