On Sunday, May 23, the Folk Factory Coffeehouse presents a concert by Sharon Katz & The Peace Train and Voices of a Different Dream. Doors open at 7:00, and the show will start at 7:30pm. Admission is by requested donation of $9 to $25 (sliding scale), half price for no or low wage, with children under 12 admitted free. The concert will be sign language interpreted upon request, and childcare is available with advance registration; both should be requested by May 19 if possible by calling (215) 848-6246. The concert is wheelchair accessible (but the bathrooms are not yet). The Folk Factory Coffeehouse is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration in Mount Airy, at 6900 Stenton Avenue (the corner of Stenton Avenue and Gorgas Lane), Philadelphia, PA 19150. For directions or further information, visit www.folkfactory.org or call (215) 848-6246.

South African Grammy nominees, The Peace Train take you on a joyride from the traditions of Mother Africa to the exhilarating jazz-folk-rock fusions of today with an unstoppable beat, powerful dances, and compelling harmonies. Currently based in Mt. Airy because of its model of racial harmony, guitarist and singer Sharon Katz and her band of musicians and dancers travel far and wide, spreading a message of violence prevention through their music.

Armed with a Masters in Music Therapy from Temple University and a specialty in crisis intervention, Sharon returned home to South Africa. Organizing a courageous tour on board a real train --The Peace Train-- Sharon and her friends Ladysmith Black Mambazo helped spearhead the path toward democracy in South Africa. Now touring the world, Sharon Katz and The Peace Train use concerts and workshops to promote global harmony. The groups humanitarian work includes music therapy with HIV/AIDS orphans, feeding programs in poverty-stricken areas, and their latest project: building a school and community arts center in a rural area of South Africa.

As South Africa's cultural ambassadors to three continents, Sharon Katz and The Peace Train have been using their exhilarating rhythms and powerful voices to break through the boundaries that separate people and propel diverse groups toward global harmony. They have been carrying Nelson Mandela's message of conflict resolution and violence prevention on the back of their unstoppable beat. Their recordings include "Live in NYC" with Special Guest Pete Seeger and "Carnival!" with Sting, Elton John, Tina Turner and Madonna, and they have appeared from Carnegie Hall to the Clearwater Festival.

Philadelphia's Voices of a Different Dream Ellen Mason, Annie Geheb, and Susan Windle began creating and performing their unique blend of poetry and song in 1991. Since then, they have performed throughout the Philadelphia area: in bookstores and libraries, living rooms and coffeehouses, concert halls and conferences, churches and synagogues, nature centers and art galleries, peace rallies and fundraisers for progressive causes. They are two poets and one singer. With voice and gesture their only instruments, the group highlights each woman's distinctive solo voice and plays with the deep and delightful resonances between them. Together they have created three recordings: Unimagined Possibilities, You Know My Name, and Refuge for a Soul, and one collaborative book of poems, Already Near You: Poetry in Concert by Ellen Mason and Susan Windle. The women of Voices challenge injustice with love and war with the joys of being together.

With material informed by the cycles of nature and passion for human relationships, this deeply feminist ensemble creates performances that inspire and delight. Philadelphia writer Scott Tucker describes their work as "an unusual and inventive blend of sung and spoken word. These voices have unforced strength and clarity, and there is both heart and mind in each one."

Singer/songwriter Ysaye M. Barnwell says simply of their second CD: " a lovely experience." And singer/songwriter Susan Herrick has said about their newly-released third CD, Refuge for a Soul: "ahhhhh, the poetry and layerings of words and voices brought such sweet sounds of peace."

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. Facilitated announcements of progressive events (marches, boycotts, etc.) can be made before the start of each event. The Folk Factory is an organizational affiliate of the People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle, co-founded by Charlie King and Pete Seeger. Regular concerts are normally around the second weekend of most months, and an Open Stage/Open Circle is held normally on the fourth Thursday of most months. To volunteer or for more information, visit www.folkfactory.org or call (215) 848-6246.