Our Coffee House Series Needs Your Help! Please visit our crowdfunding information page for more details!
Join us for exceptional music, coffee, and dessert in an intimate setting at one of our Coffee House events.
We now have two locations!
Please note which location is holding your event!
Sanctuary Location: 1001 Green Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Out Of Eden Location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake MI 49240
Evening shows at the Sanctuary location start at 8 pm; Out Of Eden location, 7:30 pm. Sunday matinees start at 3 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before show time.
To purchase tickets:
1. Eventbrite link found with each event listing or
2. Call Green Wood (734-665-8558) and leave a message with your name, number of seats, and event date; then pay at the door with cash or check.
No tickets are mailed; simply give your name at the door.
Friday and Saturday, doors open at 7:30 p.m for Ann Arbor location and 7:00 p.m. for Grass Lake location. Sunday, doors open at 2:30 p.m. No tickets are mailed; simply give your name at the door.
Times are tough — money is tight. Music brings comfort and joy. If your budget prevents you from paying admission, please don’t stay away! At the door, simply pay what you can, or mention that you are on the guest list. It’s just not the same without you!
Green Wood Coffee House Series is not a First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor program, but is an independent/private venture. Communications from GWCH do not necessarily reflect the views of FUMC of Ann Arbor or its leadership.
We want to keep our artists, volunteers, and audience safe! Masking is currently optional at all events. We may update masking protocol when appropriate.
-
Fri15Sep20237:30 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Raucous and relevant music from husband and wife duo, Goldpine, a Green Wood Coffee House favorite.
Through a chance encounter in Nashville in 2006, Benjamin and Kassie Wilson were sure of each other from the start. “Kassie knew she was going to marry me from the first time she saw me…and she was right,” Ben gloats. Formerly known as My One and Only, the duo has reimagined their southern-soul melodies and emotionally honest lyrics into Goldpine. After nearly a decade, they’ve given the world their self-produced debut LP, One. The album exposes the pain from severed relationships and unearths the pursuits of love and purpose. Laced with bold vocal harmonies and fervent lyrics, Goldpine's music is cathartic, moody, raucous, and relevant.
-
Fri22Sep20238:00 pmSanctuary location: 1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $15
Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and Middle Eastern stylings into uncharted territories.
Claude’s inimitable style incorporates all five digits on each hand dancing independently but in unison, plucking, picking and strumming at such speed and precision that his fingers often seem to melt into a blur. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and USA have enjoyed listening to this virtuoso and for the majority of his audience it is an experience that compels them to return again and again to hear and watch him play, as his fingers lightly dance over the strings of his guitar and create a unique sound that is ’Claude’.
-
Sat23Sep20237:30 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, Sarah brings the eclecticism of her background to her captivating, unorthodox songwriting and choice of material, spanning genres and defying categorization.
In 2020, with her spring tour cut short due to the COVID-19 crisis, Sarah mounted a successful crowdfunding campaign to finance the filming and recording of a full-length live concert sans audience in the beautiful medieval church of St Buryan, just over a mile from Sarah’s home.
The St Buryan Sessions was released in 2021 by Sarah‘s own Shovel And A Spade label on CD and limited-edition blue vinyl double LP. The album made it onto “Best of 2021” lists on three continents and features stunning solo performances by Sarah on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and floor tom drum, her lush, distinctive vocals echoing through the soaring space.
Photo credit: Phil Nicholls
-
Fri29Sep20238:00 pmSanctuary location: 1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $20
Those hits! "It's So Nice To Be With You" and "I Believe In Music."
Jim Gold is the singer-songwriter/guitarist of the 1970s soft rock band Gallery, best known for their 1972 songs, "Nice to Be with You", written by Gold, and "I Believe In Music." Born and raised in Detroit, Jim began writing songs and playing guitar at age fourteen. In 1972, Gallery was voted Best New Singles Group by "Cashbox" and Best Vocal Group by "Record World." Since then, Jim has recorded as a solo artist. Tonight we get the entire band! Come hear that steel guitar and those harmony vocals!
-
Sun01Oct20233:00 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $20
A capella vocal quartet returns to Green Wood!Windborne is Lynn Mahoney Rowan, Will Thomas Rowan, Lauren Breunig, and Jeremy Carter-Gordon. Specializing in close harmony singing, the quartet has a vibrant energy and a strong connection, which is evident in their engaging performance. They educate as they perform, telling stories about the music and explaining the characteristics and stylistic elements of the traditions in which they sing. The four Windborne singers grew up immersed in the traditional song and dance communities of New England and discovered a love of world folk music in their teens. Over the past decade, Windborne has sought out masters of traditional singing styles in the US and around the world to study a variety of vocal music. Through these collaborations, they have developed the vocal agility and authentic sound for which they are known. Their dynamic concert programs include songs from Corsica, the Republic of Georgia, Bulgaria, Quebec, and Basque country, as well as traditional and original American folk music. They believe deeply in the power of music to change hearts. -
Fri06Oct20237:30 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Hiroya is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan. He began playing the five-string banjo when he was thirteen, and took up the guitar shortly after.
In 2000, Hiroya received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and came to the United States. He formed his own group in Boston, INTEROCEANICO (inter-oceanic), which consists of unique musicians from different continents including Latin Grammy Colombian singer Marta Gomez. The group released three acclaimed records and Hiroya has released three solo albums.
Hiroya has been leading concerts internationally including several appearances at Blue Note (NYC), United Nations and Japanese National Television. In 2018, Hiroya won 2nd place in International Finger Style Guitar Championship.
www.hiroyatsukamoto.com -
Sun08Oct20233:00 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Matinee show, 3pm
Whether it be folk or bluegrass festival, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," MTV, or Merlefest, Stuart's storytelling, guitar playing, vocals, and songs have graced stages all over the world. He serves up rock, blues, folk, country, and more, on electric, acoustic, and slide guitar. Some songs are autobiographical; some are from the viewpoint of a lifelong troubadour. He might very well toss a Paul McCartney, John Fogerty, or Woody Guthrie song into his set.
-
Fri13Oct20238:00 pmSanctuary location: 1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $15
There is no better storyteller than Chuck Brodsky. Ranging from poignant to hilarious, his songs are about the little things in the lives of everyday people. Chuck's soulful and compassionate voice brings his characters to life, and is the perfect instrument for infusing his lyrics with heartfelt humanity or biting wit. His spoken introductions to his songs can be as spellbinding as his colorful lyrics, which he brings to life with a well-travelled voice and a delivery that's natural and conversational. His groove-oriented strumming and fingerpicking draw on influences from the mountains of western North Carolina where he now lives, and from lots of different good old traditional folk stuff of all kinds. Chuck is widely known for his many wonderful songs about the heroes -- and zeroes -- of baseball. His latest CD is The Tell Tale Heart.
-
Sat14Oct20237:30 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
This band of tender-hearted rascals -- brothers, Dan and Nate Monea -- has been bonded by three albums, years of touring and recording, and a deep love of music and bringing people together. They’ve played festivals all over the world, including Hard Rock Calling in London (Bruce Springsteen/Lady Antebellum) and The Rock Boat (Sister Hazel/Barenaked Ladies). In addition to traditional touring, the band travels annually to Guatemala with the Music Is Love Exchange for a week of service work and performances at schools and hospitals.
Hey Monea!’s pop-leaning rock music features soaring vocal harmonies. The band’s latest single, “Give A Little," is a fan favorite. It is the follow-up to “We’re Gonna Be OK”, featured in the NASCAR Heat 5 video game, a rallying cry for people around the world seeking connection and reassurance in these bizarre and uncertain times.
-
Sun15Oct20233:00 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Matinee show, 3pm
Creating at the crossroads of healing and activism.
The Rochester, NY native began writing songs as a college student in Kingston, Jamaica, and is known for staking out brave lyrical and musical territory. Jess spent eight years soaking up the live music culture of Austin, TX. Jess was named a 2015 finalist in the highly regarded Kerrville New Folk Competition. Klein has performed to rapt audiences at the Newport Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Fuji Rock Festival in Japan and packed houses in notable listening rooms including Joe’s Pub (NYC), The Borderline in London, Club Passim in Boston and Fogartyville in Sarasota, FL. She has appeared on "Good Morning America" and NPR’s "All Things Considered" and toured across the US, Europe and Japan on her own and with such artists as Arlo Guthrie, John Fullbright and Carlene Carter. www.jessklein.com
-
Fri20Oct20238:00 pmSanctuary location: 1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $15
(This event will take place at Sanctuary or Out of Eden location. Location TBD closer to event date.)
Based in Guelph, Ontario, James Gordon is one of Canada's most prolific songwriters, well known for his songs about social justice, heritage and environmental issues. His classic "Frobisher Bay" has been recorded and performed by hundreds of acts world-wide and was an audition piece for "Canadian Idol." His song, "Mining For Gold" was featured on the Cowboy Junkies' landmark album "The Trinity Sessions" and was heard in John Sayles' film "Silver City."
James has made countless appearances on television and radio, and was a resident songwriter on CBC radio for 12 years. He tours as a solo performer and with his sons, and has released over 30 albums as a solo artist or with the legendary folk trio "Tamarack." Between tours, James is a record producer, playwright, community activist and theatre director.
-
Sat21Oct20237:30 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Facebook event pageChuck Mitchell started singing in Detroit folk clubs in the 1960s. In Toronto, on his first out of town gig, he met Canadian songwriter Joni Anderson. They married, and as a duo Chuck and Joni Mitchell played the coffeehouse circuit, and gin rummy, until they divorced in 1968. Mitchell's credits include A Prairie Home Companion and repertory theatre in Texas and in England. He has played Harold Hill in The Music Man and Woody Guthrie in Woody Guthrie's American Song. Most recently, he wrote and produced Mr. Foster & Mr. Twain, in which Stephen Foster joins Mark Twain for an evening of story and song. A Chuck Mitchell's show combines his seasoned skills as an actor, singer and guitarist with a selection of delightful material. He sings cabaret songs by Brecht and Weil -- "Mack the Knife" and "The Bilbao Song" -- and whimsical songs by Flanders & Swann -- "The Gnu" and "Have Some Madeira, M'dear". He roves the room singing "Freeborn Man" by Ewan McColl, or "Necessity" from Finian's Rainbow. He weaves poetry by Robert Frost and T.S. Eliot into his shows. He has been called a renaissance man, and thinks he is old enough to be one.
www.mitchellsong.com -
Fri10Nov20238:00 pmSanctuary location: 1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $15
Ari is a Grammy nominated singer/songwriter who began his career as an independent artist in 2001. He built a loyal following touring the college circuit, after which he released two albums on Columbia Records, Someone To Tell and The Break-In, while touring in the U.S. and abroad with artists including Martin Sexton, Suzanne Vega, and Ani DiFranco.
In 2008 Ari wrote, recorded and released a new song every Monday in his 52 project, and in 2009 released Twelve Mondays, a collection of re-mixed fan favorites from 52. Ari has released four other albums: Sunset Over Hope Street, The Fire Plays, Shouts And Whispers, and the Grammy nominated Silver Skies Blue, a duets album with Judy Collins.
Many of Ari's songs have appeared in TV shows and films, including The Path, The Lincoln Lawyer, Private Practice, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill.
Celebrating 20 years as a songwriter and performer, Ari released a retrospective album, I Remember When, in 2021.
-
Sun12Nov20233:00 pm2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Jeremy Horn grew up in Memphis -- "Home of the Blues" and "Birthplace of Rock and Roll" -- but his music sounds more like the Beatles than B.B. King or Elvis. He writes songs for the church and songs for the radio, yet his songs are more complex than either has traditionally allowed. He lives in a city that is known as much for its racial unrest and inner-city violence as it is for being the place Elvis called home, yet he leads worship at one of the largest multicultural churches in the South, where half the congregation is African-American. When you meet Jeremy, he looks and sounds just like the "guy next door" -- if the guy next door has a traditional southern drawl. Making music has preoccupied Jeremy Horn ever since he received his first guitar at age fifteen. Growing up on the sounds of James Taylor and the Beatles, Jeremy spent most of his early years emulating the sounds and songwriting styles of the popular culture. "I used to write songs about social injustices in the world," says Horn. After a few years and conversations with a wise, older friend, Jeremy realized he could also write songs that aspired to give people hope, and not just write what everybody else was writing. Says Horn, "That progressed into writing songs for Jesus, and that was the process that unexpectedly led me to become a worship leader." That progression started Jeremy Horn on the path of continued discovery --listening to artists both Christian and not -- to figure out how to express feelings and concepts that came from within, rather than from the evening news. Jeremy's music is a fixture on Michigan's 17 Smile-FM Contemporary Christian music stations; his "I Will See Angels 'Round Your Throne" and "First Love" are two of his popular hits. Jeremy's new CD is No Other Love. This is a rare opportunity to see Jeremy Horn in a small venue setting. Bring a friend! -
Fri17Nov20238:00 pm1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $20
Mary Gauthier was twelve years old when she taught herself to play guitar with a Mel Bay basic guitar workbook. Songs became lifelines to her, and she longed to write her own, one day. Then, for a decade, while struggling with addiction, her call to songwriting faded. It wasn't until she got sober and went to an open mic with a friend that she realized that she not only still wanted to write songs, she needed to. Gauthier has channeled a long line of eloquent works, including the achingly beautiful, "Mercy Now." The Associated Press named Mary Gauthier one of the best songwriters of her generation. Her album Rifles & Rosary Beads was nominated for a Grammy award. Her songs have been recorded by dozens of artists, including Boy George, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Bettye Lavette, Kathy Mattea, Amy Helm and Candi Staton. Mary has just released her first book, "Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting." Part memoir, part philosophy of art, part songwriting nuts-and-bolts, the book celebrates the power of song to inspire and bring seemingly different kinds of people together. www.marygauthier.com
Mary will also present 3 songs in the Saturday 5pm service on 11/18/23.
-
Sat18Nov20237:30 pmOut of Eden location: 2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15
Facebook event pageBuddy Mondlock writes songs. Great songwriters have recorded his songs on their own albums: Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith, and Janis Ian, to name a few. You might’ve heard his song, “The Kid,” recorded by David Wilcox; Peter, Paul and Mary; and Cry, Cry, Cry.
Buddy toured North America and Europe with Art Garfunkel and Maia Sharp in support of their album, “Everything Waits To Be Noticed,” which they wrote and recorded together as a trio.
In recent years Buddy has been writing songs with military veterans through a program sponsored by an organization called Music Therapy of the Rockies and he includes several of those songs in his shows and on his latest release, Filament.
Buddy and Maia Sharp have also been collaborating on a new musical, “The Girl In the Red Dress.” It includes several songs from their project with Art Garfunkel and new material from Buddy and Maia.
In addition to writing and touring, Buddy also teaches songwriting in workshops and retreats across the U.S. and Europe, and has been a staff instructor at the Swannanoa Gathering and the Kerrville Folk Festival Song School.
-
Fri01Dec20238:00 pmSanctuary location: 1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $20
Back by popular demand! Don White combines heartfelt, serious lyrics with side-splitting laughs to provide an evening not to be forgotten. This Massachusetts comedian/singer/songwriter/author is best-known in these parts for his radio gems, "Rascal," "Psycho Mom and Dad" and "I Know What Love Is." A Don White show promises to delight new audiences and devoted "repeat offender" fans, alike.
-
Sat02Dec20237:30 pm2415 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Tickets $15 You haven’t heard “Pinball Wizard” or “People Are Strange” until you’ve heard it played on jugs and “various other sundries.” Jug band music is blues, ragtime, swing and jazz combined in a strange concoction spawned in Loiusville, home of the Juggernaut Jug Band. Jug bands flourished in towns along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, as then, a jug band is the ultimate party band. The Juggernauts have been featured on the Today Show and radio’s “Dr. Demento Show.” Their current CD is You Mean We Get Paid For This?
-
Fri08Dec20238:00 pm1001 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets $20
Annual holiday show fundraiser for the Coffee House Series.
Katie Geddes
Katie Geddes sings traditional and contemporary folk, country-folk, and folk-pop tunes. In deft interpretations of beloved songs, Katie's captivating voice and velvety-smooth delivery bring new life to the compositions of writers such as John Prine, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Michael Nesmith and Lennon and McCartney. Katie’s CD release, We Are Each Other’s Angels, has received extensive airplay across the country and around the world. When not doing her own gigs, Katie has been known to “moonlight” singing harmony for folk-rock legend Melanie and local favorite Matt Watroba. katiegeddes.com
Reggie Harris is a master song leader, creative vocalist, and engaging storyteller, whose performances are infused with joy. He combines a strong folk and gospel legacy with a solid background in classical, rock, jazz and pop music. Reggie shares insightful perspectives on issues of life, history, education, and human rights. www.reggieharrismusic.com
All About Eve (Katie Geddes, Deb Wood, accompanied on guitar by Eric Fithian) offers up a variety of close-harmony pop covers and traditional and contemporary folk and gospel songs.
Matt Watroba brings a special set of talents to the stage. His mellow voice, friendship with his audience, and knowledge of his presentations is impressive. Add to that Matt’s own brand of humor, and you will feel his love of folk music, both traditional and contemporary--the writers and performers, the heroes and villains. Matt sings songs of compassion, inner strength, humor, and everyday living. www.mattwatroba.net
