This is an intimate and eclectic concert hall, that sits about 400 people. Â There is literally not a bad seat in the place. Â Stage center seating is reversed, about 100 seats, all the other seats are general admin. Â Doors typically open at 7:30pm, with shows starting promptly at 8pm. Â People start lining up in from of the Ark, to either purchase tickets or they are holding general admin tickets, around 7pm. Â They have a small bar and pop corn stand.
The Ark is a not for profit organization, and all of the ushers are volunteers. Â These people are passionate and knowledgeable about music and the performers.
It's a great location to see a long lost musical acts, or a talented local group just starting or a place to sing a long to classic folk songs. Â We typically go 2-3 times a year, depending on the artists/band. Â You buy tickets online or you can go to the Michigan University Student Union and pay a $1 dollar service charge.
I've Bruce Cockburn here, and last Friday night we saw Jill Sobule and Julia Sweeney. Â Occasionally a big name will play at The Ark, but mostly is regional (Michigan) specific artist.
Its worth looking at their calendar, pick a music genre you like, and show up - its better than watching most Hollywood movies.
As David Byrne said..... "Same as it ever was, same as it ever was"
Although the concert line up has grown and become a bit more eclectic, The Ark is the same as it ever was.
It's the perfect spot in Ann Arbor to see a concert. It's still the only place where you can actually hear the performer louder from the stage than through the sound system. Â Although it tends to cater to the singer/songwriter crowd, they are equally good at handling high volume bands.
Another thing that I appreciate at the Ark is that the concessions are away from the performing area. These days too many clubs have bars set up in the performance spaces which are a real distraction for both the audience and performer.
Lastly the Ark is loaded with memorabilia. Old concert posters and photos cover the walls, but the one that caught my eye and brought back lots of good memories was the small tribute to Dave and Linda Siglin, the previous managers of the Ark, whose vision really made the club what it is today: Â The premier place to enjoy music in the Ann Arbor.
What a great venue! Went here for the first time on a "Take a Chance Tuesday" - free admission and canned goods are accepted for their food pantry partnership. The size is intimate think of your grade school classroom and multiply that by... 2.5? Seriously for a music venue that's awesome!! The staff here is friendly and they have over 300 concerts each year! I have no idea how they manage that. The Ark's endless support for real artists will ensure my patronage for years to come!
Review Source:Had a good time the other night to see the Steel Wheels. Seating was ok. Sound system vas very good. Didn't try the refreshments, but they had been and popcorn so most people would be happy. Ticketing process was smooth, easy to get in, had to wait in the line outdo, but that's how it's done. Good experience, will go again.
Review Source:The Ark is one of the most amazing places to see a concert, hands down.  The Ark is a small venue with  remarkable acoustics.  It is a treat to see and hear talented acts in such an intimate setting.  Shows at The Ark feature artists outside the mainstream and lean toward folk and Americana, although are certainly not limited to those styles of music.  We have never seen anything but a great show here.  The Ark is a non-profit that depends in part on membership contributions and only members can purchase alcohol at the concert, but they do offer a "one day" type membership.  The Ark is definitely worth supporting financially in my book.  Aptly named, it provides a venue for amazing music we would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live. Â
We like to park at the structure at 4th and William and walk. Â There are plenty of excellent food choices in Ann Arbor for before the show.
Just went there last night to see "My Folkey Valentine' and had a great time. Â A perfect place to take my fiance on Valentines Day. Â A great performance overall, but "The Marvins" (I think they were called) stole the show. Â All of the performers were great, but I hope to see the Marvin's again!
Review Source:This is an awesome place to see a concert. Â It is small and personal, so you can see/smell the sweat on your favorite up and coming artists. Â If there is a musician that you like and they are coming to The Ark, then GO! Â Unlike huge arenas, this bar set-up allows you to get up close and personal with the artist you came to see. Â It is very affordable and the bar is too, which makes for a great time.
Review Source:If you're in Ann Arbor, MI for any reason, try to visit the Ark. Cozy venue. Real music's last stop where anything can be tried and heard. I saw a duo tribute to Simon & Garfunkel performed by A.J. Swearingen & Jonathan Beedle. Not a terribly big fan to S&G (before my time) but they were excellent to the classics of S&G. This was a pleasant surprise. I gave a bit to the Ark too. It is a non-profit joint. Must find a way to revisit.
Review Source:If anyone can make a music venue pretentious, it's the people of Ann Arbor.
I gave this place 2 stars because it is run by people who really love music. They get in some good acts, have fantastic sound, and really provide an intimate setting.
I just really don't get the whole membership thing.
I just want to go see a good show. Â I don't care to be a part of your club and I certainly don't want to pay $50 a year so I can drink a beer at a show or $500 a year so I can get a seat the doesn't have a giant pillar blocking my view. Â This is all on top the overpriced tickets.
Once you're in there, people act like they're in the library. Â Nobody gets out of their seat, nobody dances, and don't even try to talk to the person next to you without getting shushed. Â You clap at the end of songs and maybe cheer after a big solo or during the fake ending/pre-encore, but other than that you keep your trap shut!
A lot of people really like this place, but for me, I'd rather see a show somewhere that I can enjoy myself.
The Ark is in my top 10 places I will miss the most when I move to Ferndale list. Â I started volunteering at the Ark in 2001 and was instantly in love with the venue for its welcoming staff, and friendly patrons. Â
I have seen some really big names come through this  little venue including Dar Williams, Arlo Guthrie, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Greg Brown and Tom Paxton. I still cannot believe how close I sat to these legends!
Not to mention that alothough the tickets are reasonably priced I saw all of these shows for free in exchange for volunteering which consists of working the bar before the show and at intermission followed by sweeping up stray popcorn after the show. (Anyone could do this)
It is the best small venue for folk, bluegrass, & other acoustic music in the Midwest. Â Very intimate, excellent acoustics. Â Of the hundreds I've attended, the best shows I've seen have been: Â Richard Thompson (twice), Shawn Colvin, Leo Kottke (4 times), Greg Brown (twice), and Kaki King (3 times). Â I highly recommend this place.
Review Source:So many wonderful artists have played here, check this list an tell me there isn't someone you love on there:
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheark.org%2Fwho_s_played_at_the_ark_.html&s=de730dbf51aa06ea3795770cdbcfab9c7d8771fe410347b88d93b4d79c2af458" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://theark.org/who_s_…</a>
I have only been here a handful of times, but every time was a great experience and this place holds many fond memories for me! Â The quaint atmosphere makes it a great place to see shows and the venue is just really neat!
Check out their list of upcoming shows and see if one strikes your fancy! Â This is a definite must visit place in Ann Arbor and it has had a big impact on the community.
I just caught the Jer Coons concert there last night with a couple friends and it was a blast. Â My first visit to The Ark can be counted as a win! Â The Ark is a very intimate venue to watch an artist play and it is different then any other space I have seen a performance. Â
I was slightly disappointed that a membership was needed to purchase an alcoholic beverage but got over it pretty quickly. Â If I go back for another show in the next couple months I definitely think a membership would be a good investment.
I've been here twice, once to see Antje Duvekot, and second time to see Ingrid Michaelson. Both times, the experience was amazing. I love that this venue is small enough that even though tickets may be hard to come by given that it can fill up quickly,you can always get a good seat. Â And being in close quarters, it feels like there's just so much energy in the audience. The seats are also near the stage and add to the cozy, intimate setting.
Review Source:At some point, I need to sit down and write a list of all the good and bad performances I've seen at the Ark. Â WAIT - I can actually tell you results right now ...
- Great Performances - 15+
- Bad Performances - NONE
It's really that simple. Â When you see talented people in this intimate setting (yes .. you can just about reach out and touch the stage) - you understand the difference between music that is "Made" vs. music that is "Produced". Â
A trip to Ann Arbor is a project for us ... our schedules don't have that amount of flux in them ... plus, our days start pretty darn early - and usually wind into the evenings. Â When we review the monthly calendar for the Ark ... the decision isn't "who do we want to go see" .. it's more "How badly do we want to see them". Â And I can tell you .... when we do make the trip - it's ~never~ less than wonderful ...
Another thing ...
I would say that Folk/Country is not my favorite brand of music. Â My music preferences generally fall elsewhere. Â I will say, tho, that there's something very special about this particular spectrum. Â When you see it live, you see it all. Â We tend to forget how very talented people can be ... which is what makes the Ark so very special. Â It's essentially a venue that puts performers square in front of you. Â If you thought the recording artist was good .... wait until you see the "real deal"!
Best shows (we've had the chance to see):
- Shawn Colvin
- Bruce Cockburn
- Leo Kottke
- Patty Larkin
- Asleep at the Wheel
- Hotclub of Cowtown
- Loudon Wainwright III (Rufus's daddy)
So, if you catch me on that 6:00am conference call ... and I appear to be "tired but happy" ... chances are ... I've just made that trip to Ann Arbor to visit the Ark!
I must admit, I feel a little silly reviewing a venue. I don't know about you but if one of my favorite artists comes to town, I'll make an effort to see them no matter where they're playing. Admittedly The Ark attracts groups that compliment its cozy and intimate ambiance. This is to say, if you like to groove to jazz or folk music you'll probably like the setting provided by The Ark. If you like live shows with a little more oomph, be it volume, light displays, or choreography, you probably will not be such a fan.
You'll notice that I used the words "cozy" and "intimate" up there. Claustrophobics beware: The Ark has a very small performance space. The upside of this is that there are few bad seats and you really get to connect with the band. If you're sitting in the front rows, the musicians might as well be sitting in your lap. (I'm not exaggerating here. At the concert I attended, the singer had to apologize for spitting on the people in the front row.) So if you love the sense that the band is playing in your living room or at a house party instead of a concert venue, I think you'll dig The Ark. The set-up reminds me a lot of the pub concerts I loved attending when I lived in Ireland (although The Ark has chairs.) The downside to all this intimacy is that you're up close and personal with the guy and gal on their first date sitting next to you, as well as the band. Well, that and, as I mentioned, you might be spat on.
Other reviews have proclaimed that there "isn't a bad seat in house." I'm not sure I can entirely agree. The concert I attended was sold out and a few chairs were crammed in the aisle, creating the need for the occupants to stand up every 30 seconds to let people pass. I was glad I wasn't sitting there. But maybe at less crowded concerts this wouldn't be a problem.
From what I gather, some concerts at The Ark have assigned seats and some are general admission. The concert I attended was general admission. Now, general seating makes me anxious so I am tempted to assign this aspect to the negative column. But I also can't deny the thrill of jockeying for a position. If the concert you attend is general admission, make sure to dress for the weather. You will be forced to queue, waiting for the doors to open (and they might open the doors fifteen minutes later than promised - but who's counting?). Also be aware that the faithful Ark goers are serious about queuing. I thought I'd gotten there embarrassingly early only to find that the line was already well down the block. I still got a good seat so it didn't really matter. But if you're a larger party without a reservation, you'd be smart to get there at least a half an hour before the doors open.
What can I say? Not a bad seat in the house. Â Well, maybe if someone has big hair. Â The only thing I didn't like is that to get juiced, they pick your pocket for $5 bucks for a theater membership, which if you live out-of-state is useless. Â You see, you can only buy beer or wine if you are a member. Â It's a nice, cozy venue.
Review Source:Here's why I love The Ark:
*They have chairs! This isn't your stand-up and get bumped into and knocked over kind of venue.
*It's small. You don't have to spend 20 minutes trying to find the right place to sit--or stand. You just walk in and sit down.
*Non-smoking!!! It's nice to be able to breathe while you listen to great music like The Ditty Bops or The Ginn Sisters.
Plain and simple, I'm an old-fashioned kind of gal. This is the kind of place I like to listen to music. It's not that expensive, I don't know what everyone else is talking about. $17.50 or $20.00 isn't THAT much. Think about how much kids today spend on Jonas Brothers tickets.
I cannot believe I did not review this immediately after I was there. Â I went here on a date with my husband, we saw Jonatha Brooke. Â It was AMAZING. Â Not a bad seat in the house. Â She was amazing. Â It was intimate, soulful and totally what we needed. Â Go see a new band. Â Go here to see an artist you love. Â Go on a date to do something different. Â Just go here. Â You won't regret it.
Review Source:Yes, sometimes The Ark can be pretentious but I think all is meant well. The only thing more pretentious are the people that think its hip to slam a nonproffit that works hard to not sell out and bring in good music and community to a location.
Take a chance and even go see a random show, you wont be disappointed.
Let's see... a cozy venue that literally has no bad seats in the house - what's not to like about the Ark? Granted, you're way more likely to love this place if you're a folk loving hippee, but nonetheless it's hard to deny the fact that the Ark is a great space for intimate concerts. Like others have mentioned, the Ark is run by a non-profit organization. So yes prices are not exactly cheap but really not expensive either in my opinion. Most shows I've been to here were $35 for reserved seating and less for general admission. Be sure to check out the annual AA folk fest!
Review Source:I've seen Chris Smithers here a few times. It was so amazingly special and intimate. It's open seating for the most part so get there early with some wine to drink in line to stay warm if it's winter time and grab some front row action. It's a bit ridiculous that you have to buy a membership to buy beer, but that's what it's like for non-profits. If you like it you'll be more than willing to support it. If you're not feeling it you won't come back which is totally fine by me. Shit - I'll buy your beers for you if you like it. I have a membership still and I live in San Francisco.
Review Source:I really, really, really want to love the Ark. Its a non-profit run by people who love music in downtown Ann Arbor!?! I should be volunteering here, not hating. Â But this place makes my skin crawl. Â Here's what I wrote on my blog after my last Ark experience:
There is one reason and one reason only to attend a show at The Ark - John Lennon and George Harrison have risen from the dead and are performing a one night only reunion show with the surviving Beatles. Even then, only go if offered a free ticket and there is a complimentary hand job at the door. This is the place where aging hippies and bland frat boys go to see their milquetoast acoustic funk jams. Its dark (as in "I know I showed up five minutes late but how the fuck am I supposed to find a seat?). Everyone stays seated and only politely claps after the song is finished. You have to be a MEMBER to get a drink - and then its only beer (with Heineken being their idea of 'Premium'). I think someday, when I am burning in my own special concentric circle of hell, I will be seated at the front row of The Ark, forced to watch Pavement perform Slanted and Enchanted over and over again for eternity.
All that and its over priced. Â In another life, we we're probably scorching lovers, but in this one Ark, we are mortal enemies.
I went there for the first time last night for Tristan Prettyman, and I was very impressed. I love the setup, it felt so intimate. It reminded me of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Â The chairs were ooooooooh so comfortable, the crowd was very courteous, and the sound was amazing. Their bathroom was very clean as well. I also did like that there was a DTE Energy rep there convincing people to be more green (not too surprising for Ann Arbor). Although ticket prices are a little high, it's quite a lovely venue.
Review Source:Gawd bless The Ark! I've got a friend who met her hubby as a volunteer usher here. So many great times for me too! The highlight was Alison Krause a loooong time ago before she got big. That was an amazing night! Great venue, small enough to feel like you're a part of the show, but affordable and well-run. If only Hothouse (in Chicago) could get their shit together- they could learn from The Ark!
Review Source:What a fantastic concept--a non-profit organization supporting a variety of music and musicians. Â We saw Joshua Radin and Skyler Fisk back in February and I was impressed with both musicians and equally impressed with how well the audience actually LISTENED (apart from the few in the crowd who chose to TAPE the performance w/ their cameras rather than watch...come on!). Â There's really no bad seat in the house being that the venue is so intimate (with exception of a couple of seats behind poles) and the acoustics are quite good. Â For a $5 membership, you can purchase alcohol. Keep tabs on the schedule--the really good shows sell out somewhat quickly!
Review Source:So many institutions in Ann Arbor possess inflated reputations. So many are mythologized beyond recognition. But the Ark has bonafides as a faithful and original proponent of folk music and a long term supporter of an interesting spectrum of musicians going back to its origins on Hill Avenue in the 1960s. I think this might be the real thing. Even in Ann Arbor.
Review Source:
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