music and progressive social change, in the Philadelphia area
Information: email polson@igc.org, or call 215-848-6246. Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk
Information: email polson@igc.org, or call 215-848-6246. Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk
Upcoming events (2025-2026 Season):
Sat., Jan. 17 Beppe Gambetta Concert!
8:00pm, $12-50* [see details below]
Thurs., Jan. 22 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Feb. 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., March 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., April 23 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., June 6 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages]
8:00pm, $7-20 [tentative date]
* For all in-person Folk Factory events, low and no-wage folks can pay as little as half the bottom end of the sliding scale (or whatever they can afford) at the door. Kids under 12 are free, except for family concerts. The sliding scale is simply an opportunity for you to give an extra contribution donation to the Folk Factory without having to do a separate transaction. There is no intention to put any pressure for anyone to give any more than they can wholeheartedly feel good about. Think about how much you anticipate the event is likely to be worth to you, and give that amount, or a little more if you want to support us more than that.
In-Person Open Stage/Open Circle 7:30pm, 4th Thursday of most months (except November, December, and some summer months); $2-5 in person
We start with about an hour and a half of Open Stage - everyone gets up to 10 minutes (usually up to 2 songs). Then we take a break to take down the sound system and hang out. Then in the Open Circle, everyone present is invited to sing a song, read a poem, tell a story, request a song, or pass; songs are often participatory. It's a great place to perform for the first time or try out new material!
For the People's Choice version (normally January through April), there is in-person audience voting for each Open Stage act that wants, and the highest vote-getters are invited to participate in the June People's Choice Concert. Coordinators Bruce & Linda Pollack-Johnson will be out of town from mid-February to mid-June, but some other folks are considering making sure these happen while they are gone. If you would like to help, email polson@igc.org !
Earlier this season:
Sat., Aug. 30 Concert Against Fascism by Joe Troop's Truth Machine!
8:00pm, $15-75* [see details below!]
Sat., Sept. 20 Sharon Katz & the Peace Train Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Sept. 25 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 4 Charlie King & Rick Burkhart Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Oct. 23 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 25 Jamie The Optimist Concert! [see details below]
7:30pm, $9-30* (Jamie Polson)
Sun., Nov. 16 Jazz Vespers with Jill Salkin Quartet
4:00pm, $10-30* [use ticket link above]
Events in COVID-19 Limbo:
Music for the New Revolution Showcase Concert (originally scheduled for March 14, 2020) - CANCELED/POSTPONED! Stay tuned for details
Alastair Moock and Two of a Kind - originally scheduled for May 8, 2020 - postponed
8:00pm $12-40* (David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans, doing grownup material)
past events
Sat., Jan. 17 Beppe Gambetta Concert!
8:00pm, $12-50* [see details below]
Thurs., Jan. 22 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Feb. 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., March 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., April 23 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., June 6 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages]
8:00pm, $7-20 [tentative date]
* For all in-person Folk Factory events, low and no-wage folks can pay as little as half the bottom end of the sliding scale (or whatever they can afford) at the door. Kids under 12 are free, except for family concerts. The sliding scale is simply an opportunity for you to give an extra contribution donation to the Folk Factory without having to do a separate transaction. There is no intention to put any pressure for anyone to give any more than they can wholeheartedly feel good about. Think about how much you anticipate the event is likely to be worth to you, and give that amount, or a little more if you want to support us more than that.
In-Person Open Stage/Open Circle 7:30pm, 4th Thursday of most months (except November, December, and some summer months); $2-5 in person
We start with about an hour and a half of Open Stage - everyone gets up to 10 minutes (usually up to 2 songs). Then we take a break to take down the sound system and hang out. Then in the Open Circle, everyone present is invited to sing a song, read a poem, tell a story, request a song, or pass; songs are often participatory. It's a great place to perform for the first time or try out new material!
For the People's Choice version (normally January through April), there is in-person audience voting for each Open Stage act that wants, and the highest vote-getters are invited to participate in the June People's Choice Concert. Coordinators Bruce & Linda Pollack-Johnson will be out of town from mid-February to mid-June, but some other folks are considering making sure these happen while they are gone. If you would like to help, email polson@igc.org !
Earlier this season:
Sat., Aug. 30 Concert Against Fascism by Joe Troop's Truth Machine!
8:00pm, $15-75* [see details below!]
Sat., Sept. 20 Sharon Katz & the Peace Train Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Sept. 25 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 4 Charlie King & Rick Burkhart Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Oct. 23 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 25 Jamie The Optimist Concert! [see details below]
7:30pm, $9-30* (Jamie Polson)
Sun., Nov. 16 Jazz Vespers with Jill Salkin Quartet
4:00pm, $10-30* [use ticket link above]
Events in COVID-19 Limbo:
Music for the New Revolution Showcase Concert (originally scheduled for March 14, 2020) - CANCELED/POSTPONED! Stay tuned for details
Alastair Moock and Two of a Kind - originally scheduled for May 8, 2020 - postponed
8:00pm $12-40* (David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans, doing grownup material)
past events
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SATURDAY, January 17, 8:00pm Concert by Beppe Gambetta! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk Acoustic guitarist and singer Beppe Gambetta brings a unique songwriting style, enthusiastically received by critics and audiences, earning him a spot for many months at the top of the U.S. independent charts. Exemplifying the artist's right to dream of beauty that defies the grayness of reality, this concert will take us to a world of stories and dreams linked to motherlands of infinite possible itineraries. He shares dreams from different eras, inspired by musical ancestors, the voices of minorities, indigenous peoples, and those fleeing hardship and oppression, where even “Woody and Pete” look with horror at the world of today. "Terra Madre is an enchanting continuation of his long catalog of recordings. It is bilingual, cinematic and reflective, but also passionate and sassy." Justin Hiltner - The Bluegrass Situation “Another treasure chest, colorful and sparkling, in which art is combined with civic engagement....So let's listen and enjoy these eight tracks that take us not only on a journey around the world, but also into the heart of man” Laura Bianchi - Mescalina “From the very first note, a horizon of relaxed virtuosity opens up to the listener.... in the style of Tony Rice's best recordings, where fantastically relaxed guitar work ennobles already great songs.... everything is blended here with sensational sensitivity, a steady, lively, silky-clear sound flatters the listener's ears with ever-increasing enthusiasm” Michael Lohr - Acoustic Guitar |
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About the Folk Factory
The Folk Factory, based at Unitarian Universalists of Mt. Airy (formerly Restoration), is a forum for people interested in music of all kinds and progressive social change. Unless otherwise indicated, all events are held at the church, located at 6900 Stenton Ave. (at Gorgas Lane) - see the map at right. Facilitated announcements of progressive events (marches, boycotts, etc.) can be made before the start of each event. All Folk Factory events are wheelchair accessible. The Folk Factory is a kindred spirit of the People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle, co-founded by Charlie King and Pete Seeger. Regular concerts are normally on the first or second weekend of most months during the academic year, and an Open Stage/Open Circle is held on the fourth Thursday of most months. To volunteer or for more information, call (215) 848-6246.
If you have snail mail and/or email address changes, deletions, or additions (such as if you want to add your name to the email notice list), you can call us at 215-848-6246 or email us at polson@igc.org. You can send any financial contributions (we suggest $5/yr or $15 for 5 yrs to help cover our copying and postage costs for snail mail, and other donations are gratefully appreciated!) to The Folk Factory, 6900 Stenton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19150. * For all Folk Factory events, low and no-wage folks who come in person can pay as little as half the bottom end of the sliding scale (or whatever they can afford) at the door. Kids under 12 are free except for family concerts. |
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More information about the Folk Factory: polson@igc.org , or call 215-848-6246, or see our Facebook page: "The Folk Factory"