Josh Ritter steps up to headline The Ark’s 26th annual Fall Fundraiser

The Ark’s annual Fall Fundraiser is our second largest fundraiser each year after the Ann Arbor Folk Festival.  We’re excited to announce that 26th Annual Fall Fundraiser will be An Evening with Josh Ritter on Sunday, October 16. Josh is a long-time friend of The Ark, and we thank him for stepping up to make this rare, solo, small-room appearance for our fundraiser.

About the Artist

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 or two, 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.

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.”

For this special, fundraising event, upper tiers of reserved seating ($500, $250, $125) will include a pre-show conversation between Josh and our emcee, Matt Watroba, plus a dessert reception. Matt Watroba 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.

Tickets

On sale now  ticket link

$500 Platinum

  • Reserved seating at The Ark, front and center
  • Dessert reception 6:30 to 7:00 pm
  • Conversation with Josh Ritter at The Ark 7:00 pm
  • Drinks
  • Tax-deductible contribution to The Ark of $455.00

$250 Gold

  • Reserved seating, center and just behind Platinum ticket buyers
  • Dessert reception 6:30 to 7:00 pm
  • Conversation with Josh Ritter 7:00 pm
  • Drinks
  • Tax-deductible contribution to The Ark of $205.00

$125 Silver

  • Reserved seating in drink rail areas
  • Dessert reception 6:30 to 7:00 pm
  • Conversation with Josh Ritter 7:00 pm
  • 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

Silent Auction

Online Silent Auction via Bidding Owl. Auction lots will be on display at The Ark during the event, but all bidding and payment will take place online.

Our Sponsors

The Ark’s deepest thanks goes out to our Media Partners ann arbor’s 107one and WEMU for their promotional support.

 About The Ark

Considered one of the top music clubs in the world, The Ark is renowned for the quality and breadth of its programming. The Ark is an intimate 400-seat club presenting performers who fall into the wide-ranging genres of folk and roots music.  The Ark, now in its 57th year, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enrichment of the human spirit through the presentation, preservation and encouragement of folk, roots and ethnic music and related arts. The Ark provides a welcoming atmosphere for all people to listen to, learn about, perform and share music.   Visit our website.

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