After two successful Girls Rock Milwaukee camps, the organization rooted in the principle of encouraging and empowering girls through musical collaboration has decided to implement a winter edition tailored to an older clientele. The inaugural Ladies Rock Milwaukee camp will take place at the Zelazo Center on UW-Milwaukee’s campus January 16-18, 2015. The three-day camp is tailored to women ages 21 and older.
Ladies Rock Milwaukee camp organizer, band coach, and assistant drum instructor Mary Johnson (of Milwaukee punk band The Olives) says the organization’s decision for the expansion came after parents and guardians of Girls Rock campers expressed an interest in participating in an adult-oriented camp.
“Once the dialogue began with Girls Rock, we realized that so many women have a passion for music, but, for whatever reason, have not been able to connect with other like-minded individuals and put their passion into practice,” Johnson says. “We want to provide this safe space for women to connect and explore music together.”
Johnson says the camp will include small-group instruction (from members of Calamity Janes, Static Eyes, Fox Face, Rocket Paloma, and Wrecker, among others), workshops anchored in the concepts of leadership and self-expression, guest performances, band practices, and a January 18 showcase at Riverwest Public House. The enrollment deadline is Saturday, November 15. No instruments or prior musical experience is necessary to sign up. Ladies Rock Milwaukee is also in need of people to volunteer, ranging from instrument instructors to roadies and “floaters” to aid in the inaugural camp.
“We’ll provide these ladies with the tools they need to get started playing the instrument they’ve always want to play, bring together a great group of ladies with like-minded goals, build musical confidence and self-expression through instrument instruction and workshops, and have a great time doing it,” Johnson says. “We are going to have fun, let loose, and rock ’n’ roll together.”