DC musicians - drummer wanted!

Hey feminist musicians!

DC rock band noon:30 is seeking a drummer to round out their 3-piece group. They've performed at Fort Reno, the Black Cat, DC9, Velvet Lounge, Electric Maid, Capitol Hip Hop Soulfest, H St. Festival, and beyond!

They are also super involved in the Girls Rock! DC feminist rock camp for girls, so you know they're cool. Email noon30band@gmail.com if you're interested in auditioning!

Here's their announcement:

noon:30 is looking for a drummer preferably black and female. We will be holding additions soon so if you are interested or know someone who might be, let us know and send them our way!

Check out their rock camp performance!

Lunch Time Camp Rock Out with NOON:30 from Girls Rock! DC on Vimeo.

Photo courtesy of noon:30

Hartzveytik! A Heartbreak Survival Society Social

BUST Magazine is throwing an amazing event in NYC. It's going to have the Shondes and Veganomicon co-author Terry Hope Romero!!! I'm excited! Here's the event info:

Hartzveytik! A Heartbreak Survival Society Social
Sponsored by BUST Magazine

Join the Heartbreak Survival Society for an extraordinary evening of music and mayhem! You'll laugh; you'll cry; you'll wonder; you'll revel and dance with the lovelorn of New York City. If you've ever had your heart broken, this is the fall ball you can't miss.

Hear!
The breathtaking music of Soft Power (http://www.myspace.com/softpowerband w/ Mary Timony)
The Shondes (http://www.myspace.com/theshondes)
Royal Pink (http://www.myspace.com/royalpinkrocks)
The Low & The Lonesome(http://www.myspace.com//thelowandthelonesome)!

Plus Special Guests!
Franz Nicolay (The Hold Steady)!
Ariel Schrag (cartoonist, L Word writer)
Your illustrious MC, Ronica!
And more!

Sponsored by:
Bust Magazine! Free issues of Bust at the event!

See!
The world's tiniest craft fair! Eye candy and mind-boggling merchandise!

Taste!
Vegan heartbreak treats!
from Terry Hope Romero (co-author Veganomicon. Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World & Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar)

Win!
Celebrity heartbreak mixtapes! Pickled things! Fashion goodies!
Raffle ticket $ to benefit the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (http://www.srlp.org)

Dance!
Dance party featuring DJ Tikka Masala and DJ Shomi Noise of That's My Jam

For more info: http://spsounds.com
Buy tickets here and now! http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2541004

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/kainet

Feminists Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock with Bike-Powered Eco Feminism Stage at Golden Gate Park Concert

More than 50,000 people flooded Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate park for "West Fest", a concert commemorating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. The concert featured such legendary Woodstock original acts as Jefferson Starship, Country Joe McDonald, Ray Manzarek (from The Doors) and many more.

The California and San Francisco chapters of N.O.W. (National Organization for Women) concurrently ran a lower key, family-friendly stage in a nearby meadow. "Our eco-feminism bike-powered stage brings attention to the relationship between feminism and the earth," explains Mona Lisa Wallace, president of San Francisco N.O.W. Pamela Parker and the N.O.W. organization in collaboration with West Fest, Green Zone Productions and Rock the Bike presented a family friendly stage with world-class acts, an off-the-grid, eco-friendly bike-powered stage, amenities for children such as a napping tent, free facepainting, a crafting tent, and much more.

Aileen Hernandez, legendary feminist leader, spoke for N.O.W. in front of a crowd of more than fifty thousand. During the time of Woodstock she served as N.O.W.'s second president and on the first EEOC Commission. Artists performing include; Pamela Parker Band featuring the release of her latest CD “Beautiful Day,” Aradhana Silvermoon, *bernadette* featuring WomenROCK, Oona, Fossil Fool, Soul Medic, Michael Morrow & the 21stCenturians and starting the whole thing off were crowd drawing beats by the Druid Sisters' Tea Party "opening the space" with dancers and priestesses of the Temple of Isis.

Patty Bellasalma, President of the California chapter of NOW, spoke of the event, "We [N.O.W.] were born out of the Woodstock generation and it is a wonderful honor to take part in this truly joyful celebration of 40 amazing years for feminism."

photo courtesy of bitzi at flickr.com

Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project

I just read a great article on the DCist about the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project (YWDEP).

YWDEP is an awesome program that lets young women in DC schools express themselves through drumming and other forms of art. According to the YWDEP site, the project is a "summer-long program of weekly workshops led by local female artists in team building, African hand drumming, poetry, song writing, rhythms, theater/movement, performance technique and staging."

All I can say is that I'm really glad a project like this exists. Drumming is a field of self-expression that is far too often limited to men and it's great to see it opening up to young women. Also, I'm always for anything that lets people express themselves.

Here's a short documentary on YWDEP:

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/meigooni/

Women Who Rock; My Alternative Female Group Database

After reading a post in Jezebel about the first ever all-female Pakistani rock band, Zeb and Haniya, had an urge to write about women who rock.

Zeb and Haniya are from "the Taliban-infested North West Frontier Province," like female rock bands don't have enough adversity to face. These ladies are bringing rock back to India which hasn't happened in ages. Haniya told the Times of India, ‘‘This opposition from the Indian music industry has certainly slowed down the business of Pakistani artistes, but music is something that has no boundaries. And if people like our music we will certainly come back to India.’’

I am inspired by this band because, lets face it, like most other forms of artistic expression, women are under appreciated. This is largely seen in the music world, and in my opinion there is a pretty blatant disregard for female musicians in the public eye.

Female bands are not as few and far between as some may think. To prove this I have spent the past few days compiling a database of female solo artists, songwriters, bands, frontwomen, etc. from my personal music library and friends suggestions. You may notice that most of these groups are not heard on the radio. I listen to alternative, indie-like music, some are obscure and relatively unknown, but others you may listen to yourself. I am narrowing this list down to a specific genre I enjoy, but if this catches on, maybe fellow bloggers could build a list of a genre they enjoy; folk, blues, pop (cough cough Bonnie Carlson, Lizz Mcnamara cough), heavy, ambient, electronic, etc.

This is largely a database for me, just so I can catalogue all my favorite women who rock! But I thought, why not share this with other fellow readers of our Campus Choice blog, maybe you will find something to add to your play list. This is what I have so far:

Imogen Heap/The Sounds (my favorite band)/Flyleaf/Metric/Tegan and Sara/Santogold/M.I.A./Iv in Vein/Goldfrapp/Headlights/Blue Foundation/Bat for Lashes/ Paramore/Kittie/The Donnas/Over the Rhine/The Ting Tings/Shiny Toy Guns/Jenny Owen Youngs/Lily Allen/Ani Defranco/Dirty Martini/Rilo Kiley/Meiko/Tori Amos/Mazzy Star/ Lavender Diamond/Otep/April March/The Gossip/Le Tigre/The Sundays/Sixpense None the Richer/Liz Phair/Regina Spektor...

This is what I have gathered thus far in my search. If you wanna add a group, you can post a comment or email me at zseolivo3@gmail.com :)!

Enjoy!

picture courtesy of flikr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/easybored/1240017444/

PhaseFest 2009

Calling all DC Feminists!

If you're around September 24th - 26th, you should definitely go to PhaseFest 2009.

PhaseFest is an annual queer music and arts festival held in DC's Phase 1 nightclub. It's a good place to listen to a lot of queer and queer-ally musicians. Bitch from Bitch & Animal fame will be there and so will one of my favorite bands, the Shondes. You can check out the full schedule here.

Whether you're a long time lover of queer music or a curious newbie, you should check PhaseFest out!

Photo credit: flickr.com/shankarmenon

Never you fear!

In honor of Women's Equality Day, I give you....a song.



The movie Mary Poppins ends with Winifred Banks's happy return to her domestic duties, where she casts off her suffragette ribbons and attaches them to Jane and Michael's kite in the park.

Still, I'm pretty sure Mary Poppins and Mrs. Banks are the reason I am a feminist today.

Monday Funday - DC women that rock!

Campers from Girls Rock! DC's rock camp lit up the 9:30 Club this Saturday, and it was a joy to watch. The girls were confident, loud, and they sounded terrific as they played to a packed venue.

The showcase was the culmination of GRDC's week-long day camp, and the girls performed original songs they wrote during camp.

Watch out, cuz these young women have a lot to say, and they are on track to shake up the (male) world of music.

In other news, Trophy Wife and Sober Hobo are playing a concert TONIGHT that benefits the District Alliance for Safe Housing. DASH works with survivors of domestic violence to obtain affordable housing.

They'll be at DC's Black Cat at 9pm, with tickets for $5. All ages; minors need permission from a guardian.

Cheers!

Monday funday: Girls Rock Camp!

Girls Rock! DC is a feminist nonprofit holding a week-long rock camp for girls this week. Support this fab organization by rocking out at their camper showcase this Saturday, August 15 at the 9:30 Club. I'll be volunteering this week and at the 9:30, so I hope to see you there!

Eighty percent of the musicians on MTV are male, and music is a great way for girls to build confidence and express themselves. For more on women in rock, check out rock camp veteran Jessica Hopper's classic essay "Emo: Where the Girls Aren't" (via Feministing).

Here's the announcement:

All are welcome to celebrate the 2nd Annual

Girls Rock! DC Camper Showcase!

Saturday, August 15th, 2009
9:30 Club
815 V Street NW, Washington DC
Doors 10:30AM, Showcase 11AM-1PM
Tickets $10
Metro: U St. (Green/Yellow Line)

Following in the footsteps of girls rock camps across the United States, Girls Rock! DC was founded in October 2007 by an all volunteer collective of DC Metro Area musicians, teachers, artists and community organizers.

In August 2008, over 80 volunteers built upon their diverse musical backgrounds, connections to local youth and approaches to grassroots organizing to create a week-long day camp for Washington DC area girls ages 8-18. After a very successful first year, Girls Rock! DC is excited to be organizing a second camp this August 2009!

During the week, campers receive small group instruction on electric guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, turntables or vocals, form bands, collaborate to write an original song and ROCK out the stage. Campers learn about the history of women in rock, gender and cultural identity, band merchandise and promotion, conflict resolution and other skills young women need to take over the world of rock!

Ready to rock? Buy tickets here!

Too cute to pass up...

Props to Jezebel for finding/posting this great clip of 8-year old Emma, and her soon-to-be platnum hit, "Snow Day." (Ok, maybe platnum goes a bit far - but clearly, this girl ROCKS!)

On a steamy August day, we could all use a snow day to cool us down... Thanks, Emma!

DC feminists - cool event this weekend!

The ACCESS benefit concert this Saturday features DC-area experimental/noise bands, and proceeds go toward the DC Abortion Fund and WACDTF. DCAF provides assistance for low-income women who need abortions, and WACDTF organizes volunteers to serve as clinic escorts at local women's health clinics. Both organizations are definitely worth your time and money, and some of us will try to go.

The concert was organized as a response to Dr. Tiller's assassination in May. Please go and support local pro-choice groups and musicians this weekend!

DC rock goddesses - please help!

Our friends at Girls Rock! DC are holding an instrument drive this Thursday, July 16 at 7:15pm in conjunction with an outdoor concert at Fort Reno. If you have instruments to loan/donate, please swing by!

GR!DC is a feminist, week-long rock camp for girls in the DC metro area. Their camper showcase will be Saturday, August 15 at the 9:30 Club, so I expect to see you there!

From the GR!DC website:

Girls Rock! DC is happening soon and we’re bigger than last year! We anticipate having over 55 campers and so are in need of instruments for all our campers!

We are offering lessons on: Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Turntables and Drums.

Of major importance right now are:
• bass and guitar amps (small and large)
• lots of drums (5+ kits) and drum hardware
• DJ set up (including turntables, mixer, pair of cd players and speakers).

But we can use any of the following:
• microphones, mic stands, guitar and bass stands, keyboards, guitars and basses, picks, strings, sticks, instrument cases

We are having an Instrument Drive this Thursday, July 16 at Fort Reno. Bring what you have and help make Girls Rock! DC a success again this year. We will be accepting both Donations and Loans and are prepared to guarantee loaned equipment up to $150.

If you have any questions, please contact Diane Foglizzo, Instrument Point Person at: diane@girlsrockdc.org or at 202 297 9195.

Photo credit: emilyaugust at Flickr

Feminist Friday Flashback

You can go quietly. Or you can Rock for Choice. My fellow organizer, Tania Stewart, was remarking that it had been too long since FMF last held a Rock for Choice concert.

I've got to agree with her. Benefit concerts bring a little pizazz to our issues, and are a great way to raise money for organizations that assist women.

Past concerts featured Sarah McLachlan, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Cyndi Lauper, Liz Phair, and other fabulous musicians. What artists would you like to see if we hosted a concert today?

I vote for the Vagtastic Voyage, starring FMF's very own Caroline Sellars on guitar.

Wellesley College's Students for Reproductive Rights group held a Rock for Choice concert this spring, and I know quite a few student organizations have hosted concert festivals featuring feminist artists.

Ready to Rock for Choice at your campus? Check out our toolkit for how to get started. If you've organized a RfC concert, let us know how it went! As always, send us your regards at campusteam@feminist.org.

Have a good weekend - peace.babylove!