On Friday, June 12, the Folk Factory will present its annual People's Choice Concert, with Rabbit Stampede, Drew Calvin, Joe Fanning, Andy Blue, Jake Michael, and Naila Schulte, chosen by audience voting at the last four monthly Open Stages. Doors open at 7:30, and the show will start at 8pm. Admission is by requested donation of $7 to $20 (sliding scale), half price for no or low wage, with children under 12 admitted free. Childcare is available with advance registration, and should be requested by June 8 if possible by calling (215) 848-6246. 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). For information, visit www.folkfactory.org or call 215-848-6246.

Rabbit Stampede is a folk band performing primarily Celtic traditional music, with forays into early (medieval and renaissance) music and other ethnic traditions. Led by fiddler and vocalist Paul Butler and grounded by the high energy rhythms of guitarist/citternist Chris Robinson, Rabbit Stampede also features virtuoso Kirsten Erwin on flute and pennywhistle. The emergent sound brings together the vibrancy of folk and early traditions with more modern sensibilities of structure and form. Recently reconstituted from the earlier incarnation as Burlap Lute, Rabbit Stampede is just digging its own new burrow! Rabbit Stampede (so named from the rollicking pet bunnies owned by the members, especially Chris's "zoom bunny" Spot) draws from the diverse backgrounds of its members to combine a variety of styles and sounds!

Drew Calvin has graced the Philadelphia folk music scene since 1995. He brings to his listeners the experience of a life lived around the world in practically every life condition except rich and famous. (Prior to Philadelphia he lived for four years in Taipei, Taiwan, where he earned the majority of his income as a street busker.) Over the years his music, particularly his original songs, has won him praise from artists such as Robin and Linda Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. He won first prize at the 1988 Florida Original Folksong Competition and at the 2003 Performing Songwriter's Contest at the Wildflower Music Festival in Texas. His music is firmly rooted in blues and country with a strong dash of Woody Guthrie populism and Dylanesque poetry. He is a powerful, dynamic performer not to be missed.

Joe Fanning does edgy folk urban blues. A native of Philadelphia, he has traveled the world gaining universal appreciation for life on planet earth. Joe is a published songwriter and anti-war activist. Come hear his down home music, with beautiful Spanish guitar accompaniment.

Naila Claudia Schulte performed widely at open mics and benefits for several years; she has recently resurfaced after retiring from teaching, and recovering from some nasty voice problems it left in its wake. Naila is now out and about again, with her unique array of songs celebrating spiritual explorations, heart lessons, emotional intrigues, psychological subtleties, political travesties, and romantic absurdities. More often than not there's a spiritual perspective lurking somewhere...if you asked her she'd probably say she's just trying to make sense of it all.

Andy Blue has been performing music professionally for 35 years. Best known for his stunning vibrato vocals his voice is often compared to Cat Stevens and Burl Ives. Accompanying himself on piano and guitar, his vast repertoire ranges through topical blues, political satire, union songs, and contemporary folk, a library of several hundred pieces. In his early career he worked as a music therapist and now after having worked in the health care field for 25 years he has recently decided to "Get out of saving lives and do something important.", devoting more of his life to music performing for unions, coffeehouses, conferences, colleges, etc.

Jake Michael is a songwriter whose voice has been compared with James Taylor and Michael Stipe. A native of Indiana, Jake came from a large rural family with a musical background in gospel, country and fiddle. He is best known for his topical songs in the tradition of Randy Newman and Loudon Wainwright III. In 1997 he was selected by Tom Gala to record a live CD at the Mermaid Inn. His recordings have been played on WXPN and WDIY. He has taken the stage at The Tin Angel, Steel City, and a multitude of coffee shops. He will be performing with The Flying Mangos, an acoustic-based band that draws on the folk traditions of Latin America, New Orleans, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. In 2008 their Latin version of .Santa Claus is Coming to Town. was featured on National Public Radio.s Christmas carol mash-up.

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.