Planning for the concert began in the second week of the school year when Folktree, the producers responsible for the Anti-Apartheid Concerts aimed at divestment (HarvAid) last February, contacted the Irish Cultural Society.

Theresa A. Finn, founder and joint-coordinator of the Irish Cultural Society, said the concert "was a total surprise. I guess Lipson must have heard of us since we have sponsored Irish cultural events at Harvard since the society's inception four years ago."

The first show, at 8:30 p.m., is already sold-out. Tickets for the 11:00 p.m. show are still available and cost $19.50 for general admission and $12.50 for members of the Irish Cultural Society.

WEEI Broadcasts Launch Homeless Benefit Drive

WEEI 590 radio kicked off a $500,000 holiday season fundraising drive for Boston homeless shelters Thursday, broadcasting live from a mobile studio van in Harvard Square.

Monies from the effort are slated to help 53 Greater Boston homeless shelters, including shelters in the Cambridge area.

In addition to live interviews with shelter workers and homeless persons during every half hour of the broadcast, WEEI raised money by auctioning off donated items over the radio, said WEEI 590 Fund Director Jim A. Pansullo.

"We asked each shelter to send us a list of what they need and how much it costs. Then we sent someone over to look at the proposal, to investigate each shelter and determine who they help and how efficiently they operate," Pansullo said.

"Shelter proposals include money for furniture, heat, food, utensils and shelter renovations," said Nance M. Greenspan, assistant manager of the 590 Fund. "Last year we received proposals from 35 shelters. This year the number of shelters requesting assistance grew to 56, indicating the worsening of homelessness in Boston," Greenspan said.

Last year, WEEI auctioned off State Senate President Billy Bulger's gavel for $900 to raise money in a similar holiday fundraising drive.