The Ark — Attraction in Ann Arbor

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I recently had the pleasure of assisting an artist friend with load-in, merch setup, and load-out at The Ark, and it provided a fantastic opportunity to explore the venue. Located upstairs in what used to be Kline's Department Store (the third and final move for The Ark), this venue is rich with history and charm. The walls are adorned with memorabilia from numerous big-name artists who have performed there, creating an ambiance that is both intimate and inspiring.

The layout is spacious, with brightly lit halls and tasteful decor that enhances the overall experience. The Ark is a quaint and unique venue that music lovers should not miss. However, when purchasing tickets, keep in mind that General Admission is the best option. These seats are at the front of the stage, while the more expensive VIP seats are set further back—a detail not clearly noted on the seating schematic.

As a listening room, The Ark emphasizes a seated and attentive audience, which may not be ideal for those who like to get up and dance. Additionally, the policy on recording and taking photographs is strictly enforced by the venue, rather than the artist, which might be a point of contention for some.

One minor drawback is that concessions close midway through the show, meaning there's no opportunity to purchase snacks or drinks during the performance or while waiting for meet-and-greet opportunities afterward. This seems like a missed revenue opportunity, especially since volunteers are often seen standing idle at the front.

Overall, The Ark is a gem of a venue with a rich history and a unique atmosphere. Despite a few small issues, it’s definitely worth a visit for any...

Not what its touted to be acoustically.

My wife and I attended the Vienna Teng performance on September 27, 2013. We had never been to the Ark before and looked eagerly toward visiting the venue. (I have been a fan of Ms. Shih's work for many years and heard her perform in small venues, with light stage amplification - all great experiences.)

First, despite its small size and seats located in the second row stage right. The music blared from overhead monitors controlled by a mixing board in the back of the room. To hear Teng's voice directly reveals sweet nuance and subtlety of this talented artist. This could have been easily done with light stage amplification - albeit with more difficulty.

This was all lost once the PA system finished compressing and homogenizing the subtlety and nuance out of the equation.

Secondly, on those songs that were softer and less reliant on the PA amplification there was a background drone of drums and bass off beat. I scoured the stage to find who was playing the drum and playing it badly. Upon leaving we discovered a club nearby blaring its own (recorded) music and it was the bass and drums bleeding into the Ark's acoustic environment.

We met a number of people who appeared to be regulars - enamored with the Ark. The faithful will not be swayed.

Teng's performance was very good, but we left feeling disappointed with a lingering sense about the "emperor's new clothes" and the Ark.

We're not...

The Ark will forever be my favorite venue. This is why. Saturday October 14, 2023 my husband and I had tickets to The Verve Pipe. We were in our seats and about 30 minutes into the show when I got a phone call. I stood up to take the call in the lobby and it was my brother letting me know our mom passed away. My husband and I had just gotten drinks and were looking where to put them down so we could leave. While in the bar area, a volunteer greeted me asked how we were enjoying the show. I hurriedly blurted out and burst into tears that we had to leave because my mom died. She was so polite and friendly, offering her condolences and asking if we were members. I told her we were and she asked my name saying The Ark would give us free tickets to any upcoming show to make up for us having to leave. I thanked her, gave my name and we left. A couple weeks later we received a hand written condolence letter and an offer for tickets from The Ark in the mail. We were shocked they remembered our names and so touched by the offer of condolences. A huge thank you to The Ark, their...