Industry Spotlight: Jermaine
Venue Owner & Musician
Published June 18, 2025
Written by: Carolina Nascimento
We’re excited to spotlight Jermaine, owner of The Heights Lounge & Event Space! Opened in April 2025 in the Foster neighborhood, The Heights is the passion project of longtime musician, music booker, and now venue owner, Jermaine – a dream over six years in the making.
With over 15 years as a professional musician, booking shows, and developing music programs for other venues, Jermaine brings a deep understanding of both the artist and audience experience. His vision was to create a venue that not only supports musicians but also fills a critical gap: a small, all-ages space where the whole community can gather and feel welcome.
This project is also deeply personal. In Portland, there’s a clear lack of minority representation in venue ownership, and Jermaine’s presence as a Black venue owner is meaningful, not only because of what it represents, but because of how he leads. Every detail of The Heights is rooted in community, culture, and care.
Everything inside the space is designed with so much intention, from the soul food-inspired menu based on Jermaine’s family recipes to the welcoming, art-filled atmosphere, is meant to reflect the creativity of Portland. His sister, Jaquelyn Cruz, is designing custom artwork for the space to further connect it to the community it serves.
As a musician himself, Jermaine is committed to fair pay and creating a venue culture that values the contributions of artists, not just as entertainment, but as essential to the spirit of the space. Whether it’s through ticketed shows or base fees, The Heights ensures that musicians are fairly compensated for their work and welcomed back again and again.
The venue is open beyond just show nights. There’s space for private and corporate events, community markets, and nonprofit programming. They’ve already hosted everything from high school graduation parties to prom-night hangs with a special youth-friendly menu. Jermaine also plans to activate the outdoor lot with pop-ups and all-ages events in partnership with local organizations.
In the coming months, Jermaine is adding an on-site recording booth to support the local musicians, particularly youth artists who may not otherwise have access to professional studio space. This project will offer sliding-scale pricing, making it more accessible for emerging artists to record and share their work. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, The Heights will dedicate those days to studio recording, giving artists space and time to create.
With a flexible space, on-site parking, and a mission centered around music, food, family, and community, The Heights is more than an event space – it’s a homegrown cultural hub!
“I love seeing it filled with people and filled with joy. I want more of the community to know about this space and to come be part of it. That’s the dream.”
You can reach out to The Heights via their website at heightspdx.com to book events, live performances, and soon, recording sessions!
Congratulations to Jermaine and The Heights! Portland is lucky to have you!