“As the Executive Director of Q Center, Portland’s LGBTQ2S+ community center, we had the privilege to collaborate with Alberta Street Pub on programming that uplifted LGBTQ2S+ performers and raised funds to support our critical programs. Alberta Street Pub is a treasured institution that I know will continue to invest in the community, but it needs immediate support to sustain its operations and thrive.”

“The Alberta Street Pub is much more than the “Pub” in its name. It has been a critical resource and partner for p:ear and many other nonprofits and causes as a fundraising and community-gathering venue. This is because of the visionary and passionate leadership of Ezra Holbrook, the current owner, who has gone over and beyond in his work to make sure that The Alberta St Pub serves as p:ear’s annual venue for the From The Smiths to The Smithereens Fundraiser Concert series, raising funds and awareness as well as being a heck of a good time. It’s important to note, however, that the role of the venue in this event has been much more than fiscal; the community that surrounds The Alberta St Pub is one that is generous, engaged, diverse and really the best Portland has to offer.”

“The Alberta Street Pub, prominently standing on the main strip of the Alberta Arts District, has been an important contributing landmark of the area for at least the past 12-15 years. The venue has been a safe haven for both veteran and up-starting musicians and artists since it’s inception. ASP has invited musicians ranging from folk and blue grass, to hip hop, R&B and jazz, to rock and even comedy and spoken word performances. As with its collective artistic community, ASP has also been a safe and positive space for all manor of guests, being an all ages venue, with plenty of ties to the LGBTQ, African American, Irish American communities among many others.

In my time working professionally with this venue, we have also done plenty of charity work. For 3 years running, we have ran specials called “A Week of KINDness” generating donations and contributions for Kids in Need of Defense, an organization who’s goal is to reunite families separated at the Southern border of America and Mexico.

Since Ezra Holbrook took over ownership of ASP, he has been increasingly tuned to creating more charitable programs. Pre-Covid, we had plans to create events/programs to benefit the Raphael House (Center for battered women) as well as plans to further benefit the arts in Portland, as well as LGBTQ beneficiaries, among others.

What I hope to illustrate here is that the Alberta Street Pub is much more than just a locally owned and established bar, but is a center for the arts, a beloved space within the Alberta community, and a humanitarian hub which would be desperately missed if they were unable to continue serving the community.”

“Alberta Street Pub is a vital piece of our Portland music ecology. They have invested heavily in creating the best listening room in the city. Every month, they feature more than a hundred local artists. In addition to touring performers, the ASP has been committed to featuring local talent, both established and emerging. Their programming is broad from acoustic singer songwriters to full bands and Hip/Hop/DJs. They host frequent nonprofit events (including evenings in support of MusicPortland). Half of their footprint is purpose designed to support music performance. They have invested heavily in acoustic treatment and sound system creating one of the best listening rooms in the city. ”

“Alberta Street Pub offered me a space when others did not. My show focuses on true stories from people of color and marginalized communities. Alberta Street Pub helped me create a space where those voices could be heard and celebrated. ”

“My name is Redray Frazier. I’m an artist, soul singer, songwriter, musician, event planner, community activist, and most of all, a Black Man living in Portland Oregon. Alberta Street Pub is the type of establishment that EVERY city needs. I am a founding partner/host of an event called Pause Button Mixtape(PBMT). It is run by BIPOC and is a non-profit event. We handpicked Alberta Street Pub as our venue of choice because of it’s love for community and because of the feeling of inclusion that every walk of life feels when they walk through the doors. Alberta Street Pub is, also, all ages until 9pm. This gives us the opportunity to serve as a workshop for youth that teaches aspiring artists the proper way to pursue their art in an establishment that is safe and welcoming. That “community first” mentality is exactly what is needed when nurturing and mentoring. We need for The Alberta Street Pub to survive COVID-19, and to charge into the future. ”

“I play music for kids and families all over the Portland area under the name Tallulah’s Daddy. Since the day they opened, Alberta Street Pub has been committed to providing a safe and welcoming space for Portland’s families and the performers who entertain them. Not only did they host the wildly successful Not-So-Secret Family Show on the weekends, they were interested in hosting weekday morning shows for folks who had preschool-aged kids and homeschoolers. At one point I believe there were up to six recurring family shows a week and they were always interested in getting input from the performers and patrons. In addition to the family programming, the “grownup” shows that happened in the early evening were almost always billed as family events, and my 10 year old daughter loved visiting the pub and the folks who worked there. Much more than a bar, Alberta Street Pub is a gathering place, a space for community building, and one of the best venues to perform at in our city. Nothing less than a local treasure!”

“The Alberta Street Pub plays a central role in supporting the music and art community of Portland, and is a beyond important fixture of our homes’ cultural landscape. It’s not just a place to drink, eat food and listen to music. The business is a cultural force unto itself. It is the culture Portland is famous for. It also 100% supports the financial well-being of the musicians and artists that make this community so special. The business benefits the community in more ways than I can count.

The Alberta Street Pub’s owner Ezra Holbrook is someone The Jeremy Wilson Foundation (JWF) 501(c)3 musicians’ health and services organization has received continuous support from since our founding. He is one of our largest annual contributors. His name is synonymous with good-will and has always been the first person to spearhead more benefits, fundraisers and community events that directly benefit the entire community across the spectrum than anyone else I know. He has brought purpose and ethics and community spirit to every business he has been involved with over the last twenty years. He is literally famous for this fact. And it is widely known that he has revitalized more than one business by employing the energy of the arts to bring them back to life. Now that Ezra is an establishment owner himself he has taken his ethos and creativity and created a cultural hub, The Alberta Street Pub. And has turned the dial to ten!

The Pub not only acts as a direct sponsor of important events that our charity and others produce to generate the vital revenue we need to assist at risk members of the Portland community. The establishment also offers their facility, sound, lights and staff at NO cost to the organizations - rarely do businesses do this! On top of that, on a regular basis the Alberta Street Pub produces events independently where they raise revenue for charities throughout the community. They also do something other music venues of their size rarely do. They compensate the musicians and artists that they enlist to play seven nights a week! And all the while? The Pub creates a totally inclusive, all are welcome environment. A culturally diverse haven for the entire community to gather. Be happy. Safe. Well.”