Stone Soup Coffeehouse
ABOUT STONE SOUP
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.
“We started Stone Soup as a place for singer/songwriters to play.We started Stone Soup to build community.We started Stone Soup to have a place where social justice and art meet.We started Stone Soup to have fun.And, we did!”
OUR HISTORY
FOUR DECADES OF SONGS
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 moniker originates from a folk tale of the same name, which highlights the value of cooperation and resource sharing. At Stone Soup, artists, volunteers and audiences bring something special to every concert. The result is an unforgettable experience and a new story to share. At 45, the concert series boasts 12 dates a year with a monthly open mic, live recording sessions for local musicians, and special events, including an Annual Fundraiser in collaboration with The Red Bandana Fund.
Read More about the history of Stone Soup through the perspective of volunteer Corinne Wahlberg in a recent featured article from Providence Monthly Magazine: Bringing Good Vibes to the Rhode Island Music Scene.
"Richard recognized the connection between music and organizing and viewed music as an expression of a community and of a particular community of people that viewed folk music as a comment on our culture. When they incorporated, Richard Walton became the first president of the Stone Soup Folk Arts Foundation, a position he held for fifteen years. Acting as host and MC at every show, Richard's colorful persona and ever-present red bandana put a face on the organization and he became known as "the voice of Stone Soup.""
Read More about Richard Walton and the indelible mark he made on Rhode Island in his lifetime. His unwavering support of the music community earned him an induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
Stone Soup Coffeehouse was formed by a group of musicians and activists: Bill Harley, Joyce Katzberg, Kate and Stephen Snyder, Debbie Block, Rick Brooks, and Richard Walton. Members went to the first School for Field Studies gathering in 1980. Inspired by Pete Seeger's suggestion to hold house concerts if communities lacked a local venue that supported political art. It all started in Kate and Stephen's living room. Bill arranged for their first permanent space, a large room on the second floor above the Podrat Coin Exchange on Hope Street. Eventually, they needed more space and moved to Church of The Redeemer.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, behind the Vets Auditorium, often participated in First Night, a city-wide celebration on New Year's Eve and collaborated with Stone Soup. When the organization inquired about moving there, the church board welcomed them on the provision that a member of the church went to every concert. That member was Richard Wahlberg who made the commitment, along with his family, to join a strong, dedicated community of over 30 volunteers. At Gloria Dei, Stone Soup flourished, presenting music every Saturday - September to May - often to packed houses.
Stone Soup moves to Pawtucket and spends the next 17 years in various venues across the city, including The Slater Mill Historic Site, The Blackstone Valley Visitors Center, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church. It also partnered with the city and Blackstone Valley Tourism to help book and present music for the Pawtucket Arts Festival, River Bend East Songwriters Festival, and many more.
Stone Soup ended their 35th Season at Slater Mill in 2017 when the historic textile mill became a National Park site. They extended their service to the Pawtucket community through festivals and special events while a handful of volunteers considered the future. In 2019, the concert series started producing music again at The Music Mansion, a historic building in Providence's East Side. After a short season, cut off by COVID-19, the organizers of the concert series began anew in 2021.
New leadership needed to usher the organization into a new era. Barbara and Richard Wahlberg, who had kept the series going through tough times, retired after many years of service. Their daughter Corinne, a veritable Stone Soup Rugrat, took responsibility for the series with a vision of succession. With the help of folks from across the community, in particular Ed Dean, they worked hard on programs and special events that encouraged a new generation of patrons to enjoy what Stone Soup continues to offer.
"At Stone Soup, we build community through music. It's a lot of work to do for free, but I was brought up on this philosophy. And this is what I can offer as a human being to my community."
WHAT WE BELIEVE
ALL AGES, ALWAYS
Kids have always grown up at our concert series! For those with mobility issues, we set up a ramp and offer early entry and/or reserved seating in the listening room.
VOLUNTEER-RUN
Every show is staffed by volunteers, many of us musicians ourselves. We run on a break-even philosophy, covering our expenses and passing everything else to the artists.
SHHH.
Voices carry in the reverberant chamber music hall. Conversations to a minimum. Phones on silent. Enter and exit between songs.
LOCAL ROASTS
We work with local roasters to bring you excellent coffee. Our current partner is Enjoy Coffee Roasters.
FIND US
GETTING HERE
THE VENUE
The Music Mansion
88 Meeting Street
Providence, RI 02906
PARKING
Street parking is available on Meeting Street and nearby side streets. The venue is also accessible by RIPTA bus routes serving the College Hill neighborhood.
SHOW NIGHTS
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.