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For up-and-coming artists, one of the most difficult tasks is knowing how to market and manage one's career. But at the First Annual Indiegrrl Women in the Arts Conference, artists can learn about the business side of the entertainment world and enjoy live performances from independent artists from across the country.

Just across the state line in Spencer, Va., the Indiegrrl Conference will feature keynote speakers, singer-songwriters, comedians, spoken word artists and workshops on everything from Web design, marketing and public relations, booking tours, making press kits and managing one's career on a tight budget.

The conference also serves as a way for female artists to meet other artists and discuss the entertainment industry.

"There needs to be an organization out there that supports female songwriters," said Vicki Blankenship, the head of the Indiegrrl organization. "It's a great networking tool."

The Indiegrrl Women in the Arts organization has existed for 10 years and serves as a networking group for women in all areas of the arts. In 2005, Indiegrrl was incorporated into the nonprofit Indie Music for Life , which Blankenship also founded. It hosts a number of workshops and showcases for its members throughout the year.

But Blankenship wanted to have a multiday celebration of the arts that would involve both performances and panels with industry professionals who could help Indiegrrl members build their entrepreneurial skills.

"I hope the artists will take advantage of being together and networking," Blankenship said. "The friendships that develop at these conferences can help you down the road."

Blankenship started playing the guitar and drums at age 5 and was influenced by her musician father and grandfather. She performed throughout high school and college but ultimately left performing to pursue the more corporate side of the business. Then when she was in her 40s, Blankenship was diagnosed with cancer, which prompted her to rediscover music.

She credits Indiegrrl and Indie Music for Life with helping her pursue her dream, and she has been working for a year and a half to organize this conference.

"Probably the hardest thing was trying to find some bigger name keynote speakers since it's the first conference," Blankenship said.

But Blankenship managed to secure Molly Neuman, who has managed such groups as The Donnas, and actress and singer-songwriter Bonnie Bramlett, who once had a recurring role on the TV show "Roseanne" and has toured with Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers and George Harrison.

The conference will also feature performances in a variety of music genres from 34 members of Indiegrrl, including Greensboro's Patty Benson, and members of the organizations Rockin' Moms, Songsalive and GoGirls.

The conference is open to the general public, who Blankenship said she hopes will become more aware of the Indiegrrl artists and continue supporting them.

"Once people attend the conference and see what we're all about, we hope they might consider becoming members," Blankenship said.

After the conference, Blankenship and Indiegrrl will continue doing showcases throughout the year before creating some larger festival events in 2009 and producing an Indiegrrl radio channel.

Contact Alexa Milan at 373-7081 or Alexandra.Milan@news-record.com.