Tiny Refuge Folk Circle

Mondays from 6:00-8:00pm in Bloomington-Normal, IL
Every 1st Monday of the month is hosted at Green Top Grocery and is open to the public. No RSVP required but you can subscribe to our newsletter below to stay connected.

Scroll down for our latest event info!

Next Up

1st Ever Tiny Refuge Folk Circle Open Jam!

Monday, September 7, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm
FREE
Green Top Grocery (921 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701). This month's theme is LABOR OF LOVE! Bring your songs about work, making a difference, or the change you want to be in the world.

Our 1st Monday Folk Circle is open to the public and follows a "pick-pass-play" format. All unplugged acoustic instruments and all voices are welcome! No RSVP needed.

FAQs

About Folk Circle

What's a folk circle?
>>> Like a "song circle" or an "open jam," our folk circle is a casual gathering where participants take turns choosing songs to play with the group. Song circles are usually singing-only and songs are taught at the event, while open jams are usually instrument-based and organized with the host choosing the songs to play as it happens. Our folk circle combines the two by inviting the participants to choose songs and perform them together with acoustic instruments and voices.
What exactly do you consider folk music?
>>> There are a lot of definitions out there, but we abide by this one from our co-founder Morgan: "if folks play it, it's folk music!" We play all kinds of music, from Americana and bluegrass to sea shanties to 90s rock to Celtic ballads to Broadway numbers. We'll try just about anything!
What does "pick-pass-play" mean?
>>> When we go around the circle, each person chooses their action: pick a song for someone else in the circle to lead, pass to the next person, or choose a song for the group to play.
Does it cost anything to participate?
>>> No, Folk Circle is free! Snacks and drinks purchased at our locations that offer them are always optional.
There are too many songs in the world! How could I possibly choose one? The group may not even know it!
>>> You may want to start by looking at the Rise Up Singing and Rise Again books. We call them "the blue book" and "the red book," respectively. These are available in print from our pals over at Bobzbay in Bloomington, or you can browse for free at the Internet Archive. Several folksters have an extra copy and are willing to share during the event. We love trying new songs and would be happy to give yours a go.
I want to bring a song for the group but it's not in "the books." What should I do?
>>> We will have a laptop hooked up to a TV to share music with the group, or you can bring printed out sheets. We typically expect 15-20 people and can share copies, so we recommend bringing 8 copies. Most folksters have access to the Ultimate Guitar app, which has a solid selection of songs that we can adjust key and transpose easily, so if you have a link to that we can share it with the group.
I don't play an instrument and I can't sing very well. Can I just come and listen?
>>> Of course! We consider humming, clapping hands and tapping toes part of making music, so you may be more than a listener after all.
I need to [arrive late/leave early/only stay a few minutes/etc]. Is that okay?
>>>Sure thing, friend. Come when you can, leave when you need to.
Can I bring my kid(s)?
>>> Generally, yes! Folk Circle is a family-friendly affair. However, some venues may be more appropriate for kiddos than others. We try to choose the most accessible venues in town. Please contact the venue directly if you have questions.
What do you do the other Mondays in a month?
>>> Folk Circle meets weekly and when we're not hosting a public event, we meet at someone's house by invitation. You can join the newsletter and/or our Discord server to find out more about house circles.

About Tiny Refuge

Who are you all?
>>> Tiny Refuge is a folk music community and house concert venue founded by Erys (they/them) and Kate (she/her) Herald. "Tiny Refuge" is also the name of Erys' tiny house in Montreal, and we've borrowed the name. Our goal is to foster small moments of community and belonging wherever we go.
How long has Folk Circle been around?
>>> This iteration of Folk Circle started three years ago in Erys' and Kate's living room after being introduced to the format by our former neighbor, co-founder, and host extraordinaire Morgan. At its peak, our group of folksters has outgrown the confines of an average Midwest living room, and we're thrilled to be able to host this bigger community once a month.
Do you host any other events?
>>> We are currently on hiatus from hosting house concerts, but we hope to start back up soon! Visiting musicians routing through Bloomington-Normal on a Monday night can email us at tinyrefuge@gmail.com
I have a question that wasn't answered here. What should I do?
>>> Email Kate at tinyrefuge@gmail.com