Can it be true that Cyndi Lauper is 71 now? The tirelessly talented singer recently announced her “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour,” and that was reason enough for Outword to put Cyndi on the cover of our annual Arts & Entertainment Issue. Some of us are old enough to remember when that timeless, grrl power hit single was released (in late 1983) and set the world — and Lauper’s career — on fire.

Cyndi has been going strong ever since and (thankfully) is only retiring from touring, not from show business. Lauper recently released a documentary about her life and career, and she has been working on a follow-up to “Kinky Boots” – a new Broadway musical based on the movie “Working Girl.” Inside this artsy Issue of Outword, you can read about Lauper’s upcoming concert in the Bay Area and a bunch of other shows featuring wonderful womyn.

That is only the beginning of the amazing arts coverage in this Outword, however, which includes Matt Burlingame’s indispensable “Out & About” column; Judy Saint’s thank you to Capital Stage for their activism and inclusivity; and an article by R. Paul Villaluz about his experiences making a short film that will be shown in October as part of this year’s “A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival.”

Naturally, Outword’s Arts Editor, Chris Narloch, shifted into overdrive for this Issue, and you can check out his latest mini movie reviews inside and get the dish on Cher, Broadway Sacramento, Michael Feinstein, Hitchcock-tober, the Crest Theatre’s 75th Anniversary, Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary season, and three marvelous museums, plus read a profile of the two, lovely local ladies who operate Sacramento’s divine Dreamland Cinema.

Of course, Outword is more than just Arts & Entertainment, and this Issue also includes powerful and persuasive political articles, fabulous photos from Sacramento Rainbow Chamber’s 10th Annual Farm to Scholar event, and a new and improved Events Calendar by Julie Ebe, on page 26.

Finally, be sure to go see a movie in a theater, catch a local play, visit a museum, but don’t forget to vote, vote, vote!