Megan Marie “Megz” Serafine, a member of the Motif staff a few years ago, unexpectedly passed away due to a medical event in her sleep on Nov 7, a few weeks before her 37th birthday. In Providence after relocating from her native St. Petersburg, Florida, she was a tireless advocate for the creative arts ranging […]
Bill Whitehead Jr, singer, director, producer and well known powerhouse stage actor, with a booming voice and command of the stage in evidence at local shows for the past 40+ years, passed away unexpectedly in November. His kindness will be sorely missed by many in the theater community and beyond, and by the Players at […]
Julio Amaro Rhode Island lost widely beloved musician Julio Amaro on Nov 4. Originally from Venezuela, Julio had graced past Motif events with his music – both playing with others and as a one-man band with a surprising range of instruments draped all over his body. He was a constant source of encouragement to countless […]
The world and the Greater Northeast music scene recently lost one of its finest recording studio wizards. Ducky Carlisle, who operated his studio Ice Station Zebra in Medford, MA, died earlier this month. A drummer, singer, songwriter, and most notably a three-time Grammy-winning recording engineer, Ducky has left an enormous hole in the hearts of […]
The spectacle of the big screen, the joy of a story well told and heartstrings left barely intact: George Marshall loved all these things, and that was reflected throughout his life’s prominent work. Marshall was the founder and, for 40 years, the director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival. He taught film – be […]
We are stunned and saddened to report that Chip Young, environmental activist, rabble-rouser and long-time contributor to Motif and to Rhode Island journalism, passed away suddenly on August 24. Chip and collaborator Rudy Cheeks have brought Phillipe & Jorge’s Cool, Cool World to RI readers through various publications, including The Eagle, The Newpaper, The Phoenix […]
Michael J. Schiavone (1982-2022), fondly referred to as Mike or Mikey, passed away unexpectedly on February 28, 2022. The obituary written for his funeral services describes music as “his world,” a point reflected in his ever-present and positive impact on the music community in RI. The first band he belonged to was called Demon Spawn. […]
Burt Jagolinzer, who has attended the Newport Jazz concerts for 67 years writes: George was my friend and my association with him was very important to me, each year… I would always congratulate him, after each Newport performance.… George Wein discovered jazz, as one of his most important loves of his life. (The other love […]
My first few years at the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals were spent standing behind a cart, selling ice cold drinks to festival attendees. I’d chase the shade with my umbrella, while listening to legends and newcomers play, and daydream about what it must look like from up there on the historic stage. As I’d […]