"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."
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.”