Girls Rock RVA is putting some of Richmond’s littlest performers on the big stage this weekend and you all are invited to the party.
Girls Rock RVA is putting some of Richmond’s littlest performers on the big stage this weekend and you all are invited to the party.
Girls Rock RVA Started six years ago by Aaron Kemmerer and some dedicated supporters of young women building confidence through music. A friend of Kemmerer spent a summer at the flagship Girls Rock camp in Portland, OR and came back singing its praises.
“I never really had a music camp or anything which I think is part of the reason I’m so passionate about Girls Rock,” Kemmerer said. “I want to give these kids, for free, what they might not be able to afford otherwise.”
Kemmerer is a local musician and guitar teacher. He and a team of volunteer staff gather with as many as 60 young female and gender non-conforming youth, all between the ages of 8-14, to teach them basic music theory, but also confidence through performance. As stated, the camp is free for the kids, and space is donated as its available.
Some campers from years past
“Its a really positive space, there’s no judgement,” said Lindsay Spurrier, a vocal instructor at the camp who also handles fundraising and event planning for the annual event. “Everyone’s here to support you. Self consciousness gets checked at the door and people come here and have a great time.”
Spurrier called the show the most “punk rock” event in Richmond because the kids end up displaying a level of raw performance that’s often only replicated in basement shows.
“It could fall apart at any moment. These kids are playing instruments they’ve never played before, but that’s the beauty of punk rock – you never know what’s going to happen next,” she said. “In the course of a week, how much can we really teach about music theory, but at the end of the day their learning confidence in themselves and that is the most important thing.”
A usual day for campers starts with a gathering at the camp space; this year it’s at Patrick Henry school of science and art in Southside. They warm up with games and some group singing. Next they break up into instructional classes with everything from drums and guitar to bass and vocals.
Next is workshops about confidence building with topics like body positivity and having a stage presence. Thursday’s workshop dealt with effects and mixing.
“We had recording equipment in the auditorium and the kids got to play with it,” Kemmerer said.
Next is lunch followed by an afternoon of band practice. This year there are 11 five piece bands. “We let em go for it,” He said.
There are other workshops around confidence building and music in the afternoon as well.
While it only lasts a week, Kemmerer and friends hope the impact last a life time, and after six years, the camp has grown from about 30 kids to just over 60 this year.
And while the final performance’s quality might be up to the rock and roll gods, organizers know its something bigger that keeps kids involved and coming back.
“It’s a lot of love that holds it together,” Kemmerer said. “We love being with the kids in the summer, it’s what we look forward to.”
The week always culminates with a performance from each new band. In years past, the Richmond Public Library had offered their courtyard as a performance space, but this year campers get the chance to taste the life of a real rock star (without all the questionable life choices) when they take the stage at The Broadberry Saturday at noon.
“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be involved, it’s a great cause,” said Lucas Fritz, owner and GM of the Broadberry. He was contacted by local shower-booker Mark Osborn to see if the venue would donate space and Fritz said he was excited to get involved. The Broadberry show means the performance will include real sound, lighting, staging and full bar and dining staff.
“They’ll have everything like a real, regular show,” Fritz said.
Your chance to catch this unique showcase, and support some young local musicians, happens this Saturday at noon at the Broadberry. It’s free, but a $5 donation is requested.
