With live concerts, either the musician makes the venue or the venue makes the musician, but there's always a significant relationship between the two.

The Ark, a bedrock Ann Arbor venue known for its intimate folk, blues and bluegrass shows, will go full-circle this Friday. Singer-songwriter, acoustic guitar player and folk-legend Richie Havens will perform his soulful repertoire tonight at 8 p.m.

Havens got his first taste of fame when he opened for the 1969 Woodstock festival. Since then, he has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and the 1993 inauguration of President Clinton, has released more than 25 albums, was the voice of McDonald's and Budweiser and even earned small roles in movies like "Free Tibet" and "Perfect Harmony." It's amazing any artist with such a demanding schedule has the time to tour the country and perform - let alone at the ripe old age of 60.

Performing is obviously still a top priority in Haven's life. He began by

singing in gospel groups at 14 and refined his talents in the early '60s when he lived in Greenwich Village. That background is readily apparent in his music. Havens has a soulful, dark voice with lyrics celebrating freedom and unity. Not to mention that he's also a guitar player extraordinaire, known for opening every performance with an on-the-fly instrumental intro in open D.

This makes The Ark, a staple of the modern folk circuit, a perfect venue for Havens. It will be refreshing to have Havens perform at a place built on the foundation of musical entertainment and, more important, the celebration of folk music.

Richie Havens

Tonight at 8 p.m.
$27.50/$32.50
At the Ark