The things that change your life

What can I say about Ladies Rock Camp that will capture the experience? Both times I've gone, I've had the most supportive, enriching, and unbelievably fun three days. I had only intended to attend LRC once, for guitar, and did so last year with two of my friends. I loved learning to play the guitar, sure, but the most important part of my weekend occurred during Saturday's karaoke party. For those of you who have heard this story, I apologize. I'd gone my whole life hating the sound of my voice and believing I couldn't sing, and would hide from the karaoke stage. Enriched by the Rock Camp atmosphere, I stopped caring and ran for the microphone again and again. I didn't mind that I couldn't carry a tune if I had a basket. The next morning, though, a fellow camper pulled me aside to tell me she'd stayed at the party way too late because I had such a lovely voice and she couldn't wait to hear what I'd sing next. As a result of this small comment, I signed up for vocals this year. This is what Ladies Rock Camp does for people.

Friday
I arrived at camp around 11:30 Friday morning, wearing my badge from last year. With my new name tag in the holder, I walked through the winding halls of the building, where I passed this familiar mural



before entering the main room. The main room was approximately half full of ladies who had been at LRC with me the previous October, and there were many hugs to be had. Cathy, my bassist from last year, returned with her mom and best friend in tow. I ran into Amy in the hallway, saw Erin by the coffee station, and waved enthusiastically at several other friends. I sat at a table with Michelle, a friend from last year, and several new ladies, to have lunch before things got started. Michelle was in vocals with me, and I was glad to have a familiar face with me as I dove into this new territory. The new and returning campers chatted through their lunch before it was time for introductions.



The microphone gets passed around, and each camper introduces herself with her name, her hometown, and why she's here. Gisele, a friend from last year, stopped midway through her introduction to wave at me. Once lunch and the morning assembly were over, it was time for band formation. Lots of genres were shouted out (punk rock, pop, pop punk, rock and roll, folk rock, and Riot Grrrl), and the popular ones went on the wall. I headed over to the folk rock station because I figured I'd have more of an opportunity to test my voice than if I went with my first love, Riot Grrrl. Joining me were Annette, Amy, and Michelle from last year, as well as Cathy's mom Carole. Thus was Slutty Black Dress born. With out bands established, we had a few minutes to chat and get organized before heading to instrument instruction. I ended up talking music with a new camper named Holly, who had heard I was a concert blogger. As it turns out, she loves Sleater-Kinney as much as I do. Rock Camp attracts Sleater-Kinney fans. She and I got so caught up being musical encyclopedias that I was one of the last to arrive in the vocals class.

I ran in the door at the last minute and took a seat next to Michelle. We were joined by instructor Teri, as well as Mariellen, Mary, Marie, Jean, Leslie, and Allison. Vocal lessons began, and they were great! Nobody was critical, nobody said I couldn't sing. Nobody cut anybody down. We finished our lesson and moved on to workshops, followed by band practice. We spent most of our loud practice working out the beginnings of our song, and took a trip to the infamous MLK Fashion Plaza to purchase our slutty black dresses during quiet practice. After dinner, day one of Rock Camp was over much too quickly.

Saturday
Saturday began at 9:00 in the morning, and I had Bobby drop me off in anticipation of the karaoke party that night. We began with instrument instruction, for which the vocals ladies were required to come prepared with an a capella song to present. That's a little scary. My immediate thought was Mary Lou Lord's "I Figured You Out," so that's what I performed (through mighty jangled nerves, mind you). Still, everyone was supportive, and nobody threw tomatoes. This is a video of Elliott Smith's version of the song. I couldn't find MLL's.



After another practice session, we worked out the majority of our song before heading to the silkscreening workshop, where we worked out our logo and printed it on shirts and posters.







Soon it was time for our karaoke party! The main room turned into a fabulous disco, and karaoke song books appeared on the tables. A full bar was set up at the back of the room, and it was time to begin. Michelle was one of the first on the stage.



Annette and I sang a Dixie Chicks song together, then I picked a country tune I'd been meaning to try. After a couple glasses of wine, it was time for Annette and me to return to the stage for Prince's "Let's Go Crazy." Awesome performances by the Rock Camp ladies continued, and a dance party erupted.



After seeing a few menfolk in the room, I texted Bobby to see if he'd like to come early and see what rock camp is all about. He arrived and I introduced him to my lovely band mates and rock camp friends. Sooner or later, I started talking to Cathy and her best friend Katie, who had never sung karaoke before. I brought out the big guns and suggested a song I knew they couldn't resist: Danzig's "Mother." Luckily, Anndy captured the moment:



I went home buzzing with Rock Camp energy. The next morning, giant Burgerville iced tea in hand, I returned for my final day at Rock Camp. This sign had appeared on the wall:



The vocalists had prepared a rendition of "Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves," which we performed after breakfast. I even had a solo! We had one final rehearsal before it was time to get glammed up and head to the showcase. I had to stop home to pick Bobby up for the showcase, and for some reason he was dawdling. I was starting to go a little nuts before he said my surprise had just pulled up out front. What did I see, but miss Alex, who had driven all the way from Seattle to watch my performance. Naturally, my slip is hanging out the back of my Slutty Black Dress. Always makin' my momma proud, that's me.



Here is the video of our performance. Our song is called "It's All About Me." That's STS introducing us.



I now have the honor of being one of the last people to perform at Satyricon. Here I am with Alex, who is very sneaky indeed, and was an excellent surprise.



We joined my fellow LRC-ers for a bittersweet afterparty at Old Town Pizza, where we chattered and bonded some more until it was time to part ways. There were many hugs, promises to visit out-of-towners, and emerging plans for resuming monthly LRC karaoke nights. Holly, as she was leaving, told me I'd inspired her to move to Portland so she can be my best friend. I've always got room for more of those.



I left this session of Ladies Rock Camp with 20 new friends and the realization that I can actually sing and am not all that bad at it. More photos are available on my flickr page, here. Thanks for an awesome weekend, LRC ladies. I'll see you next Rocktober.