Laurie Anderson will lead a special concert tonight at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York, to launch BAM's Next Stage Campaign. Curated by Laurie and titled Laurie & Friends, the show features a diverse group of artists—from the experimental rock of Dirty Projectors to the Latin sounds of jazz master Arturo O'Farrill—who share the common goal of making new and original art.

Given the show's proximity to yesterday's historic inauguration, Laurie says she has "asked a few of my favorite artists to perform on the theme of beginning." She goes on to say, "The evening represents real variety—from rising cabaret star Bree Benton, whose work resurrects songs from the turn of the 20th century, to contemporary choreographer Sarah Michelson—it’s a typically eclectic BAM mixture. I’m hoping for a wild and fun and illuminating evening."

Laurie made her BAM debut in 1983 with the unforgettable performance piece United States: Part I-IV, as part of the Next Wave: New Masters series. The groundbreaking institution is looking to break new ground this fall on an intimate black-box performance space behind the main Opera House, to be named the BAM Richard B. Fisher Building; for half the year, the new facility will be devoted to community and education programs. For more information on BAM's Next Stage campaign, visit bamnextstage.org.

For information on tonight's performance, visit bam.org.