By the time they take the stage, the girls, ages eight to eighteen, will have learned to play their instruments, seen live performances by their new mentors in half a dozen local bands, and formed bands of their own, picking up drumsticks and guitar picks, learning some new licks and honing their rock-star shtick. More important, as Girls Rock Denver project director Monique Bourdage points out, theyll have learned an important lesson about what makes themselves tick; true rocking, after all, is about much more than music.
Music is the means, not the end, Bourdage says. We just want to teach these girls ways to find a voice and express themselves, and to show them that it's okay to be loud, it's okay to sweat, it's okay to yell, and its awesome to command a stage and soak up a spotlight. Its really a self-empowerment camp, but rock camp sounds more fun.
The show starts at 3 p.m. at the Oriental, 4335 West 44th Avenue; admission is a $5 donation. For more information, visit www.girlsrockdenver.org.
Sat., July 17, 3 p.m., 2010