Girls Rock Camp Austin showcase this Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Highball. more ›

There's a scene in the movie Urban Cowboy that features a Dolly Parton Look-a-Like contest at Gilley's, the rodeo bar where love is just a mechanical bullride away. The contest is exactly as you would imagine, each women done up and perked up in all the right places with that famous blonde coif curled into all shapes and sizes. But one thing is missing from the row of wannabes, the essence of what made Dolly Parton the woman we all know and love.-her guitar! Girls Rock Austin realized this discrepancy, not only in the film but in real life as well and they are determined to get a gutiar into the enthusiastic hands of youngs girls all over Austin-and yours, too-complete with Dolly's autograph! more ›

As we all know, girls freaking rock. And girls who strap on a guitar—perhaps decked out in blue hair and studded arm bracelets—and perform on stage, rock even more. Girls Rock Camp of Austin is dedicated to empowering girls and women of all backgrounds and abilities through music education and performance. The organization hosts week-long camps throughout the year where girls aged 10 to 17 learn how to write songs, work together and eventually perform a live showcase in front of 400 people in an Austin venue. Campers also explore the history of women in rock and meet professionals in journalism, public relations, talent management and audio engineering. The current camp session ends this weekend, with the fun culminating in a showcase Saturday afternoon at The Parish Room. The feeling of accomplishment and empowerment is sure to color the air. more ›

If you don’t think girls can rock as hard as boys then maybe you should go all the way back to the 1970s and start with the feminist folk scene and trace that all the way back stopping on artists like Joan Baez, Joan Jett, the Go-Go’s, Karen O and Beth Ditto. You should also check out Girls Rock Camp Austin, and if you’re a girl between the ages of 10 and 17, you can take part. However, it may be a little too late to sign up this year because the first session (July 7 - 11) is just ending and the second session (July 21 - 25) begins so soon. But don't fret, you can witness the fruits of their rock and roll labor at the showcase at the Parish Saturday at noon and Saturday, July 26 (for the second session) and watch the girls perform the songs they created in camp. more ›