Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Blockhouse Valley's original music recalls living in the American Rust Belt and the experiences of growing up in the Midwest and Appalachian regions. These roots are the inspiration for the instrumentation of the band, having been heavily influenced by the regional folk and bluegrass sounds, while also being exposed to the popular alternative, rock, blues, pop, and country music of the 90s and 00s. Blockhouse Valley isn’t shy to pull from all of these influences when writing their music or when arranging one of their unique takes on a popular song.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. With a deep repertoire of traditional standards, originals, and unique covers, the Trail Blazers will keep you guessing with unexpected tunes and arrangements every week. Joining them this week is Jordan Adema on fiddle & Ryan Michaud on banjo.

$10 cover.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. With a deep repertoire of traditional standards, originals, and unique covers, the Trail Blazers will keep you guessing with unexpected tunes and arrangements every week.

$10 cover

An acoustic show featuring some of the brightest and most innovative instrumentalists on the acoustic scene today! Ethan Setiawan and Grant Flick will bring original instrumentals from influences representing their collective experiences in bluegrass, jazz, and traditional fiddling styles.

Ticketed Show | 6 PM | 5:30 PM Doors

Jim Bizer hails from Detroit, but his music is from all over the map. Poignant and quirky, hilarious and heartfelt, Jim’s songs are both beautiful and startling. And award-winning: he’s been a winner or finalist in numerous national songwriting competitions. With his commanding stage presence, virtuoso guitar skills and a clear love for making music, Jim shares a contagious joy and enthusiasm with his audience.
Annie Capps is a multifaceted artist whose three-decade career as a performing songwriter defies genre boundaries. With 3 Folk DJ chart-topping albums and two Kerrville New Folk Finalist awards to her name, she has solidified her place in the contemporary folk and acoustic music scenes in her home state of Michigan and beyond. Detroit born singer-songwriter Jan Krist was raised on rock, and schooled in the folk of the 60’s and 70’s. Today, Krist's work reflects the power and poetry of having matured as an artist in that place and time. Jan is a 2 time finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Competition, in Kerrville, Texas, and has won four Detroit Metro Music Awards,

Ticketed Show | 8:30 PM | 8:00 Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Jaded Ravins are a duo based out of a van. They play songs you never knew you needed to hear. Life, love, passion, and stories.

From backyards to barbershops, gyms to steamships, Don’t Tell Comedy creates a one-of-a-kind comedy experience featuring the best aspiring comics. Don’t Tell Comedy produces weekly shows in 100+ cities across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The performers are a secret until they hit the stage! Come join us on November 20th to see this generation's next best comics!

Get Tickets: 7 PM Show | 9 PM Show

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Nathan Rivera & Jessie Andra Smith travel the world playing original songs on their resonator guitars, accordion and more. Singing songs inspired by home and by their travels, their shows are full of musicianship, fun stories, interplay between the male and female vocals in English, Spanish, and French. They are accompanied by Trevor Mulvey on the upright bass.

The summer temps are really lingering, but we're leaning on into cozy spooky October anyway with a pumpkin party Dyke Night! Bring your own pumpkin, and North Star will provide supplies for painting or carving :) We'll have the usual setup of drinks & snacks at the bar, and mingling indoors and out. Pumpkin crafting will be out on the patio! 

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Dave Keeney and Sophia Hanifi are known as the hardest working couple in the Ann Arbor music scene. Sophia’s versatile and distinctive vocals have graced bands from Map of the World, FUBAR and Hoodang. Dave has lent his considerable guitar, dobro and singing talent to scores of local artists as a versatile sideman, while also representing one third of the country rock outfit, Hoodang. Together, they bring new life into everything from country and pop standards to overlooked gems from any category you can name. Together in life and together in song, they make a greater sum than each of their individual talents.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. With a deep repertoire of traditional standards, originals, and unique covers, the Trail Blazers will keep you guessing with unexpected tunes and arrangements every week. Featuring David Keeney on guitar.

$10 cover

Ryan Racine is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from southeast Michigan. Performing in bands for nearly 30 years, Ryan released his first solo album “Outsider’s Heart” in 2018. The album is a culmination of his experiences both musical and personal, exploring themes of belonging, depression, finding love, and accepting happiness, all sonically planted in American Roots styles.Between 2020 and 2023 Ryan released 5 singles and is currently recording a new full-length record for release in 2025.

Ticketed Show | 6:00 PM | 5:30 Doors

Ani Mari is an alt-Americana singer-songwriter from the Northwoods of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, whose songs weave complex chord progressions into heart-wrenching stories and melodies, spanning from folk to pop rock.

Ticketed Show | 9 PM | 8:30 Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Kathy Wieland is a multi instrumentalist and an award winning songwriter from Ann Arbor. Her songs are full of heart and humor. Over the past 20 years she has been a featured performer at festivals in MI, PA, AZ, CA. Find out more about the artist here

Come join the drum circle and create a supportive, encouraging community as we share rhythms and voices and explore the music that can be created together. Sundance has been inspired by drumming influenced by the African rhythms that have spread around the world, and the true medicine that comes from letting go and tapping into the Ancestral Voices. From his many years studying hand drumming traditions, Sundance has learned how to guide the drum circle journey while encouraging all to share what they have to give. No experience needed, just listen to your own heartbeat, and share your song. Extra drums will be available.

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Alex Wand is a composer and performer whose practice spans songwriting, ecological thought, field recording, and alternate tuning systems. He is currently working on a collection of instrumental compositions for resonator guitar entitled “Rufus’ Retreat.” A Metro Detroit native, he teaches music at the U-M Residential College.

Make friends, have fun, win prizes! Join us for a comedic bingo experience with Zooey and Taylor from the Heads over Heels Show.

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Aris Chalin is an award-winning jazz pianist and keyboardist from Ann Arbor, MI. His musical influences hail as much from classical and jazz as they do from hip-hop, rock, electronic and many more, from Oscar Peterson to Parliament to Pink Floyd. Graduating from Western Michigan University Jazz Studies program in December of 2023, he has performed at several musical showcases nationally and abroad.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. With a deep repertoire of traditional standards, originals, and unique covers, the Trail Blazers will keep you guessing with unexpected tunes and arrangements every week. Joining them this week is Ryan Michaud on banjo.

$10 cover

Milan & the Ellipsis are a synth cello pop duo whose music is meant to soften the pain of living in a world on fire. Raised in a family of musicians and artists, Milan started the cello at 8 years old and has played it ever since. Inspired by her work, Sam Pilbeam joined the project in the winter of 2025, providing synth blankets and guitar rhythms to activate the songs.
Raw Honey is the long-term recording project of Maggie Hopp. The project has passed through multiple casts of collaborators—and geographies—with two elements unchanged: Hopp’s psychically unearthing songs and the frequent contribution of Ypsilanti cult hero Fred Thomas.
Jonathan Edwards is a songwriter and guitarist based in Ypsilanti. Formally a member of Detroit band The Silent Years and a founding member of Ann Arbor band Skeleton Birds, he has also worked on numerous collaborative projects across myriad genres with other Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor-based musicians.

Ticketed Show | 6:00 PM | 5:30 Doors

Billy King is a multi-genre singer-songwriter who blends rootsy folk and pop with an occasional touch of country swing.

Influenced by master songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, Billy crafts melodically compelling songs that maintain a sense of the timeless and classic.

Ticketed Show | 8:30 PM | 8:00 Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Jeremy started regularly performing in the late 90’s, founded theillalogicalspoon in Jackson, MI in the year 2000, and Little Spoon River in the Irish Hills Area in 2019. His solo performances are full of emotional intensity and intimacy with a focus on the poetry and stories. With songs full of the ecstasy and trauma of being alive he explores the tensions between wildness and civilization, spirit and matter. The music moves from acoustic-punk to experimental to versions of traditional folk tunes, country blues, hymns, and sing-a-longs.

Warren & Flick explore the nuanced textures of a two-person ensemble. Using both original material and arranged standards from many genres, this ensemble finds new depth in the simplicity of a duo. Jacob Warren plays double bass, while Grant Flick plays violin, tenor guitar and nyckelharpa. With Jacob’s classical foundation and Grant’s experience in bluegrass and jazz, their contrasting backgrounds give this collaboration a unique and compelling musical narrative.

Ticketed Show | 7 PM | 6:30 PM Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Brent Stansfield writes songs about dragons, cars, money, trains, existential dread, 1980's arcade games, anxiety about technological progress, baseball, failed romance, and anchovies. Reviewers have described his style as "minimalism, melancholy, and melodica," "a little James Taylor goes a long way," and "a good approximation of if Marc Coen and Boz Scaggs could have a sexy baby." His online songwriting persona, Hostess Mostess, currently holds a 17% win rate on SongFight.org.

Test your knowledge! Come with friends; make new friends, enjoy LGBTQ trivia like you’ve never experienced before! Your host, Terry McClymonds (who was the resident trivia master at Aut Bar for 9 years) will take you through both a verbal and written round. Food and drinks available for purchase. Come early for happy hour; club opens at 5pm

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Frog Island Power Boat is a country/folk influenced indie rock project based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Formed in early 2025, their music brings intricate lyricism with a gripping, thought-provoking sound that invokes the vibes of the 1990s indie rock scene.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. Joining them this week is Mike Harrington on Pedal Steel Guitar.

$10 cover

The Lynne Frederickson Quartet is brewing up a spooky show to get you in the Halloween spirit!
Lynne will serve up a mix of spooky American Songbook gems and swingin’ standards, backed by a wicked rhythm section: William Michael Bennett on keys, Kurt Krahnke on upright bass, and Bob Sweet on drums.
Costumes welcome, spirits encouraged (North Star can help with that!), and toe-tapping guaranteed!

Ticketed Show | 6:30 PM | 6:00 Doors

Elisabeth Pixley-Fink is a Michigan-based singer-songwriter, producer, and bandleader. Emotion-focused folk and bratty garage rock that hits you in the chest with guts, trust and hunger. Her current album, Heartskin was recorded directly onto tape in Detroit, produced by John Hanson (Saltbreaker, Yimes, Izzy Johnson), mixed by Tim Carr (of Perfume Genius, Hand Habits) and mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk (Haley Heyndericks, Damien Jurado). Raised by a musicologist and a math professor in Kalamazoo, she also has musical ties to Portland, Oregon and Mexico City, and loves queer fashion and queer futurism.

Ticketed Show | 9:00 PM | 8:30 PM Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Birjy is the wide-ranging electroacoustic solo project of Ypsilanti-based violist, singer, and composer Lea Detlefs. Using a looper and fx she continues the tradition started by violin looping extraordinaires such as Andrew Bird, Kishi Bashi, and Dixon's violin, with her own unique take on the one-man band act. Her music, ranging from originals to video game covers, has folk, world music, and post-rock vibes and may, it's been said, ‘transport you to another world’.

Bring your song, story, poetry, comedy, expression, magic, monologue, mood, presence, attention, and appreciation and join the North Star creative community! Signup starts at 6:30.

$5 cover, though no one will be turned away due to inability to pay.

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Michigan Emmy-winning songwriter Kitty Donohoe has an ear for melody, a love of language and the soul of a storyteller. For over 50 years she's been touring and performing bringing her 'folky, Irishy and Candianish' songs to audiences around the US and Canada. She backs herself on guitar, cittern and piano. All Music Guide says "Kitty is a true treasure ~ a rare songwriter."

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Pen in hand, ribbon in hair, 18 year old singer songwriter Isabel Maria has been shattering  expectations since 2021. Having recently won a North East Culture Award - to join the Alan Hull  and Northern Writers Awards sitting proudly on her bookshelf - Isabel’s alternative pop dialogues  of mental health, human relationships, and self deprecation have earned her international praise  from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and Rolling Stone Español. 
Based in Sunderland, UK - a recently coined ‘music city’ - Isabel’s career had humble beginnings  with secret songs written on her grandad’s old Casio. After generous support from the city’s  Young Musicians Project, those songs hit the ears of the public, earning Isabel hundreds of  thousands of collective streams and a frequent run of shows across the nation and beyond.  
For fans of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Gracie Abrams, Isabel’s music is a true showcase of  her emotional vulnerability and biting wit. Having just been named a BBC Introducing One to  Watch for 2025, you should keep all eyes on Isabel Maria.

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN EDITION!!
Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. Joining them this week is Billy Kirst on guitar.

$10 cover

The Cinematic Trio creates a lush and dynamic sound combining two virtuosic pianists with guitar and voice. The trio features Neil Donato and Dale Grisa on keys, and guitarist, singer and songwriter, Terry Farmer.

Ticketed Show | 6:30 PM | 6:00 PM Doors

A native of Michigan, Rochelle Clark writes music that has been described as raw, honest, and beautifully vulnerable. She writes and sings about real life, joy, struggle and human tragedy. Leaning heavily on personal experience, she connects on an intimate level that resonates with her audience. Drawing on her roots in folk, Americana, and country, Rochelle has found a sound that is uniquely her own. She'll be joined by The Familiars - an Americana/Roots band whose intricate harmonies and instrumentation weave around Rochelle's powerful vocals and driving guitar in a way that will draw you back again and again.

Ticketed Show | 9 PM | 8:30 PM Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Álvaro Vega-Hidalgo is a Costa Rican songwriter who seeks to soothe listeners’ souls with soft, original songs in Spanish, alongside covers from across Latin America, from Chile to Mexico. In Costa Rica, he founded the band Zanate, and by day, he is pursuing a PhD in animal communication using AI at UMich.

Calling all language dancers, fancy mouths, and word weavers to share and revel. From quiet haikus read from your notebook (or phone) to seasoned slam performers, we welcome poetry across the wide and ever-evolving genre.
Hosted by Forrest Hejkal & cat h. bradley.

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Hailing from Patrick County, Virginia and with her guitar in hand, Maggie Blankenship soulfully sings a combination of original and cover tunes that are guaranteed to take you on an uplifting journey. Influences of bluegrass and rock ‘n’ roll echo throughout her unique folk-rock music style. Anytime she steps on stage she is taken to a sacred place that welcomes anyone willing to join her. She delivers an unforgettable performance that often channels musical icons such as Susan Tedeschi, Grace Potter, Stevie Nicks, and Janis Joplin.

Bring your song, story, poetry, comedy, expression, magic, monologue, mood, presence, attention, and appreciation to a safe and welcoming space in the beautiful queer community as we connect with each other and each other’s art. Sign-up begins at 6:30

Hosted by Coley Roberts and Thea Zuby.

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
The Bob Skon Trio, comprised of Bob Skon on guitar and vocals, Matt Steward on percussion and vocals, and Trent Collier on bass and vocal, have been playing throughout Southeast Michigan for two decades now. With inviting vocals and skillful instrumentation, they play classic covers of the singer-songwriters of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s as well as some masterful originals.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. With a deep repertoire of traditional standards, originals, and unique covers, the Trail Blazers will keep you guessing with unexpected tunes and arrangements every week. Joining them this week is Ryan Schildcrout on piano & melodica.

$10 cover.

Four Roses is an acoustically driven cover band playing songs that audiences love. Passionate about vocal harmony, their joyful setlists range from Crosby, Stills & Nash to John Mellencamp, from Fleetwood Mac to Amos Lee.

Ticketed Show | 6:00 PM | 5:30 PM Doors

Schmaltz, a modern klezmer band based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, gives Jewish traditional music a new flavor by fusing elements of jazz, balkan, funk, latin, and polka. The group is seen frequently as part of a monthly residency at the North Star Lounge in Ann Arbor, as well as at synagogues, bars, jazz clubs, and other music venues all across SE Michigan.

Ticketed Show | 8:30 PM | 8:00 PM Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Now entering his 7th decade, Tom has been playing guitar since his mid-teens. This will be Tom’s first solo appearance at the North Star. Under the tutelage of local blues icon Shari Kane, Tom has become an accomplished acoustic finger-picking blues guitarist and is looking forward to sharing some of his favorite arrangements with you. While he certainly appreciates the acoustic blues tradition, Tom is also not afraid to add his own interpretations and take the songs in new directions with a combination of humor and wit mixed in with a bit of irreverence.

Join us for a night of collaboration between local singer songwriters — featuring Dan Tennant, Maddie Ringo, Steve Taylor, & Mikey Abbasspour.

Ticketed Show | 7:00 PM | 6:30 Doors

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Joshua Elwood is enamored with the romantic charm of classic jazz and finds no greater joy than sharing its magic onstage. When he plays, Josh channels both the unbridled energy of Dexter Gordon and the crisp, precise velocity of Cannonball Adderley.
Together with his “merry band” of swing-heads, whose roots stretch from Ann Arbor to the West Coast, he brings jazz that tells a story. With a spirited mix of tried-and-true standards and heartfelt original tunes, the group is thrilled to make their premiere at the North Star Lounge!

Dyke Nights are monthly gatherings for queer babes to meet up, dance, and flirt at North Star Lounge✨🌈 This is a trans and non-binary inclusive space!

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
The Myriad Project is a genre-defying electro-acoustic chamber ensemble based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Defined by a passion for community and collaboration, the ensemble (Emily Brownlee, oboe; Donald Schweikert, bassoon; and Daniel Fecteau, electric violin and loop station) curates their repertoire and performance experience in a way that emphasizes authenticity, creativity, and audience engagement. Their music has been described by listeners as colorful, whimsical, and fantasy-inspired, and features beautiful melodies and immersive textures. The trio formed during their shared time at the University of Michigan and has been enthusiastically exploring new projects, genres, and possibilities together since graduating in May.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. With a deep repertoire of traditional standards, originals, and unique covers, the Trail Blazers will keep you guessing with unexpected tunes and arrangements every week. Joining them this week is Jason Dennie on mandolin.

$10 cover

Songwriter and guitarist Daniel Bracken plays music informed by his rich history as a recordist and producer for Public Media,

In recent years Dan has delved deeper into personal songcraft, a wholehearted mix expressing the crossroads of spirituality, wistfulness, and humor.

Ticketed Show | 6:00 PM | 5:30 PM Doors

Come join the drum circle and create a supportive, encouraging community as we share rhythms and voices and explore the music that can be created together. Sundance has been inspired by drumming influenced by the African rhythms that have spread around the world, and the true medicine that comes from letting go and tapping into the Ancestral Voices. From his many years studying hand drumming traditions, Sundance has learned how to guide the drum circle journey while encouraging all to share what they have to give. No experience needed, just listen to your own heartbeat, and share your song. Extra drums will be available.

Join us for a free happy hour concert!
Davey O. is an award winning, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter based in Buffalo, NY, who is currently touring in support of his August 2023 release “Some Days”. His work has received critical acclaim in the pages of “No Depression” and “Americana Highways”, and in addition to performing at some of the most prestigious listening room and concert club venues in the U.S., Davey has opened shows for a long list of notable artists.

Hailing from the Ann Arbor area, the Pontiac Trail Blazers have been the house bluegrass band for Detroit Street Filling Station since 2017. They are often joined by a bevy of special guests and focus on the beautiful harmonies and acoustic prowess that are unique to their Bluegrass roots. Joining them this week is Tony Pace on Dobro.

$10 cover

Ed Dupas (Du-paw) is an Americana artist with a knack for crafting songs that stick with you — songs that balance grit and vulnerability while cutting to the heart of things. His music has earned airplay across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, resonating with listeners drawn to its emotional weight and lyrical honesty. Joining Ed on stage, celebrating the release of Codename California, is the backing band Lucky 17 featuring Caroline Barlow, Tony Pace, Ozzie Andrews, and special guest Chris Ranney.

Ticketed Show | 6:00 PM | 5:30 PM Doors

Mark & Amy are Michigan songwriters and best of friends who have performed together as a duo and as bandmates on many occasions. They share an appreciation for folk, pop, rock & blues built on lush soundscapes as well a good laugh. This appreciation is reflected in their collaborations and selections of cover songs that have been delighting audiences for years. It’s safe to say that, together, Mark & Amy deliver a virtual variety show that will not disappoint!

Ticketed Show | 8:30 PM | 8:00 Doors

Michigan Barstool Anthems is a raw and rowdy ride through the heart of the Mitten. This channel is local backwoods poetry soaked in pine pitch, river water, and motor oil.
This is a collection of songs about barroom prophets, U.P. princesses, lawn chair thrones, chemical plant blues, deer camp lies, broken down dreams, and Michigan motors run’n good.

Ticketed Show | 6 PM | 5:30 Doors

Why can't you get a country band singing about Vampires? Horror hoedowns if you will? Or, maybe if the Munsters lived in Nashville? Ypsilanti, MI based Fangs and Twang were birthed in 2014, with the idea of a concept band that substituted monsters into classic country rock music tropes, the chorus to the title track on fourth record (released in December, 2023), “We used to sing about monsters, now we sing about you" captures the continued evolution of the band's songwriting. "You Monster" takes aim at the monsters among us, including extreme political polarization, misinformation, and the breakdown of public discourse. They have been bringing their high energy and eclectic live show to festivals and venues across the Midwest for the past 9+ years.

Ticketed Show | 8:30 PM | 8:00 Doors