Local Music Tap: 'Women Who Rock Festival' @ Guitar Center
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Guitar Center in Roseville is hosting its first ever rock festival geared toward female musicians and music professionals Sunday. And from the sound of it -- it's gonna be a great time.
Professional musician and Guitar Center associate, Jenna Enemy, organized the Women Who Rock Festival. She says the mission is to raise awareness that females are not only present in the music industry, but "rocking it!"
"A group of young women came into (Guitar Center) with their boyfriends." Enemy said. "They were sitting down, texting, and completely uninterested in their man's noodling on the guitar. When I asked if they had thought of playing guitar, it seemed as if a switch went off and ignited something in them. Once I handed them bass guitars and showed them a few things, I couldn't get the instruments out of their hands. At that moment, I knew we had to do this festival."
The free-to-the-public outdoor event will showcase eight musical acts, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, classes, clinics and a mini-NAMM gear show.
"What's really inspiring to me is how the community has embraced this festival and its cause almost immediately," Enemy said. "Numerous vendors, companies and individuals have banded together to help this event come to life. It has become so much more than I ever imagined."
The headlining acts include Sick Of Sarah, Mayda Miller and Hydrah. The other acts include Yasen Marie (one of my favorites!), Angry Bukowski, Attention, Whore, Rebel Queens and Jenny Dalton.
There will also be food trucks, giveaways, a "Rockstar for a day hair booth" sponsored by Ulta and a silent auction with high-end gear.
All proceeds of the silent auction go to the Girl's Rock and Roll Retreat in hopes to create more scholarships for next year's camp.
The festival begins at 11 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m.
Enemy encourages attendants to come early -- the first 50 attendees get a free gear grab bag.
Click here for more information.
--------
Local Music Tap is a new blog aimed at promoting Minnesota-based musicians, bands, shows and events. If you have music blog ideas, please email cepremo@wcco.com or leave a comment below. Also, follow the Local Music Tap on Twitter and on YouTube.
