This South East L.A. rock camp celebrates 10 years of amplifying the punk spirit of girls, trans, and gender-fluid youth

As I delve into this heartwarming story of resilience and self-discovery, my heart swells with admiration for these young women who found their voice through music and camaraderie at CRSELA.

By the conclusion of her initial summer camp, 11-year-old Naíma Arteaga found herself apprehensive regarding the last team activity she had to participate in – singing in a rock band and putting on a show for a vast crowd on stage.

At first glance, the task might seem absurd, but Arteaga wasn’t at an ordinary camp; she was at Chicxs Rockerxs South East Los Angeles (pronounced as “cheek-ecks roh-kerr-ecks”). This unique space is where girls, trans individuals, and gender-fluid youth learn to play musical instruments, form bands with each other, write their own songs, and put on live performances during a showcase – all within the span of a single week.

Speaking about his past experiences at that particular camp, Arteaga, now 18 and a volunteer, shared, “At first, I was quite timid when entering the camp. I must admit. Singing made me a bit anxious, and I didn’t feel at ease with it. However, by the end of the week, it significantly enhanced my self-assurance, and it played a crucial role in helping me break out of my shell.

Previous attendees such as Arteaga are excitedly marking their calendars for the rock camp on Saturday, starting with an inaugural event at the South Gate Museum and Art Gallery. Here, a unique exhibit focusing on CRSELA’s history will be available until December 3rd. This display showcases a decade of CRSELA’s past, featuring editorial photos of students over the years, homemade flyers, camp artwork, and historical artifacts that capture vibrant moments in the children’s musical escapades.

Jennifer Mejia, who works as the Cultural Arts Coordinator at the South Gate Museum and Art Gallery, emphasized that it’s crucial to utilize this space to showcase and pay tribute to our local communities. She believes that the remarkable work of Chicxs Rockerxs SELA, which has been ongoing for ten years, deserves recognition and visibility.

Back in the vibrant year of 2013, I found myself part of a dynamic group of musicians, united not by hierarchy, but by our shared passion for music and inspired by the trailblazing Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, as well as the broader network of Girls Rock Camps across the United States. In 2014, we officially transformed into a nonprofit organization, CRSELA, to continue fostering an inclusive space for music creation and empowerment.

At CRSELA, just like other camps, the goal was to foster empowerment among young girls through music. However, what sets CRSELA apart is its commitment to making this opportunity accessible to families of lower income, a need not always met by other camps due to their high tuition fees. Instead of each student paying for the program directly, donations from the public are used to cover the costs for each participant at CRSELA.

Priscilla Hernandez, an organizer with CRSELA, stated that Chicxs Rockerxs is free of charge, and high fees can discourage people from participating. As a result, they were determined to bring this rock camp to their local communities.

As a passionate moviegoer and South L.A. native, I wholeheartedly appreciate cinematic experiences that reflect my community’s rich history. Back in 2013, I was fortunate enough to secure a scholarship for a Girls Rock Camp outside of my city. While it was a wonderful opportunity, I couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between my background and those around me at camp. Now, when I hear about efforts to make these experiences more inclusive within historically marginalized neighborhoods like mine, it resonates deeply with me.

“I definitely didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me there,” Hernandez said.

After surpassing the age limit at Girls Rock Camp, Hernandez pondered her next move. She learned about CRSELA and found herself resonating with its principles, so she chose to sign up as a volunteer in 2017, instructing bass to attendees. Over time, she advanced to become a core organizer, known within their group as a “Comx” (pronounced cohm-ecks), a gender-neutral adaptation of the Spanish term “Comadre,” meaning “godmother.

Hernandez stated that the message had a significant impact on her when she was no longer eligible for [Girls Rock] camp. [CRSELA], however, focused heavily on aspects related to Latin culture and incorporated elements in Spanish, which wasn’t found in other camps.

As a movie reviewer, I’ve just come back from an extraordinary experience at the South East L.A. camp – it’s more than just music education! The vibrant youth here immerse themselves in a myriad of artistic workshops that allow their creativity to flourish, from crafting zines and screen-printing to exploring various art forms.

Students enrolled in the program are categorized into two groups: the Bidi Bidis and the Bom Boms. These nicknames honor the song “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” by Tejano icon Selena Quintanilla. The Bidi Bidis include children between 8 and 11 years old, while the Bom Boms consist of kids aged 12 to 17. When Arteaga became a student at CRSELA in 2017 (the same year Hernandez began volunteering), she was part of the Bidi Bidis. Although there were children younger than her, Arteaga stated that this didn’t detract from the experience. The group helped her uncover her self-confidence and strength.

As soon as my band and I took the stage, it felt like I transformed into a completely different individual, the ex-CRSELA student expressed. My parents were left astonished, remarking, “Wow, we’ve never seen you like this before.” It’s hard to explain what came over me, but performing was just second nature for me up there.

This was a breakthrough moment for Arteaga, who felt compelled to sign up every summer thereafter. She even tried out the drums, which she ended up loving so much that she never stopped playing them. In 2023, she reached her final year as an eligible camper. Resolved to make the most of it, she made what she says is her “best” band — a punk act with her cousin, a fellow Bom Bom — but her graduation from the program was bittersweet, and Arteaga admits she cried immediately after the showcase.

She said, ‘I adored the camp so deeply, I wished that wonderful sensation could last forever. It’s delightful that I can return as a volunteer, but it was truly painful for me to leave.’

Last July marked Arteaga’s first year as a volunteer band coach with the Bidi Bidis during their 10th annual camp. This is the same group she joined seven years ago. She aims to recreate her own camper experience for others while furthering CRSELA’s work in Los Angeles.

Arteaga expressed that [CRSELA] has significantly transformed his life and made a profound impact on him. He emphasized its importance in staying accessible due to the unpredictable nature of global events, serving as a refuge and escape from reality. He described it as a sanctuary for personal growth, musical exploration, and social connections. Essentially, he considered it an exceptional environment for anyone seeking self-discovery, music education, and community engagement.

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2024-11-16 00:01