Ann Arbor’s iconic music venue, The Ark, will host an evening of connection and purpose on April 30 as the Brain Plasticity Ukulele Collective (BPUC) takes the stage for a benefit concert supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Southeast Michigan. More than a concert, the event reflects community, mentorship and the transformative power of music.
A concert with purpose
For Mike Brooks, bandleader of the Brain Plasticity Ukulele Collective, the motivation behind the event stems from a long-standing commitment to mentorship.
“Some members of the BPUC have been supporters of BBBS over a number of years and this performance at The Ark is an opportunity to continue to support the good work that BBBS does,” Brooks said. “We believe in both organizations, the Ark and BBBS.”
The Ark itself plays a meaningful role in the evening. “The Ark is the legacy venue in this part of the world and makes a great partner for an event like this that celebrates community,” Brooks added. “It’s always an honor to play there.”
More than music: building a family
While the group is known for its eclectic instrumentation and inclusive spirit, Brooks emphasizes that the collective is about something deeper than performance.
“I am from England. My home is 3000 miles away. Over the eleven years that this band has been together, it has become an extended family, my extended family,” he said. “Making music is the vehicle, it is the thing we do, but we don’t just make music. The whole thing is organic: you start by making music, and you end up making a family.”
That sense of connection has grown in unexpected ways. “It started initially because I gave someone a ukulele lesson for her 80th birthday. That person is still in the band and is now 91!” Brooks shared. “We have all been positively impacted by being part of BPUC.”
He sees a direct parallel between the group and Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission. “The collective is a life support mechanism for each other,” he said. “I see an ‘overlap’ with BBBS in the sense that you might not be in need of a metaphorical big brother or big sister today, but perhaps the day will come when you will be in need. Everyone needs a mentor sometime in their lives.”
An intergenerational sound
The Brain Plasticity Ukulele Collective is anything but conventional. Musicians of varying ages and experience levels come together to create a sound that is both layered and joyful.
“We all become better musicians together as we learn from each other,” Brooks explained. “There’s a lot of love and laughter as part of the music-making process.”
That diversity shapes every rehearsal and performance. “Some of the members in the band have been professional musicians for the majority of their lives, and some have picked up their instrument more recently,” he said. “Everyone in the band is at a different stage of their journey towards becoming a better musician, and we get there together.”
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Despite the group’s name, ukuleles are just the beginning. “We always say that the collective is a rock n’ roll band with ukuleles and guitars and bass and drums, flute, harmonica, clarinet, violin, piano and vocals,” Brooks said. “I didn’t decide to have these instruments in the band. These musicians found the band.”
What audiences can expect
For those attending, the experience promises to be anything but predictable.
“The audience can expect a lack of pretense and plenty of interaction, laughter, rock n’ roll, blues, jazz, folk, classical, and anything else that takes my fancy in the moment,” Brooks said. “I like improvisation and working with the crowd.”
And above all, the atmosphere is infectious. “The music is good, and the laughter is contagious,” he added. “People come to see our gigs and go ‘that looks like a lot of fun’… ‘they look like they’re having a great time’… I want to be part of that. That’s why you should come.”
Mentorship and community impact
The benefit aspect of the concert is personal for Brooks, whose own path was shaped by mentorship.
“The reason I became a musician is because of the positive influence in my life of a musical mentor, who, when I was younger, effectively acted as a Big Brother for me,” he said. “I think we can all point to a time in our lives when a mentor gave us the guidance we needed.”
He hopes the event will spark a ripple effect in the Ann Arbor community. “Hopefully, someone might read this interview who’s never heard of BBBS so there’s an impact right there,” Brooks said. “That person might decide to buy a ticket… perhaps bring some friends… perhaps after the event, they might decide to get involved with BBBS… that’s how a community works. Snowballs run downhill.”
A night to remember
Moments from past performances capture the spirit of the group. Brooks recalls a standout from their last appearance at The Ark: “A member of the band who is a board-certified Anatomical & Clinical Pathologist… sang ‘There’s a Riot Going On in Cell Block Number 9’ and brought the house down,” he said. “This band enables you to have a Clark Kent ‘9 to 5’ working life… and then turn into a Superman Ukulele player in the evening. You can’t top that.”
Ultimately, the concert is about more than music—it’s about unity. “The reason I called the band a collective is because there is strength in unity,” Brooks said. “We need each other in life, and the more we all realize that, the better off we’ll all be.”
As Ann Arbor continues to celebrate its vibrant arts scene, this benefit concert stands out as a reminder that when music and community come together, the impact can resonate far beyond the stage.
The Brain Plasticity Ukulele Collective and Blueshouse are performing at The Ark in Ann Arbor on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30pm. This concert benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, with tickets available for $29.
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
