Ladies Rock premiers new grrl bands in St. Pete this weekend

Two women perform on a stage with a brick wall background. On the left, a guitarist in a shiny gold animal-print top plays an electric guitar. On the right, a bassist wears red heart-shaped sunglasses and a checkered jumpsuit while playing a red bass guitar. Behind them is a drum kit and a banner with the text 'Ladies Rock.' Credit: Photo by Rose Carvalho courtesy of Ladies Rock

Selene, here. I’d love it if you came to see my band play this weekend. What instrument do I play? As of this writing, I’m not sure yet. Who’s in my band? What’s it called? IDK!

I find all this out about 36 hours before we take the stage at Bayboro Brewing on Sunday. And, yes, every act at this show is in the same boat. I’m joining about two dozen women and nonbinary folks for Ladies Rock camp in St. Pete, where we’ll form bands, learn instruments and collaborate on an original song for the big show.

In the same vein as the Girls Rock Camp, this nerve-wracking process is all about empowering women and gender-fluid people to show ourselves and the world that we’re not to be underestimated.

Most of the bands will break up once the show is over, but for some of us, this is just the beginning. Ladies Rock and Girls Rock have produced some badass real bands like Anarkitty and Hex Appeal. I’m more likely to die of embarrassment, but at least it’ll be entertaining.

Tickets start at $10 for the Ladies Rock Concert, happening Sunday, Feb. 15 in St. Petersburg.

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