The (winter) benefit season is upon us

Soon after Haiti was decimated by an earthquake, creative minds began to spin on how to help. The results, so far, include a benefit concert at Bay Street in Sag Harbor, an art exhibition at the Mayfair Gallery in East Hampton and an art auction in Manhattan sponsored by Shelter Island’s Boltax Gallery. The events are scheduled from January 28 through January 30.

The Haiti relief efforts have been scheduled alongside a long-planned benefit concert for Maureen’s Haven homeless outreach offered on Saturday at the Polish Hall in Riverhead. Like last year, the musical lineup for the Maureen’s Haven benefit includes The Mulligans, Mispent Youth and Who Are Those Guys.

Front and center, because of the extreme urgency of the problem and the immediate need, is the humanitarian aid effort for Haiti, with the Hamptons for Haiti benefit concert at Bay Street Theatre one of the first responses.

The brainchild of musician Dan Bailey, the concert came together within 48 hours. A quick phone chain ran from Mr. Bailey to Suffolk County Legislator and musician Jay Schneiderman to Bay Street Theatre’s executive director, Tracy Mitchell. A succession of “yes” responses launched the gathering of musicians and an adjustment to Bay Street’s Saturday night schedule.

“Haiti is facing a real humanitarian crisis,” Mr. Schneiderman said this week. “People are asking: ‘How can I help?’ ‘What can I do?’ We can’t all jump on a plane but we can come together as a community. The concert lets people take some action and know that they didn’t sit by and watch, because they helped in some way.”

Hamptons for Haiti will run from 8 to 10 p.m. An after party featuring bands and mingling with musicians will follow in Bay Street’s lobby. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; a suggested donation of $25 is requested, with all proceeds going to UNICEF and Yele Haiti. For more information, visit www.baystreet.org or www.hamptonsforhaiti.org.

The lineup includes several of

Mr. Bailey’s musical groups, with Dan Bailey & Living Rhythm slated to close the evening. Obed Jean Louis—the group’s bass player and a Haitian native—is in the lineup as a solo act. The evening launches with Djambeli Drum & Dance—a traditional West African music and movement presentation of drumming and dance. The group was founded by Mr. Bailey and his mother, Susan Bailey.

The evening also includes Mr. No Shame, Jim Turner and Alfredo Merat. Mr. Schneiderman is playing drums with Dan Bailey & Living Rhythm and will be playing percussion or drumming with other acts.

The idea for a series of concerts to raise money for the Haiti victims was a natural, Mr. Bailey said. He has performed with several Haitian musicians in his professional career, and, like many others, he felt a strong need to help in whatever way he could.

“I wanted to jump on a plane and help, but that’s not possible,” he said. “Putting concerts together to raise money was something I could do. Everyone I spoke to really wanted to do something to help. Hamptons for Haiti gives the community a chance to take action and help raise money.”

The large number of musicians who wanted to participate led to plans for a musical after party, Mr. Bailey said. Headlining the gathering is Bastards of Boom. The final lineup was still taking shape this week.

Also springing into action was Shelter Island gallery owner Karen Boltax, who quickly arranged an Art Auction for Haiti at 7:45 p.m. on January 28 at Norwood in New York City.

Ms. Boltax has set a goal of raising $100,000 for Partners in Health from the live auction featuring works by more than 26 artists. Those not bidding can buy an auction paddle for $100; an auction catalogue can be found at www.boltaxgallery.com.

The Mayfair Gallery in East Hampton is also stepping up to help Haiti. A portion of proceeds from sales from the “About Face” group exhibition will go to the Haitian Relief Fund. A raffle will also raise funds. The show opens with a reception on Saturday, January 30, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., with Andrina Smith offering a freestyle poetry performance.

Exhibiting artwork are Molly Morgan Weiss, Gabriela Trueba, Graham Loper, Leat Klingman, Lauren Wilde Acquino and Heather Whelan. The Mayfair Gallery is located at 73 Main Street, East Hampton. For information, call Ms. Weiss at 516-641-7457.

Holding its intended course is the second annual Rockin’ for the Homeless concert being held this Saturday at Polish Hall in Riverhead. The concert benefits Maureen’s Haven, an organization dedicated to offering humanitarian aid to homeless people on the East End. From November to March 1, the non-profit group offers homeless people transportation, food and a place to sleep, using churches on the North and South forks as operating bases.

Benefit organizer Tom Gahan said a discussion was held on whether to add relief for Haiti to the event. That idea morphed into plans for a future concert dedicated exclusively to Haitian relief, said Mr. Gahan. He pointed out that the Haitian relief efforts and Maureen’s Haven both target people in crisis with immediate needs.

Mr. Bailey also plans to hold more concerts to benefit Haiti in the spring. So far, Living Rhythm has organized two benefit concerts in Brooklyn and spearheaded the Bay Street Theatre benefit.

Combining music and art is a Haiti benefit concert and art raffle at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on January 28 at 7:30 p.m. Groups include The Loan Sharks, Miles to Dayton and others. For more information, visit patchoguetheatre.com.