Mikki Brisk

 

 

Saturday morning began with the Volunteers meeting in downtown L.A., and breaking down the Rock Camp stuff we’d used all week. The school is a special place to us, so we treat it with respect. We try to leave it as we found it. It’s a lot of work, I won’t lie. Load-out is an all-hands-on-deck activity and it’s exhausting. But it has to be done. So we do it.

 

After the trucks, vans and cars were loaded, we caravanned to The El Rey Theatre and loaded-in for the showcase. Merch had to be set up. “Vibe Tribe” Volunteers worked to get the space decorated with a lot of what the girls had seen all week at camp. All the gear had to be set up, tuned and readied.

 

 

This is a good time for me to tell you about the fantastic El Rey crew. The folks on stage, working sound & lights, security, outside – they were all super-helpful and cheerful. I actually saw the stage crew smiling and, I believe, genuinely enjoying the show. Those little moments matter.

 

Anyhoo, the campers arrived at the appointed time. The audience arrived shortly after. The joint was jumping. There were nerves. There was excitement. There was make-up and glitter. There were bubbles. And then the lights dimmed…

 

 

This year’s showcase was hosted by Rock Camp Volunteers Mona Tavakoli and Sara Bareilles. They were mighty entertaining, folks. And they’re Rock Camp junkies (like all Rock Camp Volunteers). They believe in this organization and their support is tangible. As emcees, they did an awesome job. But it wasn’t really about them.

 

It was about the girls. The 15 bands formed just that week. The 15 original songs written just that week. The 70 campers who came together, met each other, trusted each other and brought their true selves to the table.

 

 

That’s what Rock Camp is all about – being oneself. Each and every person who walks into the magical space created for camp is a beautiful soul. 3 years running now, that has held true. Does every soul know she’s awesome? Not always. Especially not on Day 1. But by the end, I pray each soul has at least had a glimpse of how fantastic she is. I pray each soul can acknowledge her own potential. And I pray each soul – every last one of us – can somehow manage to hold on to the beautiful, positive reality that is Rock Camp, as we go out into the world, into our lives.

 

These are some of my personal highlights:

 

 

I learned the secret to successful high-fiving from Chaska P. She was a Vocal Instructor (along with Alex K., Sara B. and yours truly) and once she shared this secret, I felt like I’d been given the keys to the High-Five Kingdom. If our paths cross, ask me about it. I promise to be share-ful.

 

 

The campers. To watch a vocal student move from covering her mouth when speaking – for fear of actually being heard – to singing out with volume and commitment is, well, let’s just say I shed more than a few tears of joy this past week.

 

 

You know how when someone else makes a sandwich for you, it tastes so much better than if you’d made the same danged sandwich yourself? Same for toasted bagels. Exene C. made a toasted bagel for me one morning and it was divine. (It was also a treat to listen to her jam out.)

 

I hate to name-check a camper (especially when they’re all so magnificent), but I’m going to. Hallelujah to “Tuesday.” That girl stood at the front of the rehearsal stage on Friday, cheering and supporting her fellow campers as each band took the stage. Then, at Saturday’s showcase, she did the same thing.  I was completely in awe of her. She totally gets what Rock Camp is all about. And I adore that kid. She’s just amazing.

 

 

Crazy Hat Day. ‘Nuff said.

 

Chef Olivia made a slow-roasted pork shoulder for lunch one day, and that pig was beyond rocking. Chef Olivia is a highlight unto herself.

 

Morning Greetings in the school parking lot. I swear, I am not a morning person at all. But one week per year, I become one. There’s just something about welcoming all those campers (and their caregivers) that revs me up each morning of camp. And you know what? I flippin’ love it.

 

 

The Volunteers. I cannot say enough about these women. They not only inspire the campers, they also inspire me. In all honesty, I feel like a better human after Rock Camp. And the Volunteers deserve credit for that. I admire them. I respect them. Truly, I adore them. I can’t believe I get to call them my friends. What a blessed gal I am.

 

I’m sure there about a jillion other highlights, and I’ll probably remember them all immediately after posting this writing. But believe me, it’s all positive. It’s all fun. And it’s all beautiful.

 

So here’s the deal – I will continue to show up and work Rock Camp for as long as they’ll have me. In any capacity. They’re my tribe. My community. And I love those ladies. Together, we are – hopefully – doing our small part to help in raising good human beings. Can’t get enough of those in the world. At Rock Camp, we have more than our fair share of good human beings. And we’ll keep doing whatever it takes to usher more of them into being. It’s an honor and a privilege.

 

With that, I’ll close now, for tears of gratitude are once again flowing. If I’m lucky, I’ll occasionally cry these tears for a long time to come.

 

Only one more year until the next Rock Camp. I can hardly wait…