Fresh college students and tired moms alike will rock out at Chapel Hill’s Celebrity Dairy goat farm and inn for the second annual Women’s Rock Retreat, Oct. 23-25.
Over three days, the womenages 21 to 60will meet for the first time, form bands, learn an instrument, write a song (in some cases two), and then perform those songs Sunday evening in a showcase at The Cave. Abby Pearce, development director for the camp’s sponsor, Girls Rock NC, says she was inspired to create the Women’s Rock camp after a conversation with the director of Portland’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, which, along with the Willie Mae Rock Camp in New York City, holds Ladies Rock daycamps several times a year.
“I was talking to her about how it would be good for fundraising and the community,” says Pearce. “She was like, ‘Yes, and you’re not going to believe how brave these women are. These women are riding around and picking up their kids and not making any time for themselves at all, and you just don’t even understand how this is going to change them and you and everyone else who is involved.’”
The Girls Rock NC founders ran with the idea, expanding it into an overnight camp. By the end of last year’s camp weekend, the womenmany of whom had never played rock ‘n roll beforewere so fired up that they spent two hours playing together after their performance, crafting new tunes.
“I really encourage people to come to the show at The Cave,” Pearce says. “It’s just an incredible thing to witness. [These women] are doing something really out of the ordinary.”
The Women’s Rock Showcase is Sunday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at The Cave. Admission is $5. For more info, visit Girls Rock NC. To donate food or drinks to the event, contact Girls Rock NC at info@girlsrocknc.org.