GR!C: Day 2

During lunch, my bandmates are talking about Twilight, so naturally I turn to my band counselor for conversation.  Paulette has volunteered since the beginning, so I ask her why she thinks something like GR!C is so important.  “It’s such a contrast to the day to day world girls are usually in at school.  Girls are socialized to follow the rules and be quiet, to conform.  Here, there are so many different representations of femininity, some of which many girls have never encountered before.  It’s kind of like, ‘Oh. I can have full sleeve tattoos if I want to.’”

Today, those different representations are on full display, in the form of T-shirt alterations. The first day, it should be noted, is the sole day of the week you will find the counselors’ signature red t-shirts in pristine condition.  Today they’re ripped, slashed, shortened, sleeves cut into strips and made into bows and whatever else you can think of.  The looks are as diverse as the volunteers themselves, and quite fun to compare and contrast.  My favorite last year was one that had been slit open at the side seams, then re-laced with the collar and sleeve remnants, creating a sort of corset effect.  It was awesome.

Next up is DIY Sound & Recording Basics.  The ladies running the workshop talk about effects pedals and 4-tracks. We learn the best way of recording drums, how to take mikes apart, and even get a chance to record something on the 4-track.  Two girls play The Moldy Peaches’ Anyone Else But You, of Juno fame, one on guitar and the other on vocals.  Instantly, the entire group is singing along, even the counselors.  It’s quite the moment.  The kind that would be a scene in a film about camp.

Compared to the non-stopishness of yesterday, today seems pretty low-key!

Back at home, Xenia sat down and cranked out some lyrics.  There were no edits, no angst over whether they were good enough, or if her band would like them.  She thought they were great, and that was all that mattered. Her band loved them, but when the lyrics had to be cut down, she was totally fine with it.  That got me thinking about just how different the 9-11 year olds are from the 12-16 year olds.  Older girls often give their ideas the bum’s rush before they’re even fully formed, or feel that their opinions aren’t worth voicing, habits which GR!C helps shake off.  There’s a lot more to learn here than just how to put on a good show.