Macy's Glamorama 2008

It's a rare occasion when binging on tacky '80s pop-culture nostalgia in VH1-sized doses can benefit a good cause. That's why we need Macy's Glamorama. Performing at the benefit for the Children's Cancer Research Fund will be two former pop sensations whose careers have taken divergent paths. Cyndi Lauper is the archetypical pop sensation (see also Neil Diamond) whose artistic integrity was only recognized years after initial fame, but who still enjoys her cheesy musical roots. MC Hammer, on the other hand, achieved more success than any other rapper in history, yet let it slip through his fingers. His 1990 album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, is the best-selling rap album of all time, with more than 10 million copies sold.He also had a Saturday morning TV show, MC Hammer dolls, and millions of fans buying it all. Then the parachute-panted one went bankrupt. He never mounted a successful comeback, but who could pass up the opportunity to shake it to "U Can't Touch This" while Hammer himself hops around onstage? There will also be a live fashion show, and if you splurge on the expensive tickets, you can go to the post-party with Pac-Man and Donkey Kong tournaments, and a Rubik's Cube lounge. It doesn't get any more retro-cool than that.
Fri., Aug. 15, 8 p.m., 2008