Girls Still Rock

By Sarah Dahnke in Arts & Entertainment on May 25, 2007 3:00PM

Last year when Chicagoist spoke with the ladies from Girls Rock! Chicago, the camp was in its first year and had been mildly successful, even though they were finding the camp difficult to publicize. This year they are in full force months ahead of the week-long workshop in August, and they'll be holding their second fundraiser of the year at The Empty Bottle on Saturday.

The bill is full of bands that include strong female role models, which is sort of the whole mission of the camp in the first place. Spires That In The Sunset Rise headlines, preceeded by
Grimble Grumble and Plastic Crimewave, who will also be DJing between sets.

There's also a crapload of raffle prizes from local businesses such as Early to Bed, Permanent Records and Bleeding Heart Bakery, but the monster grand prize to end all grand prizes is an opportunity to be the Celebrity Sausage at Hot Doug's. With raffle tickets costing a measly $2 and all of the proceeds going toward new musical equipment for the camp, there's really no excuse not to buy a handful and try your luck. You can also purchase raffle tickets online by making a "donation" and specifying it is for the raffle.

GR!C will also be in full effect at Pitchfork Music Festival this summer, soliciting donations and publicizing the camp. The group has a deal with Pitchfork where they will receive a $1,500 donation if they send 35 volunteers to help out with the festival. Interested? Details on how to volunteer are available online.

The Girls Rock! Chicago benefit takes place at 10 p.m. on Saturday at the Empty Bottle. Tickets are $10.