Photos: Yo La Tengo Hanukkah Show [Hoboken, NJ; 12/04/07]

Photos by William Kirk, words by Amy Phillips

Good yontif, my fellow MOTs! As the resident Jew here at Pitchfork HQ, I take it upon myself to wish you all the happiest of happy Hanukkahs (or Chanukkahs, for those of you who can make that crucial guttural "ch" sound). And what better way to celebrate the second day of our annual Festival of Lights than with photographs of those menschen in Yo La Tengo? (Well, I guess you could listen to that band the Maccabees. But they sound pretty goyishe to me.)

As you know, Ira, Georgia, and James spend pretty much every Hanukkah performing eight nights in a row at Maxwell's in their hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey. And they bring tons of friends along. This year is no different, of course. Last night's kickoff show featured opening sets from recently reactivated indie pop vets Versus and comedians Jon Glaser and Jon Benjamin. Mudhoney's Mark Arm joined Yo La Tengo for a bunch of covers at the end of their set, including Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and the Clash's "What's My Name".

For the full rundown of what happened at the show-- and for daily updates about all of the YLT holiday fun-- stay tuned to Ira's diary on the Yo La Tengo website.

Every Yo La Tengo Hanukkah show serves as a benefit for a different charity. Last night benefited Community Food Bank of New Jersey. See below for the full list of charities. What a mitzvah!

YO LA TENGO





VERSUS


JON GLASER AND JON BENJAMIN


YO LA TENGO




VERSUS




JON GLASER


JON BENJAMIN


Yo La Tengo:

12-05 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (Hanukkah show) (The Stone)
12-06 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (Hanukkah show) (Day One) #
12-07 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (Hanukkah show) (MK Charities Inc.)
12-08 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (Hanukkah show) (826NYC / Global Kids)
12-09 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (Hanukkah show) (Clean Ocean Action [of NJ])
12-10 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (Hanukkah show) (African Services Committee)
12-11 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (Hanukkah show) (Fortune Society / Northeast Council of the Wrongfully Convicted)
01-09 Charlottesville, VA - Satellite Ballroom *
01-10 Carrboro, NC - Carrboro Arts Center *
01-11 Charlotte, NC - Visulite *
01-12 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse *
01-14 Athens, GA - Melting Point *
01-15 Birmingham, AL - Workplay *
01-16 Louisville, KY - 930 Listening Room *
01-17 Nashville, TN - Belcourt Theatre *
01-18 Memphis, TN - Gibson Lounge *
01-19 Springfield, MO - Randy Bacon Gallery *

# with the dB's
* with Kurt Wagner