Christmas came way early yesterday, April 1, when it was announced via Instagram that the longtime venue on the corner of North Killingsworth and Williams, Turn! Turn! Turn!, has found new owners to carry on the space’s storied legacy of providing Portland with a music living room.
The news comes at a pivotal juncture in Portland’s efforts to become remain a world music capital. In the last year, such Portland institutions as the Fixin’ To and Rontoms have pivoted away from live music programming. The shuttering of Central Eastside mainstay Lollipop Shoppe and SE Division’s Landmark Saloon were staggering blows, causing Portland’s music scenes much heartache.
Luckily, Turn’s new owners, Joel Christerson and Annie Ostrowski, have several lifetimes worth of Portland music connections and community building between the two of them—whether or not you’re aware, you’ve likely been to a concert or festival the two have had a hand in.
Back in the day, Christerson booked for the much loved and sorely missed venues Valentine’s and East End. Now booking under the Lonely God banner, Christerson books music happenings at Swan Dive, the Spare Room, and the Village Ballroom. Until its recent closure, Ostrowski was the marketing director for Doug Fir, also spending time working with PDX Pop Now!, XRAY FM, and Riot Act Media.
After it was announced late last year that TTT’s previous owners Elizabeth Venable and Geoff Soule would be relinquishing their duties as the venue’s proprietors as of December 31, 2025, a wave of terror rippled through Portland’s music scenes. Where would the Magic Luscious Spirit Sounds folks host their first and third Monday cross-ability jamborees? Thankfully their Turn! Turn! Turn! home has been secured.
Talking with Christerson and Ostrowski leading up to the announcement, the Mercury learned that much of Turn’s established charm will be kept intact, with choice updates being made to the venue’s food and drink menus.
The new ownership rings in their tenure with a trio of sold out Quasi shows April 3 and 4, as well as hosting Dragging an Ox Through Water’s album release show April 5 with Sad Horse, Arch Cape, and Sig Henry.
