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
2610 West Jefferson
Old Downtown Trenton, 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.
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
myspace = Carricks House Concerts
Several shows a year during fall, winter and spring. 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
South Hill Church
1250 South Hill
Milford, MI
248-684-9234
http://celtickettlecoffeehouse.org
A non-profit organization dedicated to live music and art. Doors open 6:30 p.m., open mic at 7:00 p.m., followed by the featured performer.
Creole Gallery
1218 Turner Street
Lansing, MI
517-487-9549
http://www.creolegallery.com
The Creole Gallery is currently closed following the death of owner/operator Robert Busby. Future concert plans will be announced at a later date.
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.
2007/08 Season:
Sat., Sept. 8, 2007: Friends of Fiddler's Green
Sun., Sept. 23, 2007: Vin Garbutt
Sun., Oct. 21, 2007: Finvarra's Wren
Sun., Nov. 18, 2007: Ecosse (Bobby Watt, James Stephens, Duncan Gillis, Rob Graves)
Sun., Dec. 9, 2007: Cuckoo's Nest Christmas Party, featuring The Wassail Choir
Sun., Jan. 13, 2008: Remembering Stan Rogers (with Paul Mills, Jack Cole, Loretta Fullerton, Brad Nelson, Dan Patterson, Glen Soulis)
Sun., Feb. 17, 2008: Joe Jencks
Sun., Mar. 2, 2008: Lauren MacColl
Sun., Mar. 14, 2008: Paddy Keenan w/ John Walsh
Sun., April 27, 2008: Genticorum
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.
2008 Concert Series:
Jan. 19, 2008: Hard Times Fundraiser with Robert Marr and Hannah Fralick
Feb. 2, 2008: Jen Sygit
Feb. 16, 2008: Ruth & Max Bloomquist
Mar. 1, 2008: James Gordon
Mar. 15, 2008: Claudia Schmidt
Mar. 28, 2008: Bill Staines
Apr. 12, 2008: Joel Mabus (location TBA)
May 3, 2008: Small Potatoes
Folk with Shades of Blue
Held at The Old Town Hall
366 Mill Street (corner of Church Street)
Ortonville, MI
248-627-2856
http://www.folkwithshadesofblue.com
Holds open jams every first Friday, September through May. Hosts one concert per month. Sponsors "Friendly Folk Jammin' Fridays" May through September throughout downtown Ortonville.
Garfield House Concerts
Northville, MI
stangarfield@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/stangarfield
Two concerts a year -- spring and fall
June 19, 2008: Sara Hickman
November 22, 2008: Pierce Pettis
Grand River Folk Arts Society
Concerts held at Grace Bible College
Baker Auditorium
1011 Aldon SW
Wyoming, MI (near Grand Rapids)
616-246-6468 or 616-361-9219
http://www.grfolkarts.org
Concerts held on Saturday nights, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Winter 2008 concert season:
Jan. 12, 2008: Open Mic
Jan. 19, 2008: Lil' Rev
Jan. 26, 2008: Dyed in the Wool
Feb. 9, 2008: Gold Mine Pickers
Feb. 16, 2008: Matt Watroba and Robert Jones
Feb. 23, 2008: Cathy Barton and Dave Para
Mar. 8, 2008: Bert Jones Band
Mar. 15, 2008: Jim Malcolm
Mar. 22, 2008: Mary McCaslin
Mar. 29, 2008: Bill Staines
Apr. 12, 2008: Detour Bluegrass
Apr. 19, 2008: Dana and Sue Robinson
Apr. 26, 2008: Art and Cathy and Joe
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.
2007-08 season:
Sept. 21, 2007: Katie Geddes and Friends
Sept. 28, 2007: Ellen McIlwaine
Oct. 12, 2007: Bernice Lewis
Oct. 26, 2007: Roy Book Binder
Nov. 2, 2007: Chuck Brodsky
Nov. 9, 2007: David Barrett
Nov. 30, 2007: The Biddies
Dec. 7, 2007: Don White
Jan. 11, 2008: Michael Johnson
Jan. 18, 2008: All About Eve
Feb. 1, 2008: Juggernaut Jug Band
Feb. 15, 2008: Matt Watroba & Robert Jones
Feb. 29, 2008: Small Potatoes
Mar. 7, 2008: Marshall Chapman
Mar. 28, 2008: Mary McCaslin [cancelled]
Apr. 4, 2008: Lee Murdock
Apr. 11, 2008: Girlyman
Apr. 25, 2008: The Laws
May 2, 2008: Don White
May 3, 2008: Don White
May 9, 2008: Peter Mayer
May 16, 2008: Kat Eggleston
Huron Valley Council for the Arts
Held at HVCA Highland Station House
205 W. Livingston Road
Highland, MI
248-889-8660
http://www.huronvalleyarts.org
Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
2007-08 series:
Oct. 12, 2007: Larry Teal Ensemble
Nov. 9, 2007: The Gemini Twins (7:00 p.m.)
Dec. 16, 2007: Welcome the Holidays, Music and Sing Along (3:00 p.m.)
Jan. 19, 2008: Concert Honoring Our Heroes
Feb. 8, 2008: Robert Jones and Matt Watroba
March 15, 2008: Dusty Rhodes
Live! From the Living Room
Held at The Blue Note Cafe
7 N. Saginaw (downtown, just north of Pike Street)
Pontiac, MI
248-338-9389
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/livefromthelivingroom
Held 8:15-10:30 p.m. every Friday. Features fine local musicians in a listening room setting. Smoke and alcohol free. The Blue Note Cafe offers a wide variety of sandwiches and soups, ice cream and gourmet specialty coffee drinks.
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.
Spring 2008 season:
Jan. 19, 2008: Annie & Rod Capps and John & CJ Milroy
Feb. 16, 2008: Floyd King & the Bushwackers
Mar. 15, 2008: Michael Smith
Apr. 19, 2008: MAMA's 15th anniversary show
Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society
Held at First United Methodist Church
22331 Woodward Avenue
Ferndale, MI
248-646-4030
http://www.fingerstyle.org
Off the Wall Coffeehouse
Located at St. William Parish in Walled Lake, Michigan
On Pontiac Trail, just south of Maple
Downtown Walled Lake, behind the Dairy Queen
Hosted by Jim Bertin & George Garcia
248-624-2566
http://www.off-the-wall.org
Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Presents local and national folk musicians in a casual atmosphere. Coffee, cold drinks, and desserts available.
2007/08 concerts:
October 13, 2007: Claudia Schmidt
November 17, 2007: Kitty Donohoe
December 1, 2007: Open Mic Night to benefit OTW
January 12, 2008: Jan Krist
January 19, 2008: Joel Mabus
February 2, 2008: David Mosher
February 9, 2008: Cats and the Fiddler
February 23, 2008: Josh White Jr.
March 1, 2008: Songwriter Circle with the Yellow Room Gang (Mustard's Retreat, Matt Watroba, Jim Bizer, Annie Capps)
March 15, 2008: Harvey Reid
Paint Creek Folklore Society Comfy Concert Series
Rochester Hills, MI
248-375-2513
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.
Spring 2008 series:
April 13, 2008: Maria Dunn; opening set by Jim Bertin
May 18, 2008: John Wort Hannam; opening set by Katseye
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).
Spring 2008 series:
March 29, 2008: Lou and Peter Berryman, with Matt Watroba
April 26, 2008: Josh White Jr.
May 17, 2008: Robert Jones and Matt Watroba
June 14, 2008: Red Comma Folk Festival, with Anne Hills and The Raisin Pickers (7:30 p.m. concert time, with a 6:00 p.m. open mic)
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
Saturday 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.
2007/2008 Concert Series:
Sept. 22, 2007: Josh White Jr.
Sept. 29, 2007: Chris Proctor
Oct. 13, 2007: Ferron
Oct. 20, 2007: Lee Murdock
Oct. 27, 2007: Casey Neill Trio
Nov. 10, 2007: MIDMEAC Benefit/Seth Bernard and Daisy May
Nov. 17, 2007: The McKassons
Dec. 8, 2007: Andy Cohen
Dec. 15, 2007: Singing Night with Pat Madden
Jan. 12, 2008: Joel Mabus
Jan. 19, 2008: Doug Berch, Wanda Degen and Mustard's Retreat
Jan. 26, 2008: Sheila Landis Trio
Feb. 1-2, 2008: Mid Winter Singing Festival with Sally Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, Joel Mabus and more
Feb. 9, 2008: Bill Staines
Feb. 16, 2008: Madcat & Kane
Feb. 23, 2008: Rhythm Billies CD Release Party
Mar. 8, 2008: Detour
Mar. 15, 2008: Paddy Keenan St. Patrick's Day Concert
Mar. 22, 2008: Shout Sister Shout
Mar. 29, 2008: Missy Raines and the New Hip
Apr. 12, 2008: Tim Grimm
Apr. 19, 2008: Mad Agnes
Apr. 26, 2008: Beaucoup Blue w/ Hall and Morgan
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.
Spring 2008 concerts:
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.
2008 concerts:
Jan. 12, 2008: Annie & Rod Capps
Feb. 2, 2008: Kitty Donohue
Mar. 8, 2008: Claudia Schmidt
Mar. 29, 2008: Rev. Robert B. Jones
Apr. 19, 2008: Katie Geddes & David Mosher
May 10, 2008: Jim Bertin and George Garcia
June 7, 2008: John Wilson and Friends; Open Mic
Who's at First
Royal Oak First United Methodist Church
320 W. 7th St. (corner of 7th and Washington)
Royal Oak, MI
248-541-4100
http://www.whosatfirst.org
All concerts 7:30 p.m. except where noted. The series ticket package gets you a seat in the reserved section.
2007-08 season:
Taking a breather for 2007-08!
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. Performers should book within one week ahead by calling David Whitaker at 519-945-9831.
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.
2007/2008 season:
October 26, 2007: Rick Fines
November 24, 2007: Layah Jane and Friends
February 9, 2008: Dala
April 19, 2008: James Keelaghan
