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
2019-2020 Calendar:
Fri., Nov. 1 Charlie King & Martin Swinger
8:00pm $14-50 (see below for details)
Thurs., Jan. 23 People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm $2-5 (see description below)
Thurs., Feb. 27 People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm $2-5 (see description below)
Sat., March 14 Music for the New Revolution Showcase Concert
8:00pm $11-40
Thurs., March 26 People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm $2-5 (see description below)
Fri., April 3 Tret Fure
8:00pm $14-40
Thurs., April 23 People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm $2-5 (see description below)
Fri., May 8 Alastair Moock and Two of a Kind
8:00pm $12-40 (David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans, doing grownup material)
Thurs., May 28 Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm $2-5 (see description below)
Sun., June 7 People's Choice Concert!
7:00pm $7-20* (top Open Stage vote-getters)
* For all 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.
past events
Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, 4th Thursday of most months, $2-5*
Doors open at 6:45pm. Come at least 15 minutes early to sign up for the Open Stage. Feel free to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages with you to eat before showtime. The Open Stage (maximums: 10 minutes/2 songs or pieces) normally lasts from 7:30 to 9:00, followed by a break, and then the Open Circle runs from 9:15-10:30. 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! People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (January through April): The Open Stage part of the evening involves People's Choice audience voting; top vote-getters earn a spot in the June People's Choice Concert! People's Choice acts get a bonus for multiple performances (different months), but many acts have won a slot just from one appearance. Tell and bring your friends!
7:30pm, 4th Thursday of most months, $2-5*
Doors open at 6:45pm. Come at least 15 minutes early to sign up for the Open Stage. Feel free to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages with you to eat before showtime. The Open Stage (maximums: 10 minutes/2 songs or pieces) normally lasts from 7:30 to 9:00, followed by a break, and then the Open Circle runs from 9:15-10:30. 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! People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle (January through April): The Open Stage part of the evening involves People's Choice audience voting; top vote-getters earn a spot in the June People's Choice Concert! People's Choice acts get a bonus for multiple performances (different months), but many acts have won a slot just from one appearance. Tell and bring your friends!
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Friday, November 1, 2019, 8:00 PM: Charlie King & Martin Swinger! Come help celebrate Folk Factory’s 30th anniversary season! Charlie King and Martin Swinger will be touring together this Fall, mostly out of mutual admiration for each other as songwriters and performers. Their joint enthusiasm is infectious. Come hear them! Charlie King Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people and leaves audiences with a sense of optimism and possibility about the future.. Charlie has been at the heart of American folk music for half a century and has been writing songs for over 40 years. His songs have been recorded and sung by other performers such as Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small. He has recorded over twenty solo albums since 1976, as well as three albums with the touring ensemble Bright Morning Star, and numerous compilation albums with other artists. Pete Seeger hailed him as “One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.” Peggy Seeger says, "If we had more Charlie Kings in the world, I'd be less worried," and Tom Paxton adds, "Luckily, we have him!" Martin Swinger Martin Swinger is an atypical 60-something who can’t stop exploring music, songwriting and singing. Socially conscious, thought provoking and surprisingly entertaining, Martin is celebrated for his fluid voice and engaging delivery. He’s recorded 6 CD’s, won local and national songwriting awards, is a repeat performer at Kerrville Folk Festival and counts among his fans Pete Seeger, Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, Billy Jonas, Ezra Idlet, Vance Gilbert and John Waters. Martin composes songs about Alzheimer’s, Autism, oysters, dyslexic theology and the adventures of Betty Boop and Buddha – lyrically and melodically illustrating the variety of human emotions with sensitivity, creatively thoughtful stories, a deep appreciation for a good belly laugh, and by igniting wonder in the powerful metamorphosis music inspires in the heart, mind, body and soul. Surprising, humorous, intimate, outrageous, courageous and universal - each unforgettable song is sung with delicacy, skill and the panache of a seasoned, professional performer! Doors open around 7:30, and the show will start at 8:00pm. Admission is by requested donation of $14 to $50 (sliding scale, online or at the door), half price for no or low wage at the door, with children under 12 admitted free. Wheelchair accessible. Childcare is available with advance registration; by October 28 if possible, by calling (215) 848-6246. Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk |
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About the Folk Factory
The Folk Factory, based at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration in Mount Airy, 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, 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 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