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):
Sat., Sept. 20 Sharon Katz & the Peace Train Concert! [see photo and description below!]
8:00pm, $15-75* [replacing the concert that had been scheduled at World Cafe Live on the same date]
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!
7:30pm, $9-30* (Jamie Polson)
Sat., Jan. 17 Beppe Gambetta Concert!
8:00pm, $12-50*
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]
Thurs., April 23 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [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!]
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., Sept. 20 Sharon Katz & the Peace Train Concert! [see photo and description below!]
8:00pm, $15-75* [replacing the concert that had been scheduled at World Cafe Live on the same date]
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!
7:30pm, $9-30* (Jamie Polson)
Sat., Jan. 17 Beppe Gambetta Concert!
8:00pm, $12-50*
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]
Thurs., April 23 In Person People's Choice Open Stage/Open Circle
7:30pm, $2-5* [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!]
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, September 20th, 8:00pm Concert by Sharon Katz and The Peace Train! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk Musician, music therapist, and humanitarian Sharon Katz was born in South Africa under Apartheid. She has used her music for social activism around the world, has been recorded by Sting, and received the Phil Ochs “Music for Political and Social Change” award. After Mandela’s election, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train became the country’s first musical ambassadors of the new democracy. Ladysmith Black Mambazo joined Sharon on The Peace Train, and several of her albums have featured on the Grammy ballot for Best World Music. In 2015, the documentary film “When Voices Meet” about Sharon’s music and humanitarian work with The Peace Train project was released. It has received numerous awards at over 30 film festivals, has been shown on TV in over 50 countries, and is now available on Amazon Prime, YouTube and DVD. Continuing her reputation of “converting gang members into band members,” Sharon is currently practicing music therapy in the border region between San Diego and Tijuana where she has been forming choirs and teaching music to youth in some of the most gang- and drug-infested areas. She’s also been working in shelters for migrant children and families, a safe house for girls rescued from trafficking, and a program for survivors of torture. SATURDAY, October 4th, 8:00pm Concert by Charlie King & rick Burkhart! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He has been at the heart of American folk music for 60 years and has been writing songs for more than half a century. He received the 2017 Phil Ochs Award, in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice. Other honors include: an "Indie" award for one of the top three folk recordings of 1984; the War Resisters League’s 1998 Peacemaker Award given to Charlie and Odetta; & the 1999 Sacco-Vanzetti Social Justice Award for which he was nominated by Pete Seeger. His songs have been recorded and sung by Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, and Chad Mitchell. Rick Burkhardt is an Obie-award-winning composer, playwright, and performer whose works have been performed in over 50 US cities, as well as in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Taiwan and New Zealand. He toured nationally as singer, songwriter and accordionist with the satirical political cabaret duo, The Prince Myshkins. His plays have been produced by New York Theater Workshop and the American Repertory Theater. His songs have been featured on Pacifica Radio's “Democracy Now” and NPR’s “Morning Edition”. Charlie & Rick have been recording and touring together for the past 25 years - edgy harmonies, incendiary lyrics, powerful instrumentation and theatrical hijinks – a show not to be missed! |
Photo credit: Andy Glasbear
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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"