Jack and Rachel Antonoff brought their LGBTQ equality nonprofit’s annual benefit show, the Ally Coalition Talent Show, back for its ninth annual edition on Tuesday night (12/19). Held, like last year, at NYU’s Skirball Center with a totally surprise lineup (except for Jack’s band Bleachers), it was an amazing evening of music, comedy, and surprises, and a total family affair: Jack and Rachel’s father, Rick Antonoff, came out to sing “Soft Spot” with Claud, and earlier in the evening Bartees Strange brought out his mom for a stunning rendition of “Summertime.”
The evening also included performances from St. Vincent, who was joined by Bartees and Bleachers for “…At The Holiday Party” and Jack for an emotional rendition of “New York;” Jason Isbell, who did solo versions of “Cover Me Up,” “Cast Iron Skillet,” and a cover of John Prine’s “Hello In There”; Clairo, who was joined by Bleachers and Bartees for “Blouse” and did a partial cover of Vashti Bunyan’s “Winter is Blue;” Fun.‘s Andrew Dost, who had his Metal Bubble Trio play a few songs; and Bleachers, who played “I Wanna Get Better,” “Modern Girl,” and more. Jack also brought out Sam Dew and Sounwave for a Red Hearse set, Claud also covered Taylor Swift’s “Betty,” and Bartees also did a solo version of “Boomer.”
Comedy sets from Sarah Sherman, Sam Jay, Chris Laker, and Jacqueline Novak kept everyone laughing between musical performances, and you can see pictures and video from the night below.
Ahead of the Talent Show, The Ally Coalition also held their second annual Day of Services at Manhattan’s LGBT Center on Saturday (12/16), providing hot meals, clothing, hygiene kits, medical services, and more to at-risk LGBT youth. “Day of Services has quickly become one of our favorite events of the year, bringing together an incredible group of nonprofits and the at-risk and homeless LGBTQ youth they serve, to offer services they may not have access to otherwise,” Jeb Gutelius, TAC Executive Director, says. “We hosted the event with The LGBT Center in NYC to offer a clothing closet with brand new items; medical services including flu shots, dental exams, and HIV & STI testing; navigation services including housing, job placement, counseling, legal aid, and Narcan and Fentanyl testing; haircuts, acupuncture, a hot meal, and hygiene kits. Over 110 youth joined us throughout the day and we are honored to start off our Talent Show week with such a special event.”
