Ready to rock, girls?! I can't hear yoooouuu!

Girls Rock Philly, the only rock camp for girls (and taught by women) that I know of, has launched online registration for the 2011 camp at www.girlsrockphilly.org.
Now in its fifth year of teaching aspiring female rockers ages 9-17 the art of guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, DJing and rock singing, the week-long summer day camp is held Aug. 8–12 on the campus of Girard College, Girard and Corinthian avenues, Philadelphia.
Camp week culminates in an end-of-camp showcase, open to the public, on Saturday Aug. 13 (location TBD), followed by a professional recording studio experience to create a compilation CD. Last year’s camp served 75 girls from the Greater Philadelphia region. No prior musical experience is necessary and all equipment and instruments are provided. Campers form bands and write their own copyrighted songs, while working in a team setting.
The camp also features special guest performers and workshops, including the history of women in music, non-traditional instruments, sound and recording, and band art, where participants have the opportunity to create original band t-shirts and buttons.
For more information and to submit an application, click on the website link above or call (215) 789-4879. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

X stands for danger

Sure, it's easy to be snarky and make fun of the name Xtreme Folk Scene.
But are you brave enough to come to the Country Creek Winery Friday night the 11th and/or Saturday the 12th to find out what it is at the 10th annual XFest? Well, are ya, punk?
The Berrys should be a good, comfort zone starting point for you. Briana Berry's MySpace has some recognizable covers.
And don't let the name fool you; the West Philadelphia Orchestra is nothing like the Philadelphia Orchestra. In fact, you may have seen them in this area before. The video says it all. Holy crap!
Electric Man has been featured on Talk about the Passion before, but this time I've also provided a link to his Website for you.
Hopefully you're not thinking about heckling me at XFest during Raspberry Tea's set.
Brenda Kahn, who I have heard described as "old school anti-folk," has a new CD in the works. Her songs are kinda seductive, and I hope this veteran performer doesn't put Raspberry Tea to shame too terribly much.
Since the time I wrote a story on the Bucks County branch of the Paul Green School of Rock, they have a whole new set of kids. They were a hit at last year's XFest.
Who could resist a progressive bluegrass band that named itself after the stuffed pig stomach dish HogMaw?! I'm a fan of the songs "The Flood" and "Sauerkraut." There's even an XPN interview with them on their MySpace, if you have time to listen to it.
Chattanooga, TN resident Butch Ross can't do anything right.

1. He plays the mountain dulcimer.
2. He plays it standing up like a guitar.
3. He holds it upside and strung backwards.
4. And Butch Ross plays rock n roll on it.

His 'While My Dulcimer Gently Weeps' is above.
Psych-A-Billy are nuts. If you dare, download their tunes "If Love is Blind" and "Let's Get Drunk and Break Bottles in the Alley."
Slo-Mo and Mic Wrecka has a truly unpredictable sound. Will they go hip-hop, Americana, somewhere in between?
The schedule and ticket information is all at www.xfsmusic.org.