Calendar

Jazz & blues standards by an ensemble led by WCC jazz guitar instructor Somers.

A trio from the Malty Taskers that plays traditional Irish music and Irish pub songs.

Local 10-piece big band led by tubaist Chris Smith that specializes in the old-time big band music of the late 1920s and early 1930s associated with Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver.

Local ensemble led by vocalist Wilkinson, a veteran nationally known straight-ahead jazz singer.

Forward-thinking contemporary bluegrass ensemble led by Wellington, an acclaimed banjo player known both for his technical prowess and unique phrasing. “If bluegrass is about spotlighting virtuosos, here’s a new one people will be checking in on for some time to come,” writes the Wall Street Journal. $29.

Jazz ensemble led by Kenji Lee, a local saxophonist whose expressive brand of jazz draws on Japanese folk music, Western classical music, and punk.

All acoustic performers invited. Fifteen acts are selected randomly from those who sign up (doors open 7:30 p.m.) to perform 8 minutes (or 2 songs) each. The most talented and popular Open Stage performers are offered their own evenings at the Ark. $3 (members & students, free).

Early jazz classics from Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith to Louis Armstrong and beyond by this veteran local septet led by trombonist Terry Kimura.

All acoustic musicians invited. Hosted by Skinned Knees.

Folk-rock & Americana duo from Hillsdale who write story songs heavily influenced by Bob Dylan and Gregory Alan. Free; nonperishable donations for Food Gatherers accepted.

Jazz ensemble led by this Kalamazoo saxophonist.

Detroit-area ambient-pop singer-songwriter. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

Experimental jazz improvisations by this ensemble led by veteran Japanese vocalist-keyboardist Sekine.

All invited to present a song, story, poem, monologue, comedy bit, magic act, other performance. Hosted by Annie Bacon & Forrest Hejkal. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. 7–10 p.m. $5.

Ann Arbor-bred, NYC-based ukulele player and stand-up comic known for his up-beat and entertaining live shows.

A fiery fusion of twangy outlaw country and punk by this non-binary North Carolina singer-songwriter & guitarist who recently changed their name and embarked on a solo career after years fronting the popular alt-country band Sarah Shook & the Disarmers. “There’s always been a conspiratorial smokiness in their singing, a crackle of long nights and […]

Ypsi rock trio fronted by vocalist Hunter Walrod. Openers: the Ypsi punk & metal band Berate, the Taylor thrash-metal band Convolsis, and the Detroit deathcore band Living Dissection.

All ages. Popular Alabama country singer and YouTuber whose music features gritty contemporary country lyrics sung over hip-hop trap beats. Opener: Caitlynne Curtis, a contemporary country singer-songwriter from Nashville. $25.

Jazz ensemble led by this local vocalist. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

Jazz favorites by the trio of pianist Jeff Fessler, bassist Will van Campen, and saxophonist Jeff Kopmanis.  

Edgy contemporary jazz by this ensemble led by pianist Rush, a U-M music professor.

Local duo of singer-guitarists.

Lansing country band.

Local ensemble led by the duo of singer-guitarist Rod Capps and his wife Annie, a singer-songwriter and electric guitarist who writes thoughtful, distinctively personal, warmly exuberant folk-rock songs and ballads that are both musically sophisticated and down-home. Tonight they celebrate the release of their brand-new album, Never Done. $24.

Ypsi rock band whose music is said to occupy the territory “somewhere between Paul Westerberg and Neil Young.” Openers: Krumudgeon and Pillow Princess, a Detroit-area all-female hardcore band.

Rock ’n’ roll classics by local one-man band Jim Burd.

Dark folk-rock by this Detroit-area one man band who performs in skeleton makeup.

Aug. 27–29: “Fuzz Fest 10.” With 30-minute sets by 11 different area heavy rock bands each night. Aug. 27: the local stoner rock band Blue Snaggletooth, the area punk trio Human Skull, the Detroit rock ’n’ roll band Good Man’s Brother, ethereal folk-rock by Kat Steih and the Ferals, the Detroit psychedelic garage rock & […]

A wide range of jazz and jazzed-up popular music, from the 1920s to the present, by this all-star local quintet. With trumpeter Ross Huff, pianist Giancarlo Aversa, bassist Brennan Andes, violinist Jordan Adema, and drummer Wes Fritzemeier.  

Blues, classic rock, and originals by this local band. 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Country and classic rock covers by this Detroit-area quartet.

Energetic, sophisticated blend of danceable soul, blues, and rock by this band led by Hoodang bassist McKee. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

Local blues-oriented singer-guitarist with an eclectic, wide-ranging repertoire.

Classic Detroit rock’n’roll by this band led by veteran singer-songwriter & guitarist Mark Tomorsky.

Jazz ensemble led by veteran pianist Davis, an MSU jazz professor and longtime accompanist of the legendary jazz vocalist Betty Carter.

A mix of originals and 60s-90s rock covers by this local quintet.

Jazz ensemble led by veteran local bassist Keller.

Local bluegrass quartet known for its beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Tonight they are joined by dobro player Tony Pace. 7–10 p.m. $10.north

Old-time music from blues and country to hokum by this local quintet.

Country- and rockabilly- inflected indie rock band from Ohio.

California blues- and- gospel-inflected folk-rock singer-songwriter whose music takes inspiration from Woody Guthrie, Howlin’ Wolf, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, and Tom Waits, among others. PopMatters calls his sound “a culmination of blues, folk, and soul inflections that altogether develop a sound that’s fresh and cosmic.” $26.

Pop, rock, and blues by this local quintet fronted by vocalist Carrie Ferrario.

90s-inspired postpunk band from Milford. Openers: Speed Circuit, a Detroit 90s-style indie rock band, and Full Time Bionic, a Detroit-area heavy rock band.

Dreamy indie rock by this Ypsi wife-and-husband duo. Openers: Milan & The Elipses, an Ypsi alt-folk band led by veteran singer-songwriter & guitarist Milan Seth, and Jim Cherewick, a versatile veteran local postpunk rock ’n’ roll singer-songwriter.

Aug. 27–29: “Fuzz Fest 10.” With 30-minute sets by 11 different area heavy rock bands each night. Aug. 28: the Detroit blues-rock trio The Muggs, the Detroit garage-punk duo The Idiot Kids, the Detroit stoner rock trio Winds of Neptune, the female-fronted Detroit doom metal band Angel Of Mars, the Detroit psychedelic prog-rock band Glass […]

Local jazz trio.

Local self-described “glitter-noir” ensemble that plays rock covers and originals infused with elements of psychedelia and glam-punk.

Local husband-and-wife acoustic duo of Jill & Wolf Reuter. 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Local folk-rock quartet with bluegrass & Irish music flavors whose instrumentation features guitars, banjo, flute, and keyboard. 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Jackson-based country-rock singer.

Folk-rock ensemble led by Pennock, a Plymouth singer-songwriter whose style draws its influences from Paul Simon and Harry Chapin, with a helping of the Beatles thrown in for good measure. 6:30–7:45 p.m. $15.

Ensemble led by acclaimed NYC jazz organist Paterson. Tonight they are joined by veteran guitarist Randy Napoleon, an Ann Arbor native and MSU jazz professor.

Thoughtful folk-style originals by this U-M jazz vocals student.

Canadian singer-songwriter, a recent U-M voice grad, whose songs are inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell, K. D. Lang, and Suzanne Vega. Opener: Mikey Abbasspour, an eclectic local singer-songwriter & classical guitarist. $24.

Detroit-based progressive alt-rock band. Openers: Pillow Princess (see above), the young local pop-punk trio Vitascopes, and psychedelic blues-rock and grunge by the Will Conrad Band.  

Energetic, sophisticated blend of danceable soul, blues, and rock by this band led by Hoodang bassist McKee.

Detroit-area pop-punk and emo band. Opener: Shindig Machine, a local postpunk rock trio.

Aug. 27–29: “Fuzz Fest 10.” With 30-minute sets by 11 different area heavy rock bands each night. Aug. 29: the Detroit postpunk power pop garage trio The Strains, the Detroit psychedelic punk band Cherry Drop, the popular veteran Ypsi Detroit-style rock ‘n’ roll band Mazinga, the Ypsi psychedelic garage rock band Velvet Snakes, the Detroit […]

Local jazz trio.

Eclectic young local indie rock band. 9–10:15 p.m. Ticket price TBA.