Lucas Silveira, Regina Spektor, The B-52s

Cyndi Lauper's gay musical love child, better known as the True Colors Tour, kicked off its second annual extravaganza in Boston this past weekend and while the weather was questionable, the message was clear — Gays Just Wanna Have Equality, Inclusion, Power and Fun! And AfterElton.com was there to cover it for you.

The first stop on this year's tour showed significantly more energy and star power than last year's edition. Kat DeLuna, The Cliks, Regina Spektor, Rosie O'Donnell and The B-52's joined Lauper and host Carson Kressley to ring in the gay Lollapalooza by performing to a near sold out crowd overlooking the Boston Harbor.

Carson Kressley, Cyndi Lauper

It took some time for Queer Eye's Carson Kressley to warm up to his hosting duties (it was opening night, so I cut the guy some slack), but as the night wore on his stories and jokes went from a bit tired and stereotypical to witty and hysterical.

Unless you're a born performer or skilled comedian, hosting a tour is a rough gig, but Kressley eventually found his comfort zone and really played to the crowd. Like a true diva he had multiple wardrobe changes and a new pair of shoes each time he took the stage. Hell, he even found time to do a quick makeover on one unsuspecting audience member.

Before make-over: boring!

After make-over: hot!

Kressley's only bound to get better as the tour makes its way across the country. By the time you see him, he'll be a finely tuned laugh out loud riot. Trust me.

The first performer, Kat DeLuna (who looks like some morphed version of Amanda Bynes, Tila Tequila and Shakira all wrapped into some hot mess), opened the show with some high energy R&B dance ditties that I'd never heard before, but that people really seemed to enjoy. She was cute and bubbly and her Princess Sparkles dress looked good on stage.

Kat DeLuna, Carson Kressley

The Cliks sucker punched the crowd with their set including some of my faves "Eyes In the Back of My Head" and "Oh, Yeah." Transgender lead singer Lucas Silveira had the boys and girls in the crowd going with his killer take on Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River."

Lucas Silveira

If I had a nipple ring for every man in leather pants or lesbian in comfy casuals that said "Wait, I've heard this song before..." I'd start the gay version of Jim Rose's Circus Sideshow.

In sharp contrast to The Cliks, Regina Spektor slowed it down with her alt-folk Fiona Apple-esque/Kate Nash vibe. With her hair and dress all aflame, she looked like a fairy nymph and there's no denying that the girl is severely talented. She kept her 40 minute set more intimate and edgy than elevator muzak-lite.

Regina Spektor

While her set stopped the vibe created by The Cliks and their high energy, it was the perfect lullaby into the intermission... and my time to chill with Cyndi Lauper!

Cyndi, Dan (in white) and friends

If you get the chance to attend True Colors, take some time to walk around and visit some of the sponsor and vendor booths. Logo (AfterElton.com's parent company) has some incredibly kitsch and catchy take-aways for their new series Sordid Lives as well as one hot banner for their new show Shirts and Skins.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has a huge booth where you can educate yourself on a number of GLBT hot topics as well as register to vote. Take the time to talk with some of the sponsors and your fellow queers — after all, this event is all about community. Also, if you can hook yourself up with a backstage meet and greet with Cyndi Lauper, get on it because she is fab!

After the break, my new BFF (I wish) Cyndi came out and urged the audience to vote. See, I told you it was about us being visible and political!

Cyndi urging concert-goers to vote

Then Cyndi brought Rosie O'Donnell out to greet the crowd.

Cyndi, Rosie O'Donnell

If I can just make a fashion comment here, Rosie was looking sharp. She had on a black number that was quite flattering and her hair and makeup were all fancy pants. Who knew she could clean up so well? BTW, I only say that since I'm used to seeing her all sweaty in her crafting room (courtesy of her video blogs) and this was a nice change of pace.

Rosie

Her set was less stand-up and more autobiographical storytelling as she weaved together such topics as Anne Coulter, Madonna, Kotex, her cat named "Pussy" and her kids. The majority of her act was dedicated to the memory of her mother and how being a mom herself has shown her the similarities between all human beings.

She left the stage with a heartfelt and teary good-bye, telling the audience to be on the lookout for the spirit of her mother in the crowd as she's always believed her mom was sitting in the audience of each and every performance of her life. It was a touching moment from someone the media often portrays very differently and the crowd really seemed to embrace her emotional openness.

When The B-52's took the stage next, the amphitheater went ballistic. I haven't seen the foursome perform live in almost 15 years, but Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Keith Strickland and Fred Schneider still know how to "dance this mess around."

The B-52s

It truly was a "party out of bounds" (I know, I know; could I be

more lame with these song references?) as they bopped their way through

some golden oldies including "Mesopotamia," "Private Idaho," and "Rock

Lobster" before moving on to their hits "Love Shack" and "Roam", then

finishing up with numbers from their new album "Funplex."

Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider

After taking a break from performing a few years back, it was wonderful to see Cindy at the top of her game and back in fabulous form with her pitch perfect harmonizing partner Kate. When I'm in my 50's, if I can shake and shimmy (not to mention scream) the way these women can, I'll be a happy man.

Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson|

Keith Strickland must have found Dick Clark's "Fountain of Youth" because the man doesn't look a day over 30 (he's 54) and he's remained a high energy guitarist not afraid to let the others take center stage.

Keith Strickland, bassist Tracy Wormworth

And Fred Schneider can still deliver a deadpan one liner like Carol Channing or Madame, only set to outer space dance music. In other words, The B-52's brought the house down and made being gay seem more colorful and alive than it ever has.

Finally, it was time for the woman who made this gay night of nights possible to pull back the curtain and take her place high atop the True Colors torch.

Cyndi arriving on the torch

Like a beacon of GLBT light, Cyndi broke right into two of my personal faves "Change of Heart" and "The Goonies R Good Enough" before having a brief moment where she disappeared backstage due to some opening night kinks with the lighting.

After having seen her perform on the True Colors Tour last year, I can honestly say that this set rocked harder, longer and more passionately than Year One.

Her voice was impeccable as she shrieked her way through fan faves like "When You Were Mine," "She Bop" and "I Drove All Night."

The crowd went crazy when Cyndi amped things up by having Rosie come out to play drums on "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".

Rosie hits the drums

But the highlight of the evening was when Lucas from The Cliks performed a slick duet on "Money Changes Everything".

Lucas Silveira, Cyndi

For the encore/finale, the majority of the performers returned to the stage with Cyndi (along with an impressive set of oversized, rainblow colored "balloons") for two more songs, "Everyday People" and, of course, "True Colors".

The True Colors Tour has only just begun, and if you have been on the fence about buying tickets, just do it! As the show crosses the country, the line up changes; so if the Indigo Girls, Tegan and Sara, Joan Jett or Andy Bell from Erasure are more your speed, then check out which shows will feature them.

I promise you won't be disappointed. Oh, I'll also be hitting the Foxwoods show on June 6th so if you're there and you see me, say "Hi!"

All photography by Dan McCallum.