Pitchfork

Ever heard of Coco Chanel and the Zeppelinettes? How about Hellish Relish, the Pink Kitties, or Smokestorm? Maybe not, but familiarize yourself-- these bands, fresh out of Brooklyn's Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, could be the next big thing. The camp, part of the nationwide Rock Camp for Girls network, is training the next generation [ages 6 to 18] of female rockers; its most successful graduate so far has been Jemina Pearl of Be Your Own Pet.

Rock Camp for Girls is a non-profit day camp that offers girls across the country the chance to learn an instrument, write songs, perform live music, make band buttons, t-shirts, and album art, and more. The camp isn't strictly limited to rock music either-- attendees can study hip hop, salsa, pop, and more, or invent their own genre altogether, no boys allowed.

(Editor's note: Where oh where was this camp when I was spending my summers making bracelets in the Arts & Crafts cabin?)

Next week, Session One of Willie Mae Rock Camp '06 kicks off at Brooklyn Friends School. It runs from July 17-21, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., with a final concert on Saturday, July 22 at the New York Society for Ethical Culture.

Session 2 will take place August 7-11, also at Brooklyn Friends School, with a final concert on Saturday, August 12 at the aforementioned venue. Session 2 is full, but there are still spots open for Session 1.

Each session also features guest female musicians scheduled to play during the campers' lunch hour and lend a hand. The full lineup of artists has not yet been announced, though Martha Wainwright is confirmed to play Session One.

And what about all you 18+s? A weekend edition of rock camp has been introduced for adult women. Ladies Rock Camp will, except for a few minor details, mirror Rock Camp for Girls. The weekend runs from July 28-30. Day one is an optional event, Rebel Girls: Short Films by Women, Rock 'n' Roll by Girls, at Open Road Park in the East Village. An outdoor concert and film screening will be held to highlight the work of female filmmakers and musicians.

Ladies Rock Camp will take place at the Brooklyn Friends School's high school campus, and will culminate with a concert at the Lower Eastside's Sin-é venue. Profits raised from Ladies Rock Camp will assist with financing Rock Camp for Girls.

Volunteers of any sex or orientation may apply to help out at any of the three sessions. No music experience necessary.

The Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls was inspired by Portland, Oregon's original Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls. Portland's summer camps have been filled, but potential volunteers should know that its first session takes place from July 24-29 with a showcase at the Bagdad Theater on the final day, and its second session runs August 7-12 with a showcase at the same venue on the last day.

Ladies Rock Camp 2006 already happened in Portland (it raised over $10,000 for the girls!), but it is scheduled for April 27-29, 2007. Girls who did not make the application deadline in time can get involved in the Girls Rock Institute, a blanket program of the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls that offers classes throughout the year.

In addition to the Willie Mae camp, the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls idea has caught on in Chicago (Girls Rock! Chicago; August 14-18 at Roosevelt University), Murfreesboro, Tennessee (Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp; July 31-August 5), and Goshen, Massachusetts (IMA Rock and Roll Girls' Camp; ages 10-12: June 21-25, ages 10-19: July 21-30, studio recording and CD production camp: August 4-13).

Photo credit: Kate Milford