50 Shows in 50 States Supporting Girls Rock
Support girl power at 50 Shows in 50 States.
Let's be real here: boys run a large part of the music industry. Boys make music and run the labels and book shows and run sound at those shows. Women are in the mix too but there aren't nearly as many. Consequently, it can be an uphill battle for a girl to get into the music business and to be taken seriously. Rain City Rock Camp For Girls (formerly Girls Rock! Seattle) is an invaluable defense against this ever-present sexism in the music business (and the world in general) through their dedication to "building positive self-esteem in girls and encouraging creative expression through music." And tomorrow night's benefit concert will help ensure that the rock camp is able to continue supporting young women as they learn to rock for many generations to come.
"50 Shows in 50 States," at the Seattle Drum School in Georgetown, will feature performances by Another Perfect Crime, She's Your Sister, Bone Cave Ballet, and The Sound of Speed - each of whom has at least one member that has volunteered at rock camp. The benefit is part of a nationwide effort to raise money and awareness for Rain City Rock Camp for Girls (RCRC4G) and the Girls Rock Camp Alliance (GRCA). GRCA was created to unify and support the many girls rock camps and girls' music projects that have been popping up all over the world in the last ten years since the the ascendant success of the inaugural rock camp in Portland.
In July, RCRC4G held its second annual weeklong camp where 80 girls ages 8-16 received instruction in guitar, bass, drums, and vocals; formed bands; wrote and rehearsed original songs; and (like total rock stars) performed their song to a sold out audience at Neumos. Not to make all you over-sixteeners jealous, but in addition to the all the music stuff, campers got to attended workshops in zine making, self-defense, and positive body image. Also, each day there is lunchtime performance by lady rockers. It's basically the greatest week ever for an adolescent girl.
Currently RCRC4G is entirely managed and supported by volunteers, receiving bookkeeping, PR, and legal support from independent contractors. The program hopes to eventually see enough growth to support a full-time staff and a year-round schedule of programs.
Saturday, 8 p.m. // The SLAB (in Georgetown) // $10
