Last Friday, February 22, the Oregon Liquor Control
Commission (OLCC) heard testimony over new measures that would give
music venues greater flexibility in allowing minors to attend events
where alcohol is served.

Currently, Oregon bars and clubs are prohibited from serving beer or
alcohol at all-ages music shows. In December, the committee voted 3-2
against an earlier version of the amendment, saying it was too vague
and didn’t provide a specific enough means of controlling alcohol
distribution. Since then, OLCC staff drafted a proposal with more
specific plans as to how venue owners would prevent underage patrons
from obtaining alcoholic beverages. Whether it’s wristbands, hand
markings, or special minor-designated areas, the new revisions provide
written guidelines for drinking-control mechanisms.

In addition to an OLCC staff representative, several people
testified in support of the amendment. They argued that it was
beneficial for everyone—young people, local bands, bar and club
owners—to allow minors greater access to the arts. Supporters
claimed Portland was one of the only major cities in the country that
didn’t allow for “mixed-age” music shows.

Cary Clarke of PDX Pop Now! (and a Mercury music columnist
[“OLCC Redux,” Music, Feb 14]) spoke passionately about the
proposal’s benefit to young people, saying the opportunity to attend
more shows is vitally important to their personal and artistic
growth.

“The exposure to local arts at a young age—in particular the
local music scene—has changed the lives of so many people I know
for the better,” he said. “It’s doing young people a real disservice by
limiting their ability to see these shows.”

Christie Scott, public affairs specialist for the OLCC, emphasized
that the adoption of the new measures would ultimately be at the
discretion of venue owners.

“It would merely give them the option, not to mention the
guidelines, for mixed-age events,” she said. “If owners were not
enforcing their control plans, and they were in violation, then the
state could take away the right to allow minors onto the premises.”

No one spoke in opposition to the new measures, and the OLCC says it
has received 27 emails in support. The OLCC board will vote in
April.