Rhode Island Songwriters Association News

TONIGHT, 7pm SITR at Artistis' Exchange

Joanne Lurgio — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:17:15 GMT

TONIGHT! Thursday, Oct 8th, 7pm, RISA Songwriters in the Round at Artists' Exchange , 50 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, RI

PLEASE JOIN US!

Allison Rose hosts with Bruce Everett Kittell, Kathleen O’Brian & Morgan Johnston

Enjoy an evening of original music and help select the theme for next months songwriters! FUN!!

This will be Allison's last time hosting SITR! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! We will miss you hosting but will definitely have you back to play!!

Welcome to Jason Valcourt who is stepping in to fill the hosting seat .. starting in December!

RISA, Rhode Island Songwriters Association

Feel free to bring your food donation for a local food bank! 1 of 52 Hunger Network Member Events

See you tonight!!

TODAY! Myrtle 2PM!

Joanne Lurgio — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:52:09 GMT

TODAY is the BIG DAY!! I hope you will join us for RISAs SITR 22nd Anniversary Show & Annual Fundraiser. This is our first Anniversary Show since Covid.. In 4 rounds, our monthly hosts, Joanne Lurgio, Jan Luby, Jim Tata & Allison Rose plus 8 songwriters representing our 2025 SITR season will perform in the round throughout the afternoon.

The fundraiser consists of raffles of 39 amazing baskets filled with fabulous gifts and original artwork from 50+ generous donors!!! .., plus a 50/50 raffle Come prepared to take chances on your favorites gift choices or an armslength of tickets for the 50/50 raffle.

We are long over due and we are doing it up good.

We will have a grab basket of RISA member CDs ... If you would like to contribute your music just bring it with you and drop it in the basket when you come!

JOIN US FOR THIS WONDERFUL DAY OF MUSIC, FRIENDS AND FUN!!

When? TODAY, Sunday, Oct 4th 2-5pm!

Where? Myrtle, 134 Waterman Ave, East Providence, RI

Reminder: 21+ adult event. Myrtle does not serve food but attendees are welcome to bring their own food if you'd like .. NO OUTSIDE beverages are allowed. There is a full bar for your thirsty needs.

As always, there will be a box for food collection for a local foodbank.

Rhode Island Songwriter Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit ~ All proceeds from today's event will go toward future musical, educational programs & workshops for RISA members & community outreach.

We will see there!

Regards,

The RISA Board!

COMPLETED DONOR LIST for Sunday's Show at Myrtle!!!

Joanne Lurgio — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:16:29 GMT

Drum Roll Please ..... THANK YOU to all the generous businesses, artists, musicians, friends donating to support RISA'S Annual Fundraiser & Concert! 50+Donors! The best way to thank our donors is to SUPPORT their businesses and crafts! Check them out here.

Airport Liquors, 1800 Post Rd, Warwick, RI 02886

An Unlikely Story, https://anunlikelystory.indiecommerce.com/

Angelo Marinosci, Jr., Warren, RI, artist, musician, photographer

Antonio's Trattoria , https://antonios-trattoriari.com/

Antonio's Bakery & Charlie's Deli , https://www.antoniosbakerycharliesdeli.com/

Assados Kitchen & Bar , https://assadoskitchenbar.com/

Baked & Brewed

Wyatt and Barbara Lema , https://www.wyattandbarbara.com/

Bedrossian Music , https://bedrossianmusic.com/

Bill Benjamin

Cold Brook Cafe , https://www.coldbrookcafe.com/

Condesa Restaurante & Tequila Bar , https://condesarestaurant.com/

Conimicut Liquors

Cuozzo's Casa De Pizza . https://www.cuozzospizza.com/

Dan's Music Center https://dansmusiccenter.com/

Diane Battistello https://dianebattistello.com/

Evelyn Weller

Fellini Pizzeria Pawtuxet Village Cranston, RI , https://fellinipizzeria.com/

Fuzzy’s Fine Guitars ,https://www.fuzzysguitars.com/

Greenwich Bay Chiropractic , https://greenwichbaychiro.com/

Greenwich Odeum , https://www.greenwichodeum.com/

Guitar Center , https://stores.guitarcenter.com/

Han Palace , https://hanpalacechineserestaurant.com/

Jack Acoste

Jan Luby , https://www.janluby.com/

Jenn Lombari Photography

Joanne Lurgio music

Jim Tata

Joe McDevitt

Kiki's Garden, The Krista Weller Burns Foundation , https://kikisgarden.org/

Larry's Liquors

Lillian Cataldi , https://soundcloud.com/lillycataldi

Mainstreet Coffee , https://www.mainstreet-coffee.com/

Main Street Music

Noel David Music , https://noeldavidmusic.com/

Nino's Pizza & Restaurant , https://www.ninospizzari.com/

Robert's Musical Instruments , https://www.robertsmusicri.com/

Rose Garden Coffeehouse , https://rosegardenfolk.com/music/

Shear Dimensions , https://www.sheardimensionshairspa.com/

Socrates Pizza Scituate , https://socrates-pizza.com/

Starbucks , https://www.starbucks.com/

The Green Door , https://www.thegreendoorri.com/

The Music Complex RI , https://www.themusiccomplexri.com/

The Vanilla Bean Café , https://thevanillabeancafe.com/

TLC Coffee Roasters , https://www.tlccoffeeroasters.com/

Thirsty Beaver Cranston , https://www.thirstybeaverpub.com/

Twin Oaks , https://twinoaksrestaurantri.com/

The Village Tavern , https://www.villagetavernri.com/

Wakefield Music Co. , https://wakefieldmusic.com/

Warwick Liquors

THANK YOU to our Fundraiser Donors!!

Joanne Lurgio — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 20:23:16 GMT

Our SITR Concert & Annual Fundraiser is just 1 week away!! YES, Next Sunday 2-5pm. In addition to all the fabulous music planned we have an awesome Penny Raffle brewing and a 50/50 Raffle ... We must call attention to our donors!

A great big THANK YOU to the MANY generous donors for our Annual Fundraiser!!! We are going to have so much fun .. So many AWESOME gifts of all kinds for our Penny Raffle.. PLEASE browse through this LONG list and be sure to support these vendors, businesses, artists & friends!.

Say it Loud ... THANK YOU!!!

Airport Liquors, 1800 Post Rd, Warwick, RI 02886

An Unlikely Story Bookstore https://anunlikelystory.indiecommerce.com/

Angelo Marinosci, Jr, Warren, RI https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075524390714

Antonios Bakery https://www.antoniosbakerycharliesdeli.com/

Assados Kitchen & Bar https://assadoskitchenbar.com/

Baked and Brewed 2424a W Shore Rd, Warwick, RI 02889 https://www.facebook.com/sweetdaddyjoes?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Barbara & Wyatt Lema https://www.wyattandbarbara.com/

Bedrossian Music https://bedrossianmusic.com/

Bill Benjamin

Cold Brook Café https://www.coldbrookcafe.com/
Condessa https://condesarestaurant.com/
Conimicut Liquors, 1230 W Shore Rd, Warwick, RI 02889

Couzzos Pizza https://www.cuozzospizza.com/
Diane Battistello https://dianebattistello.com/

Evelyn Weller

Fellini’s - Pawtuxet Village https://fellinipizzeria.com/
Fuzzy's Fine Guitars https://www.fuzzysguitars.com/

Green Door https://www.thegreendoorri.com/
Greenwich Bay Chiropractic https://greenwichbaychiro.com

Guitar Center https://stores.guitarcenter.com/

Han Palace https://hanpalacechineserestaurant.com/default.htm

Jack Acoste

Jan Luby https://www.janluby.com/

Jenn Lombari Photography https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558269456983

Joanne Lurgio https://joannelurgio.com/

Jim Tata https://www.facebook.com/jim.tata.1/

Joe McDevitt

Kikis Garden https://kikisgarden.org/

Larry's Liquors, 2103 Warwick Ave, Warwick, RI https://www.facebook.com/p/Larrys-Liquors-61559135190819/

Lillian Cataldi https://on.soundcloud.com/G9cT2wHPeA9zlezGJR

Main St. Coffee https://www.mainstreet-coffee.com/
Main Street Music 4 King St, East Greenwich, RI
Noel David https://noeldavidmusic.com/
Ninos Pizza https://www.ninospizzari.com/

Robert’s Music https://www.robertsmusicri.com/

Rose Garden Coffeehouse https://rosegardenfolk.com/music/

Shear Dimensions https://www.sheardimensionshairspa.com/
Socrates Pizza https://socrates-pizza.com/
Starbucks https://www.starbucks.com/
The Green Door https://www.thegreendoorri.com/
The Music Complex https://www.themusiccomplexri.com/
The Odeum https://www.greenwichodeum.com/
The Vanilla Bean https://thevanillabeancafe.com/

TLC Coffee Roasters https://www.tlccoffeeroasters.com/

Thirsty Beaver https://www.thirstybeaverpub.com/

Twin Oaks https://twinoaksrestaurantri.com/

Village Tavern https://www.villagetavernri.com/

Wakefield Music https://wakefieldmusic.com/

Warwick Liquors, 445 W Shore Rd, Warwick, RI 02889

pick up info for fundraiser raffle donations..

Joanne Lurgio — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:53:10 GMT

HI All ~

Our SITR Anniversary Show/Annual Fundraiser at Myrtle is fast approaching (Oct 4th 2-5pm)

Many thanks to those who have already donated gifts for our raffle .. Anyone who has not gotten their gift donations to us let me know ASAP we will make arrangements to get it as we begin to put together the gift baskets... SO EXCITING .. We will share pics of the raffle items soon! YAY!! It is going to be SO much FUN!

THANK YOU!!

Annual Member Meeting.. Songwriters in the Round...TONIGHT!!

Joanne Lurgio — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:02:09 GMT

TONIGHT!! September's Songwriters in the Round at Artists' Exchange!! Don't miss it! 7pm ... But first, come early to attend our Annual Membership Meeting at 6:30pm... Come share your ideas, Say Hello, Vote on the Board. DO JOIN US!! Doors open at 6pm

SITR: Jan Luby, hosts with Julie Dolphin, Jerry Pines & John Deveault 4 Songwriters, 4 rounds of original song. Round 3 songwriters will play a new song written for the show based on a theme selected by last month's audience!! FUN!! You will help select a theme for next month's songwriters!

As always, we collect non-perishible food donations local food banks.

Artists' Exchange, 50 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, RI.... Plenty of street parking and empty closed business lots.

"Suggested" donation RISA members $5, $10 General Public ...

SEE YOU THERE!!!

RISA IMPORTANT INFO CHECK YOUR EMAIL

John Devault — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:52:43 GMT

Hey everyone,

CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

The annual members meeting will be held at the Artists Exchange(Rolfe Square, Cranston) on September 10 at 6:30. Doors open at 6:00. Subjects to be discussed include electing new members to the board.
We are considering adding songwriters in the round style member classes. We welcome your ideas. Here are some:
Home studio recording

Recording in different environments

Building better lyrics

How to make a solid melody

Song styles and structures

Prosidy - making lyrics and music work together

Use of technology in songwriting

Creating and managing your sound setup

Settings up a social media presence

To AI or not to AI

So if you have some thoughts or are interested in the direction of RISA then come on down to our annual meeting. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Looking for volunteers for our Rhode Island Folk Festival booth

John Devault — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:59:07 GMT

Hey everyone!

RISA is looking for a few folks to help us man our booth at the Rhode Island Folk Festival on Sunday August 30 at Crescent Park in Riverside East Providence. The festival runs from noon to 6 PM. If someone(s) could help us out for a couple hours at a time, that would be great! You’ll get to meet all sorts of cool people and listen to some great performers. Contact us at risongwritersassociation@gmail.com

New Open Mic at the Mediator

John Devault — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:57:01 GMT

Pete Avitable is now running an open Mic at the Mediator Stage, 60 Rounds Ave., Providence, RI. Sign up is between 6:30 and 7 PM. Order is determined by drawing names out of a hat. Featured performer starts at 8 PM. $5 donation. BYOB.

Thank YOU for your food donations!

Joanne Lurgio — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:43:58 GMT

Thank you to all who support our food collection at the monthly Songwriters in the Round series!

Sharing a note of thanks from Trinity Episcopal Church who received September’s generous donations. Thank You!!

1 of 52 Hunger Network Member Events

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Photos from SiTR, Sept 11, 2025

Tom Smith — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:54:16 GMT

Photos from Songwriters in The Round (SiTR) 9-11-2025 with host Jan Luby, featuring John McAuliffe, Rob Siegel, and "Papa Angelo" Marinosci Jr.

Click this link to view.

RISA at Rhode Island Folk Festival - Aug 24

Tom Smith — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:34:17 GMT

Sunday August 24 looks like a beautiful day for music along the bay .
FREE!!!! RI Folk Festival 12-6
Stop by the RISA tent at the top of the main stage hill and say HELLO!!
We have RISA members hitting the stages this year, including Mary Pierce, Jan Luby & Michelle Saylors playing on the Songbird Stage and MaryAnn Rossoni is playing the mainstage.
Plus lots of fabulous acts all day!!
See you there!
Let the music play!

Booking SITR for the 2026 Season

Website Administraor — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 22:14:34 GMT

Hi All!

Joanne Lurgio here.

IT IS TIME TO START BOOKING RISA’s SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND (SITR), 2026, Season 23!

If you are interested in submitting to perform, please read the following info and respond by EMAIL to me at jmlurgio@verizon.net. Put SITR2026 in the subject line, and let me know your availability from the dates below.

What Is Songwriters in the Round (SITR)?

It is our RISA monthly songwriter series. Four Songwriters sit on stage together (RISA host, 2 RISA members & 1 non-member/touring artist )

The show is all acoustic (No PA). 4 Rounds of original songs. All levels of writers are encouraged to participate.

ATTENTION In round 3, songwriters perform a NEW song written for the show based on a theme/prompt selected by the previous month’s audience. You will get the prompt about 3 or 4 weeks prior to your SITR session.

It is a great illustration of the songwriting process. It is all about the song. It is FUN and a great night of music & friends.

Spots are limited so FIRST PREFERENCE GOES TO THOSE WHO DID NOT PERFORM IN 2025.

See Songwriters in the Round for more info about SITR.

***

Songwriters in the Round is held the 2nd Thursday of the every month, 7pm at Artists’ Exchange , 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, RI

Dates for the 2026 Season:

January 8, 2026

February 12

March 12

April 9

May 14

June 11

July 9

August 13

September 10

October 8

November 12

December 10

****

If you are interested in playing or have questions, please email me at jmlurgio@verizon.net with SITR2026 in the subject line.

Let me know if there are dates you can not perform and/or any preferred dates and I will keep it in mind when arranging the seats.

THANK YOU Very Much!

Regards,

Joanne

Our new RISA website is live!

Tom Smith — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:23:20 GMT

Hello,

We’re excited to announce that our new website is now live! It uses the same domain URL as the old one:
risongwriters.com

If you are a member, you can use your email address to log in to your member profile. If you would like to become a member, just click Join/Renew on the top menu. You can pay with a credit card, or mail us a check for your membership fee.

If you forgot your password, or if this is your first time logging in, please click on the Forgot Password link to reset it.

Once logged in, members can click on their name at the top of the web page to go to their profile. There they can update and verify their contact information. Be sure to read Members => Info for New Members for more detailed info.

While you are there, visit some of the other website pages. The website will evolve as we become more familiar with it and add new features. We think this will help us build on an already great songwriting community.

If you have difficulty logging in or have other questions about our website, please contact Tom Smith, who is assisting us with the launch. His email is Tom@TomSmithMusic.com.

Our new website gives members more control over the information they share with other members and the public, allows us to communicate more effectively with members and the public, provides improved event management, online payments, and more. It may take us a while to get used to these new website features, so thank you for your patience.

All the best,

The Rhode Island Songwriters Association Team

Some great events coming up!

Tom Smith — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 23:11:32 GMT

SAVE THE DATES

We have some great events coming up. Check the Events page for details and to register.

Aug. 14, 7:00 pm:
Songwriters in the Round, Cranston, RI

Sept 6, 1:00-5:00 pm:
Joe Doyle Songwriting Workshop, N. Scituate, RI

Sept 13, 2:00-6:00 pm:
RISA Potluck and Play, Fundraiser, Norton, MA.
(Rain date: Sept 14)

Oct 4, 1:00 - 5:00 pm:
Lilly Cataldi Performance Workshop, N. Scituate, RI,

Nov 6 - Nov 9:
Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, Albany, NY,
This is not a RISA event, but as a RISA member, early registrants to NERFA get a discount. See NERFA Conference for more info.

Hope to see you at some of these great events!

Volunteers Needed for Monthly Sing-along Hosts

Tom Smith — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 13:27:31 GMT

In exchange for the use of the Artists' Exchange for the RISA Songwriters in the Round series, each month RISA hosts a sing-along for the good folks there. We need volunteers to host. These sing-alongs take place the first Wednesdays at 9:30 am, and you get to pick the songs.

Can you help? If you would like to host, or just attend, please contact Jan Luby, the event organizer (janlubysongs@gmail.com).

The Artists' Exchange is located at 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, RI. Here is their website.
https://www.artists-exchange.org/