Rocker Melissa Etheridge [ tickets ] has begun releasing dates for her 2006 summer tour, her first since her 2004 breast-cancer diagnosis.

The first date scheduled is a June 24 show in Portland, OR.

Concerts have also been announced in six other cities, which are detailed in the itinerary below. According to her official website more dates will be announced soon.

Etheridge is touring in support of “Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled,” which hit stores in October.

On April 18, Etheridge will be awarded the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 17th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. She will make an appearance, but she will not perform. According to a press release, the award is given to an openly gay member of the entertainment or media community for his or her work toward eliminating homophobia.

VH1 will air the program at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) April 15 and 11 p.m. (ET/PT) April 16.

Etheridge underwent two cancer surgeries in October 2004, during which a tumor and some lymph nodes were removed from her breast.
During an unannounced appearance at 2005's Grammy Awards ceremony, Etheridge--bald after undergoing chemotherapy--made her first public performance since she was diagnosed with breast cancer, sharing the stage with young singer Joss Stone during a tribute to Janis Joplin.