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:
Upcoming events:
Sun., June 30 Sharon Katz and the Peace Train! [see below for photos and details]
7:30pm, $15-75* A rare concert in Philly - don't miss it, and tell your friends!
2024-2025 Season:
Sat., Jan. 25 (not Jan. 11, as stated earlier!) John Flynn!
8:00pm, $12-60*
* 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.
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.
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)
Fri., Nov. 10 David Roth [see below for details and photos]
8:00pm, $15-50* Opening: Jamie the Optimist (Jamie Polson)
Sun., Jan. 7 Joe Jencks & Zoe Mulford! [see below for details and photos]
7:00pm, $15-60*
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., Apr. 4 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) (Note: not March 21 or 28, as displayed earlier)
Sun., Apr. 14 Jazz Vespers with Greg Moore (on Congas) and Actual Proof [see details below]
3:30pm, $10-30* with Bobby Zankel (alto sax), Jim Holton (Piano), Richard Hill (Bass), & Eric Gravatt (drums)
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)
Sun., May 19 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages - see details below]
7:30pm, $10-30* Jamie the Optimist (Jamie Polson), Karen Smith, John Braxton, Wes Powers, and Brian MacSeain
Tues., May 21 Reggie Harris/Linda Hansell Book Release!
7:30pm, Free! Get your copy of Reggie's book, Searching for Solid Ground, co-authored with Linda Hansell
Sat., June 8 Two of a Kind Album Release Concert! [see below for photos and details]
7:30pm, $9-30* David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans, with Ari Heitler-Klevans, Dave Posmontier, Linda Glazerman Roeder, Roy Braverman, Mariah Leontopoulou-Cochran, and other special guests!
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
Sun., June 30 Sharon Katz and the Peace Train! [see below for photos and details]
7:30pm, $15-75* A rare concert in Philly - don't miss it, and tell your friends!
2024-2025 Season:
Sat., Jan. 25 (not Jan. 11, as stated earlier!) John Flynn!
8:00pm, $12-60*
* 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.
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.
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)
Fri., Nov. 10 David Roth [see below for details and photos]
8:00pm, $15-50* Opening: Jamie the Optimist (Jamie Polson)
Sun., Jan. 7 Joe Jencks & Zoe Mulford! [see below for details and photos]
7:00pm, $15-60*
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., Apr. 4 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) (Note: not March 21 or 28, as displayed earlier)
Sun., Apr. 14 Jazz Vespers with Greg Moore (on Congas) and Actual Proof [see details below]
3:30pm, $10-30* with Bobby Zankel (alto sax), Jim Holton (Piano), Richard Hill (Bass), & Eric Gravatt (drums)
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)
Sun., May 19 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages - see details below]
7:30pm, $10-30* Jamie the Optimist (Jamie Polson), Karen Smith, John Braxton, Wes Powers, and Brian MacSeain
Tues., May 21 Reggie Harris/Linda Hansell Book Release!
7:30pm, Free! Get your copy of Reggie's book, Searching for Solid Ground, co-authored with Linda Hansell
Sat., June 8 Two of a Kind Album Release Concert! [see below for photos and details]
7:30pm, $9-30* David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans, with Ari Heitler-Klevans, Dave Posmontier, Linda Glazerman Roeder, Roy Braverman, Mariah Leontopoulou-Cochran, and other special guests!
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
|
SUNDAY, June 30, 7:30pm
Concert by Sharon Katz and the Peace Train! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk South African musician, music therapist and humanitarian Sharon Katz was born in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) during the Apartheid era and began her anti-Apartheid activism as a teenager. In the decades since, she has used her music for social activism around the world, was recorded by Sting, and received the Phil Ochs “Music for Political and Social Change” award. Sharon and her band of phenomenal musicians are delighted to perform in Philadelphia on June 30th after their appearance at Old Songs with Roots Festival. After Mandela’s election, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train became the country’s first musical ambassadors of the new democracy. Their USA tours have included performances for The Getty in LA, Disney World, Duke Ellington Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian in DC, the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival; & Carnegie Hall World Music Concerts and they have been featured at numerous clubs, universities and festivals throughout the country. Sharon performed with the legendary South African singer Miriam Makeba and featured on Sting’s Carnival! album with Elton John, Tina Turner, Annie Lennox, Ruben Blades, and Pavarotti. Grammy award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo also joined Sharon on The Peace Train. Several of Sharon’s albums have featured on the Grammy ballot for Best World Music including Imbizo, Side-By-Side and We Can Be The Change and her most recent 2023 release “For You”. In 2015, the documentary film “When Voices Meet” about Sharon’s music and humanitarian work with The Peace Train project was released. Through archival footage and the 20-year retrospective words of the original choir members, musicians, and other South African personalities, this critically acclaimed documentary went on to receive numerous awards at over 30 film festivals around the world. It has been shown on TV in over 50 countries and is now available on Amazon Prime, YouTube and DVD. Continuing her reputation of “converting gang members into band members,” Sharon is currently practicing music therapy in the border region between San Diego and Tijuana where she has been forming choirs and teaching music to youth in some of the most gang- and drug-infested areas. She’s also been working in shelters for migrant children and families, a safe house for girls rescued from trafficking, and a program for survivors of torture. |
|
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, or see our Facebook page: "The Folk Factory"