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The Travelin’ McCourys

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

From a source deep, abundant, and pure the river flows. It’s there on the map, marking place and time. Yet the river changes as it remains a constant, carving away at the edges, making new pathways, gaining strength as it progresses forward. The Travelin’ McCourys are that river. The McCoury brothers—Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo)—were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Del in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops, and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st century music. “If you put your mind, your skills, and your ability to it, I think you can make just about anything work on bluegrass instruments,” says Ronnie. “That’s a really fun part of this—figuring the new stuff out and surprising the audience.” With fiddler Jason Carter, bassist Alan Bartram, and latest recruit Cody Kilby on guitar, they assembled a group that could take what they had in their DNA, take what traditions they learned and heard, and push the music forward

$35
Empty Mug Records

Empty Mug Records and The Ark Present: Empty Mug Unplugged

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

Student run label, Empty Mug Records, in collaboration with The Ark, presents Empty Mug Unplugged, an acoustic showcase featuring four local student acts. Come add some spice to your Tuesday night and support student musicians playing a compilation of various genres.

$12, $8 Students with Student ID

The Ark’s Open Stage

The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI

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.

$3, $2 members, seniors, students
Paul Thorn

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 and SistaStrings - photo by TJ Nero

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
Kanekoa Ukulele
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
Kanekoa
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 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

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

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