Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilken Mancini.
Hilken co-fronted the band Fuzzy in the ‘90s and was signed to Atlantic Records. (currently in Rolling Stone as having written one of the top 50 songs of the 90’s). In 2000, she Co-founded Punk Rock Aerobics -the anti-exercise regime that created a fitness revolution -and released the book ”Punk Rock Aerobics: 75 Killer Moves, 50 Punk Classics, And 25 Reasons To Get Off You’re Ass And Exercise” through Perseus and appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek, People Magazine, Rolling Stone and on MTV and Vh1.
After volunteering at the original Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls (PDX) she co-founded Girls Rock Camp Boston as is currently their Program Director. She contributed in the Portland RnRcamp4Girls book” Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls: How to Start a Band, Write Songs..” and plays guitar in two bands in Boston: Shepherdess and The Monsieurs released on Slovenly records. She owns a vintage clothing store in Boston, MA. Called 40 South St. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilken_Mancini
Has it been a smooth road?
There are always struggles along the way- whether emotional, physical, financial- but it’s all about the adventure and about getting there- getting to your goal. If you are not monetarily driven, and you are patient and can hang in there you can really make the change that you want to see happen. If you always know and remember why you are doing all the work in the first place, and you understand why you are so dedicated and why you want to make your goals – the struggle becomes easier- almost an expected and (almost) enjoyable thing that happens when it pops up- because the struggle is what makes it good.
Anything worth value takes dedication and is going to be harder to accomplish to make it great. In fact the harder the struggle and the more you push yourself- the greater the reward. Also usually because of that, the work is so much more believable, tangible and real. It has an energy to it that people can feel and want a piece of… if it’s too easy it’s usually not that good of a result- and/or it doesn’t last.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Girls Rock Campaign Boston (GRCB) works to eradicate all the limiting myths about music and gender by helping girls speak up, sing out, and make a lot of noise! We offer a volunteer-run summer program for girls aged 8-17.
During each session, girls have the opportunity to form bands, learn how to play an instrument (guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, or vocals), compose an original song and perform live at a local rock venue – all in one week’s time. In addition to the band practices and instrumental lessons, GRCB also provides workshops geared towards self-esteem building and self-expression. We also offer two after-school programs, Club GRCB and GRCB BEATS, and Ladies Rock Camp Boston for women 21 and over.
We have cultivated a supportive community of peers and positive female mentors that encourage and teach girls to be their own heroes, allowing them to think differently about limits that may be placed upon them by our society.
Girls Rock Campaign Boston is a 501(c)3 non-profit, feminist organization. By making knowledge accessible and providing a safe space for girls and women, GRCB is a key element in bringing about necessary social change in our community.
MY VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE: 40 South St. (formerly called Gumshoe) has been known as a tucked away gem of Vintage Fashions for over 30 years. Building on our tradition of offering the customer a rotating selection of handpicked vintage fashions (era’s circa 60’s 70’s 80’s) we have been told that we are one of the BEST vintage stores around Boston from the Boston Globe, Nylon, Daily Candy, Boston Racked, Boston Compass, and more Rad zines! Come and see us because corporate shopping still sucks…
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes. I think definitely for the non-profit there are forward thinking people here in Boston who want to see the world change and social justice is important to them, and it’s about feminism more than rock and roll.
Plus from a completely entrepreneurial view – anything Kid-centric in Boston will work! right?? … not sure about my Vintage Clothing store…. store. I think people want to be unique and not look like everybody else and think for themselves. However, as our City gets more gentrified who knows where I’ll be in 5 or 10 or years? Might have to close?
Pricing:
- my clothing is very moderately priced you can find items from as low as $15
- a camper to come to GRCB is only $375.00 and we have a pay what you can policy and sponsor girls!
Contact Info:
- Address: 40 South St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
- Website: http://www.fortysouthst.com/
- Phone: 617 522 5066
- Email: hilken@girlsrockboston.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilkenmancini_40southst/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/40-South-St-Vintage-121742768155/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/40-south-street-jamaica-plain
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
