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02/28/2026

She’s Speaking LIVE Concert Series Returns to Portland, Eugene, and Salem in March for Women’s History Month

BY BOB HOWARD //  Seven Oregon singer-songwriters will perform with The Riveters and host a special guest artist in each city

 

She’s Speaking LIVE, the grassroots music project dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, is thrilled to announce its 2026 She’s Speaking Live tour with stops in Portland, Eugene, and Salem. 

The 2026 lineup includes award-winning singer-songwriters Ashleigh Flynn, Beth Wood, Bre Gregg, Crystal Lariza, Jenny Conlee, Kristen Grainger, and Marilyn Keller, backed by The Riveters band members Ashleigh Flynn, Blair Coppage, Carmen Paradise, Jenny Conlee and Nancy Luca with additional instrumental support from Beth Wood and others. Guest artists include finger-style guitarist Mary Flower (Salem show, March 6), Seattle blues woman Lady A(Portland show, March 7) and jazz artist Halie Loren (Eugene show, March 8, and International Women’s Day). 

She’s Speaking-LIVE’s 2026 concert dates:

Friday, March 6, 7:30 pm

Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, Salem with guest artist Mary Flower

191 High Street NE, Salem, Oregon

Saturday, March 7, 8:00 pm

Alberta Rose Theater, Portland with guest artist Lady A

3000 NE Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon

Sunday, March 8, 7:00 pm

Unity of the Valley, Eugene with guest artist Halie Loren

3912 Dillard Road, Eugene, Oregon

Tickets for all locations and additional info here.   
Media page (artists’ bios, photos, video).

About She's Speaking: 

Founded in 2020 by Oregon singer-songwriters Beth Wood, Bre Gregg and Kristen Grainger, She’s Speaking was born out of their shared intention to create space for women’s voices in a male-dominated music industry.  The name is inspired by Kamala Harris’ famous “I’m speaking” remark – and it underscores the project’s mission to elevate songs by women, about women, for everyone. More about the She's Speaking project here. 

“Women’s History Month is the perfect time to shine a bright light on the underrepresentation of women across all aspects of the music industry,” said artist and co-founder Bre Gregg. “This diverse group of talented artists – jazz, R&B, indie, Americana, folk, blues – is connected by a common thread: our passion for the power, beauty, and artistry of women’s voices. Now, more than ever, we need to celebrate women, lift each other up.”

How Did She’s Speaking Start

She’s Speaking started during Covid.  Beth wood said, “Music brought us together! But it was the pandemic shutdown that triggered this project and this collaboration. After 25 years on the road as a solo artist, I had a real hunger for collaboration, especially with other women musicians and writers. Without being able to gather in person, I kept wondering how to connect with other artists to keep those relationships alive. Bre and Kristen reached out with the idea of a RGB tribute, but we quickly realized we couldn't pull it off in person.

Bre Gregg said that “the start of She’s Speaking was really organic - the three of us were fired up and sad after the passing of RGB, but also, we just wanted to shine a light on women songwriters, who were doing incredible work.”

Kristen Grainger added, “when I heard Justice Ginsburg had passed away, I sought comfort, connection. I needed art, music, to help me process this sad and scary milestone. I also wanted to celebrate her good life in solidarity with other artists. But how?

It turns out that Kristen initiated the partnership.  She reached out to Bre, and she expressed similar needs and feelings. Bree suggested that “we reach out to Beth Wood, she feels the same way we do.” Between the three of them, they vetted various ways we might best to honor Justice Gisburg's life through artistic collaboration during a global pandemic and came up with a plan. 

Beth adds, that “after lots of brainstorming, we arrived at the idea of asking all the amazing women songwriters we knew if they would be willing to write or contribute an original song inspired by a woman or women and make a simple phone video of the song. It was amazing how many incredible songs people sent in from all over the country!! And it was a real jolt to my heavy spirits in such a difficult time.’

With their livelihood crushed, they got to work, together, and they created the She’s Speaking YouTube channel. The mission of the channel was devoted to creating a forum where women’s voices and artistry can be heard by all people. Writer Elizabeth Lesser says, “When women are the storytellers, the human story changes.”

“She’s Speaking” believes that women telling women’s stories is one step toward a more balanced and equal world. They put out the call to amazing women songwriters, asking each of them to write and perform an original song about a woman who inspired her – someone who has touched her life in a significant way. The result was their YouTube channel

They debuted the channel with a livestream concert on Mother’s Day March 6, 2021

She's Speaking Livestream Concert - A Celebration of All Moms - May 6, 2021

They keep adding videos from women artists recording original songs on their phones.  There are almost 100 videos of women artists from around the country with performing songs about the wonder and power of women in their lives.  There are so many touching stories told in song.  Bree said, “with so many originals about women by women! we were so inspired we had to keep going.”

She’s Speaking Goes Live!

Covid dissipated and She’s Speaking went live in 2023! with shows in Eugene, Salem, and Portland.

Introduction. To She’s Speaking at first live show in Portland.          

The inspiration, the collaboration, and the recognition, from the women who have embraced the project is heartwarming. Beth Wood said, “the only thing I have ever wanted to do is write and perform music. That can be isolating as the artistic path is a black sheep path. Pile on top of that the fact that most spaces I have worked in during my career — venues, stages, recording studios, management — have been almost exclusively owned and run by men. Collaborating with women artists and musicians and songwriters is so rewarding and fun, and it reminds me that I am not alone.”

Thank you, dear Beth, Bree, and Kristen.  You inspire!  Bring it on!!!!!!!!! 

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