The Ark

Blackthorn
2025-12-20 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Detroit) | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
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. This band has been bringing a rich tapestry of Celtic music to southeast Michigan and beyond for 40 years, and they’re a must-see for those who want to know the deep traditions of Irish music in Michigan.

Tartan Terrors
2025-12-19 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
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 [Celtic] mayhem.”

Spending Christmas with Alicia Witt
2025-12-18 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
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. Featuring nine heartfelt and uplifting originals and three holiday standards, you’ll hear selections from the album, as well as Alicia’s previously released original Christmas songs, many of which you’ve heard in her Hallmark movies over the years.
VIP tickets include a general admission ticket to the performance, early entry into the venue, and a pre-show meet & greet including autographs and a photo opportunity. Limited tickets available.

Mike Cooley (of Drive-By Truckers)
2025-12-17 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
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.
In addition to his work with the band, Cooley has pursued a solo career, releasing his debut solo album The Fool on Every Corner in December 2012. The album showcases his storytelling prowess and ability to create poignant, introspective songs with a more stripped-down, intimate sound compared to his work with Drive-By Truckers. Known for his wit and keen observational style, Cooley’s solo work highlights his versatility as an artist, cementing his place as an influential figure in contemporary American roots music.

Community High Jazz Ark-tic Blast
2025-12-16 18:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Tonight’s performance has been rescheduled for Monday, January 12!
Ann Arbor’s Community High Jazz is one of the best programs of its kind anywhere. The Ark is proud to host this year’s students on stage for two shows: one at 6:00 and another at 8:00. Tickets available at the door.

The Ark's Open Stage
2025-12-15 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
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.
Why play Open Stage at the Ark? Do it to be heard. Do it so you know you can. Do it to take your music to the masses. If you’re not interested in getting on stage tonight, get your practice in at being a great audience member and observer of new music.

Samantha Fish, Cedric Burnside, and Jon Spencer
2025-12-14 20:00 - 23:00 | Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W 4th St, Royal Oak, MI, 48067, United States
The 3rd Annual Shake ‘Em On Down Tour
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.
Grammy-nominated artist Samantha Fish, known for her exceptional guitar skills and captivating vocals, has made a significant mark on the blues scene, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase & Jon Spencer whose boundary-pushing artistry has redefined rock and blues for decades. Rounding out the lineup is the legendary Grammy Award winning Cedric Burnside, the grandson of the legendary R.L. Burnside, whose deep-rooted Mississippi blues heritage shines through in his music, bringing authenticity and passion to the stage. Experience all these artist’s distinct styles in an evening where tradition and innovation merge seamlessly!
Mark your calendars and prepare for a night of riveting performances as the 3rd Annual Shake ’em on Down Tour arrives in town. Don’t miss this chance to witness three of the most dynamic and innovative artists in blues​ rock today! Get your tickets now for an evening that will resonate long after the final chord is struck.

Ebird & Friends Holiday Show
2025-12-13 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
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. Zindle, The Ragbirds’ songwriter, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist, produces this gala event with the intention of joyfully interconnecting the performers and audiences of the Michigan music community. A star-studded “house band” along with a horn section, string section and backup singers, lays the foundation for guest vocalists to shine.
This year’s featured artists include avant-garde, folk-soul cellist Jordan Hamilton, gutsy garage-rock singer-songwriter Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, beloved Ann Arbor folk-bender Billy King, looper, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Ki-5, indie folk-rock singer-songwriter Dylan Charles and incendiary Outlaw-Americana duo Ember & Ash (Erin Zindle and Alex Holycross, of The Native Howl)
The show’s strength is its diversity, with a wide range of song styles highlighting the incredibly talented instrumentalists and vocalists within the group. Creative arrangements of original songs, new modern hits, and traditional carols make this show unlike any other – it’s truly “not your mama’s Christmas show”. Master of Ceremonies comedienne Shelly Smith guides listeners through the experience with laughter and good cheer.
Tonight’s event will be live-streamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in-person, but there’s nothing quite like catching the spark of holiday whimsy and deep-hearted Christmas spirit in the room.

Ebird & Friends Holiday Show
2025-12-13 14:00 - 23:00, 2025-12-12 20:00 - 2025-12-13 23:00, 2025-12-11 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
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. Zindle, The Ragbirds’ songwriter, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist, produces this gala event with the intention of joyfully interconnecting the performers and audiences of the Michigan music community. A star-studded “house band” along with a horn section, string section and backup singers, lays the foundation for guest vocalists to shine.
This year’s featured artists include avant-garde, folk-soul cellist Jordan Hamilton, gutsy garage-rock singer-songwriter Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, beloved Ann Arbor folk-bender Billy King, looper, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Ki-5, indie folk-rock singer-songwriter Dylan Charles and incendiary Outlaw-Americana duo Ember & Ash (Erin Zindle and Alex Holycross, of The Native Howl)
The show’s strength is its diversity, with a wide range of song styles highlighting the incredibly talented instrumentalists and vocalists within the group. Creative arrangements of original songs, new modern hits, and traditional carols make this show unlike any other – it’s truly “not your mama’s Christmas show”. Master of Ceremonies comedienne Shelly Smith guides listeners through the experience with laughter and good cheer.

Storm Large: Holiday Ordeal
2025-12-09 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Storm Large: musician, actor, playwright, author, awesome. She shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova, where despite having been eliminated in the week before the finale, Storm built a fan base that follows her around the world to this day. Storm appeared on the 2021 season of America’s Got Talent.
On the 10th anniversary of its premiere, Storm reprised her one-woman autobiographical musical memoir Crazy Enough at La Jolla Music Society and Portland Center Stage in 2019. She has headlined with orchestras around the world, including the Chicago, Detroit, Houston, National, Toronto, BBC, and RTE Symphonies; the NY Pops and Philly Pops; and the Louisville Orchestra, with which she recorded the 2017 album All In for Decca Gold. Storm continues to tour concert halls across the country with her band Le Bonheur.
Storm made her debut as guest vocalist with the band Pink Martini in April 2011, singing four sold-out concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
What better way to spend a holiday than with Storm Large? Storm will love you, leave you, delight you and abuse you with wicked charm and stunning vocals that will have you begging for more. Holiday Ordeal is a night of music, gags and gifts, with songs ranging from “2000 Miles,” “Hallelujah,” “Sock it to Me Santa,” and the greatest holiday song never written for the holidays, “Somebody to Love.”

Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show feat. Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay, & Josh Gondelman
2025-12-09 19:00 - 23:00 | Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W 4th St, Royal Oak, MI, 48067, United States
Aimee Mann is one of the most distinguished singer-songwriters of her generation. Her successful solo career has spanned several decades with several Grammy nominations, two Grammy awards, and the release of nine critically acclaimed solo albums, including the profoundly popular soundtrack for the film Magnolia, which garnered an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination for Best Song in 2000. Time magazine has said, “Mann has the same skill that great tunesmiths like McCartney and Neil Young have: the knack for writing simple, beautiful, instantly engaging songs, ” while NPR voted her one of the “TOP 10 Best Living Songwriters” along with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. Her latest release is called “Mental Illness” which won her a Grammy for Best Folk Album.
Aimee Mann and Ted Leo began collaborating, under the inconspicuous band name the Both, in 2013. The pairing revealed two artists with more in common than one might suspect. Mann, a generational singer-songwriter, was, in her formative years, a punk, before coming up playing in the New Wave favorites ’Til Tuesday, and eventually turning to the wry ballads for which she is revered. Leo, a New Jersey-bred punk hero, is a biting lyricist attuned to the nuances of pop songcraft. Both are fiercely independent artists, free to follow their muses where they travel—even if that happens to be a holiday variety show that mixes jovial Christmas classics with piquant original songs. A seasonal tradition for Mann since 2006, the concert includes sketches and guests from both musical and comedic realms. – New Yorker Magazine
“Delightful…a Santa-stupefying balance of naughty and nice…with the giddy warmth of an eggnog buzz. Hangover included, of course.” – New York Times
“Genuine, irony-free good cheer had been spread, making Mann’s Christmas extravaganza one of the season’s best gifts.” – Boston Herald

An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
2025-12-08 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
Over the Rhine
2025 Christmas Tour Thoughts
One December, not long after Over the Rhine began recording and touring, we were invited to perform some seasonal songs on a public radio station in Cincinnati. It was Christmastime and apparently they thought we were up to the task. We worked up a few carols and traditional tunes and Karin even read a poem by Thomas Hardy called, The Oxen.
It actually felt really good and conjured up an unusual mix of feelings from childhood: innocence, loss, wonder, joy, sadness. I think we were surprised.
People must have tuned into the radio broadcast, because we began receiving inquiries as to whether we had recorded any of our Christmas songs. I don’t think we had considered it at the time, but any young, struggling songwriter is open to the suggestions of the marketplace, and people were persistent.
In December of 1996 – can it really be almost 30 years ago? – we recorded and released our first song cycle of some of the Christmas carols that still haunted us. We included a few original tunes and called our wintry mix The Darkest Night Of The Year. We played a special “darkest night” release concert on winter solstice in an old 1300-seat theater in Cincinnati. Every last seat was full. Folks began snatching up copies and seemed to agree that they hadn’t heard anything quite like it.
We began playing concerts around the Midwest every December and found that the rooms were usually packed full of people who had bundled in out of the cold with prized compatriots. Hats and scarves abounded. If you stepped outside during intermission, you could make ghosts with your breath in the crisp night air. And it was dark – oh so dark: a time of year with its own music.
A decade later, in 2006, we released our first full collection of original Christmas/holiday songs called Snow Angels. What is it about Christmas music and the undeniable gravitational pull it exerts on some songwriters? So many Christmas songs have already been written. I think we are genuinely curious about the ones that haven’t yet been written.
We continued to tour every December and these special year-winding-down concerts began to feel like an annual tradition – gatherings of extended musical family, without whom, we’d be homeless.
By the time we released our third holiday album of original songs, Blood Oranges In The Snow, in December of 2014, Karin suggested we had discovered a new genre of music: Reality Christmas.
It’s true: if you’ve buried a loved one, or lost a job, or battled a chronic illness, that stuff doesn’t go away during the holidays. It can be a complicated season for many of us.
And then there’s family.
When Karin and I make the annual holiday pilgrimage home to visit family and pull into the driveway and turn off the car, one of us inevitably looks over at the other and says, “Tie a rope around my waist, I’m goin’ in.”
In 2025, just shy of 30 years after releasing our first holiday CD, we are still at it. This year, we will be leaning into some harmonies and making an intimate but hopefully holy ruckus. It won’t be all Christmas music: we’ll certainly mix in tunes from many of our records along the way. But hopefully it’s still true: hopefully you haven’t heard anything quite like it.
Maybe a midnight snow will fall and turn each streetlight into its own private snow globe.
Maybe, regardless of whatever reality Christmas brings, we’ll hear a faint echo of a song once rumored to have been sung by angels, a song of peace on earth, goodwill toward all…
We’ve never heard anything quite like it.
We hope you’ll join us,
Linford Detweiler
With Karin close by
Nowhere Else
Clinton County, Ohio

Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home For The Holidays
2025-12-07 19:30 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ring in the season with Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home for the Holidays, an evening of music, stories, and holiday cheer. Jon returns to the stage with his signature blend of heartfelt songwriting, masterful piano playing, and soaring vocals — this time joined by a few very special guests for a festive, one-of-a-kind concert.
McLaughlin will perform a mix of original holiday songs, classic Christmas favorites, and fan-favorite hits from his celebrated career, which began with his 2007 major-label debut Indiana and has since included chart-topping releases, national tours, and film and television appearances.
This year’s show features a stellar lineup of friends and collaborators, including American Idol winner Kris Allen, acclaimed pop-soul singer-songwriter David Davis, and powerhouse vocalist and Broadway star Morgan James. Together, they’ll bring unforgettable performances, harmonies, and holiday magic to the stage.
Gather your family and friends for an evening that’s sure to become a new holiday tradition!

The RFD Boys
2025-12-06 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-11-29 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
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. They’re legends of Michigan bluegrass, but they’re more than that too. With an appearance on the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited, with songs recorded by the likes of the Country Gentlemen, and with performances alongside bluegrass greats like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley, the RFD Boys are a part of America’s bluegrass tradition. The RFD Boys are one of southeastern Michigan’s most durable musical ensembles, and their shows capture a deep slice of musical Ann Arbor. Their 50th-anniversary appearance at the Folk Festival was a special moment and introduced many listeners to Dan Roehrig, who joined the band on guitar, mandolin, and bass in mid-2018. Dan grew up listening to Doc Watson, Clarence White, and Tony Rice, and you can hear it in both his singing and guitar playing.
Tickets available at the door. There are no advance tickets for this show.

Dom Flemons
2025-12-05 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
Dom Flemons is known as “The American Songster®” since his repertoire covers over one hundred years of American roots music. Flemons is a folk musician, black country artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music scholar, historian, actor, slam poet, record collector, curator, podcaster, cultural commentator, influencer, and the creator, host, and producer of the American Songster Radio Show on WSM in Nashville, TN. He is the Co-Founder and original member of the groundbreaking Carolina Chocolate Drops, the first ever black string band to win a GRAMMY Award. Over the past 25 years, he has received major awards, gained world-wide media recognition and has become one of the most influential and highly decorated voices in American roots music.
Attendance to tonight’s show is free for Ark members at the Solo ($50) level and above!

NewFound Road
2025-12-04 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
For over two decades, NewFound Road has been known for powerful harmonies, world-class musicianship, and songs that reach deep into the heart of American roots music. Founded in 2001, the band quickly carved out a reputation as one of the most dynamic groups in bluegrass and acoustic music.
With a sound built on soulful vocals, tight arrangements, and instrumental firepower, NewFound Road became a favorite on stages across the country, releasing a string of acclaimed albums and earning respect from fans and peers alike. Along the way, the band has shared their music everywhere from intimate listening rooms to major festivals, to the legendary stage of The Grand Ole Opry, leaving lasting impressions with their blend of tradition and innovation.
After stepping away from the road in 2013, NewFound Road has reunited with renewed passion and energy. The lineup features Tim Shelton (lead vocals, guitar), Jr. Williams (banjo, tenor vocals), Joe Booher (mandolin, harmony vocals), Jared Hensley (guitar), and Sam Lauderbaugh (bass) — a powerhouse group that balances seasoned experience with fresh creativity.
Now signed to Billy Blue Records, NewFound Road is back in the studio and back on stage, bringing fans both the timeless sound they’ve always loved and brand-new music that reflects the band’s growth and vision. With 2026 marking their 25th anniversary, NewFound Road is writing an exciting new chapter in a story that’s far from finished.
NewFound Road is back — stronger than ever, ready to share the next season of songs, stories, and unforgettable performances.

The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukkah!
2025-12-03 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
The Klezmatics are the only Grammy Award–winning klezmer band and one of the most iconic and adventurous groups in modern Jewish music. Since emerging from New York City’s East Village in 1986, they have led a global revival of klezmer—complete with accordion, alto saxophone, cimbalom, clarinet, kaval, and violin—combining Yiddish tradition with radical sensibilities in jazz, gospel, punk, classical, Latin, and Balkan music. In addition to celebrating their 40th anniversary, The Klezmatics return to their acclaimed revivals of Woody Guthrie’s original lyrics from the 1940s that redefined Jewish-American musical storytelling. This holiday program builds on the ensemble’s 2006 recording Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hanukkah, a collection of a dozen songs by the folk singer in collaboration with the Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt. Living in Brooklyn, Guthrie immersed himself in the Coney Island Jewish community and became devoted to sharing the spirit of Hanukkah and Jewish history in song.

The Empty Pockets
2025-12-02 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
The Empty Pockets craft a soulful blend of rootsy blues, classic rock, and Midwestern folk, anchored by powerful vocals and sharp songwriting. Their musical chops have been honed backing legends like Al Stewart, Gary Wright, Simon Kirke, and Kenny Loggins, and their own work has earned two #1 spots on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. Known affectionately as the “baseball band,” you might find them singing the national anthem or 7th inning stretch at MLB and MiLB stadiums across the country, building a loyal fanbase one city at a time.
The Empty Pockets infuse holiday classics like “Let It Snow” and “Run Run Rudolph” with fresh blues-rock energy, while showcasing their own fun and festive originals like “Snow Day” and “Party at the North Pole.” Blending holiday cheer with songs from their #1 Billboard Blues albums, the band is hitting the road this season for a dozen exhilarating shows. They’re calling it the Snow Day Holiday Tour.

Jen Sygit
2025-11-30 19:30 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Sometimes traditional, sometimes contemporary, always imbued with a raw honesty, Lansing based Independent Music Award winning songwriter Jen Sygit wields a rare and powerful talent that seems equally comfortable performing ethereal folk tunes, crooning sultry swing numbers or soulfully belting gritty alt country ballads. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist who isn’t afraid to test boundaries and cross genres, Jen’s eclectic musical style draws the listener in and holds them captivated. Her poignant lyrics tinged with a delicate melancholy, reveal an oft-overlooked beauty to life’s mundane struggles while offering the occasional glimpse into the plight of a modern day troubadour.
Jen has released four solo albums with her latest “It’s About Time” -produced by Sygit’s long time friend and collaborator Dominic John Davis (bassist to Jack White, Buddy Miller, Joshua Davis) and featuring guest appearances from Luther Dickinson, Colin Linden, The McCrary Sisters and Rachael Davis- revealing a depth and maturity to Sygit’s ability as both songwriter and performer.

Gemily
2025-11-30 13:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
Gemily (Gemini + Emily) is the folk music trio comprised of Laz and San Slomovits, and San’s daughter, Emily. Laz and San, as the highly popular family music duo, Gemini, have been performing throughout Michigan and the United States since 1973. Emily first began joining them on stage when she was just eight years old, and increasingly since graduating from college in 2016. All three are versatile instrumentalists and excellent singers. Between them they play over a dozen instruments including guitars, violins, ukulele, mandolin, pennywhistle, and a variety of folk flutes and hand percussion instruments. They’ve played an annual family concert for Ark audiences on the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year since 1994 to benefit Mott Children’s Hospital, where Emily was born.
San and Laz’s recordings have won numerous awards from, among others, the American Library Association, Parents’ Choice Magazine, National Parenting Publications, the Wolf Trap Institute, Early Childhood News and ASCAP. Emily, who studied classical violin for over a decade, is an excellent violinist in a variety of styles including classical, jazz and folk. Gemily’s concerts feature a wide range of traditional and contemporary folk, jazz and classical music. Audiences thrill to their musicianship, warmth, humor and ease on stage.

Matt Watroba
2025-11-28 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
What could be better than to kick off the holiday season with a Michigan folk music institution? Many know Matt Watroba as the voice of folk music in Michigan for his work producing and hosting shows for public radio. He has devoted his life and career to being a custodian of American folk and roots music. This has helped shape a repertoire and presentation that is unique on stages across the state and country. We think a Matt Watroba concert makes a great November tradition.
Matt is turning this annual event into a grand community singing gathering! He’ll be joined by a couple dozen or more musical friends from our Michigan music community to be his choir and he’ll lead all of us in song after uplifting song! Matt will be donating a portion of proceeds to P.O.W.E.R. (a Peaceful Organization for Wellbeing, Empowerment, and Resilience) a community of artists and musicians who have come together to create and fund opportunities for vulnerable members of our community to receive self-defense training and situational-awareness training, at no cost, from expert instructors.

Don Julin's Trio 25
2025-11-25 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Don Julin, author of the best-selling Mandolin For Dummies and creator of the online mandolin school Mandolins Heal The World, is renowned as one of the most eclectic mandolin players and educators today. With over 20 original albums and compositions featured on HBO, NBC, Showtime, and more, Julin’s music spans genres and generations. His latest release, Fractured Fiddle Tunes, reimagines traditional fiddle tunes with bold creativity. Julin also played a pivotal role in launching the bluegrass phenom Billy Strings’ career, touring as a duo from 2013–2015 and recording two celebrated albums.
With their genre-bending approach and dynamic interplay, Don Julin’s Trio 25 delivers a fresh, unpredictable concert experience that is as innovative as it is entertaining. The trio will feature selections from “Fractured Fiddle Tunes” and a few of Julin’s original compositions. Recently, during a concert, Julin told the audience, “We may have invented a genre called Weather Channel Grass.” Don Julin’s Trio 25 features Tom Knific on bass and Hayes Griffin on guitar.
​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.
Tonight’s show is FREE (nonperishables accepted for Food Gatherers).

Portugal. The Man
2025-11-25 19:00 - 23:00 | Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W 4th St, Royal Oak, MI, 48067, United States
Over the past decade, Portugal. The Man has established themselves as one of rock’s most prized possessions and a live phenomenon, with over 1,600 shows under their belts and a storied reputation as festival favorites.
Originally heralding from Alaska, the Portland-based band soared to new heights in 2017 with the release of their now RIAA certified-Platinum album, Woodstock. The album was marked by the astounding success of their infectious single, “Feel It Still,” which earned the group a plethora of new accolades – including a GRAMMY for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance,” a 7x RIAA Platinum certification, a record setting 20-week residency at #1 on alternative radio, and an inescapable presence on the Top 40 airwaves.
Alongside the shine of their myriad of musical accomplishments lies the group’s long-standing passion for social justice. In fact, this is precisely the intersection in which Portugal. The Man thrives; throughout their career, the band has consistently exemplified how to deeply commit to both artistry and activism. This ultimately inspired them to officially launch PTM Foundation in 2020, focused on universal issues related to human rights, community health, and the environment, with an emphasis on causes directly impacting Indigenous Peoples, including Alaska Native Health (providing the highest quality of health services for Alaska Native people) and Seeding Sovereignty (radicalizing and disrupting colonized spaces through land, body, food sovereignty work and more).
Portugal. The Man have also partnered with an array of organizations such as National Coalition Against Censorship, The Skatepark Project (helping communities build public skate parks for youth in underserved communities), March for Our Lives (Gun Reform), Keep Oregon Well (Mental Health), and Protect Our Winters (Climate Change), to name just a few. In 2022, the band furthered their passion for activism when they launched PTM’s NIGHT OUT initiative – supporting disabled fans requiring ADA access.

The Ark Annual Membership Meeting
2025-11-24 18:30 - 23:00 | MI
The Ark will hold the Annual Meeting of its Members on Monday, November 24 at 6:30 pm. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held virtually by Zoom. At this meeting, the Membership will hear about the current state of The Ark and conduct any membership-related business that may come before the group.
All current Annual Members and anyone who has become an Introductory Member since September 1, 2024 are eligible to attend. You must pre-register by email to receive a link to attend the meeting. An invitation will be sent in mid November to all eligible members

Larkn
2025-11-23 19:30 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
Born and raised in Clarkston, Michigan, Larkn grew up singing in church choir, spending summers on sparkling Lake Michigan and writing nature-filled poetry inspired by Michigan’s four distinctive seasons. As a child she gravitated towards creative arts and was involved in singing, piano, choir, creative writing and musical theatre. She attended Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) for voice and contemporary writing and production in 2006 and later migrated to California where she lived predominantly in Los Angeles for a few years, trying to “make it” as an artist.
Her music is inspired by the ups and downs of her life journey, California, love, nature and introspection. A classically trained and uniquely gifted vocalist, Larkn sings with both delicacy and force, living up to her Lark-ish name. She delicately breathes pop, rock, R&B and folk into the singer-songwriter-pop genre palate drawing comparisons to Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow or Hozier with a satisfyingly wide cacophony of musical influences and soul-penetrating lyrics.

The Verve Pipe
2025-11-22 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
With a reputation for spectacular live performances, the genesis of multi-platinum artist The Verve Pipe can be traced back to the early 90s when the principal members of two rival Michigan bands joined forces. After releasing two independent albums, I’ve Suffered A Head Injury and Pop Smear, the group quickly garnered a regional following for its textured rock songs distinguished by innovative arrangements, soul-searching lyrics and layered vocals.
The success of both albums attracted the attention of RCA Records, which released their platinum major label debut Villains in 1996. The album featured the radio hit ‘Photograph’ and the #1 single ‘The Freshmen,’ one of the most successful multi-format tracks of 1997 and winner of an ASCAP Pop Award. Their follow-up release, the critically acclaimed self-titled LP The Verve Pipe, featured ‘Hero,’ a Top 15 hit at Modern Rock radio.
In 2001, RCA released Underneath, which produced the singles ‘Happiness Is’ and ‘Never Let You Down,’ one of the most played songs for Adult Top 40 and Modern A/C radio that year. The album also included ‘Colorful,’ the emotive ballad featured in the film and soundtrack Rock Star, starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston and also co-starring lead singer Brian Vander Ark in his first major film role.
In addition to their success on radio, TV and film, sold-out concert dates throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, features in Spin and Rolling Stone and videos on MTV and VH1, the band have made numerous television appearances, including ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’ and ‘Late Night With David Letterman.’
After an eight year hiatus, The Verve Pipe were approached to submit an original song for a compilation album of children’s music. That session inspired A Family Album, their critically acclaimed introduction to the world of children’s music, as well as their follow up release, Are We There Yet? Both albums contain music intended for the entire family, with fun and inventive lyrics set to the memorable melodies the band is known for.
In 2014, The Verve Pipe released their first rock album in over 13 years with Overboard, a collection of ten new songs including ‘Crash Landing’, ‘Hit and Run,’ and the haunting title track ‘Overboard.’ This long incubating project brought a renewed energy and focus to this self-produced album that resulted in their most inspired writing and recording to date.

The Verve Pipe continue to tour, performing both rock and kids shows throughout the U.S., including special appearances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Festival, Hangout Music Festival, Summer Stage in Central Park, and many more.

Brett Dennen
2025-11-21 20:00 - 23:00 | The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Ticket prices on our website reflect all-in pricing for purchases made online or by phone. This means the price you see includes the ticket price plus MUTO’s ticket processing fee. Tickets may be purchased with no included fees in person at The Ark during box office hours.
Across his career, Brett Dennen has established himself as the kind of singer-songwriter who finds inspiration by digging into the nooks and crannies of the human condition—exploring pain, joy, sadness, and all points in between. If It Takes Forever (Mick Music), the California native’s eighth solo album and first full-length since 2021’s See the World, is no exception. The warm, immersive collection boasts deeply felt sentiments, underpinned by rich acoustic guitars and Dennen’s earnest vocals, in the vein of dusky Americana (“Golden State of Mind”), harmonica-driven blues (the Tom Petty-esque “Careful What You Wish For”), rootsy indie (“Don’t Go Talking”), and meditative folk-rock (highlight “Time To Wake Up”).
Since debuting in 2004 with a self-titled album, Dennen has amassed a loyal fanbase thanks to a steady touring schedule, including alongside artists like John Mayer, Jason Mraz and G Love and Special Sauce, as well as multiple song placements in the TV show Parenthood. Another tune, “Comeback Kid (That’s My Dog),” became the theme song for the TV adaptation About A Boy. Along the way, Dennen has also had multiple top 10 hits on the AAA radio charts, with the keening title track of See the World, an encouraging song about growing up and forging your own path in life, landing at No. 4 in 2021.
With If It Takes Forever, Dennen plans to hit the road once again, but he possesses additional perspective on—and gratitude for—the solace provided by art and music. “To really boil it down, this is life,” he says. “Life is full of things that get complicated and make you busy, and are really hard to deal with. But if you write songs about it, and put it into art, then it makes it a lot more relevant and meaningful and worthy of celebration.”
