Symbolic of grass roots entrepreneurism, the three-year old concert series that takes place in 195 District Park returns in quadruplicate this year. The Lemonade Stand began as a small, music-focused outing in 2024, the brainchild of Liam Anastasia-Murphy and Eva Okrent. This year it will be staged on Saturday, May 16; Friday, June 12; Saturday, […]
Artist of the Year: Favorite Song: Favorite Music Video: NOVA ONE; “chlorine” by NOVA ONE; “chlorine” – NOVA ONE (Dir. Frankie Ferrari) nova one: “nova won!” Providence’s own nova one won (!!) four 2026 Motif Music Awards: “artist of the year,” “favorite song,” “favorite video” (for “Chlorine” — a must watch!), and “runner up for […]
Check out extensive listings for every show we could find this season. But some are bigger or just fundamentally represent summer in our eclectic, hyperactive, tiny-yet-overachieving state. Here’s a selection of special events to keep an eye out for. MUSIC AT THE FARM: GRACE NOTE FARM A series of outdoor concerts at the farm! Hosted […]
VOTING OPEN NOW! Wednesday, May 276 – 10pmMyrtle, East Providence Join us for the 4th annual Motif Spoken Awards! We are excited to be returning to Myrtle to celebrate RI’s spoken word community. The live celebration, including performances for each category and live voting, as well as the results of the online voting, will take […]
“May your tattoo ink never run dry,” as the ancient Portlandian blessing goes, has rarely been more applicable. Motif is proud to partner again with Narragansett Brewery to bring you the RI Tattoo Awards, a recognition of one of the most prevalent day-to-day art forms, ever evolving in its technique, technology, social standing and emotional […]
The Music Awards went off without a hitch this year, and over the course of the evening more than 400 local music lovers dropped by to dance, listen, and cheer on fellow musicians. We’ll have more photos and a fuller description soon, but for right now, here are the picks over 5,000 voters selected this […]
Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. As the snow melts (or doesn’t, given the amount still on the ground at the time of this writing), the muddy ground dries, leading to blooming annuals and soil ripe for planting gardens and flowers. Leaves grow, decorating bare trees, showing signs of life. The days get […]
“Not a penny to make a noise on the Island of Misfit Toys. Snowflakes come in different shapes and sizes, like misfit toys, they’re chock full of surprises!” Motif magazine’s Santa Stroll of 2025 was a train that rolled down the streets of Providence with no track. “Don’t be frightened by all the noise, take […]
It’s coming to the point in the year where we all announce resolutions that we don’t keep. So why not start with one that’s easy too? Albeit, it might take a small act of bravery. On January 1, across the state of Rhode Island, thousands of people will be freezing their chilly-willy-penguin-bones to support some […]
Every year there is the great debate; Should I remain home and watch the ball drop in my Care Bear jammies, or should I open my horizons by bringing in the new year with style and flair? Last year I traveled through Providence looking for a place to go on New Years. My friends chose […]