Dave Siglin and The Ark

Dave Siglin joined the Michigan Delta Chi fraternity in the spring of 1961. Initially a music education major, he realized after 2-1/2 years that playing the violin and later clarinet were not his forte.  He switched his major to English in his junior year and then psychology in his fourth year. None of these majors were to his liking so he finally settled on becoming a theater major, graduating after only seven years in 1967. Meanwhile, he married Linda in January of 1966.   

In the meantime, in 1965, four Ann Arbor churches envisioned a gathering place for students, a coffee house like many that were springing up on campuses all over the country. The focus of the churches was not to preach or proselytize, but to listen to the concerns of students and to provide a warm, safe, peaceful place to come together free from drugs, alcohol, and the storms of academic life and personal stress. It was meant to provide a creative outlet for talent in music, poetry and artwork. By December 1965, it had received its present name: The Ark, and was on the first floor of a large 3-story house at 1421 Hill St.

The early programs included presentations by and dialogue with faculty and other local folks. The political climate of the 1960s provided the opportunity for many political as well as ethical and theological discussions. Gradually, The Ark became a space for students to hang out and talk informally. Folk music soon became a part of the offerings.

In the fall of 1968, while going to school and teaching guitar at Herb David Guitar Studio, Siglin was hired to be the new manager of The Ark. He figured he would do the job for about five years – tops, and so he, his wife Linda, and their one-year-old daughter Anya moved into the club.

He retired from The Ark in 2008 after 40 years, having made it one of the most well-known and respected music venues in the country. That The Ark has survived since the 1960s is a miracle in itself, due in no small part to the vision, dedication, and energy of the Siglins.

The financial support from the four churches dried up in the early 1970s and The Ark had to learn to support itself with monies from admission fees and donations. In a last-ditch effort to raise money to keep The Ark afloat, Siglin initiated a major fundraiser in 1976, the now yearly Ann Arbor Folk Festival. In the early 1980s, The Ark was reorganized as a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and, in 1984, it moved to 637-1/2 S Main, above the original South Main market, increasing its audience capacity from 150 to 275.

In 1985 it got a non-profit club liquor license and learned the difficult tightrope walk of how to serve alcohol yet still maintain itself as a listening room.

 It 1996 it moved once again, this time to its current location at 316 S. Main Street financed by a successful fundraising campaign that raised over 2 million dollars. The present Ark seats over 400 and presents more than 320 shows a year featuring folk, blues, bluegrass, country, jazz, pop, world music, comedy and storytelling from all over the world.  

Dave retired from booking and running The Ark in 2008 after 40 years and almost 10,000 shows. His job was then divided into two different positions – an Executive Director – Marianne James, and a Program Director – Dave’s daughter Anya, who now books all the talent.