First Ever 'Ladies Rock Camp' in OC Happens This Weekend!

The push for an inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Orange County continues! This Saturday in SanTana, young women ages 18 and up will be taking on an extensive weekend of songwriting workshops, drum circles, self-defense classes, and instrument instruction. Hosted by El Centro Cultural de Mexico, the first ever Ladies Rock Camp will conclude in a Sunday night showcase at Original Mike's.

“The women are going to learn how to write a song in two days,” says Mayra Cortez, Board Member for OC Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls. “It's a safe place and safe environment for them to express themselves.”

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The weekend of events is one of the main fundraisers for the summer camp aimed at girls between the ages of 8-17. There's a few spaces leftfor those interested in getting in on what organizers promise will be the best weekend ever. “We're pretty full,” says the vocalist and percussionist for The Orquesta Cortez, an OC Music Awards 'Best Latin' nominated group. “We've been pretty blessed.”

For those who want to support the non-profit's musical mission in other ways, they have also launched an IndieGoGo campaign. “We are half-way to our goal,” Cortez tells the Weekly. “We need to keep pushing it to fund the scholarships.”

Check out the nifty video below:

But wait? What's a Salsa musician got to do with a rock camp? “I've been in several rock bands,” Cortez says mentioning her days as a member of Hey That's My Bike. “The rock element is your personality. That's why all of us involved have different backgrounds.” The camp is devoted to helping women find a voice whatever music genre their creativity gravitates to.

Cortez's own journey as a musician motivates her to be a part of the effort. “I feel that there's not a lot of support for women musicians to thrive and express themselves,” she says. “The gender roles are too enforced in family and society. If I would had this as a child, I would have been much more developed as a musician and human being.”

Joining the Ladies Rock Camp showcase musicians on Sunday night will be two veteran groups on the local Orange County scene. Latin alternative post-punk band ¡Aparato! is set to headline as well as SanTana's own Bellhaunts. Both are fronted by and feature women musicians in their lineups, an example for the generation of kick ass bands to come!

Ladies Rock Camp Orange County Showcase takes place at Original Mike's, 100 South Main Street, Santa Ana. (714) 550-7764; www.originalmikes.com. Sun., 8 p.m. All Ages.

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