As The Ark gets ready to celebrate 60 years in 2025, “it’s still thriving thanks to the deep support from members, volunteers, audiences, and community partners.” says Ark Executive Director, Marianne James.
One very important piece of that community partnership is the array of Michigan-based artists who call The Ark’s stage their musical home. With an eye to celebrating our local music community as well as our roots in Ann Arbor, we’re bringing over a dozen of those artists together to showcase their renditions of popular songs from 1965 – the year The Ark was founded.
The event takes place at The Ark on Friday, January 17 at 8pm. Featured performers include Al Bettis, Andrew Brown & Katie Smith, Annie & Rod Capps, Chris Buhalis, Chris DuPont & Kylee Phillips, Dani Darling, Joe Reilly, Judy Banker, Ki5, Matt Watroba, Peter Madcat Ruth, The RFD Boys and more to be announced!
We’ll continue our celebrations of the 60th anniversary with occasional featured events in 2025 including the 48th Ann Arbor Folk Fest which returns to Hill Auditorium on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25. Presented by Bank of Ann Arbor, the festival delivers the full spectrum of “Ark music,” presenting a taste of what’s happening on the leading edge of acoustic music while delving into the very heart of folk and roots traditions. This year’s headliners include Waxahatchee and Josh Ritter on Friday night and Toad the Wet Sprocket with Bruce Cockburn and The Milk Carton Kids on Saturday night. Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor will MC each night. For more info on the Folk Fest visit theark.org.
Folk Fest Kickoff: Live Since ’65, a fundraiser for The Ark, goes on sale to the public Friday, December 20 at 10am. Tickets are priced at $95 ($60 tax-deductible), $65 ($30 tax-deductible), and $35.
Photo: Al Bettis
