Now Accepting Camper Applications for Summer 2008

Please read this important information before completing the 2008 Application Form.

When is camp week?
Jul 28 - Aug 3, 2008

Where will camp be held?
Inter-American Magnet School, 851 W. Waveland, Chicago, IL

How much does camp cost?
Tuition for one week at the Girls Rock! Chicago is $400. Girls Rock! Chicago operates with very limited resources and we rely heavily on donations and support from the community to sustain our programs, so we ask those who can afford to pay full price to do so.

What is the age range?
Camp is for girls ages 9-16.

Is there a recital?
On Saturday, Aug 2, the campers will perform in an End of Camp Extravaganza at the Metro.

Are there scholarships or financial aid available?
We realize that not everyone can afford the fee, so we have determined a sliding scale that includes a range of tuition amounts. Please consider your family income, resources, and dependents in the household when determining your scholarship request amount. This process is honor-based and confidential. We do not require any supporting documentation for scholarship consideration, so we expect you to be honest in your assessment and statement of financial need.

Due to our limited funds, we cannot afford to grant every scholarship request. So please, pay what you can. However, if you do need financial aid, please don’t hesitate to ask for it — that’s why we offer it. Scholarship requests included on the application form.

When is the submission deadline?
We will continue to accept applications until we are full. We expect to have more applicants than space available so please apply as soon as possible.

What is the acceptance criteria?
Complete applications are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis.

Please be aware that a completed application requires a creative sample from the camper that explains why they would like to attend Girls Rock! Chicago’s camp. This sample file is uploaded as part of the application, or you may email your sample to info@girlsrockchicago.org. Applications without creative samples will not be considered.

How will I know if my camper was accepted?
You will receive an email notifying you of acceptance. You will also receive a package in the mail containing more detailed information regarding camp week activities, directions & schedules.

If I don’t get in right away, is there a waiting list?
Yes, you will be notified via email if you were put in the waiting list. You may be notified of an open spot as late as the first morning of camp, please make sure your contact information is correct and up to date.

Who should I contact if I have questions or issues using the form or regarding the application process?
Please contact us at info@girlsrockchicago.org. Please be patient with correspondence. We are a volunteer-run organization. We do our best to make sure we answer all emails and phone calls in a timely manner, however, sometimes it does take a few days.

Proceed to the 2008 Application Form.

Rock Lottery Benefit Show

Rock Lottery

The Rock Lottery Benefit Show will feature seven bands comprised of local musicians who were grouped together through a random, lottery style drawing. Each band decided on a name at the drawing, and has just three weeks to prepare a set, including at least one original song, which will be performed at the Abbey Pub on 5/22. It’s a fun way to bring the music community together, and all for a great cause!

For advance ticket sales, visit www.abbeypub.com. All proceeds will benefit Girls Rock! Chicago.

  • Date: Thursday, May 22nd
  • Time: 9pm with doors opening at 8pm
  • Location: Abbey Pub, 3420 W Grace St, Chicago
  • Cost: $6 in advance, $8 at the door

This year’s participants include members of The Laureates, Hidden Mitten, Coupleskate, Blue Ribbon Glee Club, Three Dollar Bill, In Miniature, Love of Everything, Chin Up Chin Up, and Gay Baby, just to name a few.

The Bands…
The Juicers
The Bunnies
The XYs
The No and Knock it Off!
Panels
Jehovah’s Wetness
Have you seen the trailer for the movie Son of Rambow?

For more information, Contact Meghan Coleman (meg@girlsrockchicago.org)

2008 Summer Camp Dates

The 2008 Summer Camp Dates are: Jul 28 - Aug 3. Camp will be held at Inter-American Magnet School, 851 W. Waveland, Chicago, IL.

We will be posting the camp application form very soon. To be notified when the camp application form is available, sign up for our mailing list and be sure to check the “Camper Information” checkbox.

Mailing List Signup Form

Calling All Chicagoland Musicians for a Rock Lottery

We are very excited to announce that Girls Rock! Chicago will be hosting a Rock Lottery as our next fundraising event.

What’s a Rock Lottery?

Here’s the scoop; local musicians will be randomly grouped into bands based on a lottery style drawing. The bands have three weeks to prepare and rehearse an original song which they will play at a benefit show at the Abbey Pub on May 22, 2008.

How to Participate

The lottery is open to all musicians who are 21 and older, able to attend the lottery drawing and benefit show, and available to rehearse several times before the final show. The drawing will take place at:

Rock Lottery Drawing
Danny’s Tavern
1951 W Dickens Ave, Chicago IL
Thursday, May 1
9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
$5 Suggested Donation for Lottery Participants

You must be present at the drawing in order to participate. Lottery results will be announced at midnight, and each group must submit a band name by last call. The night will also feature special guest DJs and plenty of delicious treats at our bake sale table.

When is the Rock Lottery Benefit Show?

Benefit Show
Abby Pub
Thursday, May 22
8 p.m. Doors/9 p.m. Show
3420 W Grace St, Chicago, IL
$6 Advance/$8 Door

FAQs

I play the xylophone. Is there a place in the rock lottery for me?
We encourage all musicians to participate - whether you’re a guitarist, vocalist, laptop musician, or play a mean harmonica. You can even play multiple instruments during your set. We just ask that you have access to the necessary gear for your instrument(s) of choice. Girls Rock! will not be able to supply instruments.

How will bands be selected?
For consistency, we’ll try to make sure that there is at least one drummer and one guitarist per band whenever possible. Other than that, we’ll essentially be drawing names out of a hat. Feel free to get creative.

Contact Information

Got a question that isn’t listed? Send it over to meg@girlsrockchicago.org for more info.

Posters & Flyers

Feel free to print out some event posters and flyers to hang up in your workplace or neighborhood.

Crossroads’ Wicker Park Store Selects GR!C for In-Store Charity Program

Crossroads

Crossroads’ Wicker Park used clothing store has selected Girls Rock! Chicago for their in-store charity program. Here is how you can participate:

  1. Make a purchase at Crossroads. (This applies to the Wicker Park location at 1519 N. Milwaukee Ave. only)
  2. At check out elect to not take a bag for your purchase. You will be given a 5 cent token instead of a bag.
  3. There are several charities with token containers - just put your token in the slot for Girls Rock! Chicago.

That’s it - you get some cool threads, help the environment, and help girls rock out!

Spring Cleaning? Donate Your Old Instruments to a Good Cause

Girls Rock! Chicago is currently accepting donations of musical instruments and equipment. Our organization depends upon these donations in order to uphold our commitment to creating a supportive and educational environment around rock music. Our status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit means that your donation will be tax-deductible.

We are in particular need of: Drum Kits, however we are also accepting donations of:

  • Cymbals
  • Drum Thrones
  • Guitar Amps
  • Bass Amps
  • Keyboards
  • Keyboard Amps
  • Electric Guitars
  • Bass Guitars
  • Instrument Cases
  • Mic Stands
  • Mic Cables
  • Microphones
  • Instrument Cables
  • Recording Equipment

We do offer pickup and drop off service for all gear donations, and are currently seeking the donation of a van to improve this service.
If you would like donate or loan gear please contact Heather Lember at heather@girlsrockchicago.org.