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Tori Amos, Mavis Staples and Lana Del Rey Play Manhattan

By DNAinfo Staff on November 30, 2011 7:32am

By Daniel Jumpertz

Special to DNAinfo

Wednesday November 30

Suzanne Vega continues her run of shows at Joe's Pub. Two shows, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. 

Thursday December 1

Bob Seger dug away in the trenches for many years until he hit pay dirt with 1976's multi-platinum album "Night Moves." He formed his first band — The Decibels — in Detroit in 1961, and they recorded their first track at 50's pop singer Del Shannon's recording studio.  His first album flopped in 1969 as The Bob Seger System.  But once he found success, the hits just kept coming. Besides "Night Moves", "Turn the Page", "We've Got Tonight", "Against the Wind", and "Like a Rock", Seger also co-wrote the Eagles number one hit "Heartache Tonight." His iconic recording of "Old Time Rock and Roll" was named one of the Songs of the Century. With the Silver Bullet Band at Madison Square Garden.

Friday December 2

Tori Amos rose to prominence in the early nineties as a piano-wielding confessional alt-rock superstar. Some of her hits included "Crucify", "Silent All These Years", "God", "Cornflake Girl" and "A Sorta Fairytale." A precocious talent, Amos began composing songs at 5, and was classically trained from the start. On her new album "Night of Hunters" (her 12th), she has crafted a concept album she describes as "a 21st century song cycle inspired by classical music themes spanning over 400 years." It is being released on the prestigious classical label Deutsche Grammophon. At Beacon Theatre.

Saturday December 3

The father of Detroit Techno, Jeff Mills, began his career as a radio DJ at WDRQ in 1984. Now globally famous, Mills is in demand for epic sounding, large scale techno shows. In 2008, he was commissioned to create a contemporary installation for 100 Year Anniversary of the Futurist Manifesto at the Pompidou Center in Paris. Doors 11pm at (Le) Poisson Rouge

Sunday December 4

Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund hosts a star-studded benefit concert at the historic Beacon Theatre. "Home for the Holidays" is a star-studded benefit concert designed to help raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness. The evening will feature music from Cyndi Lauper as well as special appearances by Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Cassandra Wilson, Rosie O'Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Jon Secada, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming, Randy Fenoli and Clay Aiken.

Monday December 5 - GIG OF THE WEEK

Why gig of the week? While many of the names on this page are much more famous and successful, Lana Del Rey has star quality and the world at her feet. Lana Del Rey was born Elizabeth Grant and grew up in Lake Placid, New York. She released an EP in 2009 (Kill Kill) under the name Lizzy Grant, but things really took off after she posted a video to her song "Video Games" on Youtube in August 2011. Do yourself a favour and check it out now. Over 8 million people already have. What took you so long? "Video Games" was also recently named "Best New Track" by Pitchfork Media. She plays the Bowery Ballroom

Also on December 5: New York's commercial free roots and rock radio WFUV's Annual Holiday Cheer benefit concert  is being headlined by Mavis Staples, an R&B and gospel singer, actress and civil rights activist who first recorded with The Staple Singers, her family's band, in the mid 50's. She went solo in the late 60's and has been lately enjoying the attention of notable producers Ry Cooder (2007's "We'll Never Turn Back") and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy (2010's "You Are Not Alone"). Also appearing The Head and the Heart & Dawes, at the Beacon Theatre

A smoking' lineup at Terminal 5. Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa get together to cook up some mischief.

Tuesday December 6

Talented singer songwriter Ryan Adams's latest album "Ashes & Fire" is already being acclaimed as one of the finest in his prolific (post Whiskeytown) solo career. Recorded in his home studio, the album's contributors include Norah Jones, Benmont Tench, and former Cardinals guitarist Neal Casal. At Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall. Just don't try and request "Summer Of 69."