By **Kristen Brunelli**

December 16, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.

The Living Room

154 Ludlow Street, between Stanton & Rivington

Cuddled up in our little nooks, our doors and windows deadlocked against the shrill cries of winter, it’s hard to remember that there’s a real world out there.

We feel warmer when listening to cool bands not too many people know about, and if they’re playing a couple blocks away, we might go. So, next Thursday night, let’s uncover ourselves from our blankets to go listen to some great live music, but let us also be reminded of the world (in need) beyond NYC’s twinkling lights.

All proceeds from the December 16th Haiti Benefit at The Living Room—the lineup includes Matt Singer, Great Elk, Casey Shea, Ryan Hobler and Wynn Walent—will go to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos International. Wynn Walent is currently in Haiti, working with the organization. He asks you to help. He wrote recently in an email to family and friends: “I’d be lying if I said things here are going well.”

Walent’s music is available for free download. But ‘tis the season of giving, so if you choose to buy it, any money received will go straight into the hands of Haitian people in need—“Be it for food money, school fees, to buy some tin roofing, or to pay for a funeral. Basic things.”

As for the other bands, Great Elk fills any dull space with a woodsy, encompassing sound that rises and falls and flushes. Matt Singer’s quirky lyrics make you feel shy and smile and laugh. He will be releasing a new album soon and touring Europe in the spring. For now, you can get access to free downloads of Live at the Warehouse at his website. Casey Shea put out an album, Love Is Here To Stay, last June. All of these guys, buddies first, are excited to welcome Wynn home. It won’t just be a concert but a unique reunion of friends.

Walent writes, “The despair and death of Haitian people is unfortunately at the forefront of most of my days.” Sure, it is not at the forefront of ours, but it should be, at least a little bit, in the very least during this intimate evening of music and friends.