Hey Chance:

My sister still lives in Asquared. She's a jeweler and does great stuff. I haven't been to the Ark since they gentrified it and moved it to it's high class digs on Main street, but they are right: It is the best folk venue in the U.S! Good bars for just hanging out and blues used to be the Blind Pig, and the Del Rio (not much music at the Del). Last time I was in town it seemed to have been invaded by coffee houses so I don't know what the current spots are. Check out Herb David's Guitar studio on E. Liberty (I think, everything is fuzzy now) for what's going on. Also look here:

http://www.arborweb.com/eventindex.html

for what is happening.

Have fun!

JAB