Welcome to Ann Arbor and to the 2018 Art Fair! The Ark’s Art Fair Stage runs from 6–9 Thurs. and 4:30–9 Fri. & Sat. It’s located under the big tent in the Palio parking lot at Main and William.
Thursday, July 19, 6–9 p.m.
OPEN STAGE IN THE OPEN AIR
with host ann arbor’s 107one’s John Bommarito
Sign up beside the stage at 5:30.
Friday, July 20
4:30 – 5:30:
Soltura
A small collective of musicians who perform various styles of Afro-Caribbean music.
6–7: Parsonsfield
Parsonsfield is a five-piece alt/folk band from Northampton, MA, that infuses a rowdy, rock ‘n’ roll spirit into its bluegrass and folk influences, blowing away any preconception of what you think banjos and mandolins should sound like. Their name comes from rural Parsonsfield, Maine, where they recorded two albums.
7:30-9: The Jeremy Kittel Band
It’s the return of Washtenaw County’s own fiddle prodigy! Jeremy grew up in Saline and had to be driven by his mom to his first shows at The Ark. Those days are all in the past as Jeremy has toured the world, playing everything from jazz to Celtic music to bluegrass to classical—and mixing it all up in the same show with ease. Come and connect with one of Washtenaw County’s most successful musical exports—he’s bringing a new release, “Whorls,” on Nashville’s prestigious Compass label!
Saturday, July 21, 4:30-9 pm
4:30–5:30: Chris DuPont
Singer-songwriter Chris DuPont comes from Grand Rapids and now lives in Ann Arbor. On his latest album, “Outlier,” the classic eloquence of the 1970s collides with contemporary notions of self-care and speaking your own truth.
http://www.chrisdupontmusic.com
6–7: AHI
AHI (say “eye”) is Canadian musician Ahkinoah Habah Izarh, who says, “Maybe I’m Alt-Folk, Indie Pop, Indie Soul, Adult Alternative, or even Americana (even though I’m from Canada). I guess my genre depends on who’s listening. My pantheon is Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and Michael Jackson. But if I had to pick one, it would forever be Marley.” AHI has backpacked across Ethiopia, Trinidad, and Ontario, and he was recently featured on an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.
7:30–9: Jared Deck and The Travelers
Oklahoma Americana artist Jared Deck has been praised by Alejandro Escovedo for his “powerful, beautiful voice,” and he was a breakout surprise at last year’s Art Fair. Jared takes life one fight at a time. “The battle has always been internal, overcoming my own failures and working to improve,” he says. Raised on the dusty plains of an Oklahoma family farm, Jared has been a farmworker, factory worker, oilfield employee—and pianist at a black church for six years. His song “The American Dream” recently won first place in the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition.
