The Gate was rocking this week with the sounds of the Lethbridge girls rocking the summer away again with the fourth year of Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp.
As usual, 22 girls aged 8-15 learned an instrument, formed a band, wrote a song with them and performed it at the Lethbridge Girls Rock Showcase at the Gate, July 23.
A number of familiar faces from Lethbridge’s music scene are volunteering to help instruct the campers.
They also took place in a variety of different workshops learning about body image, self-defence, creating zines and silkscreening t-shirts.
“About half are returning and half are brand new,” said organizer Silvana Campus, while a good sized group of girls worked out a big jam on “Seven Nation Army,” while upstairs, another group of girls were learning the intricacies of being a drummer.
“We have one who has been to all four Girls Rock Camps and a few others have been to the past three,” she observed.
Some of them come to learn a new instrument, or improve their skills,” she continued.
Stacy Bru hosted a workshop on zine-making and Kyley Granburg hosted this year‘s t-shirt making workshop.
Other workshops included a gear workshop from Quint Viskup and a workshop on gender inclusivity with Nicola Spencer.
After the workshops the campers were separated into separate groups to learn their instruments.
Even lunch-time was an inspirational experience as local bands including Shaela Miller, Sparkle Blood, DJ Rabbyt and Girls Rock camp veteran Ezra Suelin played for them during the lunch hours.
In the afternoon, the campers practiced with their bands and wrote the song to be performed at Saturday’s finale.
“ It’s so fulfilling seeing them get together and watching them develop. It’s such a fun camp to be part of,” enthused Campus.