Below is a listing of the folk music venues and concert series in the southeastern Michigan area which are frequently mentioned on the Folks Like Us program. Call them or check out their Web sites for upcoming concerts. For special folk music events not included in these series, visit the Concerts & Events link on this site.
Acousticat Coffeehouse
St. Thomas Lutheran Church
9339 Church Rd. at Meridian
Grosse Ile, MI
734-676-1468
Offers a cozy, intimate listening room which showcases local and national poets, storytellers and acoustic musicians. All music is original, traditional or from public domain. Open mic is from 7:30-8:40; the featured performer takes the stage at 9:00 p.m. Light refreshments are available in a smoke and alcohol free environment. Suggested donation at the door is $8.00; a portion of all proceeds go to the Acousticat spay/neuter fund.
The Ark
316 South Main St.
(between E. Liberty and William)
Ann Arbor, MI
734-761-1800
734-761-1451 (24 hour hotline)
http://www.theark.org
Offers concerts six nights a week. Since its inception in 1965, The Ark has earned an international reputation for the quality and breadth of its programming. In addition to its mission of keeping the American musical traditions of folk and bluegrass alive, The Ark is a leader in the presentation of music from around the world.
A Backyard Production
620 Broadway
Davisburg, MI
810-422-8320
http://www.abackyardproduction.com
Outdoor concerts in the backyard of Widdershins & Sweetgrass, 7:00-10:30 p.m.
Café 704 Coffee House
Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
704 Airport Blvd.
(off S. State Street, just south of I-94)
Ann Arbor, MI
734-327-0270
http://www.interfaithspirit.org/cafe704.html
Café 704 Coffee House is new concert series for local musicians. The venue seats up to 140 in an intimate, smoke- and alcohol-free setting, with parking at the door. Concerts are held year-round at 8:00 pm on the last Saturday of the month (except in November and December, the second Saturday). Suggested donation is $5-$10; light refreshments are for sale. For upcoming concerts, see the Website. To inquire about bookings, please contact Al Carter at 248-515-4644.
Carrick's House Concerts
Clarkston, MI
248-394-0113
carrickhome1@netscape.net
http://www.myspace.com/carrickshows
Several shows a year during fall, winter and spring. Concerts normally held Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Basement venue, set up like a small club, with sound, some lights, pizza, and coffee. Offers the very best in national and local acts.
Celtic Kettle Coffeehouse
Hartland Music Hall
3619 Hartland (Avon) Road
Hartland, MI
248-684-9234
http://celtickettlecoffeehouse.org
A non-profit organization dedicated to live music and art. Doors open 7:30 p.m., open mic at 7:45 p.m., followed by the featured performer.
Comfy Couch Concerts
Presented by MichiganFolkLive.com and Newport Furnishings
39533 Grand River Avenue
Wixom, MI 48393
248-910-4941
http://www.comfycouchconcerts.com
Concerts are normally held on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; doors open at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring a dish to pass for a pre-concert potluck.
Cuckoo's Nest Folk Club
Held at Chaucer's Pub
122 Carling Street
London, Ontario
519-473-2099
http://www.cuckoosnest.folk.on.ca
A non-profit organization promoting traditional folk music in association with The Home County Folk League. Concerts start at 7:30 p.m.
East River Folk Society
P.O. Box 423
Wyandotte, MI
http://home.comcast.net/~eastriverfolk/
Flint Folk Music Society
Greater Flint Arts Council Gallery
816 S. Saginaw St.
Flint, MI
810-235-1442
http://www.flintfolkmusic.org
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. (doors open 6:00 p.m.). Tickets are $12.00 ($10.00 for members). Tickets for all shows are available at the door.
Garfield House Concerts
Northville, MI
stangarfield@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/stangarfield
Two concerts a year -- spring and fall
Grand River Folk Arts Society
Concerts held at Wealthy Theatre Annex
1110 Wealthy SE
Grand Rapids, MI
616-246-6468 or 616-361-9219
http://www.grfolkarts.org
Concerts held on Saturday nights, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Green Wood Coffee House Series
First United Methodist Church
1001 Green Road
(south of Plymouth Rd., just north of Glazer Way)
Ann Arbor, MI
734-665-8558
http://www.fumc-a2.org/coffee_house.cfm
Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Features local and national folk musicians in a beautiful listening room. Coffee, cold drinks, and desserts available.
Live! From the Living Room
Held at The Oakland Arts Center (next to the Blue Note Cafe)
7 N. Saginaw (downtown, just north of Pike Street)
Pontiac, MI
248-338-9389
Held 8:15-10:30 p.m. every Friday. Features fine local musicians in a listening room setting. Smoke and alcohol free. The adjacent Blue Note Cafe offers a wide variety of sandwiches and soups, ice cream and gourmet specialty coffee drinks. For questions or booking information contact Maggie Ferguson at marmik21@yahoo.com.
MAMA's Coffeehouse
(Michigan Acoustic Musicians Alliance)
Held at Birmingham Unitarian Church
38651 Woodward Avenue
(NW corner of Woodward and Lone Pine)
Bloomfield Hills, MI
248-569-0965
http://www.mamascoffeehouse.org
Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Showcases local and national acoustic musicians in a relaxed, fun, and respectful atmosphere. Coffee, cold drinks, and desserts available. Open mic at 7:15 p.m.; doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society
Held at First United Methodist Church
22331 Woodward Avenue
Ferndale, MI
248-646-4030
http://www.fingerstyle.org
Paint Creek Folklore Society Comfy Concert Series
Rochester Hills, MI
248-375-2513
http://www.paintcreekfolkloresociety.org/PCFEvnts.html
Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m.. Sponsored by the Paint Creek Folklore Society at the home of Phil and Althea Doolittle, this series features local and national folk musicians in an intimate setting. Reservations required! Coffee, cold drinks, and desserts available.
Raven Coffeehouse
Held at Raven Café
932 Military Street
Port Huron, MI
810-984-4330
http://www.ravencafeph.com
Located in a Civil War-era building, the Raven Café offers a wide selection of appetizers, lunch/dinner items, coffee and tea, wine and micro-brewed beers, and desserts-to-die-for. Concerts presented Wednesday through Saturday nights. Concert times are 7:00-10:00 p.m. on Wednesdays/Thursdays and 8:00-11:00 p.m. Fridays/Saturdays.
Red Comma Café
Concerts held at Congregational Church of Birmingham, United Church of Christ
1000 Cranbrook Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI
248-646-4511
http://www.ccbucc.org
The Red Comma Café hosts an eclectic line-up of musicians and entertainment throughout the year. The café has hosted folk, blues, classical, world beat, pop, comedy, and even a garage band or two. The common theme is lots of fun, friends, and community. Summer concerts are often held outside in our comfortable garden setting. It's not unusual to have a dinner option with a concert. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase. Any proceeds benefit youth, college and young adult missions or other charitable organizations. Concert time 8:00 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. open mic (unless otherwise noted).
Ten Pound Fiddle
Concerts held at Unitarian Universalist Church
855 Grove Street
At the corner of Library Lane, east of Abbott Road
East Lansing, MI
Special concerts held at Erickson Kiva
MSU campus, corner of Shaw and Farm Lanes
517-337-7744 (24 hour hotline)
http://www.tenpoundfiddle.org
Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m. during the academic year. This long-running series features a wide variety of national and international folk, bluegrass, and blues musicians.
Trinity House Theatre
38840 W. Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI
734-464-6302
http://www.trinityhouse.org
Concerts usually on Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., sometimes other nights.
Unity of Livonia Acoustic Coffee House
28660 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI
734-421-1760
http://www.unityoflivonia.org/coffeehouse.htm
Concerts are usually on Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
White Crow Conservatory of Music
3736 Mackinaw
Saginaw, MI
989-790-2118
http://whitecrowconservatory.blogspot.com
Presents concerts and workshops five days a week by local and national performers, band class concerts, open mics, and Irish sessions (main concert season runs September through April). All Friday and Saturday performances 8:00-10:00 p.m. Coffee, tea, and cold drinks available.
Windsor Folk Music and Arts Society
Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre
3277 Sandwich Street
Windsor, Ontario
(From Ambassador Bridge, exit north onto Huron Church Avenue. Travel 3 blocks to Sandwich Street at the river. Go west 4 blocks to Brock Street.)
519-255-7600
http://www.windsorfolk.org
Open Stage Coffee Houses monthly (usually, second Friday -- see the Web page) at 8:00 p.m. Local aspiring and semi-professional folk musicians perform to a friendly and supportive audience. Donation suggested. Coffee, cold drinks, and desserts available. To perform at the next available Windsor Folk open mic Acoustic Stage, please call Jan Ciborowski (519-978-3274) and leave a message including a telephone number and e-mail address where you can be reached.
Concerts feature top Canadian folk artists in a small hall with superb acoustics. Performances are Friday or Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available in advance or at the door: $12.00-$15.00. Coffee, tea, cold drinks, and desserts available.
