Staging of ‘She’s Speaking-LIVE’ draws sell-out crowd in Salem.

LaRhonda Steele, a blues and gospel singer, and Bre Gregg, a Portland vocalist and songwriter, perform at the She’s Speaking-LIVE show at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)

A concert that began as an idea for women to connect with music during lockdown became a sold-out show in Salem on Sunday.

A regional tour of “She’s Speaking – LIVE” brought eight women musicians to center stage at the Salem Public Library’s Loucks Auditorium on March 19 for an uplifting and energetic show in a variety of genres including funk, rock and jazz.

The show aimed to promote women artists and to raise awareness about underrepresentation and discrimination in the music industry. The Salem branch of the American Association of University Women was the presenting sponsor of the Salem performance.

One of the performers was Kristen Grainger, the frontwoman of the Salem string band Kristen Grainger & True North, co-founded the “She’s Speaking” series. After starting online, the show went in person in 2021, and this year was the first time the show went on the road, with stops in Lincoln City, Salem, Portland and Ilwaco, Washington.

–Abbey McDonald of Salem Reporter

Kristen Grainger from True North opens up the She’s Speaking LIVE show on Sunday, March 19, at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Lisa Mann, a bass guitarist and blues singer, performs at the She’s Speaking-LIVE show at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Liz Chibucos, a Portland guitarist and singer, performs at the She’s Speaking-LIVE show at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
LaRhonda Steele, a blues and gospel singer considered the “First Lady of Portland Blues,” performs at the She’s Speaking-LIVE show at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Kristen Grainger sings at the She’s Speaking-LIVE show at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Kristen Grainger, Beth Wood and Arietta Ward perform at the She’s Speaking-LIVE show at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Arietta Ward, a Portland musician and band leader, takes the stage during the She’s Speaking-LIVE show at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Bre Gregg, a Portland vocalist and songwriter, commands the stage during She’s Speaking-LIVE show on Sunday, March 19, at Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Performers line the stage at She’s Speaking-LIVE at Loucks Auditorium on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A sold-out house at Loucks Auditorium waits for for She’s Speaking- LIVE show on Sunday, March 19. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)


PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

 Women songwriters to take center stage in Salem performance

Correction: A previous version of this article shortened the full name of the American Association of University Women’s Salem Branch. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.

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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.

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