The gender gap for rock ‘n' roll artists has been bridged. Female performers are making a statement and it's in tune with their “right to rock.” And what better place to hold the Women's Rights to Rock Festival than the women's rights capitol, Seneca Falls.

Concert promoter Mark Legott said the festival is “pleasing women in the birth place of women's rights,” he said.

At the festival, comprised of more than 30 female artists singing everything from blues to rock and country to rap, these ladies intend to show the Finger Lakes what a little estrogen can do for music.

“When you hear ‘Women's Rights to Rock,' most think it's something about rights for women, but it's not. Others hear ‘rock,' and think it's a rock festival. It's not. It's just a title. We want people to hear women's rights, and think Seneca Falls,” Legott said.

The concept of an all woman's performance held in the birth place of women's rights actually came from Legott's 13-year-old daughter, Marissa, who came up with the idea when she was 8.

“She came up with it. She's the head of the project,” he said Marissa, however, has allowed her father to foster the project.

“I can't wait to hand over the reins to her, we can't believe how much this has grown. And I can't wait for her to be a part of it,” Legott said with that distinguishable parent's pride in his daughter's achievements.

The festival's motto “three days, 30 divas” highlights 30 hours of music.

“We started with just four bands,” Legott explained. “The bands know we can't pay them, but they continue, some from as far away as Tennessee. It's really kept us going. They're adamant about being involved. They're grateful, thankful even, about performing.”

Whether you're a fan, a die-hard musician or maybe just curious, the talented ladies of the Women's Rights to Rock Festival will be pounding the stage at Seneca Falls to once again fill the town with demonstrations of civil liberties. But this time these women march to a different beat.

Staff writer Beth Noyes can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 252 or at beth.noyes@lee.net

If you go

What: Fifth Annual Women's Right to Rock Festival

When: Friday through Sunday; Tori Sparks performs 4 p.m.

Saturday

Where: Seneca Falls People's Park

For details: Call Mark Legott at

568-1219 or visit www.myspace.com/

womensrightstorock