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., 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* [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 !
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., 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* [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 !
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, August 30th, 8:00pm Bluegrass Against Fascism Concert by Joe Troop's Truth Machine! Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=folk Joe Troop is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter hailing from the North Carolina Piedmont. He is one half of the acclaimed panamerican folk duo Larry & Joe, and founder of GRAMMY-nominated stringband Che Apalache. His music is deeply inspired by a decade living in Buenos Aires and traveling throughout Latin America and the world. When the pandemic landed him back in North Carolina in 2020, Joe began working with stalwart organizers in order to more effectively meld his music and progressive social agenda. This culminated in his 2021 album “Borrowed Time,” featuring an epic cast of collaborators including Béla Fleck, Abigail Washburn, Tim O’Brien and Charlie Hunter. In December of 2021 the stars aligned, and Joe met his musical soul brother, Raleigh-based Venezuelan folk music legend and asylum-seeker Larry Bellorín. Soon thereafter he decided to put down roots in Durham to pursue the duo full time. When not on the road with Lare-bear, Joe leads various ensembles in NC, which play his original music. Over the years, Joe has carved himself a niche as an “artivist,” entwining music and social justice. He has now recruited some of his favorite festival friends from the oldtime and bluegrass scene to form a political protest powerhouse, the Truth Machine: Joe Troop (banjo, guitar, vocals), Lu Furtado (guitar, bass, banjo, vocals), Deb Shebish (fiddle, vocals), Olivia Fernandez (mandolin, vocals) and Jimmy Washington (bass, lap steel, vocals) “thought-provoking protest songs, political commentary and populist folk tunes…with an equal mix of humor and heart.” - Galax Gazette “…could anything be more American?” – Indy Week Proceeds from this concert will be shared with HIAS Pennsylvania, which supports low-income immigrants of all backgrounds as they build new lives in our community. Through immigration legal services, they work to address their needs, defend their rights, and advocate for their equitable inclusion in American society. |
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"