
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 (so far!):
NOTE: From January to June of 2022 we did a combination of in-person/hybrid Open Stage/Open Circles and Zoom Open Circles, then did an in-person/hybrid Open Stage/Open Circle last month (9/22). We plan to have in-person/hybrid Open Stage/Open Circles on the 4th Thursdays in October (10/27) and January through May, and a number of in-person concerts. Stay tuned!
Upcoming events:
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!
7:30pm, $15-50*
Sat., June 3 People's Choice Concert!
7:30pm, $7-25*
* 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*
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:
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!
7:30pm, $15-50*
Sat., June 3 People's Choice Concert!
7:30pm, $7-25*
* 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*
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.
SATURDAY, January 7, 2023, 7:30pm Concert by Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective, with Karen Smith, Tamara Anderson, and Mariama O'Brien Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective began its creative journey in 2014 and the musical journey has allowed for many artists to come thru and share their gifts. Poetry, Songs, Dance, Drumming has been the ingredients for our purpose and also sharing stories about our rich culture. Artistic Director/Lead Percussionist and Founder, Karen Smith has managed to lead this group to many musical venues including the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, The Dell, many of the Free Libraries, The Barnes, African American Museum of Philadelphia, schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, hospitals and traveling along the Gulf Coast. Bookings @ karensmithdrums.com . This Collective performance will include Mariama O’Brien on drums, and Tamara Anderson. Tamara Della Anderson is a multi-talented producer, activist, singer, actor, writer, and director. Her production and direction credits include a film short, Dating Chronicles. Check out new projects at her production company, The Gumbo Lab. She is the curator of the BIPOC Database and Resource Guide for BIPOC, Latinx, and AAPI creatives to connect with available projects. |
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