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 1 mile (1.6 km) 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.[1]
Performers included Jimmy Buffett, Ed Bradley, Irma Thomas, Bette Midler, Elton John, Elvis Costello, John Fogerty, Simon and Garfunkel and Ry Cooder.