The Ark

Max Gomez
2026-03-24 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Detroit) | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Singer/Songwriter Max Gomez grew up in Taos, New Mexico, where he fell under the influence of country blues early on and developed a songwriting style that was uniquely his. As a budding performer, Max apprenticed in the rarefied musical micro-climate of northern New Mexico, where troubadours like Michael Martin Murphey and Ray Wylie Hubbard helped foster a Western folk sound both cosmic and country.
He received critical acclaim upon the release of his debut album Rule The World (2013, New West Records); and his subsequent EP, Me and Joe (2017, Brigadoon Records), contained a freshly minted classic, “Make It Me.”
He has shared billing on hundreds of stages with stalwarts of the genre like James McMurtry, Buddy Miller, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, Tommy James & The Shondells, Jeff Beck, and Johnny Depp. Judging by the company he keeps, Gomez is poised to emerge as a prominent voice of Americana’s next generation. Max’s latest album Memory Mountain, was released in August and is currently in the top 50 of the AMA / CDX Top 200 Album Chart.

Gráinne Hunt with Jules Stewart
2026-04-28 20:00 - 23:00
A queer, nu-folk singer-songwriter with a voice like complex coffee, Gráinne Hunt is one of Ireland’s most compelling vocalists and songwriters – blending raw emotion, commanding power, and a voice that stops audiences in their tracks. Performing as a duo with San Diego’s Jules Stewart on drums and vocals, the pair create a sound that’s been compared to The Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile – rich harmonies, heartfelt stories, and magnetic onstage chemistry.
Gráinne’s original work – two solo albums and a new live EP – draws from deeply personal experiences, weaving stories of pain, longing, and joy that have earned her comparisons to Tracy Chapman and Natalie Merchant. Her powerhouse performances have taken her from stages with Glen Hansard and U2, to opening for Gladys Knight and Mary Black.
Jules Stewart, based in San Diego, CA, is an accomplished drummer and vocalist with over 25 years of experience performing with artists including Gráinne Hunt, Lindsay White, and Please Ask for Paul. Known for her dynamic precision and deep musical sensitivity, Jules brings both groove and grace to every collaboration. She’s been featured in DRUM! magazine’s New Blood column, the San Diego Troubadour, and on The Up and Coming Drummer Podcast.
Together, Gráinne and Jules deliver an intimate yet powerful live experience – soaring harmonies, emotional storytelling, and connection that transcends borders.
Gráinne’s tour is gratefully supported by Culture Ireland.
The Ark’s Artist Spotlight Series is made possible with support from Ford Philanthropy. It is presented live, and also livestreamed on The Ark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Tonight’s show is FREE (nonperishables accepted for Food Gatherers).

Ike Dweck
2026-05-26 20:00 - 23:00
Brooklyn-born and raised, rising independent singer-songwriter Ike Dweck is building a reputation for deeply personal lyrics and unflinching introspection. Since debuting in 2023, he’s continued to shape a sound that blends raw vulnerable folk with a modern, aggressive rock, inviting listeners into the heart of his experiences.
From writing solo to collaborating with fellow artists and songwriters Chance Emerson and Vincent Lima, as well as producer Jack Riley (previous work with Cameron Whitcomb and Grace VanderWaal), Ike has cultivated a creative circle that advances his word-choice-driven songwriting while keeping authenticity at its core. Much of his work revolves around the realities of battling mental health and navigating relationships. In doing so, Ike has created a community of fans that resonate similarly, finding connection and validation through his vulnerability.
Remaining proudly independent, Ike has been releasing new singles song by song for over two years, now surpassing over 1 million listeners on Spotify in the first half of 2025 across 15+ original songs in his release discography. There’s an immense growing anticipation for what’s ahead for Dweck, with plans to step into touring as a headliner for the first time next year, build his own Brooklyn-proud merchandising brand, and activating his fanbase of more than 3.5 million followers with a bootstraps methodology.
The Ark’s Artist Spotlight Series is made possible with support from Ford Philanthropy. It is presented live, and also livestreamed on The Ark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Tonight’s show is FREE (nonperishables accepted for Food Gatherers).

Ian Flanigan
2026-06-23 20:00 - 23:00
With a voice like worn leather and songs that hit straight to the soul, Ian Flanigan is a powerful presence in modern Country and Americana. A road-tested artist since the age of 17, Ian has spent years traveling the country, living on the road, and building a grassroots career grounded in authenticity and connection. After capturing national attention as a finalist on NBC’s The Voice (Team Blake, Season 19), he signed with Reviver Records and has continued touring relentlessly, releasing music consistently, and deepening his impact across the Country and Americana scenes.
Blending country, folk, and rock with unfiltered honesty, Ian’s music has earned millions of streams, widespread radio airplay, and critical praise. He’s completed two major country radio campaigns and a recent Americana run, releasing new material every 6–8 weeks and delivering compelling, high-energy performances that reflect both his lived-in voice and years on the road.
Ian’s music has also been featured in television and film, including placements in Mayans, Heartland, and the indie horror film The Departed—a testament to the emotional range and cinematic quality of his songwriting.
In 2025, Ian released his second full-length album The Man My Mama Raised, a deeply personal and sonically rich project that reinforced his reputation as one of Country and Americana’s most honest and distinctive voices.
Offstage, Ian is a signed Nashville songwriter and sought-after producer, crafting music for his own catalog and for artists across the country. He is the founder of HOWL Entertainment—an artist collective dedicated to empowering independent musicians—and serves on the Board of Directors for HOPE ROCKS, a nonprofit that raises awareness around addiction recovery and mental health through the power of music and community outreach.
Ian’s passion lies in his family, fostering community through the arts, and life on the road. He is currently self-producing his next body of work while actively touring the U.S., continuing to build momentum with every show.
Whether on stage, in the studio, or out on the road, Ian Flanigan is a builder of songs and stories—an artist who brings truth, grit, and heart to everything he touches.
The Ark’s Artist Spotlight Series is made possible with support from Ford Philanthropy. It is presented live, and also livestreamed on The Ark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Tonight’s show is FREE (nonperishables accepted for Food Gatherers).

Stillhouse Junkies
2026-07-28 20:00 - 23:00
Bluegrass heroes Stillhouse Junkies are on the forefront of breaking through the genre with their free-flowing musical interplay that weaves roots, classical, texas-swing and blues into a high-energy, intricately composed yet expansively improvised tapestry of sound.
The trio, Fred Kosak (guitar, mandolin), Alissa Wolf (fiddle), Jeanette Adams (bass) are based in the wilderness town of Durango, Colorado. Formed in 2017, the band is already 3 albums deep with singles constantly streaming out including a collaboration with Tim O’Brien. Their prolific songwriting, 3-part harmonies and outrageous instrumentals brought them the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Award “Momentum Band of the Year” in 2021.
Stillhouse Junkies are quickly becoming a household name as they tour incessantly across the United States. They have played beloved festivals such as Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Rockygrass, Merle Fest, and ROMP gaining new fans every day. Their busy schedule has seen them supporting Willie Carlisle, The Lil Smokies and Asleep at the Wheel.
The Ark’s Artist Spotlight Series is made possible with support from Ford Philanthropy. It is presented live, and also livestreamed on The Ark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Tonight’s show is FREE (nonperishables accepted for Food Gatherers).

Lost Mary
2026-08-25 20:00 - 23:00
Lost Mary is the songwriting project of Luke Martin and David Johnson III. Hailing from the small, rural town of Hillsdale, Michigan, Lost Mary is committed to the essence of Folk music: storytelling. Pulling from both traditional and modern Folk and Americana influences, Luke and David bring together their unique musical backgrounds to create songs and stories that are as personal as they are universal.

Cousin Curtiss
2026-09-22 20:00 - 23:00
Cousin Curtiss brings to the stage a fiery dynamic rarely seen by a solo act and now partnered up with the equally enigmatic and soulfully driven electric guitar prowess of Harrison B, these two road warriors are on a mission to electrify audiences everywhere with their two-man full-band sound. Think, “blues at bluegrass speeds.” Imagine, “rock americana with a soulful drip.” Experience rapid fire acoustic guitar, incendiary harmonica, fiercely energized solos, all driven by a thunderous kick drum.
The Ark’s Artist Spotlight Series is made possible with support from Ford Philanthropy. It is presented live, and also livestreamed on The Ark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Tonight’s show is FREE (nonperishables accepted for Food Gatherers).
