Ann Arbor venue The Ark is dedicated to showcasing a diverse selection of music to the community as well as providing a forum for emerging artists, so it's only natural that it — in partnership with the University of Michigan Museum of Art — launches a local songwriters concert series this fall. Aiming to create opportunities for U-M students to share their music with a wider audience, learn about music promotion and experience real-life aspects of the music business, The Ark at UMMA invites U-M student songwriters to vie for the opportunity to perform at UMMA and, later, The Ark. (Click flier on right to enlarge.)

Performer showcases at UMMA on Friday, Oct. 16 and Nov. 13 will feature the best student songwriters as selected by The Ark staff. Then a Friday, Dec. 4 event (again at UMMA) finds all of the previous musicians performing in-the-round, with one artist winning an opening act slot for a future Ark show date.

To be considered for The Ark at UMMA, send a demo of original music to: The Ark, ATTN: Emily Ross 316 S. Main St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 or via email to Emily@theark.org.

The submission deadline for the Oct. 16 showcase is Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Wednesday, Oct. 27 for the Nov. 13 showcase. Note that demos will not be returned, and the competition is only open to solo and duo acoustic acts comprised of students currently attending U-M.

To get audiences in the mood for all of these songwriters, a performance by Ann Arbor-based Timothy Monger kicks off The Ark at UMMA on Friday, Sept. 18. Best known for co-founding Great Lakes Myth Society, Monger released his solo debut CD "Summer Cherry Ghosts" in 2004 and is working on a follow-up recording between his GLMS and solo concerts.

Listen to Timothy Monger "Radio Harvest" (MP3).

Chrysta Cherrie is the entertainment producer/copy editor for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at chrystacherrie@annarbor.com or 734-623-2526, and follow her on Twitter @chrystacherrie.