Noise For the Needy, a yearly concert series raising money for charitable causes through music, is kicking off this June. This year will include David Schmader's annotated screening of Showgirls, shows from Talib Kweli, Two Gallants, Black Angels, Matt and Kim and more. The shows will take place on June 11-15 while the showing of Showgirls will happen on May 14th. There's a Google Calendar of the events here: Noise for the Needy Calendar.

The beneficiary this year will be Urban Rest Stop, an organization that "provides a clean, safe and welcoming facility where individuals and families can come and use restrooms, shower and laundry facilities." The usefulness of such facilities is hard to place a value on, given that in 2007 41% of homeless individuals were part of "homeless families".