Show Preview: Athens Rock Camp for Girls Benefit Show with Meadows, Pasture Weeds, Style Star, DANA,
By Abbie Doyle, Editorial Director
Casa Nueva, Thursday, April 9, 2015
The Slits, Blondie, The Breeders, Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, Bratmobile, Josie and the Pussycats, Hole, Warpaint, Girlpool, Yowler, Style Star, Raggamuffin and Wuju.
Do you know what all of those bands have in common? They’re filled with girls who rock, most notably Ragagmuffin and Wuju. I must agree with Kim Gordon on this one--the younger a good band is, the more punk rock they become. At Athens’ Rock Camp for Girls, Raggamuffin and Wuju were formed by young girls encouraged to explore musical interests and talents. Along the way they discovered self-confidence, girl power and ways to fight discrimination in a male-dominated industry. Very punk.
This Thursday, April 9, Athenians have the opportunity to support Athens’ Rock Camp for Girls by attending a benefit show at Casa Nueva. Acts include Meadows, Pasture Weeds, DANA, Didi and Style Star.
“Along with my bestie peeps/back-up dancers, we are honored to be performing at the Benefit for the Athens Rock Camp for Girls,” said Style Star about the upcoming performance. “The road to fame would have been super tough without the help of my loyal fans and supporters. I want to encourage girls internationally to embrace their inner sparkle.”
Sarah Fick, who works for The Appalachian Peace and Justice Network as well as the Sexual Assault Prevention Program and volunteers for the Rock Camp, emphasized the program’s desire to liberate young women. “We exist to build confidence in girls through music education and personal expression, create a safe space for girls to take creative risks, foster a community where girls support one another and work together and empower girls to recognize, understand and respond to discrimination.”
The purpose of the show is to raise funds so the camp can continue keeping costs as low as possible. “So far we’ve had four successful camps, and we could not have done it without the generous support of the Arts West, the Athens Foundation, the Johnny B Foundation and our countless local supporters who have donated their time, money, food and music equipment,” continued Fick.
To quote Style Star, “The Athens community is so totally lucky to have such a strong and vibrant lady musician and artist network.”
If you’d like to support the growing female presence in Athens’ female musical community as well as female empowerment, attend the benefit show at Casa this Thursday night. The show starts at 10 p.m.
