Fire Museum Presents Celebrates 25 Years of 'All Music for Everybody'

The DIY concert series has established itself as a vital part of Philadelphia's music community by showcasing global folk traditions and underground local artists.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:39am

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After 25 years of presenting a genre-defying array of concerts, Fire Museum Presents has become a crucial part of Philadelphia's DIY music scene. Founded by Steven Tobin, the nonprofit organization hosts shows all over the city, highlighting folk music from around the world while also elevating innovative underground local artists. Accessibility and community are central to Fire Museum's mission, with no one ever turned away for lack of funds.

Why it matters

In an entertainment landscape driven by metrics and monetization, Fire Museum's unyielding eclectic ethos and commitment to creating something democratic and communal feels refreshingly radical. As public funding for the arts becomes more precarious, Fire Museum's direct vision to not let music fossilize or be siloed, and to ensure price or prestige don't determine who gets to listen, makes it a vital part of Philadelphia's vibrant music community.

The details

Fire Museum concerts feature a wide range of styles, from legendary jazz elders to brand-new local experimental bands, South American bolero musicians to Moroccan Gnawa masters. Not tied to any one venue, the organization presents shows in unconventional spaces like churches, galleries, and community centers. Founder Steven Tobin, who has been obsessed with music since his punk rock roots in the 1980s, sees no significant boundaries between musical genres, aiming to get people to listen to a diverse array of sounds.

  • Fire Museum Presents was founded in 2001 when Tobin was living in the Bay Area.
  • Tobin moved to Philadelphia in 2007 and initially partnered with Highwire Gallery in Fishtown before the organization began its nomadic journey across the city.
  • Fire Museum celebrated its 25th anniversary in January 2026 with a trio of concerts showcasing its range.

The players

Steven Tobin

The founder and director of Fire Museum Presents, who has been obsessed with music since his punk rock roots in the 1980s and sees no significant boundaries between musical genres.

Leah Tobin

Steven Tobin's wife and business partner, who helps with Fire Museum Presents.

Dave Burrell

A legendary Philly jazz musician who has been a key player in the boundary-pushing world of free jazz since the mid-1960s, and performed a solo piano set at a Fire Museum Presents 25th anniversary show.

Jack Braunstein

A Philadelphia musician who has been attending Fire Museum shows since he was a teenager and has performed in several Fire Museum shows, including a record-release concert for his project Shande.

Kimya Imani Jackson

A frequent audience member and occasional Fire Museum volunteer who praises the organization's commitment to bridging different worlds and creating a strong communal spirit.

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What they’re saying

“All music for everybody,”

— Steven Tobin, Founder and Director of Fire Museum Presents

“It's more important that somebody experiences the music than whether they can pay,”

— Steven Tobin, Founder and Director of Fire Museum Presents

“[Tobin] brings people here from all over the world, but he also really supports the community. [Fire Museum] allows local musicians to 'have a space to really present their work in a way which honors the art, which is really special.”

— Jack Braunstein, Philadelphia Musician

“Hearing these pairings and what the artists come up with gives me hope in terms of what creativity exists,”

— Kimya Imani Jackson, Frequent Fire Museum Audience Member and Volunteer

What’s next

Tobin plans to expand Fire Museum's video content collaboration with People Powered Sounds on the public access television network PhillyCAM, and present a series of workshops for children that introduce global and experimental music in an accessible way to ignite 'a spark for them to investigate a variety of music.'

The takeaway

In an era where public funding for the arts is dwindling and larger institutions struggle with equity and access, Fire Museum Presents stands out as a refreshingly radical and community-driven DIY concert series that democratizes music, elevates underground local artists, and exposes audiences to a diverse array of global folk traditions and innovative sounds.