Following the massive success of Girls Rock St. Pete, a youth camp that uses music and collaboration to build confidence and community, Ladies Rock (an adult version) prepares for its second installment. 30 women learn to play an instrument, start a band, write an original song, and perform at the end of the weekend at Bayboro Brewing (2390 5th Ave S) on February 16 at 6 p.m.
The event will feature face-melting opening bands ANARKITTY and Hex Appeal, punk-rock crafting, yummy food, brews, non-brews, and a raffle. The event is family-friendly and costs $20, with all proceeds benefitting Girls Rock St. Pete. Admission is free for children ten years of age and under.
ADVERTISEMENT
Founder of Girls Rock St. Pete Rachael Sibilia tells I Love The Burg that Ladies Rock was established in February 2024, because so many volunteers and parents of Girls Rock campers expressed how beneficial a program like Girls Rock would have been for them growing up. Sibilia thinks it’s never too late. The band Hex Appeal was formed during the first Ladies Rock, and they continue to travel and perform together. Sibilia now warmly refers to Hex Appeal as the “Ladies Rock House Band.”
A collaborative environment where mistakes can be made
If Hex Appeal is the Ladies Rock House Band, then Anarkitty is the Girls Rock counterpart, but with a twist. Like Hex Appeal, Anarkitty was formed during an iteration of the camp; however, the band members regularly changed. Those who completed the youth camp can become bandmates in Anarkitty, and function as ambassadors for the program until they graduate, at which time new bandmates take their place.
For many campers, this is their first time picking up an instrument, but Girls (and Ladies) Rock equally incorporates learning to make mistakes like learning to play an instrument. “Being in a band is its own little microcosm. We use that microcosm to catapult campers into making mistakes and failing,” says Sibilia. “But having the tools to make mistakes, recover, and collaborate to break down barriers and work together.”
“…nothing like it in Tampa or St. Pete”
Before founding Girls Rock St. Pete, Rachael Sibilia consistently performed around the country with her own band. “It was a big part of life,” she says. “Bandmates moved out of state and I had a really big hole in my heart, and really needed to find a way to play music and fulfill the social justice and activist hole.” Through Girls Rock, Sibilia has re-created that bandmate community, only now it’s quite a bit larger.
Following the national coverage Sibilia received after appearing on the Kelly Clarkson Show in 2024, people from around the nation submitted applications to be in Girls Rock or Ladies Rock. There are numerous Girls Rock camps, such as in Milwaukee and Portland, but most are unaware of their existence. “Our job is to give top priority to folks here, and we have been able to guide national applicants to their more local chapters,” says Sibilia. “There’s nothing like it in Tampa or St. Pete.”
Sibilia has no intention of resting on laurels. Since its inception 9 years ago, the camp has continued to garner partnerships like those with Light House of Pinellas, which expands the scope of musical exposure and collaboration to include folks with visual disabilities. Inclusivity is the operable word. “Our goal is to continue making safer and braver spaces for girls, women, and gender-expansive folks,” says Sibilia. “We are providing them with tools for confidence, tools for navigating conflict, tools for self-care and love, tools for resiliency. We are creating a community where campers feel heard.”
ADVERTISEMENT
