From the Big Apple to the Big Easy were New York City's benefit concerts for the Gulf Coast. They were a collaborative effort between Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, these venues being approximately apart. The purpose was to raise funds for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The Big Easy is a nickname for New Orleans and the Big Apple is a nickname for New York City. The simultaneous concerts took place on September 20, 2005. Proceeds have reached approximately $9 million, which was directed to the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund, Habitat for Humanity, MusiCares, and the Children's Health Fund. Performers included Jimmy Buffett, Ed Bradley, Irma Thomas, Bette Midler, Elton John, Elvis Costello, John Fogerty, Simon and Garfunkel and Ry Cooder. References Other sources Star-Studded Katrina Benefit Heading To DVD | Billboard Big Apple to the Big Easy Rocks Katrina - Glide Magazine From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans, A review of the DVD release of the concert Public Affairs Rolling Stones Star Pulse CNN Entertainment Weekly External links Official website, via Wayback Machine (December 2005 edition of website) Hurricane Katrina disaster relief benefit concerts 2005 in music 2005 in New York City