Soup's new kitchen
Having lived a bumpy, nomadic existence for the past decade, Stone Soup has at last alit on what it hopes will be a permanent home. The venerable folk venue is moving to St. Paul’s Church, located at 50 Park Place in Pawtucket. “It is as fine a home for folk music as you can imagine,” says inveterate Stone Souper Richard Walton. “It is a classic New England church hall, with grace and charm and character, and it has fine acoustics.” The capacity is set at nearly 300, which means the folk house will be able to host bigger shows and avoid turning people away as it did at last weekend’s Lori McKenna show. Plus, there’s lots of free parking in the area and it’s only a minute or two off Route 95 (Exit 27). If that’s not convenient enough, East Siders can drive right up Hope Street/East Ave. Stone Soup’s first show at its new location will be this Saturday (the 4th), with acclaimed local artist Mary Ann Rossoni. “We’re hoping that St. Paul’s Church is the long-term home we’ve long sought,” adds Walton. “This, we believe, will be the last stop and I hope we will be here for many years to come.”
Wandering eye
Babies in Limbo play February 3 at Gallery X in New Bedford. The three-piece hard rockers just recorded a demo, which they made at UFO Soundlab in Cranston. On Friday at the Rocky Point Pub in Warwick it’s What Matters? and on February 4 it’s Train of Thought and Inner Self Lost. Also Friday, February 3, at Perishable Theatre Maria Ventura & Shayna Gonsalves, Alec K. Redfearn, and Matty Charles will take the stage for a night of quiet music, all for only $5. Jeri & the Jeepsters give Friday night a boost at Mulhearn’s in East Providence. Sharks Come Cruisin’ is playing at Jake’s on February 4; they’ll be recording the show for their upcoming debut disc. “Recording this band in the studio doesn’t make much sense,” they tell us. “We need the audience participation. The more drunks we have singing along, the better the recording will sound.” Barn Burning opens the show.
On February 4 at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, it’s the Pegheads. Billed as a sort of local bluegrass supergroup, the band features Mike Kropp on banjo, Martin Grosswendt on guitar, Jeff Horton on bass, Karl Dennis on fiddle, and Ben Pearce on mandolin. For reservations or information, call 401.725.9272. Tickets ($10) will also be available at the door. Mondays come to life at Fahrenheit on South Water Street in Providence, with live jazz and funk beginning at 9 pm with no cover.
If you’ve heard rumors regarding the demise of Jenn Kitten’s band For What It’s Worth, don’t believe ’em. Apparently, there’s some bad blood/intra-band junk going down, some computer hacking and such. (Do not contact the band at its MySpace site either.) All fans need to know is that Jenn’s bunch is intact — a little flustered, but intact.
Lastly, we just heard about the passing of Ellen Watt, graphic artist, clothing designer, and wife of local soundman Jimmy Reynolds. Jimmy and Ellen were friends and fans of the local music scene and the community will not be the same without her.
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Email the author:
Bob Gulla: big.daddy1@cox.net
