Shows & Events

Paul Thorn

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

Raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, among the same spirits (and some of the actual people) who nurtured the young Elvis Presley decades before, Paul Thorn has rambled down back roads, battled four-time world champion boxer Roberto Duran on national television, signed with and been dropped by a major label, performed on stages with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Sting, and John Prine among many others, and made some of the most emotionally restless yet relatable music of our time. With 30 years of writing, touring, and entertaining under his belt, he shows no sign of slowing down, still breaking genre barriers and topping charts, putting a new twist on his already entertaining live show. Paul is an Ark favorite who never fails to connect with Michigan audiences, and he comes to Michigan with a new album, “Never Too Late to Call,” recorded at Sam Phillips Studi in Memphis. The album, Paul says, “features music from a man who is with the “right one and is happy to be there.”

$30

The RFD Boys

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

It's hard to believe, because each show is fresh and new, but the RFD Boys have been delighting Michigan audiences since 1969 with their fabulous musicianship and sly, exquisitely timed between-song humor.

$11, $10 members, students or seniors

Peter Mulvey with SistaStrings

To call Peter Mulvey an acoustic singer-songwriter and guitarist just doesn't cover it. He's equally—and tremendously on all counts—gifted as a singer, writer, and guitarist. Peter grew up in Milwaukee, made his debut on the streets of Dublin, and moved to Boston, performing in subways and finally clubs. He has released 18 albums, and each one brings something new.

Lately Peter has been joined in shows by the Milwaukee-based sister duo SistaStrings, who combine their classical background with R&B and a touch of gospel influence that culminates for a vibey, lush sound. The Peter Mulvey–SistaStrings pairing has toured recently with Ani DiFranco. With thick, string harmonies between violin and cello and soulful voices, SistaStrings takes you on a journey. SistaStrings has performed at Carnegie Hall and with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Madison Symphony Orchestra, with Malik Yusef, and they have opened for Black Violin, Bone Thugs 'N Harmony, Lupe Fiasco, BJ The Chicago Kid, and The Roots; and they have toured with Brandi Carlile and Allison Russell.

$20
Special Event

Joyful Jewish Jams with Aly Halpert and Batya Levine

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

Free! Join the University of Michigan School of Social Work's Jewish Communal Leadership Program for our 2023 Communal Conversation: an evening of Joyful Jewish Jams with Batya Levine and Ann Arbor native Aly Halpert at The Ark! We look forward to bringing together musical artists who weave Jewish tradition into their music, in celebration of Jewish ritual, culture and peoplehood. This concert will be on March 27th starting at 7 PM with doors at 6:30 PM. There will be a Q&A session at the end.

Free
Special Event

Kanekoa Ukulele Workshop

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

This 60 minute workshop is great for beginners to advanced pros. All are welcome to attend. ‘Ukulele students must know how to tune their ukulele and play at least two chords. Participants will need to bring a ‘ukulele (BYOU).

$40
Artist Spotlight Series Live and Virtual

Kanekoa

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

Kanekoa is one of Hawaii’s premier live music experiences, consistently selling out shows wherever they perform. Playing what is described as “ukulele-powered Hawaiian jam-rock,” their sound is based on the untapped potential of the electrified Hawaiian ukulele. Guided by the culture and land of Hawai‘i, Kanekoa is right at home playing any type of genre from traditional Hawaiian to 80s Pop to Jamband Blues, uniquely offering their signature electric ukulele sound to everything they play. Wherever this band plays, people are mesmerized. They have caught the ear of some of the biggest names in music including Mick Fleetwood, Los Lobos, and Bill Kreutzman from the Grateful Dead who called Kanekoa “The Hawaiian Grateful Dead.” With every show they play, Kanekoa continues to gain new loyal fans.
 
This program is made possible with support from the Ford Motor Company Fund. It is presented live, and also livestreamed on The Ark’s Facebook page.

This is a FREE show. Nonperishables accepted for Food Gatherers.

Free

The Kruger Brothers

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

When you listen to the music of The Kruger Brothers, you can't help but be amazed by the sheer depth of their artistry. Originally from Europe, now living in North Carolina, they were first introduced to American audiences in 1997, quickly gaining the attention of fans and the music industry alike. Drawing on a rich cultural palette, theirs is a music that celebrates the best of what music can be: exciting, engaging, intelligent, and delightful. Brother Jens Kruger is a recent recipient of the Steve Martin Bluegrass Prize.

$25

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

“The hardest thing to do,” says internationally beloved soul-blues rocker Tommy Castro, “is be yourself, take some chances and bring your fans along with you.” Throughout his long, constantly evolving career, guitarist, singer and songwriter Tommy Castro has always remained true to himself while exploring, growing and creating new music, and he has taken his thousands of devoted fans right along with him. Since his solo debut in 1994, he’s made 16 albums—the last seven for Alligator—each its own unique chapter in the book of Tommy Castro. Ranging from horn-fueled R&B to piping hot blues to fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll, each release is solidly built upon Tommy’s unshakable musical foundation—a dynamic mix of 1960s-influenced guitar-fueled blues, testifying Memphis-soaked blue-eyed soul and Latin-tinged East San Jose funk, all driven by Castro’s grab-you-by-the-collar vocals and passionate guitar work. Castro has won the Blues Music Awards for Album of the Year, Band of the Year, and the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award (the very highest award a blues performer can receive). Blues Revue declared, “Tommy Castro can do no wrong.” Tommy Castro & The Painkillers come to town with a new release, “A Bluesman Came to Town.” 

$25

Sonny Landreth with Cindy Cashdollar

Special Guest: The Suitcase Junket

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

Sonny Landreth is one of the great live guitarists of our time! This time around, Sonny is accompanied by the reigning queen of the steel guitar, Cindy Cashdollar. The Suitcase Junket opens; they have a new album, “The End Is New.”

$30

Beth Nielsen Chapman

Opener: Mia Morris

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

Beth Nielsen Chapman is an eclectic, critically acclaimed American singer-songwriter, a Songwriter's Hall of Fame member with seven number-one hits, and songs sung by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Olivia Newton-John, and Neil Diamond.

$25

Bailen

Opener: Rett Madison

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

Bailen’s otherworldly musicality springs from a very deep well, in fact, it’s in their DNA. Raised in New York by their classically trained parents, Daniel, David, and Julia immersed themselves in the family’s diverse record collection. The group’s highly collaborative songs are formed by three very different individuals who were all inspired by literature and a love of language. The resulting confident, meticulous songcraft of the group’s debut, “Thrilled To Be Here,” was rooted in the young group’s preternatural dexterity, insight, and lyrical bite. Now Bailen returns with its sophomore effort, “Tired Hearts,” an exhilarating mix of radiant harmonies, spare, synth-driven tracks, and futuristic, ear-catching arrangements that usher in a wildly promising young band’s exhilarating avant-pop evolution.

$20
Sold Out

Cowboy Junkies

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

presented by ann arbor's 107one Cowboy Junkies are a Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band. The group was formed in Toronto in 1985 by Margo Timmins (vocalist), Michael Timmins (songwriter, guitarist), Peter Timmins (drummer) and Alan Anton (bassist). The Junkies first performed publicly at the Beverley Tavern and other clubs in Toronto’s Queen Street West, including The Rivoli. These days, Cowboy Junkies shows revisit old material in creative ways, but they always bring new music as well.

$50, $75, $90