Tibet House Benefit 2010 in pictures (Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Regina Spektor, Gogol Bordello & more)

February 28, 2010

Performances by Iggy Pop, Patti Smith and Gogol Bordello brought the crowd at Carnegie Hall to its feet on Friday night, as the musicians took part in the 20th annual Tibet House benefit.

The concerts, whose musical acts are organized by composer and Tibet House Vice President Philip Glass, are scheduled to coincide with the Tibetan New Year and bring in anywhere from $100,000 to $250,00 for the nonprofit group every year.

The evening began with chanting from several Drepung Gomang Monastery monks, followed by comments from Glass about the difficulty in finalizing a final roster of performers every year given all the participants’ busy schedules. Next, Robert A. F. Thurman, the president and one of the co-founders Tibet House, likened the Tibetan people to the Na’vi, the blue, cat-like aliens featured in James Cameron’s sci-fi film “Avatar.” He noted that both groups of individuals deserved and needed saving, and repeated the film’s catch phrase “I see you” for double effect. [Wall Street Journal]

Other artists that performed at the show Friday night included Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew and Regina Spektor. Patti Smith also introduced Iggy Pop whose shirtless set included a stint crowd surfing in the Carnegie Hall audience. More pictures from the show below…