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 (2025-2026 Season):
Thurs., April 23 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Fri., May 15 Crys Matthews!
8:00pm, $15-50* [see details below]
Sat., June 6 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages]
8:00pm, $7-20 [tentative date]
* 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. 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 !
Earlier this season:
Sat., Aug. 30 Concert Against Fascism by Joe Troop's Truth Machine!
8:00pm, $15-75* [see details below!]
Sat., Sept. 20 Sharon Katz & the Peace Train Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Sept. 25 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 4 Charlie King & Rick Burkhart Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Oct. 23 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 25 Jamie The Optimist Concert! [see details below]
7:30pm, $9-30* (Jamie Polson)
Sun., Nov. 16 Jazz Vespers with Jill Salkin Quartet
4:00pm, $10-30* [use ticket link above]
Sat., Jan. 17 Beppe Gambetta Concert! [still on, after the snow - it has stopped, and roads are good]
8:00pm, $12-50* [see details below]
Thurs., Jan. 22 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Feb. 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., March 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
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
Thurs., April 23 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Fri., May 15 Crys Matthews!
8:00pm, $15-50* [see details below]
Sat., June 6 People's Choice Concert! [top vote-getters for this year's People's Choice Open Stages]
8:00pm, $7-20 [tentative date]
* 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. 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 !
Earlier this season:
Sat., Aug. 30 Concert Against Fascism by Joe Troop's Truth Machine!
8:00pm, $15-75* [see details below!]
Sat., Sept. 20 Sharon Katz & the Peace Train Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Sept. 25 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 4 Charlie King & Rick Burkhart Concert!
8:00pm, $15-75*
Thurs., Oct. 23 In Person Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Sat., Oct. 25 Jamie The Optimist Concert! [see details below]
7:30pm, $9-30* (Jamie Polson)
Sun., Nov. 16 Jazz Vespers with Jill Salkin Quartet
4:00pm, $10-30* [use ticket link above]
Sat., Jan. 17 Beppe Gambetta Concert! [still on, after the snow - it has stopped, and roads are good]
8:00pm, $12-50* [see details below]
Thurs., Jan. 22 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., Feb. 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
Thurs., March 26 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [see details below]
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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FRIDAY, May 15, 8:00pm Concert by Crys Matthews! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk A troubadour of truth, Nashville resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. An award-winning, prolific lyricist and composer, Matthews blends Country, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. She is made for these times. Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.” Matthews says her mission is: "to amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice." A daughter of the South by way of Nashville now and North Carolina forever, and the self-proclaimed poster child of intersectionality, Matthews is a preacher's kid, a Black woman, a Butch lesbian, and a proud Southerner who sings social justice music right alongside 'traditional' Country and Americana music. Matthews is reclaiming not just the space Black artists have been denied in Country and Americana music, not just the space LGBTQ people have been denied in communities of faith, not just the autonomy women have been denied over their own bodies - she is reclaiming the South that raised her. |
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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"