For the longest time I viewed the Oregon Liquor Control Commission
(OLCC) as this scary, faceless bureaucracy gone horribly awry. It was
everything government should never be—an intimidating force with
unchecked power—and it seemed that its power spilled over into
countless other elements of my day-to-day life. While I’ll never
understand why I am forbidden from purchasing vodka at my local
Safeway, the real tragedy has been watching all-age venues close their
doors due to lack of bar revenue, or the hassle of having underage
writers for this paper unable to attend the concerts they’ve previewed
due to unfair age restrictions.
A lot of this changed for me when I came face to face—okay,
not really face to face; I was sitting quietly in the back of the
audience, my drink hidden beneath my seat, for fear of it being nabbed
by the OLCC’s sticky-fingered agents—with the organization itself
at our Mercury-sponsored Debate Club event in late October. The
members of the OLCC who took the time to speak about the commission,
and the possibility of amending their regulations on music venues and
age restrictions, were downright normal. They weren’t booze-hating
puritans, or Anton Chigurh with a cattlegun waiting outside my door, or
even the soulless monsters I always made them out to be. They were
responsible people, the kind who, if presented with the facts, could
change their regulations, and in turn give our local music and artistic
communities (not to mention the local economy) a welcome shot in the
arm.
If that is to ever happen, it will be the day this paper hits the
streets (Thursday, December 13), when the OLCC is prepared to vote on
the regulation to allow for venues to accept all-age patrons, provided
they can guarantee these music fans don’t drink, and that they are kept
away from the hazily defined “drinking area.” It sounds simple enough,
but it’s far from a done deal. This movement needs warm bodies at the
vote—local musicians, venue bookers, service industry employees,
and just plain old fans of our vibrant live music community. You are
all welcome to attend. There won’t be time for Peter Finch-esque “I’m
as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” speeches, but
your presence and support in the flesh will be seen and felt by the
voting members of the committee.
If you have ever feared that our local music scene is little more
than a selfish means to an end, or a disconnected assembly of
similar-minded artists who never make the effort to join together, then
now is the time to act. The wake of this vote will be felt for years to
come by a future generation of music fans and participants, whose level
of contributions and involvement hinge on the results of today’s
meeting. Do what is right, Portland.
The OLCC vote on “OAR 845-006-0340 Minor Postings” will take
place Thursday, December 13, at around 9 am, at the OLCC Headquarters
(9079 SE McLoughlin). The event is open to the public, and a caravan of
carpoolers will depart the Musicians’ Union (325 NE 20th) at 8:30
am.