GR!C Rocks the Metro With 15 Bands
Volunteers, Parents, Campers Make 2007 a Success
- Guitarist Hazel Askew and her band The Sandstorm Girls perform their song
“AHH!” during a camp band practice session. The Sandstorm Girls were one of
15 bands to perform at the Metro on August 18th. Photo by Caroline Cook.
As the hallmark of Chicago rock venues, The Metro has played host to such renowned acts as Depeche Mode, Prince, The Smashing Pumpkins and even Bob Dylan. But when ten-year-old guitarist Erin Doster stepped onto the stage, the illustriousness escaped her. “How’s everybody doing today?” she assuredly asked the crowd.
Doster’s band, The Hot Pink Streaks, performed their song “Spitting Venom” in front of 500 or so eager fans at the Girls Rock! Chicago End-of-Camp Extravaganza on August 18th. With a total of 15 bands and nearly 60 young women, the show marked the culmination of the 2007 Girls Rock! Chicago summer camp session.
“She was just so excited to perform in front of so many strangers,” said Maria Soto of her daughter Nicole. “It was something she felt nervous about, but now she says she’s ready for more.”
Prior to their performance, the young artists spent a week fully exploring the self expressive powers of music. Along with instruction in bass, guitar or drums, the girls experienced workshops ranging from “The History of Women in Rock Music” led by Depaul University professor Deena Weinstein, to “Using Rock Music to Promote Tolerance” led by Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team youth director Daphnee Renee.
Each camper formed a band among her peers, and was guided through songwriting, composition and performance instruction by a designated band coach. Held at Avondale Elementary
School in Logan Square, the camp was the 2nd to be organized by GR!C.
Various Chicagoland artists and businesses, as well as supportive parents and nearly 100 generous volunteers contributed their time and knowledge in order to bring the GR!C campers the most comprehensive educational experience possible.
Hailing from over six states and two different countries, the 2007 GR!C campers found common ground in an enthusiastic itch for creative collaboration. Fiery vengeance, self-confidence, a love for sweet treats and even the adventures of a watermelon provided lyrical inspiration as the campers composed their songs across a range of musical genres. Each band recorded their song at Experimental Sound Studios in Ravenswood, while learning about the recording process from professional female sound engineers. A compilation CD of all 15 songs will be released in mid-November, but until then, campers revel in their newfound stardom and creative inspiration. “She’s discovering music,” said Kari Sommers about her daughter Miette, “and not just the passive listening kind of discovery. She is fully engaged.”