STONE SOUP PRESENTS
RHODE ISLAND BANJO FESTIVAL
A one-day celebration of the banjo in all its forms — clawhammer, bluegrass, old-time, and beyond. Hosted at Nick-a-Nee's in Providence, RI.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026
VENUE
WHERE TO FIND US
Nick-a-Nee's
75 South Street
Providence, RI 02903
Located in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, accessible from I-195. Street parking available on South Street and nearby side streets.
DOORS OPEN
3:00 PM
FIRST PERFORMER
3:00 PM
FESTIVAL ENDS
9:00 PM
THE POSTER
About the Artwork
The Old Banjo, ca. 1889, William Keane. As early as the 1740s, Africans kidnapped into the slave trade brought with them the banjer, a fretless gourd instrument used to accompany singers, which later evolved into the banjo. Often played in defiance of a racist system designed to suppress enslaved people's humanity and creativity, the instrument came to symbolize cultural resistance and perseverance. With its distinctive sound and style, the banjo provided a framework for a musical tradition that preceded ragtime, jazz, and blues—all innovations by Black musicians—and established the foundations of modern American music. Keane's banjo is surrounded by personal effects: sheet music, a crumpled hat, a peacock feather, and a pair of photographs showing a young woman and two unidentified young Black boxers. The boxing image evokes the history of early Black boxing champions such as Jack Johnson (1878–1946), who challenged racism in American sport and paved the way for future athlete-activists.
2026 LINEUP
WHO'S PLAYING
3:00 PM · Bluegrass-Inspired
JILL STRAITJill Strait is an artist and clawhammer banjo player from Leominster, MA. Her work is inspired by her love of Bluegrass, Old Time and traditional country music. She paints and prints acoustic instruments with a variety of vintage fabric patterns from her collection of square dance dresses and western memorabilia.
4:00 PM · Appalachian Old-Time
AUBREY ATWATERAubrey Atwater presents a captivating program of traditional and original folk music performed on guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Irish tin whistle, mandolin, feet, and old-time banjo. She entwines a moving explanation of the music with stories from her life and musical journey. Her pursuit is to understand folk music as an expression of human history and a glimpse into the lives of "ordinary" people.
5:00 PM · Americana
ED SWEENEYEd Sweeney honors people and their histories by presenting music that entertains and educates. Through his musical expertise, breadth of knowledge, and wonderful sense of humor, he helps listeners, understand the motivations, stories, and culture that have made us who and what we are today. 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.
6:00 PM · Frailing/Clawhammer
HOWIE BURSEN
Howie Bursen is best known for his gravity-defying, triplet-filled, fiddle-tune variations and is certainly one of today's foremost practitioners of clawhammer banjo style. He has taught clawhammer at the Maryland Banjo Academy, Common Ground and the California Traditional Solstice Festival, and his eclectic recordings contain quite a number of stellar clawhammer solos.
7:00 PM · Raw Lo-Fi Sci-Fi Trash Folk
FOLK THE EMPIREIn-universe authentic lo-fi si-fi trash-folk tunes from a galaxy far, far away. Anti-imperial. Burgundy Squadron. Khyr Hammerlind on Banjo, Jeks Zartini on Percussion, and X'Lan Strom on Guitar.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
WHAT TO BRING
CASH ONLY
Nick-a-Nee's is a cash only bar. We will also be accepting tips for the artists via our famous black cauldron.
AN EASY CHAIR
There's plenty of room out in the parking lot for impromptu seating. A good hat and a folding chair will keep you comfortable all day long.
GOOD COMPANY
The festival is all-ages, family-friendly, and free!
YOUR THIRST
We will receive a cut of the bar at the end of the night for all drinks purchased. We then divvy that up equally between the artists.