STATEN ISLAND, NY — When it comes to Hurricane Sandy's devastation, relief really can be a laughing matter.

Hear me out.

Red-hot wiseacre Louis CK (with surprise guest Chris Rock) famously donated proceeds from his pair of sold-out local shows to Project Hospitality's Staten Island Sandy Relief Fund, and comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld aims to do the same with the haul from tonight's capacity concert at the historic St. George Theatre.

In times of tragedy and natural disaster, entertainment of all kinds can be a potent a survival tool. Musical proof: 'American Idol' Phillip Phillips, Graniteville's PS 22 Chorus and Stapleton singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson have also raised their voices — and tens of thousands of dollars — in Sandy support via online concerts last month.

But, obviously, this is no easy fix. There is a lot more work to be done — and a lot more talented performers are stepping up to share their healing gifts this month.

From classical musicians and crass comedians to teen thespians and tattoo artists — they're all taking to local stages in storm-driven performances for Sandy victims and the organizations that aid them.

THE COMEDY CONGREGATION

Local standup guy John Kurschner is taking a break from his dayjob at "Con Ed and helping family and friends with hurricane clean up" to host a comedy benefit show Friday at The Looney Bin Comedy Club in Travis.

The Reverend Bob Levy (pictured) is headlining — and all proceeds will be donated to The Stephen Siller Foundation to aid Staten Island's Sandy relief efforts. Admission is $15 in advance at 718-370-6151; $20 at the door.

The raunchy Rev. Levy, a Great Kills native and a frequent guest on the "Opie and Anthony" and "Howard Stern" radio shows, will share the bill with opening comics Pete Davidson and Sue Golden.

Oh, and the best part: "On top of the money from the door, Con Edison will be matching my donation, which is great!," says Kurschner.

The Looney Bin is located at 141 E. Service Road; 718-370-6151. Doors: 7:30 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m.

'PLAY IT FORWARD'

This is a day of unabashed, family-friendly fun and games in support of Project Hospitality, the local charity earmarking 100 percent of the proceeds raised to help S.I. families in need.

The bill: Musical acts Patrick & the Rock-A-Silly Band, Emily Ellison, Awesome Clowns, Bilingual Birdies, face painting, life-sized Tic-Tac-Toe and Hopscotch Board, palm reading, games, crafts and a photo opp with Santa. Admission is $10, general, and $30 for a family of four ($5 for each additional member). Food and drink included.

"Play it Forward" takes place at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Zion Lutheran Church, 505 Watchogue Road in Willowbrook. Call 718-448-0990 for more information.

'THE SILVER LINING'

Wagner College theater students will stage this musical benefit Friday at 8 p.m. in the Little Shop Studios, 862 Post Ave., West Brighton. "The Silver Lining," produced and performed by the department's senior class of 2013, will consist of a string of hope — driven by popular artists such as: Michael Jackson, Jon Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, The Beatles and more.

Tickets are $30 and must be reserved at WCTSilverLining@gmail.com. There also will be an auction, raffle and cash bar. All proceeds will be donated to Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

— Eric Petillo

PHILHARMONIC PHILANTHROPY

The S.I. Philharmonic presents a "magical family-oriented holiday concert for a good cause" Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Center for the Arts at the College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd., Willowbrook.

"Staten Island Together" will feature more than 35 musicians, along with well-known local personalities such as Janet Savage from S.I. Music together, performing to benefit the Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund.

"The performance will serve as both a fundraiser for hurricane survivors," says Carolyn Clark, "and to unite and uplift our community."

Santa is also expected to make a special appearance with treats for the kiddies. All proceeds from the concert will go to The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund.

Tickets are $10 at the box office or via 718-982-ARTS(2787).





A TRUE GROUP EFFORT

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, the Italian Cultural Center of St. John's University and the Casa Belvedere Italian Foundation are joining forces Sunday from 1-5 p.m. on the St. John's campus at 300 Howard Ave.

The benefit will combine two holiday traditions—St. John's annual holiday concert and the exhibition of the Presepio, with proceeds going to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The Presepio, which will be unveiled at 1:30 p.m. in Flynn Hall, was a gift of the NYC Fire Department in memory of 9/11 victims and their relations in Naples, Italy. Also joining forces: Richmond County Orchestra and Riverside Opera Co., both under the baton of Alan Aurelia.

The resulting concert, "Two Tenors & A Lady," strikes up at 3 p.m. in Campus Center with tenor Christopher Macchio singing "Che gelida manina" from "La Boheme," and soprano Jennifer Root singing "Vissi d'Arte" from "Tosca." Together they will sing "O soave fanciulla" from "La Boheme."

In the second half of the program, the duo Vetro (Macchio and fellow tenor Elio Scaccio) will join soprano Marissa Famiglietti for a program of arias popularized by Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Lanza and Tom Jones, as well as Broadway tunes and popular hits.

Plus: Expect excerpts from "The Nutcracker," featuring members of the New America Youth Ballet, as well as the Dawn Daniels Irish Step Dancers.

Tickets for the Presepio unveiling and reception, with preferred concert seating are $100; admission to the concert and reception is $50; open concert seating is $20.

For reservations, call 718-273-7660 or email info@Casa-Belvedere.org. Tix also are available at www.BrownPaperTickets.com.



— Michael J. Fressola

BUDOS BAND, BREWS & BOYS

If you still haven't discovered the funky, internationally-acclaimed Budos Band yet, this is your chance to do so — and help your fellow Islanders.

In less than a decade, these young musician have released three acclaimed CDs on the Daptone label and toured worldwide, playing everywhere from hipster rock dives to massive festival stages.

Dec. 14 at 9 p.m. is the time to witness Budos Band defending when "The Richmond County Brewing Club Presents: A Hurricane Sandy Benefit Show" at the Full Cup in Stapleton.

With an eclectic array of influences (from the Cairo Jazz Band to Black Sabbath), this 10-piece ensemble delivers an explosion of sound with the juxtaposition of tight rhythms, blistering breakbeats and blaring horns, creating what the New York Times dubbed "instrumental, Staten Island afro-soul."

Also on the bill: The Barnyard Boys open the show at 9 p.m.. Tickets are $25 at TheBudosBandSandy. eventbrite.com, as well as at the venue: 388 Van Duzer St.; 718-442-4224; FullCupSI.com.

'STILL SURVIVING SANDY'

Theater in the Woods presents this teen performance Dec. 15 at Michael J. Petridies School Auditorium, 715 Ocean Terr. Directed by JoAnna Petrouleas with the motto of "Performing to Rebuild Live!"

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission: $40, adults; $20, students. All donations go directly to impacted families. For more information, call 718-351-6134 or visit TheaterInTheWoods.org.

'MANY HANDS' ART AUCTION

A group of motivated S.I. artists are still organizing this silent auction of eclectic art and donated raffle items, with all proceeds going to Sandy relief.

"We haven't officially announced this yet, and we've already received over 40 confirmed artists," says photographer Mike Shane, who's co-organizing with fellow S.I. artists Kev Psyn, Magie Serpica, Don Arangio, Sabrina Mazza and Ed Pollio. "We'll be releasing our event and donations info over the weekend and start making noise about it on Monday.

But here's what we know right now: "Many Hands" will be held Dec. 21 from 7-10 p.m. at 5050 Skatepark, 354 Front St. in Stapleton.

"We chose the Skatepark as our venue based on its resilience in recovering after being hit by the storm surge and its eagerness to help those still picking up the pieces," Shane says. "They had three feet of water in the park. All the ramps were pushed to the back of the warehouse."

Look for more info about this event in next Thursday's AWE.

STATEN STRONG GALA

OK, thus far, this looks like it's shaping up to be the big daddy of all benefits. In short, it's packed with starpower, folks.

Actors Theo Rossi, Kim Coates and Ron Perelman — aka Juice, Tig and Clay on FX's acclaimed "Sons of Anarchy" — will serve as hosts for this five-hour, 21-and-over cocktail party with an open bar, live entertainment, auction, raffles, 50/50, tattoo stations and more, Dec. 27 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Excelsior Grand, 2380 Hylan Blvd., New Dorp.

Among the still-growing list of talents that Richmond native Rossi has recruited:

TruTV's "Impractical Jokers" — Sal Vulcano, Joe Gatto, Brian "Q" Quinn and James "Murr" Murray — are expected to attend, as are drummer AJ Pero of Twisted Sister, DJ Skane of the Wu-Tang Clan, chef Clemenza Caserta of "Hell's Kitchen" and local artist/patriot/provocateur Scott LoBaido.

"Since we're a community-based group right here in Staten Island, we can get your donation to the people who need it more quickly and efficiently than national charities or government organizations," says Rossi, who co-founded Staten Strong with a group of fellow Monsignor Farrell alums. "Donate today to help us return Staten Island to the place we know and love."

The official Staten Strong motto: "After Hurricane Sandy left many on Staten Island without electricity, gasoline, cars and even their homes, we didn't wait for help to come. We rose up to help those who needed it. You can, too."

Gala tickets are $100 at StatenStrongGala.com (note: even if you can't attend, you can still donate whatever you can via the website). The tax deductible donations will help fulfill immediate needs, from purchasing clothing and groceries, to generators and building supplies.

Need help? Want to volunteer? For more information, visit StatenStrong.org or email info@StatenStrong.org.