Pitchfork

Photos by Caitlin Loper

Joanna Newsom joined Hella's Aaron Ross this past weekend for a benefit concert at St. Joseph's Cultural Center in Grass Valley, California. The beneficiary of this benefit show? Why, the venue itself.

St. Joseph's traces its roots back to a Gold Rush-era Catholic orphanage, and since the 1970s it's been a state-protected historic landmark, providing space for weddings, receptions, and of course, concerts. Although its historic status provides the center with some state funding, the Governator has yet to cough up the $150,000 needed to repair the chapel's crumbling centerpiece, a 110-year-old stained glass window.

The humble harpist serenaded the docile crowd of do-gooders, and ticket proceeds supported the aging community center. Miss Newsom has one remaining date scheduled so far this year: she'll perform at London's Royal Albert Hall on September 28.







AARON ROSS