30-year-old Monique Bourdage is spearheading Girls Rock Denver, the first rock camp for girls to ever take place in Denver. Ever since the first Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls Summer Camp started up in Portland in 2001, many women across the world have made it their mission to offer such a camp in their neighborhoods. And ever since the Girls Rock! documentary came out in March 2008, it’s done nothing but spread the music mayhem – which is how Bourdage found out about the camp and was inspired to bring the ROCK to Denver.
While Bourdage juggles numerous jobs as a receptionist, legal secretary and notary public, she’s taking this project on voluntarily. However, she can’t do it all on her own.
I recently had the chance to pick this gal’s brain about how she’s involved in the Denver community, what inspired her to start this local girls rock camp and how you can help make it happen.
What jobs, hobbies and nonprofits have you been involved in over the years?
I've worked a variety of jobs over the years from concert security to a bookseller to copy editing a philosophy book for a former professor. My favorite nonprofit activities have included the Colorado Prison Book Project, Open Book, and, of course, Girls Rock Denver plans to operate as a nonprofit. My hobbies include overanalyzing music, crafting, crafting, crafting, and trying to start a rock camp.
What made you want to take on starting the Denver Girls Rock camp?
I first found out about rock camps and Girls Rock! the movie last fall while I was finishing my master's thesis on the electric guitar and the social construction of gender. While perusing various rock camps' Web sites for information to be used in my research, I found out that the Girls Rock Camp Alliance (GRCA) holds a "50 Shows in 50 States" benefit every year during the second weekend of December. My partner, Chris Conner, and I quickly decided to host Colorado's participation. We put on two shows and a silent auction and raised over $600 (more than they raised in Portland!). Obviously, Denver is a town that supports the idea of rock camps, and most people who find out I'm working on this respond by telling me that a girls rock camp is something Denver needs.
What did you love most about the Girls Rock! film?
I thought the film was great in general. The juxtaposition of the girls in camp, their interviews, and the unfortunately not-so-surprising statistics about what it's like to grow up female was really powerful. I wen
t into the film thinking that Palace (pictured on the posters and T-shirts) would be my favorite, but I found myself really relating to Laura. She went to high school as the weird girl in Oklahoma City, and I was the weird girl in school in small town Texas. Music is a good place to escape from those feelings of weirdness, but the film gives you a good sense of how her gender affects the way even her band mates treat her.
I've seen the film twice -- first, at the first showing of opening day in.jpg)
Denver, then again on April 18 when we had a Director's Night benefit screening. It was a totally different experience seeing it in a theater full of people who were really into the film and being able to discuss the film after viewing it.
I've told friends in other cities to be prepared for a group therapy session after the film. I think it's unfortunate that there's probably not a woman out there who can't relate to what the girls are going through in terms of body image issues, self-esteem and the sudden realization of how much your gender affects which doors are open to you.
What progress have you made on Denver’s camp so far?
The release of Girls Rock! the movie and the events I planned with the Denver Roller Dolls and Neighborhood Flix
really helped garner support for starting a rock camp in Denver. I'm talking with people about planning more benefit events for the summer, and there's even discussion of bringing Arne Johnson (co-director) back to town. People are volunteering to teach, organizations have offered us meeting space and we'll be getting a professionally designed Web site. There's still a lot to figure out, such as putting together a board of directors, getting nonprofit status, writing grants, getting other donations and figuring out where to hold events.
Are you taking after the Portland Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls mission? Have you been in contact with those who lead it?
Yes, the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls is a big influence in this project. I have been in contact with them on numerous occasions. Another great thing about seeing Girls Rock! the movie was finally having faces to put with the names I've been emailing. At the end of this month, I'll be heading to Portland to attend Ladies Rock Camp, which I think will be a good learning and networking experience. I'd like to hold an initial planning meeting the weekend after I return because I'm sure I'll be full of ideas of things Girls Rock Denver can do.
Any estimated dates for the camp yet?
The current goal is to hold the camp next summer. Camps across the country have gotten together in about a year, so I think Denver can reach this goal with enough support from the community.
Where do you hope to hold the camp?
I have some ideas of where to hold it from colleges to churches, but nothing is set in stone yet.
What kind of help do you need?
We need all the help we can get. We need to expand our core group of volunteers into a solid board of directors in order to take on the many tasks in the year ahead.
We need people with graphic design skills, instrument donations, instructors (both for instruments and non-musical workshops), space to hold the camp, people to cook lunch for the campers, etc. But right now, we just need to know that the support is out there. And we need people to help spread the word about the project. We appreciate any skill or time that people are willing to offer this project.
Is this strictly a volunteer project? Do any participants get paid?
Currently, this is an all-volunteer project. Believe me, I'd love it if I could afford to do this full-time and still pay rent. Most likely, it will take quite a bit of time before Girls Rock Denver is able to afford to pay staffers.
Do you think there's a chance for a ladies rock camp in Denver anytime soon?
I would love to see a Ladies Rock Camp in Denver. I'm really looking forward to my time in Portland. I think it's important to get the girls camp running first, though.
Where can people sign up or get more information before the Girls Rock Denver Web site is launched?
Our e-mail address is girlsrockdenver@gmail.com or you can find us at myspace.com/girlsrockdenver.
Comments
They do rock.
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