When Cyndi Lauper [ tickets ], pop diva and tireless advocate for GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Transgender) equal rights, sets out to put on a musically diverse benefit for perhaps the most discriminating concert audiences around, she shoots for the stars. And after a quarter century working in and around GBLT causes, she's got the connections to pull together a stellar contingent of acts that will shape shift their way around the country under the rainbow-colored banner of "True Colors Tour."If the tour's second stop at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre on Long Island June 1--the first day of Gay Pride Month--provides any evidence, this will be among the tours to see, and be seen at this summer no matter what your orientation. First there's the dual message: it takes an inclusive village to raise a discrimination-free society; and it takes motivated political forces to ensure the rights of everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, are protected.That message rang loud and clear from the stage as several members of the Long Island True Colors entourage stepped forward mixing some activism with what was certainly a show with the potential to please almost every type of mainstream musical consumer except for opera fans--and there is always next year.The five-hour lineup at Jones Beach included the talents of Louisiana born and Brooklyn bred Mary McBride. While you might be tempted to peg her as a country-flavored artist, her brief opening set was more of a mix of indie-folk and rock, with a capable band and powerful vocals extracting substantial applause from the early birds dotting the arena.Hailing from the Bronx, and the Dominican Republic, Kat DeLuna hit the stage next with piped-in beats and a pair of nimble male dancers. She warmed the growing crowd considerably, bouncing and radiating through a too-brief set of hot dance and pop ditties that included her popular single, "Run The Show."What DeLuna brought in terms of thumpy R&B, Toronto's own The Cliks brought in high voltage crunch. As tattooed and transgendered singer/guitarist Lucas Silveira wailed, bandmates Nina Martinez, Jen Benten and Morgan Doctor executed a flawless set that at times hearkened back to early Joan Jett and the Runaways, and at other times showcased rhythmic shades of another Canadian precursor, Rush.Their turn included "Complicated," and "Oh Yeah," from the band's 2007 release, "Snakehouse," and their raucous cover of Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me A River," which had audience members of every persuasion on their feet, singing and even dancing along to the head banging chorus.Indigo Girls [ tickets ], who are only scheduled for a few stops on True Colors, were fan favorites in their stripped down duo format. Complimented on a couple of numbers by keyboard and accordion player Julie Wolf, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers hit all the buttons from the rousing opener, "Galileo," to "Pendulum Swinger," from their latest offering "Despite Our Differences," to the intensely powerful, "Kid Fears."Just before the Indigo Girls set, True Colors MC Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fame proved himself to be the consummate improviser, turning what was supposed to be a brief five-minute set change into a nearly 20-minute stream of consciousness rant that had the crowd rolling in the aisles before he finally got a green light to introduce the duo.Cyndi Lauper took the stage after a brief intermission sending out a compelling message about the importance of registering, and voting. She implored those less inclined, who may have shown more enthusiasm for voting to support their favorite "American Idol" performer to get registered at one of the booths positioned around the venue, and follow through come November. Lauper then brought on her long-time friend Rosie O'Donnell, who turned what was expected to be a stand-up routine into a series of touching stories. She waxed sentimental about the influence of her late mother, and the inspiration she received when one of her fellow PTA parents--a Japanese immigrant--said she adopted O'Donnell's gregarious delivery to become a more communicative school teacher. As darkness started falling on Jones Beach, pulsating lights illuminated America's favorite party band, The B-52's [ tickets ]. Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Keith Strickland were in fine form mixing hits including "Private Idaho," "Love Shack," and a highly energetic "Rock Lobster," with a few numbers from their latest release, "Funplex.""Juliet of the Spirits," was the standout among The B-52's new offerings, while robot-voiced Schneider's attempts to inject any liveliness into "Love in the Year 3000," fell flat with a crowd that kept yelling for more classics. Maybe a nugget like "Party Out of Bounds," would serve the band better than one too many new cuts, which just served to drive folks out to the concessions.Lauper closed out the show saving the best for last. Her hour-plus set mixed in a few palatable tracks from her soon-to-be-released album project. But instead of just trotting them out from the comfort of stage, she used the new material as platforms to launch herself into the audience. Her foray into the front few rows early on gave way to a trip all the way back to the cheap seats, much to the thrill of camera snapping fans who drank in this interactive interlude with glee. New material like "Rocking Chair" was amped up with O'Donnell backing on percussion and handling the rhythmic duties admirably.Standing atop a Statue of Liberty torch, much like the True Colors Tour logo itself, Lauper belted out "Change of Heart," before returning to ground level to continue a hit fest that included a rollicking "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," a plaintive "I Drove All Night," and the beautiful "Time After Time," with sparse autoharp and cello accompaniment.Most of the evening's talent joined Lauper for an encore of Sly Stone's "Everyday People," and the tour theme song, "True Colors," before the audience was released into the salty evening air.The True Colors Tour continues with various support acts depending on the region. Look for Joan Jett, Wanda Sykes, Deborah Cox, Joan Armatrading, Tegan and Sara, Margaret Cho and Girl in a Coma to spice up the bill on various stops before the tour wraps in early July.
