Opener: Aaron Lee Tasjan
The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesYou don’t often hear about an artist reinventing their sound twenty albums into a celebrated career. But for Todd Snider, his latest release, First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder, isn’t so much a sudden change in direction as an arrival after years of searching.
Luke Winslow-King is a slide guitarist, singer, producer, and songwriter. He was raised in Cadillac, lived for 15 years in New Orleans, and is now back in the Mitten—good news for us! Luke's work is an eclectic mix that combines Mississippi delta blues, folk music, traditional jazz, and roots rock & roll.
Peter Madcat Ruth is one of the best harmonica players on earth, a mainstay of Ann Arbor's blues scene since the 1970s and a carrier of tradition who learned his art directly from Chicago's masters of the blues harmonica. Don’t miss this chance to see a Michigan legend. Tonight Madcat appears with his C.A.R.Ma. Quartet, featuring drummer/tabla player John Churchville, bassist Brennan Andes, and guitarist/vocalist Dan Ripke.
Special Guest: Diana DeMuth
The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesAustralian band Sons of the East is an under-the-radar success story, racking up millions of streams and selling out shows across Europe and Australia without ever straying from their independent roots. And they built that impressive following through their incredible and energetic live shows, paired with a serious handful of exceptional original songs.
Rodney Crowell is one of country music's most successful songwriters. Audience members are invited to a rare experience as Rodney reads from his brand new book, Word For Word, shares stories, and performs the songs that have made him a renowned and prolific songwriter.
Opener: Sandy Bell
The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesSays the Associated Press: ”Along with the badassery, Yamagata brings a world-weary passion to her singing. Her voice is a soul-baring, sultry instrument that commands center stage at all times. She has that deliberate, I’ll-sing-the-note-when-I’m-ready pacing that helped make Amy Winehouse great, and before her Billie Holliday.” Singer-songwriter Sandy Bell opens the show.
This performance will be interpreted in American Sign Language A 10 year anniversary celebration! Since their “hiatus” in 2012, Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver of Nervous but Excited have spent the years over 700 miles apart, singing the melody lines in their own ways, just awaiting the right time to bring the harmonies back. It’s been exactly ten years since their sold-out finale at The Ark, and the stars have aligned for Kate and Sarah (and special guests?) to reunite at their favorite venue. As a thank you to The Ark for the years of support, Nervous but Excited is donating $5 from each ticket sale to the club.
Alex Cuba is a multiple Latin Grammy/Grammy/Juno winning singer-songwriter who is not tied to tradition. His musical evolution for years was all about searching for the simplicity and soul in Cuban music –taking apart the complex arrangements, mixing it with North American influences, adopting the melodic simplicity of pop music, looking to Cuban folk traditions for inspiration—he’s always exploring, always creating something fresh and new, and always, it seems, getting it just right.
Multi-instrumentalist Rachael Davis is as renowned for her expressive—and explosive—voice as she is for uniting the often disparate worlds of folk, blues, country, and pop.
Augustana is back with new music, and through its formation, its creator Dan Layus has stepped into a new musical universe. While the artist is well-known for anthemic indie-rock leaning hits like “Boston,” “Sweet and Low,” and “Steal Your Heart,” Augustana’s consistent march of new and ever-evolving material has embodied a refusal to settle artistically. Never has that been more clearly evident than with the artist’s latest studio album, “Everyday an Eternity: Solo Piano Works,” a genre-shaking full-length record that redefines what can be expected from this artist.
Opener: Anthony D'Amato
The Ark 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesFor as long as he can remember, Ryan Montbleau’s been a seeker. “My whole adult life has been this journey of trying to figure out where home is,” Ryan reflects. “I think I’ve finally found it.” Rolling out across four distinct EPs, Wood, Fire, Water, and Air marks Ryan’s first studio release since putting down permanent roots in Burlington, Vermont, where he recently purchased a house after more than two decades of living on the road.
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.