For 18 years Erin Zindle has been curating an epic annual musical celebration inspired by the themes of the holiday season. Each December, this event is a warm hearted lift-off to the holidays that has become an indispensable tradition for families in the greater Ann Arbor area and far beyond.
This show is postponed and will be rescheduled. Ticketholders will be notified when the new date is confirmed.
Lucy Kaplansky is an acclaimed singer songwriter of rare talent, “a truly gifted performer with a bag full of enchanting songs” (The New Yorker). She has released nine critically acclaimed CDs, two of which were awarded Best Pop Album of the year by the Association for Independent Music. National Public Radio described her 2012 album Reunion as “a master class in making the personal universal."
Get ready for an unforgettable night of blues and rock 'n' roll featuring three great Grammy nominated bands that define the current day and future of blues rock.
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. Performers have eight minutes (or two songs) each to do their thing. Doors open at 7:30, and names are drawn at 7:55 and 8:30. If your name isn't chosen, bring your raffle ticket with you next time, and you'll double your chances.
This performance has been rescheduled for Monday, January 12
Mike Cooley is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, best known as a member of the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers. The Alabama musical style blends elements of rock, country, and Americana, and he is recognized for his sharp, evocative lyrics and distinctive guitar work. As one of the band's primary songwriters, Cooley has written numerous iconic tracks for Drive-By Truckers, with his songs often exploring themes of personal introspection, Southern identity, and social commentary. Alongside bandmate Patterson Hood, Cooley has been a driving force behind the band's evolution since their formation in the late 1990s, contributing to their gritty, honest sound and critical success.
Alicia Witt, star of this summer’s smash hit movie “Longlegs” opposite Nicolas Cage, 9 Hallmark Christmas movies, and with four decades worth of film, TV and stage credits, makes her return to The Ark with songs from full length Christmas album, “I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You.” A classically trained, award winning pianist and Billboard Top 30 charting singer-songwriter, Alicia will get you in the holiday spirit with this festive show.
Tartan Terrors bring their Celtic Invasion to festivals and shows across North America, blending the energy of a rock show with humor and step dance. With a distinctive sound and proud tradition of making Celtic music fun and accessible to any audience, the Tartan Terrors have performed on 4 different continents, in some of the most prestigious Festivals, Highland Games and theaters of North America. Join the phenomenon of the Tartan Terrors and see why Celtic Beat Magazine hails them as “the heirs apparent to the mayhem.”
Members of the Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame, Blackthorn offers shows that involve a musical ramble across Ireland. Traditional songs of emigration, ballads, shanties and jigs and reels combine with some of Ireland's best contemporary songs for a musical experience that is uniquely Irish. Each of the band's members plays multiple instruments, including flute, accordion, tin whistle, fiddle, banjo, cittern, bodhran, and more. These instruments complement the lead vocal of Belfast native Richard McMullan and the band's tight blend of four-part harmony.
Known for his soulful interpretation of Prine's classics and his engaging stage presence, Mark Lavengood and his talented band will honor the remarkable legacy of one of America’s most beloved troubadours. Together with Michigan powerhouses Jen Sygit, Grace Theisen, Chris Zehnder and the house band featuring Loren Kranz, Dutcher Snedeker, and Jerry Wenger, fans can expect an evening filled with laughter, poignancy, and the timeless storytelling that Prine embodied.
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.
The tradition that started two decades ago at the Bell House in Brooklyn, New York, and now is a much-anticipated event also in Los Angeles and other cities, is coming back to Ann Arbor! Fifty of the area's up-and-coming and veteran comics come together to tell the first jokes they've written for the new year, kicking off the 2026 comedy scene in the most righteous way possible! It's fast, it's fresh, and above all it's funny.