The Ark Presents: December’s Ark Family Room Series
Chris Buhalis – Ark Family Room Series
Live from The Ark stage! / Saturday, December 5, 8pm ET
Chris is back with an all new Ark Family Room show, this time right from the stage at The Ark! Chris Buhalis was born and raised on Detroit’s east side, but his songs come from places you can only find if you stick out your thumb and follow fate’s lead. Covering territory from Alaska’s whiskey-soaked bars to the spark- and steel-filled auto plants of Detroit, Chris writes songs that speak of real people in real situations. Chris has appeared on radio’s “Acoustic Cafe” and shared stages with the likes of David Bromberg, Catie Curtis, and Dave Van Ronk. Current praises Chris Buhalis for “beautiful, effortless Americana as honest and gently insightful as any you’ve heard,” and if you haven’t heard this institution of Michigan songwriting yet, tonight would be a great time!
Jen Cass & The Lucky Nows – Ark Family Room Series
Tuesday, December 8, 8pm ET
The Lucky Nows play dynamic, high-energy Americana folk-rock with echoes of Isbell and Isakov and a bluesy center. Their music draws from every genre, delivering a wide range of lyric-driven originals with intricate arrangements and gorgeous harmonies. If Steve Earle had a love-child with Lucinda Williams, and that child was raised by Kris Delmhorst and Jeffrey Foucault, and frequently visited by Shovels & Rope and the ghost of Townes Van Zandt, their debut CD would sound eerily similar to The Lucky Nows’ “Rise.” Trust us!
Laith Al-Saadi – Ark Family Room Series
Streaming LIVE from The Ark stage /Friday, December 11, 8pm EST
It was so much fun the first time that we’re doing it again! Laith Al-Saadi is back on The Ark stage for an all new set of incredible music!
“Al-Saadi surges mighty musical squalls of electric blues, with a bit of soul and some rock ‘n’ roll mixed in. With precise command of his voice and the frets along his fender, he’s an alchemist of emotional blues ballads, twanged-out toe-tapping rockers, face-melting solos, and everything in between. — Jeff Milo- Current Magazine
Michelle Held – Ark Family Room Series
Tuesday, December 15, 8pm ET
With a distinctive and soulful voice that captivates, complimented by a poignant and thought-provoking lyrical world, Michelle is establishing herself as a force in the next generation of poets and singer-songwriters. She earned National Honorable Mention recognition in Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Telluride Troubadour Contest consecutively in 2018 and 2019. Brett Callwood of Detroit Metro Times wrote, “Held plays gentle folk with oft scathing lyrics. It’s her voice that adds the X-Factor; that little bit of welcome strange,” and Amy Speace wrote, “You bring true spirit to a shaking place with a voice we have not heard in a long, long time.” Performing regularly throughout Southeast Michigan since 2013 and welcomed on renowned stages, such as Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe, Kansas City Folk Festival & Wheatland Music Festival, Michelle has been building a repertoire of original work and is preparing to record her debut album so, stay tuned.
Crossroads Ceili – Ark Family Room Series
Saturday, December 19, 8pm ET
Celebrating its 25th year, the popular holiday show “Crossroads Ceili at the Ark” brings a fascinating performance of traditional Irish music, song, and dance. Produced by Clare fiddler Mick Gavin, the long running show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humor and boundless energy. This year’s show comes to us virtually but will be performed live from The Ark’s stage!
Ark Family Room shows are free and streamed to The Ark’s Facebook page. Donations to the “virtual tip jar” during shows support both The Ark and the participating artists.
