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
2022-2023 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:
Sun., June 11 People's Choice Concert! John Braxton, Tony Berardi, Harry Rothwell, Tina Korteland, Wayne Dunlap, and Alice V. Fisher
7:30pm, $7-20* (top vote-getters from the January - April Open Stages this year: see below for photos and details)
* 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 Events this season:
Thurs., Sept. 22 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5*
Sat., Oct. 8 Two of a Kind (David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans/grownup material) and Anam Owili-Eger
7:30pm, $9-30* (see below for details!)
Thurs., Oct. 27 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5*
Sat., Jan. 7 Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective, with Karen Smith, Tamara Anderson, and Mariama O'Brien
7:30pm, $9-30* (see below for photo and details)
Thurs., Jan. 26 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. 23 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 23 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. 27 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., May 20 Reggie Harris Concert! (see details below)
7:30pm, $15-50*
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)
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:
Sun., June 11 People's Choice Concert! John Braxton, Tony Berardi, Harry Rothwell, Tina Korteland, Wayne Dunlap, and Alice V. Fisher
7:30pm, $7-20* (top vote-getters from the January - April Open Stages this year: see below for photos and details)
* 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 Events this season:
Thurs., Sept. 22 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5*
Sat., Oct. 8 Two of a Kind (David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans/grownup material) and Anam Owili-Eger
7:30pm, $9-30* (see below for details!)
Thurs., Oct. 27 In Person/Hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5*
Sat., Jan. 7 Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective, with Karen Smith, Tamara Anderson, and Mariama O'Brien
7:30pm, $9-30* (see below for photo and details)
Thurs., Jan. 26 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. 23 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 23 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. 27 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., May 20 Reggie Harris Concert! (see details below)
7:30pm, $15-50*
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)
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.
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SUNDAY, June 11, 2023, 7:30pm People's Choice Concert! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk John Braxton 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. Tony Berardi Tony Berardi is a self taught musician who considers himself, first and foremost, a songwriter. Inspired and influenced by the usual suspects (Joni, Jackson, etc.) his songs range from the autobiographical (Raining in Detroit) to fictional stories (After Beggars Ball) rooted in the personalities of real people. A Philadelphia resident since the early 70's he is just beginning to expose some of the many songs he has written over the course of his lifetime and has been pleasantly surprised and gratified by the initial response, and the opportunity to be part of the evening. Harry Rothwell Music of many kinds has enthralled Harry Rothwell from childhood and uplifted him through all subsequent phases of life, but it was the profoundly stirring sounds ringing out from the dormitory-room sound systems of college days that made him evermore devoted to folk music. It was the heyday of The Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul and Mary; Joan Baez; The Weavers; Odetta; and Harry Belafonte. Their singing not only lifted up many a beautiful melody, but also implored one’s very soul to overcome hatred, war – or any other crime of hurt and injustice. Such music can move us to foster a better world. He’s very likely to tell you, “This world still needs these songs (and newer ones of such fervor) very much – and we’ve got to keep them all going strong!” Tina Korteland Tina 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. Wayne Dunlap 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. Alice V. Fisher “Teacher, student, folky, storyteller, poet - I like to use words to paint pictures of small, meaningful moments. Grew up in Villanova, settled in Audubon, PA. Wife to Chuck & mom to Dave and Tom. Thank you Bruce and Linda for all your great work.” |
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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