SUNDAY FUNDRAISING. Not long ago, there was some debate about how best to commemorate 9/11. Now it's hard to imagine anything better than taking action on behalf of those harmed by Hurricane Katrina. Here are two Manhattan events where you can help out on Sunday.

New Orleans Benefit Concert
The Delta Grill, 48th Street and 9th Avenue, 6-10 p.m.
$20 donations are suggested for this fundraiser for the American Red Cross, held at a Cajun-style restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. Featured musicians include the Bosco Stompers (so try not to slip on chocolate syrup while you're there).

Katrina Victims Fundraising Party and (Possible) Auction
The Pioneer Bar, 218 Bowery near Rivington, 7-11 p.m.
This event is taking shape as I write, but for now there seems to an open tap of, um, "selected" beers scheduled for the first hour, then (perhaps) the bidding begins! But I'm assured that that there will definitely be a party of some kind in this spacious bar. (Contact the auction leader via the website if you might want to put something up for bidding.) As of this posting, the money goes to the NAACP Disaster Relief Fund, ACORN, Hurricane Housing, The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, America's Second Harvest , and Modest Needs. (I recommend checking out Modest Needs if, like me, you haven't been aware of it — it looks like a smart concept.)

In the meantime, radio host Kim Massengill invites you to listen to her show this afternoon, when she'll be offering "music from and about the Gulf Coast, spinning lots of other non-happy stuff, and paying tribute to R.L. Burnside." She can be heard on WPKN 89.5 FM (Bridgeport), WPKM 88.7 FM (Long Island), and online at www.wkpn.org, as long as the website isn't overloaded.

Photo: David Marc Fischer