Art House Gallery & Cultural Center

What a great place! This was our first time here. We came for a poetry reading and felt transported to the very best of the ‘60s. Poster art and Harold Adler’s fabulous photos, the right music before and after the reading.
Advice: dress warmly on cold nights!

I like Art House because it is different. It is a comfortable and inexpensive place to hear music that is not too loud, and there is a great 60s vibe coming from the art on the walls — black light posters and photos. There is a nice sense of community around Art House, the concerts are similar to house concerts. Another bonus is the varied selection of books for sale in the entryway, each one just $ 1. It is a good place to take a friend, especially if you both like things that are just a little bit different.

Great place for all kinds of fun events— We have enjoyed everything we attended there
from poetry to music and art shows etc.
Always entertaining and well done.
Thanks Harold Adler for a great space for the whole community.

A really beautiful art space in which I was transported back to a time when records spun out Joplin, Baez, a time before cell phones & computers, a magical place in which to read my poetry for Poetry Unbound, and feel as if I’d traveled much further than from New York City to Calif. Come to this unusual gallery where, as the director said, «the arts come together» and the gallery is as much a work of art as any song heard or painting seen therein.

I was drawn to the Art House G&CC because one of my favorite pop music groups (and favorite San Francisco band) Sopwith Camel was playing there. I have been to Art House a couple of times to see this band, which is always wonderful, fun, funny and original. But this is not a review of Sopwith Camel, but of the Art House G&CC. Proprietor and host Harold Adler has created the perfect venue and ambience for cultural expressions of all kinds: poetry, folk music, rock, you name it. Plus there is a fantastic selection of books and always interesting visual material on display. But ambience is more than that: It happens when a venue and the people who run it act as catalysts for creative expression and for audience enjoyment. That’s what happens at the Art House G&CC. Music shows must end at 10:00 p.m. at the Art House due to the neighborhood it is in, but after the show Harold encourages the audience to hang out and relax with the musicians or other artists — and they do! It’s like a party. Not «like» a party. It is a party, of the best kind. Also thanks are due to Mike Somavilla who produces some of the music events at the Art House G&CC, including the shows by Sopwith Camel. Mike’s programming and Harold’s gracious hosting are a winning combination. My only suggestion would be that Art House G&CC could add some experimental theater and (gasp!) classical chamber music and vocal recitals to its schedule. There are certainly enough talented playwrights, actors, composers and classical musicians in the Bay Area to justify this, and it would further widen the audience for what is already an amazing contribution to the culture of the community. Unfortunately I am now spending most of my time in Europe, New York city and (gasp) Hollywood, but whenever I am in the Bay Area I am going to make a point to check out what is happening at the Art House G&CC. I know that my eyes, ears and mind will be opened — and that I will have a great time and leave with a warm glow that will last for days.

Art House is such a community gem! I have seen several performances at ART House with an appreciative audience. It is a great alternative space that respects the local neighbors and showcases area hidden talent from comedy to folksingers to jazz and world music. I keep going back for I feel Art House really supports the arts community!

Held a wonderful event at the Art house gallery. Harold was very helpful and accommodating. Everyone felt welcomed and the space was intimate enough so people could feel at home, but ample enough so we could comfortably fit a large group. The décor was perfect for our old school Berkeley vibe, and we were able to incorporate our own touches. We even pulled up a taco truck in front! Thanks Harold, we’ll be back!

a comfortable, home-​like venue that has good sound and quirky charm. very recommended.

Last night my husband and I attended the first in a new monthly series here — «Silent Screen Sundays.» We thoroughly enjoyed the evening! Going to The Art House always has a feeling of being at a great party at a friend’s pad. In the present case, kudos to Harold Adler for having the insight and imagination to add this «Silent Screen Sundays» monthly series to his eclectic menu of entertainments at Art House Gallery. We attended the first program of vintage silent films — the real thing, celluloid running through projectors, and much enhanced with real, live piano accompaniment by a very skilled pianist. I guess contemporary media hasn’t totally jaded us, because we found these «artifacts» from a more naïve era, easy to laugh at, and thoroughly entertaining — especially all the physical comedy bits. The hostess and conservator of these rare films is Annie Lore, a talented performer who has, throughout her career, entertained audiences at many «living history» events, including the Dickens Fair and Renaissance Faires. She was costumed in perfect 20’s style, introduced the films with «news tidbits» from 1929, and added to the entertainment value of the evening with a delightful song presentation. A great pairing of venue and art form! Looking forward already to the next one!

The place really is a cultural center. Good music, lots of art and lots of good feelings among the audience and the performers. Friendly, comfortable and priced right too.
I’ve been to a couple of shows here and have recommended the place to my friends. I went to see some of my old Berkeley/​Bay Area favs who I hadn’t seen in years. Most recently, Peter Lewis of Moby Grape, his daughter Arwen and Sam Andrew of Big Brother. Earlier I saw Robbie Dunbar of Earthquake. Not nearly as hard rock as they had been. They did acoustic, more folky versions of many of their songs. Very nice.
I’m sure it was because of the acts but I like the fact that even though the crowds at the shows I saw were older, like me, but are real music fans and who hit all the Berkeley high/​low lights over the years; the Longbranch, Keystone, etc.
Cool venue, management and crowd.
Check it out.
Steve G.

A good venue for those who truly appreciate music and don’t just see it as a soundtrack for drunken escapades. The crowd here is respectful of the music, performers, and fellow audience members.
«Homey» atmosphere, almost like being in someone’s living room, with art and photographs on the walls.
Admission is on a sliding scale, typically from $ 10 – 20 so you can pay what you can afford.
Shows typically start at 7:30pm and end shortly after 10pm, good for those of us who don’t care to be out into the wee hours of the morning
Drinks and snacks (Muffins, bagels, juice, water, soda, no alcohol) are available on a back table; it’s an «honor bar», make your choice and leave the money in the jar.
A nice casual venue for audience and artist alike. I’ll be back!

I went to the Art House Gallery last week to hear some good music, and had a great time. I had only been there once or twice before, and Harold Adler remembered me! It felt like home. DrFrank

This is a great place to hear Americana and old rock! Very laid back and also affordable.
I love the ambience and high level performers!

I’ve recently found myself attending the «Poetry Unbound» series at the Art House Gallery (located just south of Russell on Shattuck Avenue) usually the first Sundays of the month. The series is presented by Richard Loranger and Clive Matson in Photographer/​gallery curator/​owner Harold Adler’s fine gallery and performance space. The series recently celebrated its one year anniversary monthly featured poetry readings. Different talented poets are spotlighted each month with a short «open mic» session at the beginning of each monthly Poetry Unbound event. Here a local may spend up to 3 minutes trying that new poem or poems out on a very willing audience!
These events are an enjoyable and budget friendly way of spending an evening relaxing and enjoying being part of Berkeley’s thriving creative community. I highly recommend Poetry Unbound series. Check out the Art House site for other events and schedule/​times. Mr Adler hosts live bands, art shows and other performance programs so there’s a wide range of things that may interest people. not to mention the community spirit of the place is very positive and uplifting in my opinion.

As part of ensemble COPUS, I had the privilege of performing last night at the Art House Gallery through the Poetry Unbound series. It was a wonderful evening of poetry and jazz, interesting and challenging words and music, insightful conversation, and good energy. Hosts Richard, Clive, and Harold were both warm and knowledgeable. The collection of 1960s art, books, records, and posters provides a delightful history slice of that era.

I am a member of Elliot Schneider and The Big Bang. We played this club and it was so wonderful! They have an upright piano there, and as a keyboard player, this was a special plus. But the really neat thing about this place is that you feel as though you are in your own home, transported back to the 1960’s. Harold’s hospitality is top-​notch. Don’t miss out on this venue. One of the best in the East Bay! Excellent sound quality, and the owner helps you feel comfortable. Many of the concert goers told me that they simply LOVED the place. This is a secret gem. There’s nothing like it on either side of the bay.

Great venue! Harold Adler is a genius at knowing how to treat performers and the audience.
To see what he has upcoming – a great bill – this July 23 7:30-ish, pleae visit –
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