Chris Smither // Paul Cebar

Sun
17
September 17 @ 7:30 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

It’s as if the blues met modern poetry and got infused with Zen calm. Chris Smither takes the blues in a direction all his own, offering stoic, existential ruminations sung in a weathered blues moan and set to quietly virtuosic guitar.

Paul Cebar cut his teeth musically in the coffeehouse folk scene of the mid-’70s in Milwaukee. Taking cues from the dance bands of western Louisiana (and his native Midwest,), the streets (and 45’s) of New Orleans, touring African and Caribbean combos and the soul, funk & blues of his youth coupled with early, teeth-cutting experience in the verbal hotbeds of the coffeehouse scene, Cebar is a masterful synthesist of rhythmic culture

$35
Mon
24
July 24 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

After 50 years of bold work, Holly Near is still one of the most consistent and well-informed voices for change. Her work is loving, challenging, funny, thought provoking, and remains rooted in the global community. As an outspoken singer and ambassador for peace, Holly brings a unique integration of world consciousness and self-evaluation, always growing and sharing experience humbly and boldly.

$25
Thu
15
June 15 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

Peter Yarrow co-wrote “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” and by any measure he’s one of America’s most beloved folk singers. With Peter, Paul & Mary in the 1960s and beyond, he was part of a group that changed the world of music. He’s been active in changing the wider world as well, and he has never slowed down since the birth of Peter, Paul & Mary during the Kennedy administration. In 1969 he was one of the organizers of the antiwar March on Washington. In support of the rights of Jews in the former Soviet Union he wrote the anthem “Don’t Let the Light Go Out.” In 2000 he founded Operation Respect, a set of school and camp curricula designed to promote a culture of tolerance and respect. Peter’s recent appearances have emphasized music as a shared message and an antidote to mean-spiritedness and intolerance.

$30
Wed
24
May 24 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

John Oates is one half of the best-selling duo of all time, Hall & Oates, as well as an accomplished solo artist. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The American Songwriters Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the prestigious BMI Icon Award as well as numerous American Music, MTV awards, and multiple Grammy nominations. In 2023 John is releasing a series of digital singles in a wide variety of eclectic styles as well as another series of songs from the upcoming feature film “Gringa” to be released soon. He is currently performing an intimate series of solo acoustic shows called an “Evening of Stories and Songs” in America and Europe.

$40
Sun
21
May 21 @ 7:30 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

Called “a musician and singer of dazzling versatility” (No Depression), Tracy Grammer is among contemporary folk music’s most beloved artists. Renowned for her pure voice, deft guitar and violin work, and incantatory storytelling, Tracy has recorded and performed with Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter, headlined several of the nation’s top folk festivals, including Philadelphia Folk Festival and Falcon Ridge, and enjoyed 12 consecutive years as one of folk radio’s 50 top-played artists, both solo and with the late Dave Carter. Tracy is currently on tour celebrating her 11th release, “Low Tide,” which is the first of her albums to showcase her original songs. Says Mary Chapin Carpenter: “We are lucky that she is so brave, generous, and gifted.”

$20
Fri
12
May 12 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

Loudon Wainwright III, or LW3 for short, is a cherished icon of American folk music, a darkly witty and touchingly personal songwriter and storyteller. He started out in the folk clubs of New York and Boston before going on to a long career that’s encompassed both music and acting. Loudon comes to Michigan with a brand new album, “Lifetime Achievement.”

$25
Fri
21
April 21 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

One of America’s great songwriters, Michigan legend Dick Siegel teams up with longtime compadre guitarist Dave Roof, and upright bassist Charlie Reischl to bring his irresistible and exuberant music to life. Strains of American folk, blues, jazz and r&b weave through Dick’s songs in classics like “Angelo’s” and “What Would Brando Do?” Sometimes there’s a hint of Hank Williams … a bit of Louis Jordan, Bob Dylan … the zaniness of Spike Jones… even a little T.S. Eliot meets the Beatles. It’s all Dick Siegel music – served up hot and fresh.

$25
Fri
14
April 14 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

We know—Tom Paxton had a farewell tour a few years ago. Kidding! Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and folk icon Tom Paxton is back, and he’s teaming up with the Grammy-winning Nashville singer/songwriter duo The Don Juans—Don Henry & Jon Vezner! Collectively, their songs have been covered by: Harry Belafonte, John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nanci Griffith, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Faith Hill, B.J. Thomas, Blake Shelton, Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan … just to name a few! Within days of writing and playing together, the trio knew they were onto something, and they soon took it on the road. Ever since the days of Porter & Dolly’s cover of “The Last Thing on My Mind,” the songs of Tom Paxton have had a special resonance with Nashville songwriters, and now the tradition continues!

$30
Wed
5
April 5 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

Celebrating 55 years on stage! A performer with an abiding love of being in front of an audience, Rush is a rib-tickling storyteller, an expressive singer, and a guitarist capable of real melancholy. He’s a durable Ark favorite, and, says the Chicago Tribune, he’s “probably the only man alive who should be allowed to sing Joni Mitchell songs.” Tom Rush is, in short, folk royalty.

$32
Tue
14
Live and Virtual
February 14 @ 8:00 pm

The Ark 316 S. Main Ann Arbor, MI 48104 United States

What better time than Valentine’s Day to get to know some married or partnered couples who make music together? My Folky Valentine is The Ark’s annual celebration of romance! Each year we present a few of the region’s top musical couples, in the round during Valentine’s Day week. Your hosts, Annie and Rod Capps, invite some of their most talented friends from around the region to share the stage for an evening of grand collaboration and anything but love songs! . . . Okay, well, maybe a few love songs, since this year My Folky Valentine falls on the day itself. Can you imagine anything sweeter than a pair of tickets to see this show? This year’s lineup features Jenny & Robin Bienemann from Chicago and Ruth & Max Bloomquist from Ludington.

$20