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Arbor Vitae
Category: Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
336 1/2 S State StAnn Arbor, MI 48104
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
3 reviews for Arbor Vitae
3 reviews in English
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Review from Sam G.
6/16/2011
One of Ann Arbor's saving graces.
The interior is most definitely designed by a slightly loopy and inspired architect from the 1960s after smoking a lot of weed and taking a few too many hits of LSD. That said, the space is remarkably cozy, earthy, and welcoming. Everything is made of dark wood with various little studio rooms strewn about and wonderful niches.
For smaller intimate shows, this place is the cat's pajamas. The acoustics are actually pretty good and depending on the night, you can watch the show from various levels. Great dj'ing, wonderful post-punk and garage-psych bands, generally a good vibe.
Be warned, however. The self-proclaimed overwrought-hipsters definitely come out in full force. Come laid back and ready to enjoy music, maybe with a flask or beer in hand, and the bright red lipstick and smug looks won't ruin the evening.
Take those hands out of your pockets. Loosen up and shake your hips, bang your head, and pump those fists a little! BYOB, cash only, and don't smoke inside, kids. -
Review from Dil F.
8/15/2010
All aces loft/performance/dance space. Poor or no A/C = inferno. Great people.
I spent a loooong Friday night last week at a performance extravaganza. Got to watch a shadow-puppet show accompanied by a soundtrack and using only "meow"s for dialogue, a lightning-round poetry reading by 7 or 8 people, a singer-songwriter-crooner in the vain of Cat Power, an electro-noise-punk-pop duo, and then a dance party! all in one night!
The space is entirely accommodating! Such a great venue for any kind of performance/act. And as Lisa W says in her review (to which I defer for everything I don't mention, cuz she covered great ground), if there's a chance to slip out back onto the fire-escape/ roof patio, omg do it! Such a great summer experience. It's a BYOB venue, so bring it. -
Review from Lisa W.
Flint, MI
4/12/2008
Arbor Vitae is a beautiful and hip loft right near Wazoo Records on State Street. It's definitely a place to hit if you love the younger Ann Arbor townie circles -- you'll probably see the hot barista from Cafe Ambrosia there and maybe that kid you fought at the 8 Ball. They host amazing shows for local musicians. I've seen Fred Thomas, Actual Birds, and many others. I've also been to hot dance parties as well. They even host art openings. They'll also probably have a New Year's Eve party if you want to skip the bar chaos -- this is a much better place to kick it.
The best thing: if you creep out using the fire escape and climb onto the roof, you will get a spectacular view of the area. You see a church rooftop as well as the brick from the ivy covered house next door, but also all the State Street businesses. It is one of my favorite spots in the city to just sit late at night and chill with friends.
What I love about watching a show there is the intimacy. You can sit in a circle and watch the performance, but you can also see other people in the audience. It takes the sound to another level. In contrast to that, the dance parties are amazing. I met my astro-physicist friend at one of their dance parties.
It can get crowded since it is a loft and a living space for people during the day, but you'll find your favorite (and possibly least favorite -- but that makes it more interesting!) people from around town during that late night. He offered me a swig of his vodka from a bag. He recognized me from my job. Then this absolutely FOINE guy recognized me from my job and asked me out. Then this guy I actually detest recognized me from my job, and that sucked big time. Intimate spaces have their pros and cons, definitely -- but if you hear about a show or party here, give it a try.Listed in: Before I had the Kiddo, The Places I Go Out
