Head down to the 201 for a special benefit for Nicole Reinert, featuring Lightning Bolt, the What Cheer?Brigade, Red Dons, and Peter Glantz and the Imaginary Company.

Great line-up and if you’ve never seen LB this is a nice intimate venue for your first time. . . should get pretty ripe. This is a Bolt’s-eye view of the crowd taken somewhere.

9pm, Monday, 201 Westminster Street, $8 donation requested, 21+ only

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The ‘Nothing’ campaign was first brought to our attention by Dose reader Myles who sent in this picture. But the website remained as enigmatic as the billboard until it’s official rollout on Tuesday. . . so we had nothing to write about. We now know it is a cleverly constructed fundraiser sponsored by Citizens Bank to support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Intentional or not, these little banks hearken back to the Lenten mite boxes of yore (maybe churches still do this, how would I know). I think I can predict that lapsed Episcopalians everywhere will eat these up. The ProJo described the campaign this way,

It’s an empty can, in green, yellow and red, with the word “Nothing” in big letters. Underneath there’s an empty bowl and spoon and the words “An Unnecessary Tradition.”

The Food Bank wants to sell 40,000 cans for $2.99 each at 135 locations around the state, including many Dunkin’ Donuts, Whole Foods Markets, Dave’s Marketplace, Brigido’s Fresh Market, Clements’ Marketplace and Eastside Marketplace [where my can rang up as $2.79 today, don't know what that means exactly, BC].

The cans have coin slots in the top, and the Food Bank hopes that families will fill the cans with money and return them to the Food Bank, giving the Food Bank two sources of revenue from the same can.

Nice job by NAIL, the Rhode Island communications agency responsible for the campaign. I think its small scale will be appealing; and the cans look real swell, with a retro Del Monte-ish label. For all the details go to NOTHING.

Are your thoughts turning to dinnertime? Tonight (Thursday) is the annual “Dine Out for Life” event sponsored by AIDS Project Rhode Island. I just realized I hadn’t heard anything about it this year, double-checked that it was still on (yup), and hoped that even a last-minute plug would help this non-profit complete its mission. 25% of tonight’s proceeds from all participating restaurants go to AIDS Project RI, which provides compassionate advocacy to those affected by HIV and AIDS as well as education to help prevent and eventually eradicate the disease from RI.

Participants range from the affordable to the divine: CAV, Garden Grille, Kabob & Curry, Pakarang, Zooma, and more than two dozen other state-wide restaurants. Pick one and enjoy. You deserve it, and someone else deserves your help.

An invitation from Dose friends Matt Jerzyk and Kim Ahern, just to name two of the many hosts, to tonight’s fundraising party for the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence to be held at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center. Money raised will help fund the Street Worker Program. (Event Facebook page)

Sangria from the Sangria Master!
Wine from Sakonnet and Newport Vineyards!
Beer from Trinity Brewhouse & Narragansett!
Liquor from Gasparro’s!
Food from great local restaurants like Local 121, Wes’ Rib House, Los Andes, Ebisu, Blue Grotto, El Rancho Grande & Blaze
Music from Rhode Island’s hottest DJ - DJ Kabeza!

6pm to 9pm, Thursday, Botanical Center (directions), more info at 785.2320

‘Clean Water Makes Noise‘ is a special event tonight at AS220 with raffles and things all to raise money for clean water projects and advocacy groups.

100% of the proceeds go directly to the Potomac Conservancy, a clean water action that funds local and global clean water projects.

This evening will feature a fantastic raffle, spotlighting contributions from such local business as the Red Fez, Nick-a-Nees, the E & O Pub, Seven Stars Bakery, White Electric, Julians, Legend Bicycle, Second Time Around, A Pleasant Surprise, The Coffee Exchange, Into the Wardrobe, Narragansett Brewery, and many, many more.

Music: I Destroyer, Chrome Jackson, Woozy

7pm, Sunday, AS220, 115 Empire Street, $6 to $10 suggested donation

Okay, we have been humping the hell out of this show, but it is after all, a fundraiser for a good cause. Plus, our guy Eric will be jumping around on the stage for some of this (rocks on bass for the ‘Mericans). That’s Eric Smith, second from left in this adowable publicity photo taken by frequent Dose contributor Annie Messier. (The shoot was styled by husband Dan who brought the Gansetts and lip gloss. Note the perfect can placement, suggesting both poverty and camaraderie.)

Soooo, one more time. Wednesday night is a FREE show at Lupo’s, starring the Low Anthem (new and improved quartet format, with Mat the new guy). The ‘Mericans and Tallahassee are the openers. Donations are requested with all proceeds going to benefit the United Way’s Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund. (The Phoenix says “Yes, go”.)

Free, doors 8pm, show 9pm, Wednesday, Lupo’s, 79 Washington Street

A plethora of Earth Day events are on tap this week — you can start by saving Thursday night for a ‘Clean Water Action Rhode Island’ fundraiser to be held Thursday, April 22, in the Local 121 Speakeasy. Free pizza from, who else, Nice Slice. Also, prizes will be raffled off. Suggested donation is $10.

‘Earth in Jeo-Party’, Thursday, 6pm to 9pm, 121 Washington Street

The upcoming Low Anthem show, featuring openers Tallahassee and the ‘Mericans, is now free, with suggested donations requested to benefit United Way’s Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund. If you have already purchased tickets, you can be refunded at point of purchase or waive your refund and the $ will go to the fund. How this came about was explained by Ben Knox Miller of Low Anthem,

Our tour was way out west when we heard about the flooding. It was a dry but helpless feeling to be so far away. Mat’s mother’s had the idea I think to turn Lupo’s into a benefit show. A good idea! People can donate if they like or just come into Lupo’s for free, which is pretty unusual. We are excited to come back home for the show, and also hopeful for the dryness of the gear in our basement.

So that’s the kind of people they are. Kudos to Mat’s mom and everyone else who is helping to make this happen. The rest of us can head down, listen to some great music, and give generously.  Here’s hoping all their gear was kept high and dry.

Benefit for Flood Recovery, Wednesday, April 21, 7pm to 11pm, Lupo’s, 79 Washington Street

And will continue to do so for some time to come. Head over to the “We Are Haiti” benefit concert being held tonight (Friday) on the Brown Campus.

An evening of Haitian music, dance, poetry, fashion, theater, art, and Creole cuisine will raise funds for two nonprofit groups working outside Port-au-Prince. The 7pm event in the Salomon Center for Teaching includes several performances by various artists, including music by Zili Mizik, an Afro-Caribbean dance troupe; Chadek Tek, Haitian jazz band from New York City; and the Elmwood Avenue Church of God Youth Choir. The $10 admission includes Creole cuisine by Choukoun’s Bistro. All proceeds will go to Haiti Health Ministries and An-n Eder [Let's Help]. Among the many sponsors is the Haiti Crisis Response Committee at Brown.

Choukoun’s Bistro is a Haitian eatery favorably reviewed in The Phoenix a while ago. It is located at 977 Manton Avenue. Zili Misik is an all-girl Afro-beat neo-soul band out of the Berklee School of Music. “Haitian, Brazilian and West African rhythms infuse Zili’s original creations and traditional folk songs. . . and inspires its audiences to dance”. Nuff said.

$10, Haiti Fundraiser, Friday, 7pm on, Salomon Center, Main Campus, Brown University

As Beth noted, tonight is the all-star Johnny Cash tribute show at RISD Auditorium.  Although the ‘Mericans do have a Daily Dose connection (ahem, some of us were tossing our panties on the ‘Mericans’ stage before Mr. Smith came along—although I’m still not sure Smurf underoos were the best choice), I’m also a big fan of Brown Bird, Wrong Reasons, and Ben Pilgrim. I’ve enjoyed catching Mark Cutler in cozy spots around town, and I’ve heard nothing but praise for Coyote Kolb, Tallahassee, Last Good Tooth, and Avi Jacob.  If I don’t wear an anchor, tonight’s show could blow me away.

Johnny Cash has influenced countless musicians far beyond the confines of country.  He also made wildly differing songs by Elvis, Gordon Lightfoot, Nine Inch Nails, Tom Jones, Bruce Springsteen, the Beatles, Sting, Depeche Mode and others all his own.  It’s perfect that versatile, tough-as-nails Cash will be covered tonight by a range of styles: folk, Afro-beat, roots, blues, garage, Americana, Gospel, rockabilly, country, and the indefinable.  This show is part of a multi-city tribute series, and proceeds from all four events will go to prison literacy programs, including Providence Books through Bars.

I emailed several Providence performers (thanks for being sports on such short notice!) about their involvement in this project and their favorite Jonny Cash songs. Responses after the jump.

$10 ($7 w/RISD student ID), 7:30pm, Thursday, Johnny Tribute, RISD Auditorium, 17 Canal Street, Providence. Facebook event page
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Maya Allison, curator of recently-shuttered gallery 5 Traverse, is teaming up with photographers Frank Mullin and Magaly Ponce for a silent auction and exhibition to benefit victims of the earthquakes and tsunami that have recently affected Chile, where rural areas were deeply devastated and where winter is coming.

The pieces being auctioned come from a who’s who of local artists:

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Don’t forget the combined fundraiser (Oxfam aid to Haiti/St. Michaels Church South Providence) this Sunday. The event is called Brigids Fire — the first party of the St. Patrick’s Day Season! Organizers have a day of multi-culti music planned including Seanchai and the Unity Squad, “the world’s only punk/funk Celtic hip-hop band”. Two stages will keep it going all day, with Guinness and ‘Gansett to slake your thirst.

First prize in the raffle (tickets cost only one dollar) is a free week-long stay at the beautiful Aunts House on Derrynane Bay in County Kerry (you will be responsible for transportation, food, etc.) courtesy of Maurice Collins owner of the Wild Colonial. This place is unbelievably beautiful with mountains, ocean and monastery ruins, as well as a nearby equestrian center with organized rides on the beach. Go to the Brigid’s Fire website for a complete schedule of the day’s music and details of the raffle prizes.

Brigids Fire, Sunday, January 31st, 3pm to 9pm, $10 adult, $5 student, Roger Williams Park Casino

Yeah, I know George Clooney is doing that thing on Friday night, and he’s an okay guy, but these things always feature an endless parade of self-absorbed dummies saying things like “I just had to do something.” And that ’something’ just happens to involve lots of television cameras. Here’s another option: Maurice (rhymes with ‘loris’) Collins proprietor of the Wild Colonial Tavern and noted trivia quizmaster sends along this invitation.

The Wild Colonial, with a little help from our pals at Narragansett Beer and Guinness, will be running the bar at a fundraiser for Haitian relief and for the social justice programs at St. Michael’s — the folks who helped bring us hits like The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence,  AIDS Care Ocean State,  Southside Community Land Trust, CityArts and Community Boating. Cultural programming all day, headline act in the evening, kids games, etc.  And, for a measly buck you can buy a chance to win a week at a fabulous house in Ireland — our fabulous house in Ireland.

The event is Brigids Fire — the first party of the St. Patrick’s Day Season! And this picture here is taken from the above-mentioned fabulous Collins house in County Kerry, the Aunts House at Derrynane Bay. This place is unbelievably beautiful with mountains, surf, golfing, monastery ruins, and you can ride horses on the beach which is the best thing anyone can ever do.

Brigids Fire, Sunday, January 31st, 3pm to 9pm, $10 adult, $5 student, Roger Williams Park Casino

Today at 3:30pm there will be a rally in front of the Westin, in support of workers there — several of whom were recently fired for joining the picket line during their break from work.  Details on that below.  Afterward, join Camilo Viveiros, the new director of RI Jobs with Justice, at a low-ticket fundraiser and birthday celebration.  Free beer with a donation of just $5.

Westin management cut employee health insurance, subcontracted laundry work, and illegally replaced three workers for picketing. Join Local 217 rank and file leaders as they protest Westin management on Tuesday, January 5, at 3:30pm in front of the Westin Hotel (1 West Exchange Street in Downtown Providence). We will meet at the Westin employee entrance at 3:30pm. Dress warmly and bring your walking shoes. At the action we will introduce a special surprise guest.

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To (almost) quote Emma Goldman, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be a part of your [health care reform].”

Dance you will this Friday at The 201. Providence’s dearly departed DJ duo Certified Bananas (Sammy Bananas now resides in Brooklyn, Certified Max in Boston - catch them while you can) will be on hand for a crazy set. The 201 has a bar and sexy couches and pool tables for the wallflower types. Organizers are requesting a $5 suggested donation, all proceeds will go to Young Invincibles, a national grassroots and e-advocacy effort aimed at encouraging young Americans to engage in the health care reform debate. Check out their website and photo petition.

Dance Rally for Health Care Reform w/Certified Bananas at The 201

Friday, October 9th 10pm-2am, 201 Westminster, across from the Dress Barn

Please give us $5 at the door.

Is dancing and drinking and lounging at a bar enough to pass the health care reform we need? Of course it isn’t. But the fight isn’t over, so let’s use this opportunity to start bringing our voices to the conversation.