Tomorrow night there’s a very exciting fundraising event for the Archives of American Art. Patti Smith will be performing new material inspired by materials in the archives, as well as some of her previous work.

An innovative and electric performer, Smith is best known for her early influence in the punk movement. Her artwork was first exhibited at Gotham Book Mart in 1973, and she has been associated with the Robert Miller Gallery since 1978. “Strange Messenger,” a retrospective of 300 works, made its debut at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh and has been exhibited worldwide, most notably at the Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia; Haus der Kunst, Munich; and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam. Her books include “Witt,” “Babel,” “Woolgathering,” “The Coral Sea” and “Auguries of Innocence.” In 2005, she received the Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest grade awarded by the French Republic to eminent artists and writers who have contributed significantly to furthering the arts throughout the world. In March 2007, Smith was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tickets are $50 for general admission and $40 for Archives’ members. For tickets and information, contact the Archives at (202) 633-8768 or visit the Archives’ Web site at www.aaa.si.edu.

[read the entire press release]

There’s an official SonyBMG website at PattiSmith.net is her official site and she’s also got a myspace presence. We got to chat at a conference last year, but the only times I’ve seen her perform have been at rallies, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.