The girls are back in town with the third annual “Grrrlz Rock.” As one of Eugene’s biggest events, the month-long invasion of girl power will kick off Thursday to feature nearly 50 female-led bands, female speakers, dancers, filmmakers and comedians.
From local artists to national stars, family events to nightclubs, “Grrrlz Rock” brings diverse women from all fields to the community. Jam sessions, musical theatre, burlesque and tango dancing will scatter across Eugene all the way to the Axe & Fiddle in downtown Cottage Grove.
“The whole purpose is to be diverse in genre,” said Cindy Ingram, University alumna and founder of “Grrrlz Rock” who spent the last six months raising money for the event. “We stretch it through the month so there are more bands, shorter sets and bands you normally wouldn’t see.”
Such artists include the Hawaiian 25-piece Iron Mango Orchestra, the prohibition and gypsy jazz inspired Whiskey Spots and Oregon Idol winner Debra Arlyn.
“Grrrlz Rock” is partly inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement of the early ’90s. These politically charged fem-punkers, such as Bikini Kill of Olympia, Wash., launched a social dialogue about domestic abuse and sexuality.
“Gender bias is so blatant,” said Ingram. “You’re on one side of the table and the guys on the other side look at you like they’re better than you; it’s a sexualizing thing.”
As a community activist who minored in gender studies, Ingram founded the event to encourage young girls to raise their ambitions and to remind them to dream, or, as she put it, “even be a rock star!” Ingram is herself an entrepreneur, realizing three years ago that her hobby as a band booking agent paid the bills better than her day job. She is now a widely known figure throughout Eugene’s vibrant music scene.
Ingram and her 10-year-old daughter are also avid members of Eugene’s all-female fishnet-wearing roller derby team. The rough and rowdy Emerald City Roller Girls will host the “Grrrlz Rock” grand finale at the WOW Hall at the end of the month.
“There weren’t a lot of women before, and I can’t do something without having a greater purpose,” said Ingram.
Grrrlz Rock Calendar of Events:
Melissa Ruth, Iron Mango Orchestra, Accordions Anonymous, Scrambled Ape, Touchy Feeliacs
Cozmic Pizza
Nov. 7, 6 p.m., $6, all ages
Talia Winship, Breakdown Dance Company, Susurri, Kay Rose, Pilar French, Suzanne Benorden
Cozmic Pizza
Nov. 8, 6 p.m., $6, all ages
Mary Ferris, Kay Rose
Saturday Market
Nov. 8, 2 p.m., no charge, all ages
The Broadway Review Burlesque Show
John Henry’s
Nov. 9, 10 p.m., $6, 21+
Whiskey Spots, Halie Loren, Soulicious, Bajuana Tea, Madame Flodd
Sam Bond’s Garage
Nov. 14, 9 p.m., $6, 21+
Pacific Northwest Women’s Comedy Festival, Performance by Best of Oregon Women Comedians
Actor’s Cabaret
Nov. 14-15, 7 p.m. to midnight, $25, all ages
Grrrlz Speak!: Women who redefine women’s work, panel discussion moderated by Naomi Zack
Davis’s
Nov. 15, 7 p.m., no charge
DJ Dance party: DJ Moonvoid w/ special guest hoola-hoopers and DJ Layla with special guests, Luminessah Tribal dancers
Davis’s
Nov. 15, 11 p.m., $3, 21+
Chesapeake Blue
CD World
Nov. 15, 12 p.m., no charge, all ages
All performers within Grrrlz Rock are invited to join open mic/jam session, Sessions hosted by Matrisha
Luckey’s
Nov. 16, 8 p.m., $3, 21+
“Interiors: Psychology and Emotion in Women’s Films” featuring Johnnie Mazzocco
Wandering Goat
Nov. 18, 7 p.m., no charge, all ages
Chemically Restrained, Half Shark Half Jesus, My Dirty Little Secret, The Dead Americans
John Henry’s
Nov. 21, 10 p.m., $6, 21+
Rebecca Oswald featuring special guest dancers, Debra Arlyn, Jessie Marques & Mike Denny
The Tango Center
Nov. 22, 3 to 7 p.m., $6, all ages
Taylor’s Crossing, Chesapeake Blue, One Horse Shy
Axe & Fiddle
Nov. 22, 8 p.m., $6, 21+
All performers within Grrrlz Rock are invited to join open mic/jam session, Sessions hosted by Matrisha
Luckey’s
Nov. 23, 8 p.m., $3, 21+
Honey Vizer, Fancy Bandits, Vega, Telepathic Dumpster
Luckey’s
Nov. 28, 10 p.m., $6, 21+
Grand Finale Show w/ Mary Ferris, Hannah Miller and Sabine, Kings Krew, Whopner County Country All-stars, Cica Vitae, The Emerald City Roller Girls
WOW Hall
Nov. 29, 7 p.m., $6, all ages
[email protected]