In today’s ever-evolving musical landscape, few projects and musical acts manage to both break the mold and blend seemingly disparate genres seamlessly and in a way that maintains a consistent sound. Enter Chalumeau — the brainchild of Katherine Bergeron and Butch Rovan, two professors at Brown University who have spent years cultivating a deep understanding […]
Okee dokee folks… “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” Well, the lyrics of this Beatles’ song went through my head a couple of weeks ago. I turned 64. I don’t celebrate my birthday, haven’t in decades, but this getting old thing is tough. My father turned 90 a […]
For those unfamiliar with the Choose Your Own Adventure book series, DO NOT read the following in order. Start with paragraph 1, then see where it goes. While mostly fiction, the locations here are real and highly recommended! Enjoy! Paragraph 1 You awaken sprawled across the ornate stairs leading up to the sealed-off gates of […]
“Oh, you’re our guide? You weren’t’ who we were expecting,” the participant said, eying me up and down as I introduced myself. It wasn’t the first time I’d received this kind of remark, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. Whether it’s my age – 30 – or my gender – female – I […]
Summer is for slowing down, eating outside, and grazing all afternoon. Whether you’re spreading out a blanket under the trees or parking yourself on a sun-warmed bench with a view, a great picnic starts with what you bring to munch on. Luckily, Rhode Island is home to plenty of spots serving up fresh, flavorful fare […]
On April 10, Jon Stenning set out on what would become the most grueling, yet deeply rewarding, experience of his life — a solo, five-day, 512-mile cycling journey from North Scituate, Rhode Island to Washington, DC. While the main purpose of the ride was to raise funds for the Transgender Law Center and the National […]
There’s a quiet stretch of winter on Block Island where time slows to a gentle crawl — the kind of quiet where you can count the cars passing by in a single afternoon on one hand. It’s in this rare, windswept stillness that Milaina Bell, one of the island’s most committed restaurant professionals, finds balance, […]
Walk down the four steps to the dark door of The Jefferson Speakeasy on Kilvert Street in Warwick. No need to give a secret knock, or say “Louie sent me” like in the movies. Just walk in and step back to the Prohibition Era. Notorious mobster Al Capone won’t be seated at a table in […]
This column marks 20 years at the Motif for me so without further adieu, let’s get through as many things ‘till I hit my word limit and hit send. SUMMER JAMS: Throwing Muses — Moonlight Concessions (Fire Records) RI Music Hall of Fame inductees Throwing Muses are celebrating their 44th year with a new album, […]
Winter is finally gone, and summer is rearing its big and beautiful head. Now, we all know Motif is known for its listings, especially its Summer Guide listings (which, if you don’t know, encompass all three months of the season – see page 43). But we wanted to make it easy for our dutiful readers […]