Providence, Rhode Island's capital, is a compact, creative city of art schools, historic neighborhoods and riverfront WaterFire nights. Players will find a long-running Tuesday open mic, a Wednesday bluegrass night that's become a city tradition and Sunday jazz where guests sometimes sit in. The Newport Folk and Jazz festivals are 40 minutes away. This guide covers Providence's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Providence
The land at the head of Narragansett Bay was home to the Narragansett and Wampanoag peoples. In 1636, Roger Williams, banished from Massachusetts for his religious views, founded Providence as a haven for freedom of conscience.
Providence grew into a major port and, in the 1800s, a manufacturing powerhouse known for jewelry, silverware and textiles. Brown University, founded in 1764, and the Rhode Island School of Design, founded in 1877, made it a center of learning and art.
After mid-century decline, Providence reinvented itself in the 1990s, uncovering its rivers downtown. Today it's known for its food, its art scene and WaterFire's bonfires on the river.
The Providence Music Scene
Providence has a tight-knit, adventurous music scene, from noise rock and indie to folk, jazz and bluegrass. Broadway legend George M. Cohan was born here, and the nonprofit arts center AS220 has nurtured local artists since 1985. Lupo's, the Strand and the Columbus Theatre host touring acts, and the Providence Performing Arts Center stages Broadway tours.
Newport's world-famous Folk and Jazz festivals are 40 minutes south, and Rhode Island's weekly music nights, like the Wednesday Bluegrass Throwdown, keep players busy year-round.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Providence
- Providence Performing Arts Center – A grand 1928 theater.
- Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel and The Strand – Rock clubs for touring acts.
- Columbus Theatre – A restored 1926 theater for indie and folk.
- AS220 – A community arts center with performances.
- The Parlour – A bar with a weekly open mic.
- Nick-a-Nee's – Home of the Wednesday Bluegrass Throwdown.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Providence
Providence's best-known weekly music nights span open mics, bluegrass and jazz. Below are the standout events, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
Open Mics
- The Parlour Open Mic (Providence) – Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. to midnight; doors 6:00 p.m., sign-ups 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Corinne Southern. No cover.
Jams and Music Nights
- Bluegrass Throwdown at Nick-a-Nee's – Wednesdays, 8:30–11:30 p.m. A long-running weekly bluegrass night that moves outdoors in warm months; check the venue's social media for each week's lineup and picking.
- Sunday Jazz at the Courtland Club – Sundays with the Leland Baker Trio, sets at 6:00 and 8:30 p.m.; guest musicians sometimes join. Reservations recommended.
Providence-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | The Parlour Open Mic (7 p.m.) | The Parlour | All Styles |
| Wednesday | Bluegrass Throwdown (8:30 p.m.) | Nick-a-Nee's | Bluegrass |
| Sunday | Sunday Jazz (6 p.m.) | Courtland Club | Jazz |
Tips for Playing Providence-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Bring a fiddle tune or two on Wednesdays. The Throwdown crowd loves to pick.
- Go to Newport. The summer festivals are a pilgrimage for any musician.
- Plan for winter. Coastal storms can cancel nights.
Helpful Local Resources
- Ocean State Media Weekend 401 (oceanstatemedia.org) – Weekly Rhode Island event picks.
- AS220 (as220.org) – Arts center events.
