Arietta Ward, Naomi LaViolette, Liz Chibucos, Lisa Mann, Bre Gregg, LaRhonda Steele, Beth Wood, and Kristen Grainger. Eight phenomenal Oregon women songwriters take the Walters stage for a night of original songs by women, about women, for everyone. Backed by a killer band, they’ll share their artistry and voices, while also paying tribute to some of their musical heroes.
This inspiring collaboration will touch your heart, uplift your spirit, and get your toes tapping while honoring the power of women's voices and stories. Don’t miss this evening celebrating women during Women’s History Month… and on International Women’s Day!
Purchase Tickets
Tickets are $25 advance and $29 day of show.
Purchase tickets at: cityofhillsboro.ticketspice.com/shes-speaking-2024
Concessions will be available for purchase by DAnu Wines.
More about She's Speaking
Recognizing that women are under-represented across all aspects of the music industry and that women’s voices and stories need to be heard, She’s Speaking was co-founded by Oregon singer-songwriters Beth Wood, Bre Gregg, and Kristen Grainger during the global pandemic in 2020. The project fosters opportunities and platforms that elevate songs by women, about women, for everyone.
During the shutdown, the trio created and curated a YouTube channel with more than 60 original song-videos contributed by women songwriters and hosted live-stream performances. When it was safe to do so, She’s Speaking produced its first live performance at Alberta Rose Theatre and now takes that dynamic and uplifting live show on the road, celebrating women’s voices and stories across the northwest!
Meet the Artists Behind She's Speaking
Arietta Ward has been referred to as the “1st Daughter of Funk and R&B,” as well as the “Rip City Soul Funk Diva.” Known to many as “Miz Etta,” she is a musical force to be reckoned with; her performances are filled with joy, authenticity, passion, and humor. Miz Etta is also the daughter of NW music royalty, the late Janice Marie Scroggins.
Beth Wood is a modern-day troubadour, award-winning poet, and believer in the power of word and song. Beth has been writing, performing, recording, and teaching full-time for twenty-four years—delighting and inspiring audiences with her exceptional musicianship, intelligent writing, powerhouse voice, and warm and commanding stage presence. Beth released her 15th album Love Is Onto You in August 2022.
Bre Gregg's is the voice of Red Bird, a soul band with elements of blues, rock, and funk added to the mix creating their own unique and distinct sound. Their debut album, Live It All, showcases the band’s musical maturity that breathes new life into music today. Find No Enemy says, “This is soul rock re-invented and reignited with a passion and dexterity like few can compare to.”
Kristen Grainger is the soul and voice of Americana string band Kristen Grainger & True North. With three albums that hit #1 on folk radio charts, she has won seven national songwriting awards and was named, with Brandi Carlile and Dolly Parton, one of the “Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack” by The Bluegrass Situation.
LaRhonda Steele is a gospel singer and songwriter recognized as one the region’s best rhythm and blues vocalists. She has been dubbed "The First Lady of Portland Blues”—a title she lives up to, sharing songs issued directly from her spiritual life-force. In 2018, she was inducted into the Cascade Blues Society Hall of Fame as the Duffy Bishop Best Female Vocalist.
Lisa Mann's vocals effortlessly straddle the line between the honey-sweet warmth of the South and the force-of-nature sound she has cultivated by mastering everything from hard rock to rhythm and blues. Her clever blues and Americana balladry is complimented by her considerable prowess on bass guitar.
Liz Chibucos—singer-songwriter, guitarist, and sound engineer—was recently dubbed “Jimi Joplin” by some fans because she combines soulful, bluesy vocals with intricate, hard-hitting guitar work. She performs with groove-based electric funk-rock band Far Out West and plays guitar with Portland’s Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters.
Naomi LaViolette's musical style is piano-driven folk-pop with elements of classical and jazz. Her roots are deep in classical music—she has a master’s degree in classical piano performance—but she has also immersed herself in the study of jazz standards, folk songs, soul, pop, and gospel.