Award-winning social justice activist and singer-songwriter Heather Mae will perform at The Ark on Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. as part of The Ark’s “Artist Spotlight Series.” It is free for all to enjoy, but food and monetary contributions to Food Gatherers are encouraged.
“It is important for us to gather in safe spaces where we feel a sense of unity, where there is hope, where hate has not won, and for those of us who are LGBTQ, where we just feel like our community has not given up on one another,” Mae said. “There’s just a fear right now, a really intense fear that we’re basically going to be shoved back into the closet that we came out of.”
Mae is uneasy about the outcome of the recent election and how various disenfranchised groups are afraid about the current political climate.
“When people gather at concerts, it’s an opportunity for people to feel that collective hope,” Mae said. “And that’s really all I’m trying to do right now, is just to help people not feel alone.”
Mae said she is in awe of the history of social justice activists who have played at The Ark, where she has also played before, including, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
“I feel so honored,” Mae said. “It also feels very moving to be among the social justice songwriters who have shared their message on that stage. Such a special place for music in the genre, but definitely for social justice music.”
Some people have described Mae’s music as a “social justice Adele.” She describes her music as “genre-bending.” Mae is known for sharing the vulnerability of her experiences in her music.
“Sometimes what I play is rock music, indie music, kind of Joan Jett meets Americana, like Brandi Carlile. And then sometimes the music that I play and produce is just straight up, modern pop music of this time,” Mae said.
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Mae likes to emphasize her commitment to social justice in her music.
“We are actually using our music to speak a message of hope and change and progress,” Mae said. “And it’s so beautiful when people do it in multiple genres, so you can meet and reach more people.”
Mae won the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter Showcase and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Artist-Activist of the Year award.
Her music focuses on mental health, self-discovery and storytelling. Just a few notable inspirational songs include: “Warrior,” “I Am Enough,” and “You Are My Favorite.”
During this benefit concert at The Ark, Mae will perform without a band.
“It’s just me and my guitars, but I am actually going to have two ASL interpreters who are going to be interpreting the show to make it more accessible.”
Barb Chaffer Authier, marketing director at The Ark, said, “The series has always been about showcasing new and emerging artists — and sometimes more seasoned ones — who may not have name recognition here in our region and who we want to introduce to Ark audiences,” said Authier. “…The artists who are featured are deserving of being heard as the artists we present any night at The Ark. You just get the opportunity to see them for free.”
The Spotlight Series takes place on the last Tuesday of each month, January through November. Ford Philanthropy helps offset the costs of producing the series, and proceeds always benefit Food Gatherers.
If you can’t make it out to the show, they also stream on The Ark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
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.
