When we say there’s an intimate atmosphere at The Ark, we’re not just picking a word from a list of marketing terms. Most seats put you within a few feet of the performers, there’s really not a bad seat in the house. And the acoustics…extraordinary!
The Club
When you attend a show at The Ark, you just might be seeing the future of music.
A lot of performers who now fill halls and tour the world played The Ark on their way up. To name just a few: The Avett Brothers tore the house down in their early years. Mary Chapin Carpenter played our Open Stage when she was young, and she recently tweeted that she’d never forget it. The Carolina Chocolate Drops were an unknown North Carolina string band when they first played The Ark. See Who’s Played at The Ark!
Seating
The Ford Listening Room at The Ark seats 400 people. Most seats are on a first-come, first-served basis with 70 reserved seats available for many shows. No seat in The Ark is more than 50 feet from the stage, so you can be assured of an intimate music experience. See The Ark seating chart.
Volunteers
The Ark relies on the dedication of its volunteers. Over 400 people donate their time and talents to The Ark, performing a broad range of tasks that are essential to putting artists on the stage. Learn about volunteer opportunities.
COVID-19
Please visit our COVID-19 Updates page for current policies in place for attending in-person shows at The Ark.
Alcoholic Beverages
The Ark has a club liquor license, which means we are only permitted to sell alcohol to members of The Ark. Become a member of The Ark, or join at the club the night of a show. Current Ark members are allowed to purchase alcohol for themselves and their guests (21 and over, of course). If purchasing alcohol for guests, members need to sign the roster at the bar and list the names of their guests. We offer beer on tap in addition to several fine bottled beers, wine, and mixed drinks.
Per Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) regulations, no one is permitted to bring alcohol onto The Ark premises or to leave The Ark with alcohol. To assure compliance, no one is permitted to leave The Ark with open containers of any kind. Anyone bringing alcohol into The Ark or attempting to leave The Ark with alcohol is subject to removal.
Smoking
The Ark is a smoke-free facility.
Tickets
Ticket prices typically range in price from $11–$50. The Ark does not accept ticket returns or exchanges. Ticket refunds are only available when a show is cancelled. Please see ticket information for additional policies related to ticketing.
Children
- Children one year and older need to have a ticket for admittance.
- If a child begins crying or talking, we ask that you step out into the hallway or lobby, where you will still be able to watch and hear the performance.
- Some shows have a special ticket price listed for children. This price applies to children ages 1 to 5 unless otherwise indicated.
- “Family” performances are often held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Tickets to these shows are offered at a lower-than-average ticket price for all patrons. Please watch our calendar for these special performances.
Electronic Devices
- All devices that beep, ring, or flash should be turned off before entering The Ford Listening Room at The Ark.
- No photography is permitted unless the artist has specifically given permission. No flash photography is permitted at The Ark.
- No video or audio recording is allowed except with the express permission of the artist.
- By using an Ark ticket for admittance, patrons agree not to transmit or aid in the transmission of any description, account, picture, or reproduction of the performance, exhibition, or event to which the ticket is issued without the permission of The Ark or the artist.
Use of Image
Patrons grant permission to The Ark and its designees to use their images or likenesses in connection with any live or recorded transmission or reproduction of events they attend.
Inclement Weather
In the case of inclement weather and poor travel conditions, shows at The Ark will typically still take place unless the evening’s performers are not able to get there. If a show is cancelled on short notice due to weather or other circumstances, we will place a notice on the front page of our website to that effect.
Weapons
No weapons of any kind are permitted on The Ark premises. Any person found to possess a weapon in The Ark will be removed.
It doesn’t happen often, but…
The Ark is a space where people come to listen to music. Please refrain from carrying on conversations in the Ford Listening Room during the performances. Our concession area can be used for socializing any time. The Ark reserves the right, without the refund of any portion of the ticket purchase price, to refuse admission to or eject any person whose conduct is deemed by management to be disorderly, who uses vulgar or abusive language, or who fails to comply with any management rules.
Accessibility
- The Ark is fully accessible to those with disabilities.
- The Ark works to accommodate anyone with special seating needs. The listening room is located on the second floor of 316 S. Main. It is wheelchair accessible by elevator, which is located just behind the box office, straight back from our main entrance.
- We recommend any patron with special seating needs purchase general admission tickets. The Ark reserves a handful of seats as a handicap section near the accessible entrance to the listening room for every show. Please see the area outlined in this seating chart.
- The Ark offers early entry to any patrons with disabilities or who need extra time. Please arrive at the front door no earlier than 15 minutes before the doors open and ring the doorbell. The Ark staff will assist you in securing appropriate seating when you arrive. In addition to the handicap section referenced above, patrons entering early may utilize other general admissions sections if preferred. We ask our patrons who enter early to refrain from taking seats in the first two rows.
- If you have concerns about your specific needs, please contact us via e-mail or by phone at (734) 761-1800.