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 (2024-2025 Season):
Sat., June 28 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages]
7:30pm, $7-20* John Braxton, Tina Korteland, Karl Zielinski, Brian MacShain, Wayne Dunlap
* 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 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 !
2024-2025 Season Events that have already happened:
Thurs., Sept. 26 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5*
Thurs., Oct. 24 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* Optional Theme: Democracy & Voting
Sun., Oct. 27 Jazz Vespers with Phyllis Chapell
3:00pm, $10-30* with Dave Posmontier (piano) and Dave Brodie (bass)
Sun., Nov. 3 Emma's Revolution! (Pat Humphries & Sandy O)
7:30pm, $20-75* [see details below]
Thurs., Jan. 23 In Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Jan. 25 John Flynn! [see details below]
8:00pm, $15-60*
Thurs., Feb. 27 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Mar. 27 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle)
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Apr. 24 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
2023-24 Season:
Thurs., Sept. 28 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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!
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., June 28 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages]
7:30pm, $7-20* John Braxton, Tina Korteland, Karl Zielinski, Brian MacShain, Wayne Dunlap
* 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 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 !
2024-2025 Season Events that have already happened:
Thurs., Sept. 26 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5*
Thurs., Oct. 24 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* Optional Theme: Democracy & Voting
Sun., Oct. 27 Jazz Vespers with Phyllis Chapell
3:00pm, $10-30* with Dave Posmontier (piano) and Dave Brodie (bass)
Sun., Nov. 3 Emma's Revolution! (Pat Humphries & Sandy O)
7:30pm, $20-75* [see details below]
Thurs., Jan. 23 In Person/Hybrid People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (email polson@igc.org for Zoom link)
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Jan. 25 John Flynn! [see details below]
8:00pm, $15-60*
Thurs., Feb. 27 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Mar. 27 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle)
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Apr. 24 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
2023-24 Season:
Thurs., Sept. 28 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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!
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, June 28th, 8:00pm
The People's Choice Concert! (top Open Stage vote-getters) Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk Raised by Quaker camp directors, John Braxton started singing folk songs around the campfire in the 1950s, and he has been singing ever since. A peace activist jailed for draft refusal, a labor leader in the 1997 UPS strike and at Community College of Philadelphia, and an organizer for climate justice, John sings songs reflecting all of those struggles for a better world, including in his repertoire songs by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Pat Humphries, Joe Jencks, Magpie, John McCutcheon, and Steve Earle. Borrowing from Woody Guthrie, who said “I steal from everybody”, John often changes the words of older songs to reflect today’s struggles, and to include a sense of hope that justice, peace, and harmony with the natural world are not just to be dreamed of, but can be attained. Tina Korteland has been a musician for as long as they can remember. Starting with a guitar and drums while trying out any and everything they could get their hands on to try. Playing with friends has always been the best part of being a musician and she’s glad to have found yet another home within the Folk Factory. Karl Zielinski is an Irish-born poet who has lived most of his life in the Philadelphia area. He started writing poetry in 1990 and his poems are inspired by true life events with themes of time, love, hope and romantic desire, interwoven with misfortune, loss, tragedy and the pursuit of happiness. He has published two collections of poetry, Unknown Joy and Captain, and launched a YouTube channel in April of 2025 Brian MacShain is a Philly-area singer-songwriter. His style draws from both the American and Celtic folk traditions with some country blues thrown in for good measure. Brian was a featured performer at the 2024 Folk Factory People's Choice Concert, was recently featured at a Philadelphia Area Songwriters Alliance (PASA) house concert, and can be found at various open mics throughout the area. You can find his music at https://www.reverbnation.com/brianmacshain or on your favorite music streaming service. Wayne Dunlap is an old folky from the 60s. His favorite artists are Peter, Paul & Mary followed by Ian & Sylvia. He always wanted to sing and play folk music, but had no voice until he was talked into joining his church choir. His small son went from putting his fingers in his ears to wanting Wayne to sing him to sleep. His son later wanted to get a guitar, so Wayne decided to get one too. Wayne sings with Roxborough Male Chorus. |
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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"