MTV COMES TO THE AID OF TRIBECA

Rock and comedy go together like, well, like MTV and the First Annual Tribeca Film Festival.

MTV will present a free Rock and Comedy Concert this Friday night (5/10) in New York City’s Battery Park as part of Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal’s first-ever film fest. The presentation marks a show of support for the Lower Manhattan neighborhoods surrounding the site of the World Trade Center in the wake of last Sept. 11’s events, and a way to contribute to the area’s long-term recovery.

Along with the just-added David Bowie and Billy Crystal, the concert will feature musical performances by Sheryl Crow, Counting Crows and Wyclef Jean, along with stand-up from Robin Williams and Jimmy Fallon, among others. What, no Black Crowes?

The show will start at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5:30). It’s free, but fans have to procure tickets. They can be picked up at the Virgin Megastores in Times Square or Union Square, or won by tuning in to local radio stations WPLJ, WXRK, WNEW or WBLS, all of which are running ticket giveaways. Details are available on the MTV hotline (212-846-2532).

Among the more than 150 movies to be screened at the film fest are the major new studio releases Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, About a Boy and Insomnia, as well as independent films, documentaries and shorts. Founding sponsor American Express will present an online vote for the "Best of New York Film," while Martin Scorsese, along with the Film Foundation, will curate "The Restored Classic Series" and "Best of New York Film Series." Tickets can be purchased at www.tribecafilmfestival.org or or at www.ticketmaster.com.

MTV will air a half-hour, behind-the-scenes look at the festival and concert on Friday, May 24, at 8:30 p.m.