Wild Child is the Austin-born songwriting partnership of Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins, a duo whose chemistry has powered more than a decade of acclaimed indie-folk releases and spirited live shows. What began as a spontaneous creative spark in the back of a tour van evolved into one of Austin’s most beloved bands, known for warm harmonies, candid storytelling, and an ever-evolving blend of folk, pop, and soulful brass-driven arrangements.
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.
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. Tickets at the door.
Close harmony vocal trio All About Eve (Katie Geddes, Deb Wood, Mary Fithian) offers up a repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs encompassing folk, country, pop, and gospel genres, with an emphasis on edgy lyrics and topical content. Eric Fithian accompanies on guitar. This evening will feature repertoire chosen especially for these times.
How did East Nash Grass follow up their 2024 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Best New Artist? By earning a nomination for Entertainer of the Year, IBMA’s highest honor, in 2025, and celebrating fiddler Maddie Denton’s win as Fiddler of the Year. In short, East Nash Grass have quickly established themselves as the fresh new face of Nashville’s storied bluegrass tradition, a supergroup of rising stars: Grand Master Fiddle champion Denton is joined by banjo player Cory Walker (banjo player on the five-time nominated “Carter & Cleveland” album this year, among numerous accolades), 2022 IBMA Momentum Mandolin Player of the Year Harry Clark, and charismatic frontman James Kee. This is an all-star band that harkens back to the sort of talent collected in the original Blue Grass Boys and a powerhouse leader of the next generation in bluegrass excellence.
Chicago's own Natalie Lynch has a sound that ranges from classic country to rock & roll with undertones of folk and blues. The depth of her vocals add a layer of soul that commands your attention, sounding brand new and as old as time all at once. Many of her artistic influences are drawn from the likes of Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Carol King, and Joni Mitchell.
Chris Pierce is a singular American voice. An artist whose songs carry equal parts soul, truth, and grace. Rooted in folk, blues, and Americana, his music speaks plainly yet profoundly to the human condition, earning him a reputation as one of the most moving performers of his generation.
For nearly thirty years, the Austin-based Hot Club of Cowtown has built a global brand on jaw-dropping musicianship, three-part harmonies, and exhilarating live shows. This legendary trio—celebrated for an authentic Texas virtuosity that effortlessly bridges Western swing and European hot jazz—is thrilled to return to The Ark. Over the years, this iconic listening room and its dedicated community have deeply helped shape the band's career, making it one of the most meaningful stops on their tour routing. The band is incredibly eager to step back onto this familiar stage and reconnect with one of their absolute favorite Michigan audiences.
Rolling Stone calls award-winning Florida musician Selwyn Birchwood “a remarkable, contemporary bluesman…a powerhouse young guitarist and soulful vocalist.” Now, this mesmerizing guitarist, lap steel master and cinematic songwriter unleashes the powerful new self-produced album, Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues, further blazing his own musical trail.
From a small-town minivan to sold-out theaters, Girl Named Tom’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Siblings Bekah, Caleb, and Joshua Liechty grew up making music together but officially formed their band in 2019, hitting the road with a self-funded tour and their debut EP, Another World. Their tight harmonies and heartfelt songwriting captivated audiences, leading them to make history as the first group to win The Voice.
Moonmill is a folk pop duo based in Brooklyn, NY. Nine years after meeting in high school choir class in Ann Arbor, Mary Collins and Kaye Hamada accidentally moved two blocks away from each other in Brooklyn and realized that the songwriting partners they’d been looking for had been one text away all along. One song led to another, and Moonmill came to be!
Grammy nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen is one of the fortunate few who can step on any stage, play those trademark licks which drove the seminal Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top Ten nationwide, and elicit instant recognition. Named a “Titan of the Telecaster” by Guitar Player Magazine, he celebrates a musical tradition that embraces rock ‘n’ roll, blues and bluegrass, Texas Western swing and California honkytonk. Nick Lowe describes Bill as “... a devastating culmination of the elegant and funky… a really sensational musician, with enormous depth.”
The members of North Ingalls enjoy blending various genres to fuel their unique sound. With folk at the forefront, it is mixed in with jazz, R&B, and rock. They are constantly expanding their ears, finding new music and new sounds to draw inspiration from to feed their passion. Ananda Murari is a Southeast Michigan artist creating eclectic devotional folk shaped by a decade of monastic living. After spending years immersed in spiritual study and simple living, he returned to songwriting with a renewed sense of wonder—carrying the quiet clarity of the forest, the humility of service, and the soft ache of becoming human again.
As global ambassadors of Irish heritage and storytelling, The High Kings have consistently brought the timeless tradition of folk music to audiences worldwide, earning them chart-topping success and widespread acclaim. With their signature blend of classic tradition and modern edge, The Rocky Road Tour promises to be a vibrant showcase of Irish culture, energy, and musicality.
The City Is Coming to Erase It All is Fink’s ninth studio album, following 2024’s Beauty In Your Wake. Recorded in Zennor, Cornwall, the album was made with a strict era-specific approach. Imagining a record Michael Chapman might have made, right down to the guitar strings. Grammy-winning producer Sam Okell helped guide the process: “If it didn’t exist in 1974, you’re not allowed to use it.”
re you concerned about how many people start their sentences with "so"? Do you ponder the fate of the words "shall" and "fewer"? Are you still trying to understand "6-7" and other slang phrases of younger generations? We have just the event for you! Join University of Michigan English Professor Anne Curzan and Michigan Public’s Rebecca Hector, the hosts of That’s What They Say for Grammar Night—a fun evening discussing our ever-changing English language and your favorite language peeves in downtown Ann Arbor.
Known for their intricate vocal harmonies and unique instrumentation as well as their poetic lyrics, Raynes has yet to come up with a good answer as to what genre their music falls under. With all three members coming from different musical backgrounds, the boys combine their diverse influences to form a group that draws inspiration from around the globe, incorporating elements of folk, rock, and chamber pop with Celtic and world music to create a wholly original—and difficult to categorize—sound.
Featuring five musicians who grew up in El Paso, Lubbock and Amarillo, the West Texas Exiles draw upon the wide-open western reaches of the Lone Star State with a wide-ranging, Americana-centered sound. Rising from the embers of the Dirty River Boys, which Marco Gutierrez co-founded in 2009, the Austin band features a triple-threat of songwriters in Gutierrez, Daniel Davis and Colin Gilmore (son of legendary Texas troubadour Jimmie Dale Gilmore), plus seasoned bassist Eric Harrison and latter-day Dirty River Boys drummer Trinidad Leal
In the 14th annual installation of Bedard’s History of American Music series, he will feature a tribute to rockabilly great Carl Perkins, including his classic songs “Honey Don’t”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, and “Dixie Fried”. He will also explore the year 1963, from rock’n’roll and surf music to country and R&B. The band will perform music by artists of many genres, including George Jones, The Surfaris, Otis Redding, Little Johnny Taylor, and Bob Dylan.
American Patchwork Quartet (APQ)—founded by multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist and vocalist Clay Ross and shaped in collaboration with an ensemble of internationally celebrated musicians—binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication, country twang, West African hypnotics, and East Asian ornamentation. Their debut album was recently nominated for “Best Folk Album” at the 67th GRAMMY® Awards.
Devon Allman’s sound sits squarely in the sweet spot of soulful Southern rock, blues, and improvisational jam. Celebrating 20 years since the release of his first album and national tour, the 20 Years Strong Tour is a special retrospective show featuring music from across Devon’s celebrated career — including The Allman Betts Band, Devon Allman’s Blues Summit, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Honeytribe, Devon Allman & Donavon Frankenreiter’s Rollers, and classic songs from the Allman Brothers Band catalog.
Based in Minnesota, but with roots in Tennessee, Chastity Brown grew up surrounded by country and soul music. In the full gospel church of her childhood, she played saxophone and drums and found her singing voice and a passion for music. Her first show was in Knoxville, TN, and then it was on to Minneapolis. Since then, she’s been featured on NPR’s “Favorite Sessions,” CMT, American Songwriter, the London Times, Paste Magazine and others.
The Trews Acoustic Trio features three principal members of the acclaimed rock band The Trews - Colin Macdonald, John-Angus Macdonald, and Jack Syperek, delivering a powerful, stripped-down take on the songs that have defined one of Canada's most successful rock acts. Centered on harmony, musicianship, and storytelling, the trio format brings a raw, intimate energy to The Trews' catalogue.
Damn Tall Buildings is a celebrated folk-bluegrass band known for their soulful melodies and intricate instrumentals. Based in Brooklyn, this seasoned trio—Max Capistran, Sasha Dubyk, and Avery Ballotta—has spent over a decade honing their craft through dedicated touring and recording. With a distinctive sound that weaves heartfelt lyrics into thoughtful fiddle, guitar, and bass arrangements, they embody a unique blend of Americana roots and contemporary style.
Rodney Crowell is the songwriter’s songwriter and an icon among giants. Native Texan, Crowell is a multi-Grammy Award-winning troubadour with fifteen number one hits. Over the course of his career, Crowell has gracefully blended his own mainstream success as an artist with a prolific catalog of songs cut by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Keith Urban and more, making him a master among his peers.
Banjo player Tray Wellington’s approach to the quintessential American instrument is all about looking forward. An International Bluegrass Music Association Award winner, Wellington is critically acclaimed not only for his technical prowess, but also for leveraging his unique point of view to craft a one-of-a-kind voice on the instrument. It’s a feat that’s all too rare in these roots genres that seem to value emulation and regurgitation over all else. Instead, Wellington has time and time again reasserted that his playing style, and all of the many varied and disparate parts that combine within it, is wholly his own – and it’s unconcerned with tradition.
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. Tickets at the door.
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.
River Shook carries the country-rock torch of Sarah Shook & the Disarmers into an exciting new era. Shook debuts as a solo artist this year, and continues to deliver everything we’ve come to expect from them: killer songwriting, a smoking hot band, and high-energy, heart-winning live shows.
Annie and Rod Capps have established themselves as well-respected songwriters, musicians and performers, with three albums topping the Folk Radio charts and as 2-time Kerrville New Folk Finalists. The Capps’ sound meets at the intersection of Americana & Folk drawing on rock, jazz, blues and bluegrass influences. Tonight’s show celebrates the release of their new album, Never Done. The 10th album from Michigan rockers turned ‘folkies’ features 10 original songs that combine themes of nostalgia and personal growth, with plenty of heart-felt realness, charming self-awareness, and a dusting of humor.
Marty O’Reilly’s music feels timeless, like an old story told in a new way. His raw, soulful voice and gritty guitar playing form the foundation of a sound rooted in Americana. Drawing inspiration from folk icons like Woody Guthrie, blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf, gospel pioneers like Sister Rosetta Thorpe, and storytellers like Tom Waits, Marty’s music captivates and connects audiences.
Since picking up a music career through busking on the streets of Toronto, Maddy Ringo has been a fresh voice in the timeless tradition of American folk music. The daughter of a born-and-bred Canadian and an American peacenik, Maddy learned the Rise Up Singing catalogue as a seven-year-old, laying her foundation in the works of Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and the like.
BIIRD are an all-female trad supergroup that have been mystifying the masses with their lively, zealous set and uncompromising dedication to Irish design since their inception last year. Bringing the trad session vibe from the corner of a pub to a global audience, their energy is unmatched. This is a sisterhood born out of a shared passion for keeping the tradition of Irish music alive, giving it a new look and keeping it on its toes. When they’re performing together, a magic flows between them, and that mix of skill and sorcery make them incomparable.
The Brudi Brothers are a dynamic Americana band hailing from Seattle, Washington. Often recognized as the city's favorite buskers and street poets, they are known for their raucous performances and distinctive old-world soul that stands out in the world of modern music. They gained rapid popularity worldwide when a live clip of their latest single, "Me More Cowboy Than You," went viral, with over 10 million views cumulatively and quickly rising. Comprising of three brothers, Johannes, Conrad, and George, the boys have an inimitable musical and performance dynamic replete with wit and humor.
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. No advance tickets. Tickets available at the door only.
Join as Ann Arbor native Ki5 - vocal architect and live looping artist Kyler Wilkins - performs and invites local musicians Josie G and David Magumba to take the stage sharing songs and stories of their craftsmanship, dreams, and triumphs along with all the other things that come with being a modern creator.
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. No advance tickets. Tickets available at the door only.