Girls Rock! Chicago

That’s a wrap on session 1!!!

We had so much fun with everyone last week and can’t wait to do it again in July! ☀️🎤🤩🎸💗

“My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am.”
-Joan Jett

GIFTED is The Drive’s new program to amplify the talents of the next generation of musicians in Chicago, and we’re proud to support Girls Rock! Chicago 🎸🎹🎷🎤🎼

Girls Rock! Chicago is running its annual summer camp for girls, trans, and gender-expansive youth ages 8-16.

Campers learn a traditional rock instrument, attend music, crafts, and social justice workshops, and at the end of the week they record their original song in a professional venue and perform at local venues Lincoln Hall and Thalia Hall! Session 1 runs June 17th - 23rd and Session 2 is July 8th - 14th.

Tuition assistance is available.

Visit girlsrockchicago.org for program details and the application! Or click here: https://bit.ly/3V02Ojm
Girls Rock! Chicago

Don't miss out on the best weeks of the year! We still have space for more campers in both sessions this summer.

Check the 2nd slide for what slots we need to fill and apply today!

http://apply.girlsrockchicago.org

Empower youth through music this summer as a volunteer with GR!C! We especially need bass and drum instructors and counselors with all day ability! Camp week roles are open to women, trans, and gender-expansive individuals ages 17+.

Volunteer financial aid is available and stipends to BIPOC, trans, and folks with disabilities are prioritized.

Apply to volunteer today! http://volunteer.girlsrockchicago.org

Exciting updates to GR!C's Junior Volunteer Program!

This year, Junior Volunteers can form a band, rehearse during workshops and perform at the End-of-Camp Extravaganza!

Join us this summer! :) Apply today: http://volunteer.girlsrockchicago.org

just a few of our incredible creative sample submissions from our amazing campers this summer!!! we cannot wait to have all these creative minds with us in just a few weeks!!!!!

We're seeking an artist to design and print our 2024 Camp Posters!

See design guidelines & details: http://bit.ly/4a1sMXS

Email [email protected] with interest! :)

Interested in volunteering with us this summer? 🌞 Come to an info session to learn more about our program and volunteer roles. We have both in-person and Zoom options available. All new volunteers are required to attend an info session so we can get to know you and where we can plug you in! Sign up for an info session: https://forms.gle/ZKDn2uFapb6SBhXK8

ATTN women, trans, & gender expansive drummers 18+!

We're looking for someone to fill in for the remainder of Let's Rock! Chicago: Extended Play. Current drummer of the band needed to withdraw for personal reasons. The newly formed band, Sweet Thorns, is looking fill the vacancy to rehearse once weekly, show is on April 25th at Color Club!

Interested? Shoot GR!C an email at [email protected]

Save the date for the LR!C:EP // The Gig!

The bands have been hard at work making music and raising funds for our youth camp this summer! Come out to support at Color Club on April 25th at 7 PM.

C U there! Tix & Donate - https://givebutter.com/lrcep

2024 Volunteer Application is here! We're seeking women, trans (of any identity), and gender expansive folks to volunteer as instrument instructors, band coaches, counselors, workshop facilitators, and more! Empower youth through music and get loud with us this summer! No music experience is required! :)

Apply now: http://volunteer.girlsrockchicago.org

Our next event is coming up next Saturday, March 23, at the Chinatown Branch Library! Teen members of our Youth Action Committee will be leading a zine-making workshop, followed by an open mic! We invite all girls, trans and gender expansive youth ages 8-18 to come perform, make some art, and join us in community! See you there!

Join our pals at WBEZ for a special screening of The Talking Heads 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense on March 30 at 4 PM at the Studebaker Theater. Recently restored and remastered, you've never experienced the Talking Heads like this.

Discounted tickets for kids under 13 are available: https://bit.ly/49UZDhw

2024 Camp Registration is now ＯＰＥＮ!! Rock out with us this summer!

At camp, participants take instrument instruction (guitar, keys, bass, drums or DJ) and form bands to write an original song which they record and perform at the end of the week! Campers also take various arts & crafts, media, activism, music workshops each day to support their creativity and collaboration.

Our youth camp is open to girls, trans (of any identity), and/or gender expansive youth ages 8-16. Financial aid is available and GR!C prioritizes accessibility for those who may not otherwise be able to attend camp.

Register before April 1st for an early bird discount of $50 off tuition!

Register at apply.girlsrockchicago.org

Our fundraiser show at SPACE is happening TOMORROW 2/28 and we couldn’t be more excited!! Come out to see these amazing musicians play, and support our programs while you’re at it! We’ll also have a raffle and a GR!C themed drink 🤩 This show is all ages. Bring your family and your pals! See you there!!

Read our most recent newsletter -- http://bit.ly/42QoKzI

We've got news about upcoming events including our fundraiser show at Evanston SPACE next week, big staff updates, 2024 camp, and Let's Rock! Chicago: Extended Play!

☀️ Summer is calling! ☀️

Save the dates for 2024 camps!

Applications coming soon!

Still haven't signed up for LR!C? Find out why Let's Rock! Chicago: Extended Play is a great way to meet new folks, make some music, and support the youth that attend our summer camp! ❤️

We especially need drummers and keyboard players to round out our current slate of bands! Don't sleep on registration, we're closing applications Monday, February 26th! Apply at http://letsrock.girlsrockchicago.org

Still have questions after checking out the FAQ? Send us an email at [email protected]

Check out this awesome poster by Anna White for the Girls Rock! Chicago Benefit Show at SPACE in Evanston 😎 featuring performances by Waltzer, Oux, & Macie Stewart!! All proceeds will go towards GR!C’s programs. This show is all ages and will include a raffle and a special GR!C-themed drink 🍹 You won’t want to miss it!
Purchase tickets here: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/grc-space-present-a-space-tickets/13391423

We’re so excited to see you TOMORROW at noon for our Benefit Show at Schubas - featuring DOLL PARTS performing the iconic album Live Through This! GR!C alum band Won’t Stay Dead will be opening the show. Members of our Youth Action Committee will be accepting donations for the listed items (swipe to the last slide)for Pilsen Pantry! We’ll also be raffling off an assortment of cool items to raise funds for GR!C. Tickets can be bought at the link in our bio or at the door! Be sure to bundle up and we’ll see you there!🤘💖🖤

We are so excited to announce our new hybrid program/fundraiser adult program - Let's Rock! Chicago: Extended Play (LR!C: EP). Over the course of two months (March 9-April 25), participants will be placed into bands, meet weekly and write two original songs and learn a cover song to perform at the final performance. Though tuition to the program is free, participants will be expected to meet fundraising goals with their bands and will be eligible to win special prizes! All proceeds will support our youth programming to provide camper scholarships, supplies and workshops, and volunteer stipends. Familiarity and basic proficiency with a traditional rock instrument (guitar, bass, keys, or drums) is required to participate in the program. LR!C is open to women and trans folks of all identities, ages 18+.

In order to apply, please complete these three steps:

* Fill out this online application: letsrock.girlsrockchicago.org
* Pay a $20 application fee, the link to which will be emailed to you after you fill out the above application.
* Submit a 1-3 minute long video or recording of you playing a tune, preferably on your first choice instrument! Please email your creative submission to [email protected].

We are also looking for band coaches, instrument instructors and a few virtual workshop leaders for low-commitment volunteer roles. Please email [email protected] if you’re interested in volunteering for this program!

Goodnight 2023 🌘🌑🌒 We'll see you in 2024 at Lincoln Hall + Schubas (Schubas), when we take the stage on January 14th for a Sunday matinee benefiting Girls Rock! Chicago. We will be joined by Doll Parts performing the album 'Live Through This' in full.

💝12pm | All Ages | $10 (in the cømments)💝

📷: Kennedy Cottrell at Subterranean for Bloody Xmas, 12/22/23

Big thanks to all those who have supported us this year! We're almost half way to our end of year fundraising goal!

Keep us rocking in 2024 with a gift of any size and ensure a bright future for GR!C and our youth! Donors who give $150 or more will receive a special GR!C tote screen printed by our Youth Action Committee!

Donate today: https://bit.ly/47T9XWa

We have a big change on the horizon! A NEW NAME!

For nearly 18 years, GR!C has challenged ideas about who plays music, takes up space, and gets loud. In this time, our practices, language, and constituency grew to include and celebrate trans and gender-expansive folks of all identities. It's time that our name accurately represents our community!

We are so excited to build a more intentional, inclusive, and impactful Girls Rock! Chicago where more youth and folks of all ages feel a greater sense of belonging and ownership in our work. But we need your help to get there and ensure ensure a bright future for not just our organization, but Chicago's youth who need a brave space to fearlessly create and build community!

Please donate at https://bit.ly/47T9XWa or girlsrockchicago.org/donate today to ensure that Girls Rock! Chicago will continue to amplify youth voices in 2024 and beyond.

Join us tomorrow evening, 12/5, over Zoom for our Program Committee Meeting!
You can register using this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZWqPRdAJcsO7B2G4mNKMnQ4Rrr29YmQa0Gwtl2nEOXdM_gw/viewform?usp=sf_link

It's Giving Tuesday! 🎵 Turn up the volume on empowerment with Girls Rock! Chicago with a donation today! 🔉 Your contribution will make a lasting impact on girls, trans, and gender-expansive youth by providing them with life-changing opportunities for self-expression and personal development through music.

Donate now: https://bit.ly/47T9XWa or girlsrockchicago.org/donate

No gift is too small and every contribution counts! Thank you for being part of this incredible journey! 💖