Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Ebird and Friends Holiday Show has become known for connecting audiences with stellar artists in the Michigan music community. This year’s featured performers are Tunde Olaniran, Emilee Petersmark, Timothy Monger, Chris Dupont, and Kylee Phillips.
Kat Edmonson is an award-winning songwriter and singer "with an equal foothold in jazz, cabaret and vintage cosmopolitanism pop" (The New York Times). She has been featured on Austin City Limits, Tiny Desk Concerts, A Prairie Home Companion, and The Late Show with David Letterman. The New York Times describes her music as "fresh as a spring bouquet" while NPR says, "Hearing Edmonson makes it virtually impossible to do anything but stop and listen." Kat Edmonson will perform swingin' Yule-tide favorites such as "Jingle Bell Rock", "O Christmas Tree", and "Let It Snow" as part of her festive show, Holiday Swingin'! A Kat Edmonson Christmas.
A soulful, euphoric, folk-flavored outpouring of hope and joy, propelled by the kind of crisp, crystalline picking that gives lyrics wings. Come hear the band Rolling Stone called “a master class in string music”!
Opener: Taylor Ashton
Whether you're looking for your big break, want to perfect your live performance skills, or just want to perform live for the sheer fun of it, Open Stage nights offer supportive audiences and a terrific space.
The Ocean Celtic Quartet will transport you to the Yuletide celebrations of yore in a program featuring traditional carols, foot-stomping Celtic fiddle tunes, 19th-century broadside songs, original seasonal compositions, and even an appearance by Father Christmas of the old mummers’ plays! Come in good voice, as you’ll be invited to sing along!
By request of the artist, masks are required for this performance.
In 2002, Vienna released her debut album Waking Hour, landing her on NPR’s Weekend Edition, The Late Show with David Letterman, and the top of Amazon’s music charts. Four more albums followed, most recently Aims in 2013, which became the first album to win four Independent Music Awards; she also composed the music for The Fourth Messenger by playwright (and Ann Arborite) Tanya Shaffer, which premiered in 2013. Along with Vienna’s captivating live performances and thoughtful online presence, her work has built a devoted following across generations as well as continents. Now her two new compositions, “We’ve Got You," marks the start of a new chapter for Vienna. “I’ve found a rabbit hole I’m excited to go down further,” she says. Her long-distance phase with music is over; let the reunion begin.
Blackthorn welcomes you to the rich tapestry of Celtic music. Traditional songs of emigration, sea shanties, lively jigs and reels, and ancient airs.
Doubling as a platform for activism, the music of Fela Kuti was a unique blend of jazz, funk, and African influences. Performed by an African big-band of unusual instrumentation, Fela’s music rolled out in an extended, hypnotic fashion. His political vocals fell somewhere between melody and musical speech. While the Afrobeat music of Nigeria’s Fela Kuti remains singularly unique, it typically fails to gain deserved attention in the world of modern-day performance.
Join us for a rare opportunity to hear this music authentically reproduced. Originally sponsored by the University of Michigan “MCube” initiative, this performance unites UofM faculty & musicians from the Flint and Ann Arbor campuses with local professionals. The project, lead by Brian DiBlassio, is based on note-for-note transcriptions of Fela’s work, with feature artist from Cincinnati, Baoku Moses, performing the role of Fela.
The Ark's annual Crossroads Ceili is a great way to mark the turning of the year. It's a gathering of local Celtic-oriented singers, instrumentalists, and dancers, all sharing the stage to get your Celtic music year off to a good start. If you'd like to get an idea of the depth of southeastern Michigan's Celtic music scene, the Ceili is a great place to do it. Fiddler Mick Gavin, the organizer of the Ceili and a frequent performer there, was recently inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame.