After the flood, an outpouring of slammin' aid

I often think of this quote from Henry James: "We work in the dark -- we do what we can -- we give what we have." I think of it especially when I see artists organizing exhibits, playing concerts, giving readings to benefit those who need help. I've done it myself -- been in readings after 9/11, after the 2004 tsunami; helped organize a reading after Hurricane Katrina. This Thursday , a concert and poetry slam called "Got Diva'tude?" will be held to raise money for women artists in New Orleans.

Slam poets Sunni Patterson, Asali Devan , and Stacyann Chinn (the latter familiar to audiences of Russell Simmons' "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway") as well as the eight-piece music ensemble Zili Misik will use their talents on behalf of the New Orleans Women Artist Collective. Tye Waller , the collective's cofounder, tells me about the need: musicians and writers whose homes were destroyed, visual artists who lost studios filled with work by Katrina. Now, more than a year and a half later, many members of one of the country's most vibrant arts communities are still trying to find a way to return home. Because Waller is executive director of the Architectural Woodworking Institute and has a special affinity for what is made by hand, the collective has a strong connection to the building trades. Its first fund-raiser, in fact, was cosponsored by the New England Belt Sander Racing Association. (Who knew?) The collective's ongoing $1 Restore-A-Home campaign sends construction volunteers and materials to New Orleans.

This excerpt from a poem by a Jamaica Plain performance artist, Gail Burton, is a sample of what you might hear at "Got Diva'tude?"

she a blue black woman and maybe she soft she could never be a sucker she so fluid like water she changes the things she in she compasses with patient molding power

she might be light bright damned near blue calm she whipped by winds into a gale she wail her sorrow songs crying dying screaming sighing crying dying screaming sighing

"Got Diva'tude?" will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Milky Way Lounge, 403-405 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain. Tickets are $10 online at nowac.org; $12 at the door.

Contact citytype@globe.com. Past columns are at ellensteinbaum.com.