Nightspots



December 8, 2025

Ark: Over the Rhine.

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Heartland songwriter rock, at once artful and urgent, by this acclaimed Cincinnati quartet, a longtime Ark favorite. Led by the husband-and-wife songwriter duo of vocalist Karin Bergquist and bassist Linford Detweiler, the band is known for its enchantingly spare arrangements and its reflective, self-consciously literary lyrics. They’re also known for their Christmas shows—they’ve released 3 albums of mostly original self-styled “reality Christmas” songs—and tonight’s acoustic show features a mix of the band’s Christmas and non-Christmas music. $35.

December 8, 2025

El Limon: Kandy Fredrick & Cameron Getto.

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 Originals, country, folk, and some classic rock by this local singer-songwriter duo.

December 8, 2025

Zal Gaz Grotto: Paul Keller Orchestra.

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Award-winning 14-piece big band led by bassist Keller and featuring vocalist Sarah D’Angelo and occasional guest vocalists. Also, each week features a middle set by a guest college student ensemble.

December 9, 2025

Ark: Storm Large.

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Veteran Portland (OR)–based pop-rock singer-songwriter best known as a finalist on the 2006 season of Rock Star: Supernova. Tonight she fronts her band, Le Bonheur, in “The Holiday Ordeal,” a revenue of songs ranging from “2000 Miles” and “Hallelujah” to “Sock it to Me Santa,” and what she calls “the greatest holiday song never written for the holidays,” Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” $40.

December 9, 2025

Earle: Jake Reichbart.

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Solo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.

December 9, 2025

Moonwinks Tavern: Eric Moore.

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Bluesy folk-rock singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist.

December 9, 2025

Ypsi Alehouse: Open Mic.

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All acoustic musicians invited. Hosted by Skinned Knees. 6:45 p.m.

December 9, 2025

Zal Gaz Grotto: Easy Street Jazz Band.

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

December 9, 2025

Ziggy’s: Different Lights Ensemble.

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Free jazz and improvisations by this large ensemble led by local bassist Leigh Daniels.

December 10, 2025

Blind Pig: Harmolodics.

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Jazz ensemble led by local trumpeter Benjamin Green, a U-M grad. Drawing inspiration from the free improvisational style of Ornette Coleman, it uses electronics and electro-acoustic manipulations to convey feeling and passion through sonic freedom. Opener: Purplereiign, a Detroit soul and R&B singer-songwriter. $14.

December 10, 2025

Blue LLama: Aguankó.

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 Holiday show by this local Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble led by composer-percussionist Alberto Nacif.

December 10, 2025

Earle: Jake Reichbart.

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Solo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.

December 10, 2025

Moonwinks Tavern: Open Mic.

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Hosted by local folk-rock singer-songwriter Tavey Lean.

December 10, 2025

North Star Lounge: Ben Seguin.

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Local singer-songwriter and guitarist who sings short, funny songs about dysfunctional relationships, consumerism, and cheese fries. Tonight he is joined by bassist Graham Rockwood. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

December 10, 2025

North Star Lounge: Bart Moore & The Hot Boys of Jenison.

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Folk-rock & Americana quartet led by veteran Lansing-area singer-songwriter & guitarist Moore. 5:30–6:30 p.m. Free.

December 10, 2025

Ypsi Alehouse: The After Hours.

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Local jazz ensemble.

December 10, 2025

Ziggy’s: “Gear Lords: A Night in Electronic Music.”

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Monthly gathering of live electronic production musicians, using beat machines, samplers, modular systems, synths and similar instruments. Tonight: local synth artist SKURWYSN (7 p.m.), the local electronic hardware duo of Elevator Raider and Waylau (7:45 p.m.), Chicago postindustrial artist June Doom (8:30 p.m.), Detroit techno artist Dillon Preech (9:30 p.m.), and local “synthwave” ambient artist OMO (10:30 p.m.).

December 11, 2025

Ark: Ebird & Friends Holiday Show.

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Erin Zindle, the fiery fiddling frontwoman of the classy local eclectic band the Ragbirds who has also released a solo CD, Scenes from the Fragile, Agile Avian World, is joined by several established and up-and-coming luminaries of the Michigan music scene for her very popular annual program of new and old holiday music, now in its 18th year. There is  also a matinee show at 2 p.m. on Sat. $29–$40.

December 11, 2025

Blind Pig: Red Not Chili Peppers.

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Nationally touring Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band. $22.

December 11, 2025

Earle: Jake Reichbart.

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Solo jazz guitarist. Solo jazz pianists TBA occasionally substitute.