TOM WAITS TO PERFORM 3 SONGS AT BENEFIT FOR BET TZEDEK LEGAL SERVICES-THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE-

Wednesday December 12, 2007

TOUR PLANS?

Grammy Award winner and current nominee, TOM WAITS, will be making a rare Los Angeles appearance when he takes the stage to perform a few songs at a benefit for the Bet Tzedek Legal Services-House of Justice on January 22 at the Century Plaza Hotel. This prestigious event is honoring attorney Kevin Marks with the Luis Lainer Founderâ��s Award, Oâ��Melveny & Meyers LLP with the Rose L. Schiff Commitment to Justice Award and Anna Burns with the Jack H. Skirball Community Justice Award.

When asked of how he became aware of Bet Tzedek, Waits replied, "Kevin Marks is a longtime friend and ally. A champion of artist and human rights. He has pulled my goyim tuchas out of many a fire."

Founded in 1974, Bet Tzedek Legal Services today is one of the nationâ��s most respected poverty law firms, with a stated mission of ensuring "equal justice for all." Each year the organization serves more than 10,000 elderly, indigent and disabled Los Angeles-area residents of all racial and religious backgrounds with critical legal needs, who otherwise would be without access to representation. Clients are represented by a dedicated staff of 62 and more than 600 active volunteers, who last year committed 40,000-plus hours of service.

Bet Tzedek (which means "The House of Justice" in Hebrew) practices principally in the areas of elder law, housing law, employment rights, public benefits and Holocaust reparations. The organization serves clients from its headquarters in the Fairfax district, at its second office in North Hollywood and at more than 30 senior centers throughout Los Angeles County.

Tom Waits, who seldom tours, last performed in LA at a benefit for Music Cares in 2006. Will this upcoming date sway him to get back on the road? Waits responded, "Somehow we return like the salmon to perform in important towns like Nimrod, Minnesota; Square Butt, Montana; Peculiar, Missouri; or Diagonal, Iowa. We just may be coming to a theatre near you."

Tickets for the benefit are $400 and may be purchased at www.bettzedek.org. Cocktails are at 9:30pm and dinner at 6:45pm.

Tom Waits Artist Page