A Celebration of Banjo Music & The Banjo Musician

Why a Banjo Festival? I ask you, “why NOT a Banjo Festival?” 

We're seeing banjo crop up in a lot of new music on the scene. We thought it might be fun to gather some of our local favorites and a handful of folks we've met in our travels. 

What to Expect: fingerpicking, strumming, clawhammer - traditional, bluegrass, jazz, country, punk - old friends, new friends, banjo pals a plenty. Maybe a guitar or two, but mostly banjos. Sponsored by Stone Soup Coffeehouse partnering with our dear friends at Nick-A-Nees at 75 South St, Providence, RI 02903.  

2 Stages | Music from 3pm to 10pm | $10*

featuring Ed Sweeney, Bird & Augur, Folk the Empire, Kate Mick  

Andrew Pauls (PA),  Ken Perlman (MA), Carolyn Shapiro(NY)

...and more to come! 

*100% of the door goes to artists

Fall 2025 | Season 44

Saturday, September 13th at 7pm - Ed Sweeney and Friends | $22 Buy Tickets

Saturday, October 11th at 7pm - Bird & Augur - Live Recording Session | $22 Buy Tickets

Saturday, October 25th at 7pm - Stash Wyslouch, Birds of Appetite Opens | $25 Buy Tickets

Saturday, November 1st at 7pm - Pete Avitable & Friends | $22 Buy Tickets

Saturday, November 8th at 7pm -  Ellis Paul | $30 Buy Tickets

Saturday, December 13th at 7pm - Catie Curtis | $30 Buy Tickets

"The cups go in the kitchen, chairs go against the wall."

Stone Soup Coffeehouse is one of the oldest coffeehouse venues in New England. Stone Soup has presented many gifted acoustic musicians and songwriters from Rhode Island and the New England Area. We also have a history of recognizing talent and are proud to have featured many artists, such as Dar Williams, Ingrid Michaelson, Anaïs Mitchell, and Erin McKeown.   

In 1981, several Rhode Island musicians and songwriters were inspired by Pete Seeger to share their music with each other and a wider audience. Stone Soup Folk Arts Foundation and Stone Soup Coffeehouse resulted. The name “Stone Soup” was taken from the folk tale about building community. In the story a beggar coming in to town is initially rebuffed by the townspeople. He offers to make his special “stone” soup and invites all to partake, eventually winning over the town and their communal contributions to make a truly magical soup. The magic is the building of a community, which is what we do at Stone Soup. At Stone Soup, artists, volunteers and audiences bring something special to a performance and the result is truly magical.   

Most shows start at 7pm. Box Office & Kitchen open at 6pm. Doors to the listening room open at 6:30. All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Concerts run until 9 - 9:30 depending on the night.

Coffee and treats are included in the price of your ticket. Donations, however, are graciously accepted and passed along to a sponsored non-profit of the season. Contribute to our community cauldron in the “coffeehouse” kitchen in the venue and support: Guitars for Vets Providence RI Chapter.

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Getting Here
Parking at 88 Meeting Street is limited. We courteously ask to leave the closest street parking spots open to those patrons with disabilities or limited mobility. You also might park on Benefit Street, walk up the hill and stairs to get to the Music Mansion.

The nearest bus stop, a six minute walk from the venue, is on the N Main NS N Court Stop on the R Line from Providence to Pawtucket. R-Line buses come so often, you don’t need a timetable. You don’t need to rely on a schedule or worry about catching a particular trip - just show up to your closest R-Line stop and a bus will arrive shortly to take you on your way. 
Booking
Stone Soup Coffeehouse books months in advance and we only book only a small fraction of the many fine artists we wish we could present. That being said, we would love to hear your music! Please note that we are a folk/acoustic venue for singer-songwriters and Americana musicians and small groups. We generally do not book traditional folk, blues, jazz, and rock groups. 
 
Artists or their representatives interested in booking with Stone Soup should send an email to stonesoup.coffeehouse@gmail.com. We will review information and listen to sample music on a site. It would also be helpful if this email included information regarding recordings, reviews, and promotional materials. 

Free Advice! You can always email or call us up to talk about playing in Rhode Island, even it if is not with us. We have a good knowledge of venues in Providence and connections in the community to help you out. We're a small place with a tight-knit group of venues and performers. So, don't be shy! Reach out if you need a hand.