In 1981, Stone Soup Coffeehouse was formed to create a performance space for many of the local musicians here in Rhode Island. Those performances began in people’s living rooms, and eventually moved into a larger venue in the undercroft of a local church on the East Side of Providence. These are the real roots of Stone Soup, and we have kept with many of these traditions by continuing to serve our community and the musicians who are a part of that community by hosting them at our venue. It seems fitting to host Ed Sweeney, part Rhode Island icon and all musician-extraordinaire for our first show of the season on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 7 pm. Tickets will be $22 and can be reserved online (see our website). As always, it will be a special night of music at the Soup!
Parking at The Music Mansion at 88 Meeting St, Providence, RI 02906 is limited and carpooling, ride-sharing, and mass transit are highly encouraged. There is also available parking on Benefit Street, a short set of stairs will lead you right up to the Music Mansion.
ABOUT ED SWEENEY
Ed Sweeney’s concerts and recordings have drawn accolades throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. His recordings have been reviewed or featured by major media including Boston Globe, Boston Herald, New York Daily News, Washington Post, Chicago Sun, USA Today, and NPR, and his work is heard worldwide on hundreds of radio stations and on-line networks. Ed’s music reaches a diverse audience. Through NPR or on the hundreds of radio stations and on-line networks around the world. His music is in Ken Burns’ documentary Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony as well as Christian de Renzendes’s documentary Slatersville (Season 2). His music has been part of the soundtracks for television shows such as Northern Exposure and Briarpatch. Ed’s music was included in the six CD set Disney’s 50th Anniversary – A Musical History of Disneyland.
Ed's explorations also have taken him into the business side of music. In the late 1970s-early 1980s, he was assisting with the Rehoboth Music Festival and running a concert series presented through the North Attleboro Arts Council. He spent several years working for an Atlanta-based record company, Intersound Entertainment, where he created a specialty music division.
Throughout his professional career Ed has been an explorer and learner. With his knack for eclecticism and excavating overlooked songs, what you hear from Ed Sweeney today will not be the same as what you’ll hear from him tomorrow.
Saturday, September 13th at 7pm - Ed Sweeney, Andy & Judy Open | $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
Saturday, February 14th at 7pm - Community Showcase, Ed Dean Hosts | $20
Saturday, February 28th at 7pm - Stone Soup Sampler
Lucy Greenman, Grace Goodrich, Mirabelle Skipworth (PA), and Olivia Charlotte | $22
Saturday, March 14th at 7pm - Quiet RIOT! Fundraiser | $25
Saturday, March 28th at 7pm - Robbie Fulks | $30
Saturday, April 11th 7pm - Thea Hopkins & Mary Ann Rossoni | $22
Saturday April 25th at 7pm - Andrew Pauls (PA) & Carolyn Shapiro (NY) | $22
Saturday, May 9th - Ryan Leddick (NY) & Meera Raphael | $22
Sunday, June 7th - Annual Fundraiser & Red Bandana Award Ceremony | $25
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.