Tag: Cyndi Lauper

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Harvey Fierstein & Cyndi Lauper Get Neighboring Stars On “Hollywood Walk Of Fame”

From Variety:

It’s hard to imagine a more simpatico creative pairing than Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein.

Lauper, the award-winning (Grammy, Emmy and Tony) pop icon whose rainbow-colored hair and anthemic “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” single made her a hero among fiery female teens in the 1980s, has long established herself as a staunch humanitarian and leading advocate for LGBT rights. Fierstein, the gravel-voiced actor-cum-playwright who rose to fame with such landmark Tony award-winning triumphs as “Torch Song Trilogy” and “La Cage aux Folles,” is a preeminent human-rights activist who was openly gay at a time when almost nobody in the entertainment industry was.

Decades later, the two artists and longtime friends finally came together to write and score the 2013 Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots,” an achievement for which on April 11 they will receive adjacent stars — hers for recording; his for live theater — on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a plum spot located in front of the Pantages Theater where “Kinky Boots” is gearing up for its April 13-24 Los Angeles rerun.

“I’d wanted to work with Harvey for a really long time and when this opportunity came up I was very excited to take it,” says Lauper of her inaugural foray into Broadway musicals. “Harvey kind of protected me and walked me through the experience. Basically, he was my mother.”

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Cyndi Lauper: We Need To End LGBT Youth Homelessness

Cyndi Lauper pens this essay on LGBT youth homelessness for The Advocate:

It’s an election year and there’s a lot of talk about what our nation’s priorities need to be for the next four to eight years. What we have to make sure is not forgotten is the epidemic of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth homelessness. Up to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT, yet fewer than 7 percent of kids nationwide are LGBT. That discrepancy is outrageous, and it’s something we can’t ignore. That’s why, on April 27, 2016, we will raise our voices for #40toNoneDay: a national day organized by the True Colors Fund to raise public awareness about LGBT youth homelessness.

While family rejection is the most commonly cited reason for LGBT youth homelessness, it’s just one piece of the puzzle — a very big puzzle. We need to make sure we’re seeing the whole picture.

People often think that because they don’t work at a homeless shelter, they don’t have a role to play. The reality is: everyone can make a difference! Think of it this way: Kids experiencing homelessness come into contact with more than just the good folks working at shelters. They also go to coffee shops and libraries. They ride the bus. They’re on the Internet. You may interact with them on a regular basis without even realizing it. We all need to put our heads together to make sure these young people can get support wherever they go — and be themselves when they get there.

Right now people all across America are making a difference. A 24-hour diner owner in North Carolina is giving kids a place to stay when they have nowhere else to go. A library in Indiana is letting kids without a permanent address use computers to access lifesaving resources. In Minnesota police officers are using an app developed by the community to help kids find shelters with available beds. There are many more possibilities that have yet to be explored. That’s why we need to keep the conversation going.

Youth are our future, but they’re also our present. We need to make these kids our priority now. If we don’t, where will they be in five, 10, 20 years? Where will our country be? Even if we all agree that ending LGBT youth homelessness needs to be a priority, how can we rise above the noise and make our message heard? Our voices are stronger when we say something together. Last year, #40toNoneDay reached more than 17 million people. How many more can we reach this year?

CYNDI LAUPER is a Tony-, Emmy-, and Grammy-winning writer, actor, and musician. She is also the cofounder of the True Colors Fund, which combats LGBT youth homelessness.

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Christmas Music: Cyndi Lauper Covers “Hard Candy Christmas”

Music icon Cyndi Lauper adds to her vast history of memorable holiday classics with her new cover of “Hard Candy Christmas.”

This is officially my favorite thing today.

Famously recorded by Dolly Parton and written by Carol Hall, the song originated in the play and film The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.

Says Lauper about the recording: “It’s very hopeful,” Lauper says of her choice. “As you look around New York City, there’s a lot of people really not doing that well. I just thought that it was one of those songs that can give you strength. Somehow even if you freakin’ put up a candy cane and one little Christmas light, it can make you feel better. It’s such a wonderful song.”

The track will be available at all digital download and streaming outlets this Friday, December 11.

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Broadway Cares Presents Cyndi Lauper With $150K For True Colors Fund

Tom Viola, director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS – who I’m proud to have known for over 25 years – writes this:

I had the pleasure of dropping by the stage door of the Hirschfeld Theatre this week to join the cast of Kinky Boots in presenting Cyndi Lauper with a “big check” representing the $150,000 donated to True Colors Fund by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS from the more than $1.2 million in resources raised by the show since it opened in April 2013.

Broadway Cares salutes Cyndi and True Colors Fund for everything they have done to advance equality for all and, in doing so, helping to end homelessness for gay and transgendered youth. “You change the world when you change your mind!” But our voices are stronger and the change embraces us all when we stand together.

Cyndi Lauper is the Tony Award winning composer of the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots and the founder of the True Colors Fund, which works to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, creating a world in which young people can be their true selves.

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Cyndi Lauper & Sara Bareilles mashup “Truly Brave” for American Cancer Society

TODAY’s Hoda Kotb teamed up with Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles, who mashed up their hits ‘True Colors’ and ‘Brave’ to create a song to raise money for the fight against pediatric cancer.

At this writing over $285,000 has been raised – keep it going.

Check out Hoda’s fundraising page and if you can, please donate. All proceeds will go to grants for pediatric cancer research via the American Cancer Society.

If not able to donate (times can be tough, trust me I know), go visit some kids in the hospital and incite some fun.

The music video for “Truly Brave” features young cancer patients from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

You haven’t seen ‘brave’ until you’ve seen kids kick cancer’s ass. Regular readers know about my personal cancer journey in 2009, which is why this touches my heart so powerfully.

So, since the kids here are doing the bald thing, let’s call this a “Throwback Tuesday” thing. Check the last pic, my bald 2009 self with “Bumpy the Chemo Pump.” Although, I gotta say the kids in this music video have a whole lot more spirit than I did. They rock.

Sara Bareilles

Cyndi Lauper

Me back in 2009 pretending to be “Truly Brave”
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Cher AND Cyndi Lauper in concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

Cher performs her biggest hits at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on the Dressed To Kill Tour 2014
This is what a star looks like

Michael and I hit the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday night in Las Vegas with friends Chad, Christian, Greg and Ryan for the packed concert event that was Cher – WITH Cyndi Lauper as her opening act!

Fantastic show as both artists gave their audience exactly what we came for.  Cyndi and Cher both were in terrific voice.   And brought with them the rock personas we’ve all come to know 🙂

Near the end of her set, Cyndi launched into a powerful rendition of “At Last” that killed.  At one point, she made her way into the crowd to talk about her Broadway hit musical “Kinky Boots” and sang an acapella version of “Not My Father’s Son” from the show before singing a full concert version of “Sex Is In The Heel.”

Cher sang a terrific “duet” of “I Got You Babe” with her ex husband Sonny Bono via video clips; stopped the Arena cold with her “Walking In Memphis,” “Turn Back Time,” “Woman’s World” and “Believe;”  and closed the night flying over the audience with “I Hope You Find It.”  And yes, Miss Cher gave you “costumes” as only she does.

If the concert comes to your town, GO!  Tour dates here.

Cyndi Lauper likes to get close to the audience

Cher Victorious

I Got You Babe

Half-Breed

Finale

Photos via Greg Chase Instagram

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Cyndi Lauper to join Cher’s “Dressed To Kill” tour for 36 dates

Cyndi Lauper will be joining Cher as a special guest on 36 dates of her upcoming Dressed To Kill Tour.

The first appearance will begin in Buffalo, NY on April 23rd and continue until San Diego on July 11th.

Cyndi will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of her record-breaking debut album by performing songs from She’s So Unusual, on all dates.

Lauper will celebrate the anniversary of her groundbreaking, record-setting debut album with She’s So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration which will be released on April 1, 2014 and is available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon now.

Cher said she is thrilled to have the Tony award winning Kinky Boots composer and charismatic performer back on the road with her.

Lauper previously performed over a hundred shows during CHER’s Believe Tour, Living Proof Tour and The Farewell Tour.

CYNDI LAUPER/TOUR DATES

April 23 Wednesday Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center
     
April 25 Friday Montreal, Quebec Centre Bell
     
April 26 Saturday Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre
     
April 28 Monday Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
     
April 30 Wednesday Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
     
May 2 Friday Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
     
May 5 Monday Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
     
May 7 Wednesday Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
     
May 9 Friday Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
     
May 10 Saturday E Rutherford, NY Izod Center
     
May 12 Monday Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
     
May 14 Wednesday Jacksonville, FL Veterans Memorial Arena
     
May 16 Friday Orlando, FL Amway Center
     
May 17 Saturday Sunrise, FL BB&T Center
     
May 25 Sunday Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand
     
May 28 Wednesday Denver, CO Pepsi Center
     
May 30 Friday Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena
     
May 31 Saturday Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
     
June 2 Monday Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
     
June 4 Wednesday St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
     
June 6 Friday Milwaukee, WI BMO Harris Bradley Center
     
June 7 Saturday Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
     
June 9 Monday Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
     
June 11 Wednesday Minneapolis, MN Target Center
     
June 20 Friday Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
     
June 21 Saturday Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
     
June 23 Monday Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
     
June 25 Wednesday Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
     
June 27 Friday Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
     
June 28 Saturday Seattle, WA Key Arena
     
June 30 Monday Portland, OR Moda Center
     
July 2 Wednesday San Jose, CA SAP Center
     
July 5 Saturday Ontario, CA Citizens Business Bank Arena
     
July 7 Monday Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
     
July 9 Wednesday Anaheim, CA Honda Center
   
July 11 Friday San Diego, CA Valley View Casino Center

Here’s just one of the new remixes included in the upcoming 30th Anniversary release of She’s So Unusual:

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Tony Award-winners Cyndi Lauper and Billy Porter featured in annual GAP campaign

Tony Award-winners for Broadway's Kinky Boots Cyndi Lauper and Billy Porter featured in annual GAP ad campaign

Tony Award-winner for Broadway’s Kinky Boots and Out100 honoree, Billy Porter, is featured with fellow Tony Award-winner Cyndi Lauper in Gap’s annual “Make Love” campaign, which features of a diverse cast of characters and familiar faces spreading love and acceptance.

“I think the joy and the pleasure of Kinky Boots is that it transcends sexuality, it transcends stereotypes, and it transcends fear, which I think motivates a lot of the bigotry and homophobia that exists in the world. It’s nice to reach people at a human level,” Porter said in an interview with Out. 

The annual campaign has featured several “out” celebrities over the years.

(source)