Still strummin’ Stone Soup turns 25 BY BOB GULLA

No matter how you look at it, 25 years is a long time. After 25 years, you can be sure of a couple of things: You’ve got a good thing going and you’re doing something right. Stone Soup knows about doing something right, as it celebrates 25 years of the coffeehouse experience. And the gala opening weekend bash will surely be more righter than right. Richard Walton, whose beard has grown commensurately with the traditions of Stone Soup, and Rick Wahlberg, president of the organization, talked a little bit about the good times at the Soup, as well as those rabble-rousing, post-show drinking games at the East Avenue Café.

"Most of my favorite moments are the small ones," says Wahlberg. "Surprise performers at a hoot, openers and main acts getting together to do a number . . . I also have some favorite local bands: Fourth Street String Band, Joyce Katzberg, New England Christmastide, all the flavors of klezmer. And, of course, there’s the camaraderie of being with ‘folks’ putting on a show. Joyce Katzberg asked me once who my favorite performer was, and without much hesitation I told her that what I loved was the process and the community. In truth, I love all the performers. I may like some more than others, but the fact that they participate in this very personal form of entertainment and community is more important to me."

"One remarkable memory has to be having Pete Seeger play at Stone Soup," Walton reflects. "He came with his grandson Tao Rodriguez and they played, of course, to a full house, which was 300 at our old venue, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. At the end of the evening, Pete refused to take any money for himself but did take some for his grandson. Maybe it’s a function of my age, but I tend to like the acts that have long since paid their dues: I remember one night we had two old friends, Rosalie Sorrels and Utah Phillips. What a funny and moving evening that was."

In the end, then, what makes Stone Soup so special? "Although it continues to evolve, Stone Soup has always felt strongly that it is, and always should be, a part of the community. We’ve always featured local artists in our calendars; when we’ve had funds our Foundation has given them to help local organizations. We believe in having fun together and presenting good quality music as affordably as possible . . . and I think we’ve succeeded in that. We think we are a significant part of the fabric of Rhode Island."

Stone Soup Coffeehouse will kick off its 25th season of folk music on Friday (the 9th) and Saturday (the 10th). Friday’s line-up includes Atwater-Donnelly, Kathy Danielson, JP Jones, and Antje Duvekot; Saturday brings Bill Harley, Joyce Katzberg, Kate Katzberg, Lindsay Adler, and a special appearance by the legendary Si Kahn. The concerts begin at 8 pm at the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket Arts Center, 210 Main Street, Pawtucket. Tickets are $12; a two-night pass is $20. Call 401.457.7147 or go to www.soup.org. And Stone Soup will feature a strong lineup all season, including nights with Catie Curtis, Patty Larkin, Bill Morrissey, Cliff Eberhardt, Roy BookBinder, Paul Geremia, Christine Lavin, Vance Gilbert, Lori McKenna, Chris Smither, John Gorka, Guy Davis, Aztec Two-Step, Bill Harley, and ending the season on May 27, Ellis Paul.

R&RATNINIGRET

Chuck and Mary couldn’t have ordered more sunshine and blue sky for the Rhythm & Roots Festival in Charlestown, which attracted thousands thanks to a great lineup and strong walk-up sales. But what was with all the tents, umbrellas, and canopies? On Saturday, the sight lines were so bad you couldn’t see the stage, and we arrived at 12:30. By that time it seemed many festival-goers had dragged in their entire backyards: tables, hammocks, big picnic spreads. Though the music was typically exhilarating, "late" arrivals could do little more than lay their asses on the ground and hear the music; seeing it through all the tents and umbrellas was not an option. Festival security knew of the problem but chose not to act. In my opinion it was the first chink in Ninigret’s armor. We’re hoping that people that drove long distances to check out R&R for the first time weren’t put off permanently by all the irresponsible backyardigans laid out in front of them. This festival is too good for those shenanigans.

CAMPFIRE’S ATCHAN’S

Stefan Couture and the Campfire Orchestra return to Chan’s on Saturday for a couple of huge shows, which is big news since the last time they played the place they sold out the entire weekend. The band spent the summer promoting their album, venturing up to Maine and down to Virginia with their organic jazzy pop-rock/R&B-funk mix. The early show is at 8 pm and tix are $10; the late show is at 10 and a tad cheaper. Call 401.765.1900 for info, or go to www.campfireorchestra.com.

wandering eye

Local punk favorites For What It’s Worth will be welcoming back college kids with a free show on Friday at the Safari Lounge, 103 Eddy Street, Providence. It’s 21-plus with a 9 pm start. Support includes Smart Bombs & Apple Pie and Coverage, a Descendents tribute. Also that night in Newport, the mighty Fleshtones throw down at Area. If you haven’t seen the band, or are too old to remember what they were like, you owe it to yourself to check out these good-time garage rockers. On Sunday (the 11th) at 7 pm, another installment of the "Songwriters In the Round" series comes back to AS220, this time with Heather Rose, Tom Bianchi, Christopher Monti, and Ryan Fitzsimmons. The theme is "Going Swimming." Admission is $5. Call 401.831.9327.

The local scene lost another talent recently. Rob cinami, drummer with Anomalous, died in a freak boating accident. He was 30 years old. A benefit in Rob’s name will be held at the Living Room on September 23.

My e-mail address is big.daddy1@cox.net.