the ark

I visited the Ark for the first time to see Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin and the Guilty ones. I had seen them before in a much larger space without near the quality acoustics found at the Ark. It was a great concert experience. My only complaints have to do with the popularity of the group and the resulting crowd. We were made to wait in a long line outside in the frigid February Michigan air. I had reserved seats. I likely won't arrive early in the future. Also the crowd made the membership / bar line seem cumbersome. The bar is probably a needed income stream for this not-for-profit, but next time there is this big of a crowd I'll just grab a soft drink or Zingerman's cookie available at the concession stand.

What a treat! Great, independent music and a really awesome environment. The theater is set-up so that everyone has a good seat. It is intimate. The seating is comfortable. They take good care of you. They have snacks, drinks of all kind (bar and cafe), and it is a very comfortable environment. It is fun to watch people here, too. Great, worthwhile experience. I'll be back!

Intimate venue for music performances. We attended Loudon Wainwright III concert in October. Only drawback was waiting in line in the cold wind for a GA seat. Generally affordable pricing. I bought tickets by phone and picked up tickets the night of the show. If I lived here, I'd probably be an usher. Inexpensive popcorn is available. Line for alcohol was long at intermission; usher pointed out to me the other direction for popcorn. I don't know what they have for people with mobility issues; we had to climb stairs to get to the seating area.

Right in the middle of Ann Arbor on Main Street is this unique concert venue that hosts a wide variety of acts from open mike nights to free concerts to national and international acts. There is not a bad seat in the house, and even for reserved seating shows, you are close to the artists and the crowd is always fun and upbeat. As a private club you have to join ($20) in order to have alcoholic beverages, but it helps support the club, which is a non-profit organization. Anyway, all up and down Main Street in Ann Arbor are fantastic restaurants and pubs and micro breweries that you can enjoy before and after the concerts. Non-free shows range from 10-15 dollars up to 50 or 75 dollars for an Arlo Guthrie or a Joni Mitchell show. A perfect example of a wonderful concert at the Ark i'm sure will take place tonight. AJ Croce is returning, four of us went and watched him a few years ago. Got there, sat about ten feet from him and thouroughly enjoyed his exceptional piano and singing. Artists typically bring a scaled down crew but that only adds to the intimacy. Wether it is spur of the moment or planned out, check their website and pick out a concert to pair with your dinner or night out in Ann Arbor.

I have been going to The Ark for acoustic music for many, many years. Every single artist I've seen mentions that it is one of their favorite venues. It is certainly one of mine. It is a very low key, intimate venue with about 400 seats (no standing), though sometimes they have a dance floor. The Ark is a non-profit organization, staffed by volunteers. A real range of performers passes though, from new artists to big names in the folk/Americana genres. I'm there at least once a month.

Drove from Cleveland, Ohio to Ann Arbor to see Arlo Guthrie and was not disappointed. Arlo was his usual charming self and put on a great concert with his son and a couple friends. Opening act was A J Croce and he did a good job of starting the evening. Loved the size and atmosphere of The Ark and thought all the workers (volunteers) were friendly and helpful. I would definitely go back.

Got tickets to see Arlo Guthrie ,venue advertised that AJ Croce would open,he did not. Tickets were pretty high priced,venue was small and not laid out well but the worst part was this place is like a private yuppie club.I got a beer when we arrived but when I went to get a 2nd one,I was told that I had to be a member to get a drink when I told them I already had gotten one I was informed that someone had made a mistake and "It wouldn't happen again" I attend a lot of concert's at a lot of different kind's of venues but I've never felt like giving a venue a bad rating until now.Most of the staff was rude and like I said it felt like it is a private club,I won't be going back here !

Have heard many folk musicians at the Ark over the years. Every seat is a good one, and it's a down-home kind of place. Tomorrow I'm meeting friends there to hear and enjoy, HorseFeathers. check them out on Youtube or Spotify.Go on the website to see the whole year's line up, order tickets, become a member, and there are short video/audio clips of some performers! A must-go for Ann Arbor!

I have been here numerous times over the years and this is one of the BEST places to see acts up close and personal.

If you like your music live and you enjoy new groups as well as those who have been around for awhile - this is a great place to visit! It is a non-profit organization and deserves your support. They have a number of community events that they provide fund raising events typically with locally great performers. They have several events that are offered every year I.e. Story telling and a folk festival featuring well known performers over a two day period. Wonderfu!

The Ark seats around 400 people. I cannot imagine that there is a bad seat in the house. We went for a bluegrass show and the Ark is the perfect place to see acoustic type music. If you close your eyes, you can imagine that the performance is in your living room and solely for you!The Ark is a non-profit and most of the people that customers will deal with are volunteers. A little more leeway has to be given when people volunteer their time to serve you. The lines for concessions can be a bit slow. (And, yes, you must be a member or with a member to get alcohol, though memberships start fairly cheaply so it doesn't significantly raise the cost of drinks.)

We love seeing concerts at The Ark in Ann Arbor! There are no bad seats and you are never more than 8 or 10 rows from the stage. This allows you to experience the music and the musicians in a way you never could in an arena setting. The Ark is non-profit so if you want a cocktail, you must pay a minimal membership fee. I never mind paying if it helps keep this jewel running. My only complaint would be the slowness of the volunteer staff that runs the bar and the membership drive that clogs the process at the bar. But, the drinks are very reasonably priced. Check their website and maybe one of your favorites will be performing soon!

This delightful non-profit concert venue allows you to see top notch entertainment in an intimate setting. Many great performers have been here over the years. People aren't here to drink and socialize, they are hear to see a great show, which is the number one thing I like about The Ark. The Ark is best known for its annual Folk Festival, which sells out quickly. The all-volunteer staff are warm and welcoming. If you want to purchase alcoholic beverages, you must obtain a membership (legalities for liquor license). I would gladly volunteer here myself if I didn't live so far away.

Small room. Intimate setting. Good musicians. Horrible sound management. They exceeded 90 db and wrecked the sound of a good band again.

It was a nice place, loved being there. The sound was ok, not sure if it was the sound person or the room. It could have been louder.