STATEN ISLAND, NY — When tragedy strikes, entertainment — a few laughs, maybe even some music — is so often the only thing that helps us survive.

Lucky for post-Sandy Staten Island, a lot of talented performers are stepping up to share their healing gifts.

"Here we are in the middle of New York City, which was just slammed by a hurricane, leaving behind so much trouble, so much difficulty and trauma, which everyone here is still dealing with every day," said Emmy-winning comedian-actor Louis CK, in a message posted to his

before he hosted "Saturday Night Live" last week. "I know people in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Jersey, all over, are not normal yet. And not normal is hard."

Online rumors of a Louis-led Sandy benefit spread like wildfire through the blogosphere.

Well, guess what: America's red-hot standup guy is indeed headlining a pair of comedy performances Nov. 17 at the

.

He is donating ALL profits to storm victims (via the Project Hospitality Hurricane Sandy Staten Island Relief Fund).

The $65 tickets are on sale now via

, so, as the man himself puts it: "You can't get them ANYWHERE but here. So no crazy high ticket fees, no scalpers, no annoying emails, no joining a thing that you hate."

And that's not all: Everybody from Leonardo DiCaprio to Twisted Sister are rumored to have expressed interest in participating in local fundraising efforts. But for now that's just talk. Until we get confirmation, let's focus on what is know as of AWE's press deadline.

AND NOW FOR THE FOLLOWING RUNDOWN: Poets, punk rockers,

Piaf & PS22's Chorus (with this year's 'American Idol,' Phillip Phillips) lead a growing pack of Sandy relief benefits.

'AMERICAN IDOL' PHILLIP PHILLIPS & THE PSS22 CHORUS



Nov. 15, 6 p.m., live from the school 1860Forest Ave. in Granitville. Pay-what-you-can at StageIt.com.

At the beginning of the school year in September, Eltingville's PS22 Chorus added Phillip Phillips' hit song, "Home," (aka that ubiquitous 2012 Olympics theme song) to its always-expanding viral video repertoire.



The incumbent "American Idol" saw the fifth-graders' rendition, Tweeted it and contacted chorus director Gregg Brienberg about collaborating on a show for charity.

"It was originally planned as a benefit for a different charity, and they were looking at doing it at Radio City Music Hall or a bigger venue," says Breinberg.

Then Sandy came to town. Power, homes and lives were lost.

Plans changed.

"We were pretty devastated, so I spoke to my principal and Phillip's manager to say we really had to do something that's gonna benefit Staten Island," says the man affectionately known as "Mr. B" to his young charges. "They were on board immediately. Turns out they were already thinking along the same lines, so it was an easy sell."

Breinberg and company consulted the Borough President's office for guidance on which charities would have the most impact directly on the borough: The Red Cross and Stephen Stiller Tunnel to Tunnel Foundation came out on top.

But the live "mini-concert" coming up at 6 p.m. Nov. 15 isn't taking place in some splashy, paparazzi-friendly Manhattan venue. And you won't be expected to shellout big bucks, either. (However, with PS22's international profile, the proceeds could be quite substantial).

"Nah, it's going to be a live feed concert on stage at the school," Breinberg says. "We're keep in homey and organic, like the PS22 videos are, so they can be in their seats and not do anything staged. I want the kids to be comfortable and do their best. So we're gonna keep it in house."

For more information — or just to buy your "pay-what-you-want" virtual ticket — visit StageIt.com and search "Phillip Phillips benefit for victims of Hurricane Sandy." Phillips is expected to perform a few tunes with the kids, as well as a couple of solo songs — all of which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a computer.

SIGN-INTERPRETED CONCERT 16: HURRICAINE SANDY RELIEF EDITION



Saturday, 6 p.m. $5 cover. All-ages event. Full Cup, 388 Van Duzer St.; Stapleton; 718-442-4224; FullCupSI.com.

The latest installment of this recurring "sign-language-focused show" will switch gears to collect monetary donations for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation's Hurricane Relief Fund's local effort, says event organizer Christian Davis of Runaway Pen Productions.

Featured musical performances: Davis, Riley Stallings, Francine Bianco, John LoDuca, and special guest Katina White.

Sign Language Interpreters: Hailey Lormel, Marissa Camputaro, and Stacey Bostwick.

Plus, Prissy's Petites Cupcakes will also be on-site to aid in the fundraising effort.

For more info and updates, search "Sign Interpreted Concerts" on Facebook.

IRISH MUSIC CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS: YOUNG WOLFTONES FOR SANDY RELIEF



Saturday, 8 p.m. Dug Out Pub South, 4029 Hylan Blvd. $15, door; $ 10, advance at TicketorOnline.com/imcs.

Direct from Ireland to Staten Island, international recording artists Derek Warfield & They Young Wolftones will perform a one-night-only concert (with "amazing food and drink specials") to benefit local relief efforts. Space is limited, so buy tickets ASAP.

For info about "reduced hotel room rate and transport for out-of-towners," search "Irish Music Concert Series" on Facebook. Familiarize yourself with the Wolftones sound, visit TheYoungWolftones.com.



PUNKSGIVING 2012 TURKEY FRY & COVER SHOW BENEFIT



Saturday, 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Mother Pugs' Saloon, 1371 Forest Ave., Port Richmond; 718-4429831. Suggested $10 donation at door.

This third-annual sacrifice to the "Deep Fat Gods" at the elegant dive known as Mother Pugs' is normally admission-free — but organizers want to honor the ongoing relief effort in Midland Beach and Great Kills area.

"With that $10 donation, you will be eating like king/queen, watching six makeshift bands covering punk rock legends or at least bands you may have heard of, and most importantly supporting a great cause," says event co-planner Billy Jerome Hamill, adding that a 50/50 raffle will also be making rounds. "If you don't have it you won't be turned away, but the more we can collect the better."

Tribute acts on the bill: Bottled Violence as Rancid. The Junkies as The Ramones. The Todd Killings as Angry Samoans. The Fake Lawrence Arms as The Lawrence Arms. The Pocketcox as Iggy & The Stooges. Alkaline Uno as The Alkaline Trio will open the show. Plus, Hamill and company will be going for three-turkey record (note: some sides will be served, but carry-ins are welcome).

The goal: Proceeds will be used the following day to purchase bulk supplies for those in need (but food and clothing will also be collected at Pugs').

"I live down in Crescent Beach, I have for 20 years, and am very lucky for both the minimal — in comparison — damage I received and also because of the amazing support system of family and friends I have," says Hamill. "We are not going to turn around and give this money to some organization to distribute; it will go to our neighbors on the South Shore directly, even if I have to ask people personally what they need and then go get it for them. So please, get the word out there. You can all make a difference"

'MADE IN STATEN ISLAND'

Saturday, 3 p.m. St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 347 Davis Ave., West Brighton. Free admission or $15 suggested donation.

Music can lift spirits, encourage recovery, and drum up funds for a good cause, according to Staten Island-based musical groups WaFoo (Asian-jazz fusion) and the Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble (MCCE). They are collaborating on "Made in Staten Island," an eclectic Superstorm Sandy fund-raising performance.

Each of the ensembles will have solo time, and time to play together, a practice audiences have applauded in the past.

MCCE plans to offer some straight-up Baroque music. "I'm thinking some Telemann," said flutist and founder Tamara Keshecki, "and one or two other things." She was busy this past week assisting friends in Great Kills with post-storm clean-ups. She will be joined by violinist Lucy Corwin and cellist Vinny Moncada.

WaFoo's repertory consists of classic jazz and Japanese contemporary music. Two new works by WaFoo members will be premiered.

One, "Sakura (Cherry Blossom) River," by company bassist and founder Kazuo Nakamura, incorporates Japanese pentatonic scale and a melody from "Sakura, Sakura," one of the oldest Japanese folk songs, which represents a pattern of emotions in the Japanese psyche.

Nakamura explains: "The cherry blooms so strongly and beautifully, it brightens up people's feelings, but at the same time there's a little sadness, because the flowers don't last, nothing lasts, and everything must change."

That sensation, he continued, leads to the Japanese concept of "Ichigo-iche," meaning, "This moment is the only moment you have, so live and appreciate every moment."

Takeshi Asai, the group's pianist, wrote the other new piece, "After the Festival." "In terms of the musical ideas, I mixed classical chamber music and modern jazz elements together," he said. "Also, as I am aware that (on Saturday) the ensemble will combining top classically trained musicians and jazz musicians, so I have mixed the two elements."

The third WaFoo musician will be Yuuki Koike, playing flute, sax and shinobue (Japanese flute).

Combining classically trained musicians and jazz performers in new compositions has been stimulating for members of both ensembles. "It works for all of us," said Keshecki, " and audiences like the combination."

The two ensembles will donate 80 percent of proceeds (ticket and CD sales) to a local relief effort. Admission is $15 (general) and free for anyone from areas harmed by the storm.

— MICHAEL J. FRESSOLA, AWE arts editor

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS: A HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF SHOW

Nov. 16, 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Full Cup, 388 Van Duzer St., Stapleton; 78-442-4224; FullCupSI.com. $10 cover.

One of the first benefits to be announced came via this powerful (and anonymous) post on Full Cup's Facebook page: "I think it's safe to say that what happened to Staten Island this week was the most devastating thing to have ever happened to us.

I had a chance to leave the house, and drive through what I could and I was truly horrified by what I saw. Hundreds of families lost everything they had, some lost their lives.

... Through all the chaos, it is super awesome to see Islanders going out of their way to organize and pull together. I feel more proud today then I ever have before. I happened to be part of the lucky that only lost power and basic comfort for a few days.

We have two options, we can wait for someone else to put the pieces back together, or we can say (bleep) it — let's do it ourselves."

On next Friday's "Every Little Bit Helps" bill: Joe DeMaso, Two Sissys (aka Amanda and Alexandra Gonzalez), Mean Little Blanket (of Brooklyn), Leadhead, The Grand Pantrymen.

All proceeds will be donated to the Carl V Bini Foundation to be used for supplies, clothes and food. For more details, visit SISandyRelief.eventbrite.com/.



LOSS: A BOOK RELEASE & FAMILY WORKSHOP



Nov. 18, 1-3 P.M. Staten Island Children's Museum, at Snug Harbor Cultural & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terr., Livingston.

Proving that musicians arne't the only philanthropic creative-types on S.I., co-authors Patricia Hortense Murphy and Diane Matyas are stepping up jumpstart the post-Sandy healing process.

The duo's "LOSS," a new book for the grieving child — not to mention parents, schools, caregivers and mental health providers — is filled with 32 pages of simple prose and delicate, full-color drawings offering an intimate way to confront a death.

"Amid all the calamity of the past seven days," says Matyas, "we hope to use our new book to console and consider individual loss — and celebrate care and consideration. That is a lot of Cs."

This event is made possible in part by a DCA Premier Grant from the Council on the Arts & Humanities of Staten Island, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

KILLMEYER'S FOR THE STEPHEN SILLER HURRICANE RELIEF FUND



Sunday, 4 p.m. till close. Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn, 4254 Arthur Kill Road, Charleston; 718-984-1202. $5 cover.

"Call it vaudeville. Call it old-fashioned tavern entertainment such as the edifice of Killmeyer's may have hosted over a century ago," says local performer Natalie DeVito, who will channel French chanteuse Edith Piaf for this eclectic benefit.

"But more than anything, it's an answer to the call from proprietor Ken Tirado to a community of S.I. artists, musicians and poets to step up with their talents and help host a fundraising show at the venue."

While additional performers are pledging their participation , those already committed represent what local stage vet Tirado calls an "eclectic mash up of Staten Island artists."

"Sure, we're tapping some of the usual suspects – cover bands are very popular -- but we're also trying to add a little comedy and poetry and some of my theater friends," Tirado said. "Some of them don't get to perform like this very much, but they are anxious to get up there and do something to help."

Comedian Nanci Richards will serve as the emcee for a gloriously diverse bill that, thus far, includes: DeVito's aforementioned Piaf renditions, Joan Caddell (seriously, there a harder working woman in the local benefit performance game?), S.I.'s "de facto Poet laureate" Marguerite Maria Rivas, Andrea Kelly belting out showtunes with a piano accompaniment, poet (and veteran Killmeyer's manager) Jenn Fitzgerald, Irish folk songs from Joe Cogan, and Wagner College theater guru Felicia Ruff and a crew of her talented students doing "live shorts."

Funds will be raised by the nominal door cover, raffles (for a guitar, jewelry by local artisans, autographed artwork), 50/50s and good, old-fashioned "passing the hat."

Visit Killmeyers.com and Facebook for ongoing schedule updates.



SICC'S HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF EFFORT & BENEFIT ¶

Saturday & Sunday, noon-9 p.m. BAY 60 Gallery, 60 Bay St., St. George, 718-720-8849.

The Staten Island Creative Community is setting a cash donation box to assist victims during the. Also, stop by during this weekend's open hours to drop off the following items: cleaning supplies, baby supplies, hygiene products, light sources like flashlights.

SICC's Hurricane Sandy Relief Benefit, with live music and a silent auction, will take place Dec. 2 at 2p.m. in St. Mary Episcopal Church, 347 Davis Ave.

Since SICC's event is still in the planning stages, so check out