The Ark helped spread Josh Ritter’s name among Michigan audiences when he made a standout performance at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival in 2003, and we’re proud that we, along with Emmylou Harris and Paste magazine, which named Josh one of the 100 greatest living songwriters in 2006, spotted this monster talent in the making. Josh has gone on to record a dozen albums, write a book, tour with Jason Isbell, and play much larger halls than The Ark. So it’s very special to us to invite Josh to perform at The Ark’s 2022 Fall Fundraiser, solo, in a rare small club appearance. He’s an entrancing performer, a true master of the songwriter’s art.
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Josh writes:
Hi everyone! I don’t know about you, but for me this last year has had more than its fair share of long nights of the soul. Whether in song or prose or one of those weird creatures between, I’ve returned to stories over and over again for sustenance and counsel and forgetting. I’ve also found myself dreaming of touring again, being on stage, performing my songs – my stories – like I did for so long before the world turned on its head. I’ve lived in those memories when I couldn’t be on stage in any other way.
Now I get the chance to perform again. I’m so excited I almost can’t contain it. I want my first set of shows in a year and a half to be in places that will allow me sing some of the stranger, quieter, more narrative songs that I may not always get to at a rock show. I want the venues to be special and beautiful; I want laughter and music and stories that are true even if they’re unreal. Finally, I want to perform again, stomp the dust off, see what new appendages and teeth and claws have grown from this time in the wilderness, see what joy can come from sorrow and what tears can come from joy.
I’m so excited to see you again.
Rock on,
Josh
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Tickets range from $50 (general admission) to $500. Upper tiers of reserved seating ($500, $250, $125) will include reserved seating, a pre-show conversation between Josh and our emcee, Matt Watroba, plus a dessert reception. For more information, please click here. Matt is the voice of folk music in Michigan, and he’s the kind of guy who makes friends easily. Not only is he on a first-name basis with most of the major folk musicians in North America after a few decades of sharing stages with them, but he also has the kind of rapport with audiences that makes them feel as if they're sitting among friends in a living room.
$500 Platinum includes:
- *Reserved seating, front and center
- Dessert reception from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
- Conversation with Josh Ritter beginning at 7 p.m.
- Drinks
- Tax-deductible contribution to The Ark of $455.00
$250 Gold
- *Reserved seating, center (just behind platinum ticket buyers)
- Dessert reception from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
- Conversation with Josh Ritter beginning at 7 p.m.
- Drinks
- Tax-deductible contribution to The Ark of $205.00
$125 Silver
- *Reserved seating, drink rail areas
- Dessert reception from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
- Conversation with Josh Ritter beginning at 7 p.m.
- Drinks
- Tax-deductible contribution to The Ark of $80.00
$50 Bronze
- General Admission seating in remaining seats
- Tax-deductible contribution to The Ark of $25.00
Donation
- If you can’t attend but would like to make a donation in support of The Ark, please contact Tom Stoll at 734-761-1800
*Tickets are currently being sold as unseated - patrons will receive assigned seats (outside of general admission) approximately 10 days before the show.