Family Folk Machine

Here we are still in the midst of winter, just waiting for spring to arrive – and we are continuing to work on our songs for our spring Blooming Where You’re Planted concerts (April 12th and 19th)! This song, written by Linda Ugelow and put to music by her daughter Lexi, beautifully portrays this spring emergence. Read more

Here’s an article I wrote for the Community Music feature in the Press-Citizen. It ran Saturday, February 14, 2015:

GROUP GETS READY TO GARDEN BY SINGING ABOUT IT

“Let the wild winter winds bellow and blow; I’m as warm as a July to-ma-to.” Read more

Another great song for our two Blooming Where You’re Planted concerts in April! Get transported back to Grandma’s house with this nostalgic song written by Iowa native, Greg Brown. Read more

To get you ready for a couple of great events that we are doing in April (Blooming Where You’re Planted: songs from farm to table) at the Senior Center and the U of I Old Capitol Museum Senate Chamber, I thought I would share with you our spring songs! Read more

Join us February 14th from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. for an all-request sing-along! Bring instruments, friends, neighbors, and children. We can make good use of the Love section in the provided Rise Up Singing song books for Valentine’s Day – in the warm and cozy atmosphere found at Uptown Bill’s. Read more

Join us this Saturday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. for an all-request sing-along! Bring instruments, friends, neighbors, and children. We’ll have Rise Up Singing books, and Uptown Bill’s will provide the warm and cozy atmosphere.
There’s free parking evenings and weekends in the UI lot across from Uptown Bill’s. Read more

This spring the Family Folk Machine will be singing songs about spring, food, and gardening. Our big projects will be a concert at the Senior Center on April 19 and the making of a music video for Tom Chapin’s song about composting, “Brown Gold.” Read more

Join us for the Festival of Carols, a FREE concert at the Englert Theatre December 9th at 7:00 p.m! There will be a selection of holiday, Chanukah, and Christmas songs from old-time/bluegrass musicians Marc and Brandi Janssen, the Old Capitol Chorus, and The Family Folk Machine. Read more

Join us this Saturday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. for an all-request sing-along! Bring instruments, friends, neighbors, and children. We’ll have Rise Up Singing books, and Uptown Bill’s will provide the warm and cozy atmosphere.
There’s free parking evenings and weekends in the UI lot across from Uptown Bill’s. Read more