Rufus Wainwright: Central Park Summerstage, New York, NY

FOR SOME of us, storming and misinformation almost derailed Rufus Wainwright's first Gotham appearance since his spring residency at the Gramercy Theatre. Yet it's a testament to the power of Wainwright's talent and his growing cult of personality that so many braved the downpour to hang on the singer-songwriter's every sigh and witticism to the glorious (if soggy) end. His stripey-suited, twisted Uncle Sam guise deserves some love, too.