
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
2023-2024 Calendar:
COVID Guidelines: We ask that everyone be vaccinated and boosted (on the honor system). Please save the back 2 pews on the left side (as you enter from the main entrance) for mandatory masking and distancing for those needing that level of caution.
Upcoming events:
Fri., Nov. 10 David Roth [see below for details and photos]
8:00pm, $15-50* Opening: Jamie the Optimist (Jamie Polson)
Thurs., Jan. 25 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Thurs., Feb. 22 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Thurs., March 21 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Thurs., Apr. 25 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Sat., June 8 People's Choice Concert!
7:30pm, $7-20*
Thurs., May 25 In-Person/Hybrid Normal (not People's Choice) Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
* 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. No charge for Zoom participants in Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circles. 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.
Earlier this season:
Thurs., Sept. 28 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (see details below)
Sat., Sept. 30 Jill Salkin & Dave Posmontier
8:00pm, $15-40* Jazz, originals, classic pop (see details below)
Thurs., Oct. 26 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (see details below)
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
Upcoming events:
Fri., Nov. 10 David Roth [see below for details and photos]
8:00pm, $15-50* Opening: Jamie the Optimist (Jamie Polson)
Thurs., Jan. 25 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Thurs., Feb. 22 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Thurs., March 21 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Thurs., Apr. 25 In-Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
Sat., June 8 People's Choice Concert!
7:30pm, $7-20*
Thurs., May 25 In-Person/Hybrid Normal (not People's Choice) Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (or look for an email if you are on the email list)
* 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. No charge for Zoom participants in Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circles. 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.
Earlier this season:
Thurs., Sept. 28 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (see details below)
Sat., Sept. 30 Jill Salkin & Dave Posmontier
8:00pm, $15-40* Jazz, originals, classic pop (see details below)
Thurs., Oct. 26 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* (see details below)
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
In-Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle 7:30pm, 4th Thursday of most months; $2-5 in person; virtual is free!
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! Email polson@igc.org to get the Zoom link.
For the People's Choice version (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.
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! Email polson@igc.org to get the Zoom link.
For the People's Choice version (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.
FRIDAY, November 10, 2023, 8:00pm David Roth Concert, with Jamie the Optimist Opening! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk David Roth's songs have found their way to Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, the Kennedy Center, NASA’s Space Shuttle “Atlantis”, Peter, Paul, & Mary and Kingston Trio CDs (and 15 of his own), top honors at the Kerrville Folk Festival (TX), the Rise Up Singing and Rise Again songbooks, and countless venues in this and other countries (and now other WORLDS) for more than 3 decades. David is also Executive Director of SummerSongs, an annual songwriting/creativity camp that heads into its 26th year in the summer of 2024, so he is also a champion cheerleader in helping others find the song within. Poignant to improbable, holistic to hilarious, the Chicago native (these days living on Cape Cod) resumes his ongoing world tour with a rare appearance in Philadelphia. www.davidrothmusic.com Jamie the Optimist, aka Jamie Polson, is a rapper, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, hailing from Northwest Philadelphia. He comes from a very musical household, and draws inspiration from the likes of: Pete Seeger, Sufjan Stevens, the decemberists, the mountain goats, childish Gambino, aminé, Tyler the Creator, Lawrence, Vulfpeck, KYLE, Marc rebillet, Reggie Watts, and flight of the Conchords. Jamie started writing songs when he was 10 on his ukulele and hasn't stopped since. His music has a certain infectious innocence to it that you can't help, but bob your head too. He released his debut album at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic entitled "A Good Place to Start", a hip-hop inspired project. His sophomore album entitled "Lost and Found" was released in December of 2021, drawing more heavily on his folk influences. Jamie's third album was released in June of 2023 and it's called "Howl at the Moon". This project goes back to Jamie's early days as a predominantly hip-hop based album. Jamie's goal is to eventually tour the world and to collaborate with many of his favorite artists. With his optimism, creativity, and positivity, it seems there is nothing standing in his way from accomplishing his goals. |
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. |
More information about the Folk Factory: polson@igc.org , or call 215-848-6246