On Friday, October 17, acclaimed singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer will return to The Ark in Ann Arbor for an evening of music that blends poetry, spirituality, and the extraordinary hidden within everyday life.
Known for her warm, contemplative performances and often described as a “prairie mystic,” Newcomer promises an evening that will connect deeply with her Ann Arbor audience.
The spiritual thread in songwriting
Newcomer’s music emerges not only from melodies but from language itself. She writes poetry, prose and even a Substack column—but song remains her truest form of expression.
“Many of my songs grow out of reading and writing poetry as well as other forms of prose writing,” she said. “Some songwriters begin with music, but my process usually emerges from language, poetry and story. My songs are often grounded in finding something extraordinary in an ordinary day. There is a spiritual thread that weaves through my work because there is a spiritual thread that weaves through my life.”
Landscapes and authentic voice
Deeply tied to the natural world, Newcomer’s Midwestern roots continue to shape her writing and perspective.
“I’ve never written a song because I have an answer, I write songs because I have questions,” she said. “We carry our landscapes with us—metaphorically and literally. There is a voice that rises up out of the Midwestern landscape, and when I speak from my authentic voice, that landscape is always there. We feel it when a song is authentic, when a song puts its finger on the open palm of something true.”
Hope grounded in daily action
In times of uncertainty, Newcomer’s music often carries messages of hope and resilience. She draws from both personal practice and the wisdom of friends and collaborators.
“My favorite description of hope was given to me by my friend Parker J. Palmer. He wrote, ‘Hope is holding in creative tension everything that is with everything that could and should be—and each day taking some action to narrow the distance between the two.’ Hope is not just wishful or positive thinking. For me, hope is grounded in daily action. I cannot do everything, but I am called by love to do something.”
Why The Ark matters
Ann Arbor holds a special place for Newcomer, who has performed at The Ark many times. She considers the venue more than just a stop on tour—it is part of a larger musical and cultural community.
“I love The Ark. The Ark is not just a community treasure, but a national treasure. The audiences at The Ark are thoughtful and genuinely engaged with the music. Something actually changes in a community when there is access to the kind of music that inspires and invites us all into a deeper conversation.”
What audiences can expect
The October concert will be a mix of familiar songs and brand-new material. For Newcomer, it’s about offering both comfort and fresh discoveries.
“I’ll be presenting songs that are new and not available on recordings yet,” she shared. “I’ll also be presenting songs from my most recent album and songs that have become old friends. I’m looking forward to sharing songs that affirm what rises up in the human spirit even in hard times.”
The power of live connection
While writing and solitude are central to her craft, Newcomer emphasizes the transformative quality of live performance.
“There is something magical that happens when we share music,” she reflected. “Something that comes from the musician, something that comes from the listener, and in transcendent moments, something that swirls and connects it all. A good song can be three and a half minutes of empathy—at the heart of a good song we still recognize one another, we still sense what we share as human beings.”
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Looking ahead
Even with 20 albums behind her, Newcomer continues to grow as a songwriter and collaborator. She is preparing a new album for 2026 and maintains partnerships with musicians like Gary Walters and John McCutcheon, as well as co-hosting “The Growing Edge Podcast” with Parker J. Palmer.
She also continues to share reflections and writing through her Substack, “A Gathering of Spirits,” which consistently ranks among the top music offerings.
A sacred everyday
Ultimately, Newcomer invites audiences to notice the sacred woven through daily life. Recently, this reminder came in the form of two fragile creatures near her home.
“This summer I was heading down to the pond and found a mother doe with newborn twin fawns,” she recalled. “The fawns were so new they were still damp and barely able to stand on their wobbly legs. I went very quiet and sat on a log just far enough away for the mother to relax, allowing me to watch as she cared for her newborns. It was quite magical.”
Concert details
- Who: Carrie Newcomer
- Where: The Ark, 316 S. Main St, Ann Arbor
- When: Friday, October 17—Doors at 7:30 p.m., Show at 8pm
- Tickets: $29–$40 (theark.org)
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.
