Cyndi Lauper is at it again. One of her most popular hits is ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,’ but lately, this gal just wants to make a difference. Alongside Rufus Wainwright and Melissa Etheridge, Lauper will unite for LGBT equality at Rock to Win during the Democratic National Campaign in Denver Tuesday, Aug. 26. This event, like The True Colors Tour, is sponsored by The Human Rights Campaign. The ‘Time After Time’ singer will be back in the Windy City Friday, Aug. 22, for a concert with MC Hammer at Macy’s Glamorama at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. With a return to fine form, her recent opus, Bring Ya to the Brink, is a stellar dance and electronic collection, showing off Lauper’s songwriting skills. On ‘Set Your Heart’ and ‘Grab a Hold,’ she voices her ongoing supporting for the LGBT community. Lauper’s latest single, ‘Into the Nightlife,’ is blazing up Billboard’s Club Airplay and Dance Radio charts.
This summer, Danny Tenaglia is jet-setting between his home in New York to Ibiza to spin at the hotspot Space. After a hiatus of new material, his double-disc Futurism is mostly instrumental, and the fresh mix reminds listeners of his stature. Tenaglia’s pulsating current single, ‘Space Dance,’ ranks up there with his previous works, ‘Bottom Heavy’ and ‘Elements.’ When not behind the turntables, Tenaglia has put his touches on several anthems, including Madonna’s ‘Human Nature,’ Bette Midler’s ‘I’m Beautiful’ and Cher’s ‘All or Nothing.’ But it is his pairings with fellow New Yorker Vanessa Daou on such songs as ‘Sunday Afternoons’ and ‘Give Myself to You’ that are legendary masterpieces. Futurism is out now via Tommy Boy, and a stateside DJ tour is in the works.
On Saturday, Aug. 30, disco icon Donna Summer will take to the stage at Ravinia. Sounding spry, upbeat and full of life, Summer’s comeback set, Crayons, has material covering multiple genres. On the dance tracks ‘I’m a Fire’ and ‘Fame (The Game) ‘ she shines brightest, but give the midtempo gem ‘Sand on My Feet’ a chance. It has been 17 years since Summer had a proper full-length album of new material. During this period she kept fans sated with standout cuts like ‘Love Is a Healer,’ ‘I Got Your Love’ and a cover of Luther Vandross’ ‘Power of Love.’
As part of the Live from Home Series at New York City’s Housing Works Bookstore Café, noncommercial radio station WFUV will broadcast an exclusive benefit concert from Amy Ray Friday, Aug. 22, on The Whole Wide World. This is hot on the heels of this Indigo Girls’ acclaimed second solo outing, Didn’t It Feel Any Kinder. Accompanying Ray during the performance are Brandi Carlile and the Brooklyn band Arizona, and both appear on Ray’s recent Daemon Records release. Proceeds from the show will go to Housing Works, which assists homeless living with HIV/AIDS in New York. Please visit wfuv.org for more information.
As Chicago’s godfather to the queer folk scene, Scott Free acts as a parade marshal in his video ‘Free.’ Here, footage is drawn from the 2007 Dyke March and Chicago Pride. The clip has Free joined by fellow Chicago queer artists, including Carrie Lydon, violinist Kate Rickenbacker and drummer Jenny Urban. Also in on the fun are marchers bearing signs with messages like ‘Closets are for Clothes,’ ‘Stop Anti-Gay Violence’ and ‘Focus on Your Own Damn Family.’ Drawn from his collection The Pink Album (A Pop Opera), ‘Free’ has this singer-songwriter questioning, ‘When will this be apart of history? When we will be free?’ People can vote for ‘Free’ on the LGBT cable channel Logo’s program The Click List at www.logoonline.com.
Chicago’s rock outfit The Joans are holding a fundraiser at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark, Saturday, Aug. 30, presented by The Flesh Hungry Dog Show. These Joan Crawford-loving rock stars are raising money to cover costs so they can travel to San Francisco to play at the 25th anniversary of the Folsom Street Fair Saturday, Sept. 27. For $20, concert attendees will be treated to an open bar. Deals, ranging based on the amount contributed, will score donors a Joans’ T-shirt, an advance on the band’s forthcoming album and a copy of Mommie Dearest on DVD. For more details and tickets, please visit www.fleshhungrydog.com.
A few weeks ago during a Goodfoot concert, I recognized the folk trio’s percussionist/backup vocalist. While the musical style was different from what I have seen her do before, it surely was Michelle Hallman of the Ladies of the Canyon Presents series. I have heard her blues-soaked voice belt the hell out of ‘Would I Lie to You?’ by the Eurythmics three times, including at Northalsted Market Days a couple of summers ago. Hallman assured me that the Ladies of the Canyon Presents is still going strong, although onetime key member Shana Spiegel moved to the West Coast. The showcase has moved to a new residency at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, and a tribute to Sheryl Crow is lined up for Wednesday, Aug. 27. During these performances, these madly talented Chicago female singer-songwriters salute the great, influential women of rock ‘n roll, keeping the arrangements true. More on the Ladies of the Canyon Presents can be found at myspace.com/lotcchicago.