5 Live Music Musts - Coffeehouse Edition
Friday, October 02, 2015
This week, “5 Live” highlights a mainstay in local music, the "coffeehouse." Historically, coffeehouse shows have been associated with a folk artist playing acoustic guitar in a church basement. That worthy tradition continues, although it’s been bolstered in recent years with more variety of musical styles. Check out our picks for the top 5 coffeehouses in southern New England.
Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Pawtucket
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPerhaps the longest running coffeehouse style venue in the state is Stone Soup at Slater Mill in Pawtucket. Stone Soup has been the “go to” place for up and coming artists and veteran singer-songwriters. For their 35th season, some big names in the folk/roots genre will be performing. Tomorrow night, check out the sweet melodies and searing lyrics of Newport Folk darlings Haunt the House. Click the schedule here for future shows with Patti Larkin, Grace Morrison and Vance Gilbert.
Common Fence Music in Portsmouth
Aquidneck Island’s top coffeehouse is Common Fence Music located in the town of Portsmouth. Tomorrow night, The Gothard Sisters, award winning Irish folk musicians from the Pacific Northwest, will be performing. Other artists coming this season include Mary Gauthier, David Wilcox, and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The venue is also known for their seasonal events including the “Horn of Plenty” show before Thanksgiving and the “Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen” in January. Check the schedule here for more details.
Narrows Center in Fall River
Occupying that elusive space between coffeehouse and night club is the Narrows Center in Fall River, MA. Narrows Director Patrick Norton brings the best in Roots, Folk, Rock, Blues, Jazz and more to a former mill building that has been transformed into an art gallery and performance space. Tomorrow night brings modern folk favorite Dar Williams to the Narrows. Williams is touring behind her new release, Emerald. Some big shows ahead this Fall at the Narrows including Dave Mason, The Tubes and Roomful of Blues. Click here for details.
Music at Lilypads in Peacedale
Music at Lilypads is another great concert series held at the Peace Dale Congregational Church in South Kingston. They just celebrated their 5th anniversary and have several exciting shows scheduled this year. Tomorrow night, good vibes will reign when Lilypads welcomes the Jones Family Singers from Texas. The highly touted R&B/Gospel group has appeared at numerous festivals including Newport Folk and SXSW. Additional shows this month include indie favorite the Becca Stevens Band and finger style guitar extraordinaire Claude Bourbon. Ticket information here.
Sandywoods in Tiverton
More than a coffeehouse, Sandywoods is a residential community designed to provide affordable housing for artists and others. The ongoing music series at Sandywoods welcomes a wide variety of artists throughout the year. This weekend is no exception – tonight it’s traveling bluesman Roy Bookbinder with Todd Albright and tomorrow night check out the Magnolia Cajun Band. The listening room at Sandywoods has great acoustics in an open, relaxed environment. Details on future shows can be found here.
More weekend highlights:
Earlier this week, we learned Jazz sax great Phil Woods had passed away. Woods had a long career playing alongside artists as diverse as Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Joel and Paul Simon. His last recording was Kindred Spirits, recorded earlier this years at Chan's with fellow saxman and Rhode Island native Greg Abate. Abate will host a previously planned CD release event at Chan’s this Saturday. Get out and support some great jazz – ticket info here.
Have ideas for "5 Live?" E-mail Ken Abrams here.
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