Friday, September 8, 2017

WIRTW #475 (the “girls rock” edition)


I’m not sure why, but when I pictured having a daughter I always imagined that she’d be into and frilly things, Barbies, and ballet. I guess it’s because it’s “what girls do”? This is so not Norah. She is a rock ‘n’ roll chick. She loves punk music, flannel shirts, the color black, and her telecaster. And I could not be more proud of her.

And she’s also a girl, playing in what has predominantly been a male dominated space. She’s even newly fronting a band of four guys (stay tuned, more on this exciting news in the coming weeks).

Thankfully, she’s always had really strong female role models at School of Rock (thank you Quinn, Erin, Kayleigh, Maddie, and Taylor). I’m also always on the lookout for new female-led bands for her to check out. That’s how we discovered Diet Cig, for example, and I recently discovered The Regrettes (fronted by a 16-year-old, another band worthy of your attention).

For these reasons, a story the New York Times ran last week caught my eye. Rock’s Not Dead, It’s Ruled by Women is a roundtable discussion with 8 women rockers, including Alex Luciano from the aforementioned Diet Cig, Shawna Potter of War on Women (one of Norah’s recent discoveries, thanks to her SoR Punk show), and Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz. They discuss their role as women working in a male dominated industry, their responsibility as role models, and how gender-based stereotypes still dominate and resonate.

It’s a great read.

As for my 11-year-old rocker (and her 9-year-old brother), they have shows coming up in the next two weeks:
  • Sept. 17, Donovan does The Beatles at 3 pm, and Norah does punk at 5 pm.
  • Sept. 23, Donovan re-does The Beatles at 1 pm, and Norah the punk thing at 3 pm.
All shows are at Slim & Chubby’s, 12492 Prospect Rd., Strongsville.

Here’s what else I read this week:

Discrimination

Technology

HR & Employee Relations

Wage & Hour

Labor

OSHA & Safety