One Sharp benefit

By Meredith Deliso

Arts heavyweights are coming out to tackle one important Issue.

On March 4, Steve Buscemi and his wife, Jo Andres, host a benefit for the avant-garde Issue Project Room at its future Downtown home on Livingston Street.

The evening will feature the concert premiere of “Trilogy” by Elliott Sharp, one of the most-prolific jazz guitarists in the city and a long-time Issue Project Room supporter. The performance features film work by Andres and text and narrative by Buscemi. Additional performers during the evening will include Jack Quartet, Sirius Quartet, Jack Womack, and Tracie Morris.

Founded in Manhattan in 2003 before moving to Gowanus two years later, Issue Project Room is in the midst of a $2.5-million campaign to move into its future location Downtown at the redeveloped Department of Education building, where David Walentas offered the group free rent for 20 years — if Issue Project Room could raise the money to build out the space.

Of course, Sharp hasn’t forgotten about Issue Project Room’s current Gowanus spot; the next night, you can you can catch him performing his new composition, “Flexagons.” Did we mention he’s prolific?

Elliott Sharp and Friends at the American Can Factory [232 Third St. at Third Avenue in Gowanus, (718) 330-0313], March 5 at 5 pm. Tickets $35; Elliott Sharp at Issue Project Room [110 Livingston St. at Boerum Place in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 330-0313], March 4 at 8 pm. Tickets $50 ($250 for a pre-concert cocktail reception). For info, visit www.issueprojectroom.org.