Smithfield, RI: A town known for its forests, trails, ponds, and well, wealth. An unlikely location for a potential AI-Data Center, one may think. Yet, this rural community, despite data center construction being illegal under...
This is the story of visiting Providence’s newest Rotisserie and Bistro, Thermia, and being so intrigued by its menu and feeling so welcomed by the staff, that I went twice in one week! To give...
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...
“Industry wants us to believe the sky will fall if there’s reform," said Council President Rachel Miller. "But for working families, the sky is already falling..." Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13) “In front of you is...
The eggplant piece featured on the cover of Motif is the first completed work in Chenlu Hou’s Garden series, making it a perfect fit for this issue’s theme of Summer. A low-fire terracotta sculpture, airbrushed and...
[See prior update: motifri.com/iran-war-update-01] The Iran war cannot continue as it is for much longer, and this is a result of simple math. Time is running out for energy and food supply US Consumer Price Index for All...
Voting is now closed -- Join us to see who was selected 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...
Ann Morrison and Marcus Phillips in the National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO. Photo by Joan Marcus KIMBERLY AKIMBO is a musical with a lot of heart, a lot of wit, and a lot of rave reviews...
Processed with VSCO with 6 preset When Steve DelMonico (vocals/guitar) approached John Faraone (drums) with an impossibly unique band name, there was no way of knowing that 10 years later they’d be sitting at Nolan’s with...
Photo: Dave Rezendes. John Faraone: a man of many bands, many instruments, and one poetic voice. While John wouldn’t call himself a poet, I certainly believe that his lyrics are simply stanzas waiting to be printed....
Photo by James Brooks. Okee dokee folks… I have referenced the Jethro Tull song, “Too Old to Rock & Roll, Too Young to Die,” A few times in my 22 years of writing for Motif, and...
(Photo credit: Keith J.G. McCurdy, from the cover art of Vudu Sister’s Adynata; photograph of the art installation LO SGUARDO - Humanitas - Physis by sculptor Igor Mitoraj at the Neopolis Archaeological Park of Siracusa...
Mount Pleasant. Elmhurst. The Valley Arts District. These are all neighborhoods whose offerings I thought I knew well, having worked in and around Providence over the last few years. But you can certainly miss a...
Buddy Mott. Once upon a time, if you wanted a tattoo, one of the things you could do was traipse to Newport from any of the four corners of the world and get yourself a tattoo...
The actual declaration of Independence was first proclaimed to the people of Newport from this building in July 1776. (Photo by Maureen O'Gorman) It doesn't take long for a person new to Rhode Island to find...
The RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced a major initiative to repair potholes caused by a harsh winter. A new Pothole Service Requests Dashboard site on the web – https://www.dot.ri.gov/travel/potholes.php – allows the public to...
The tattoo artist who goes by Mish, of Fall River, MA, created this month’s cover. “I got the nickname when I was younger, and it just kinda stuck,” she says. Also, it stirs a little...
On the “Weekend Update” satirical news segment on Saturday Night Live. anchor Colin Jost displayed a snapshot of an unhinged rant laced with profanity in the form of a Donald Trump post to Truth Social,...
VOTING OPEN NOW! VOTE HERE 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,...
VOTE HERE! "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,...
By Lillian MK Photography By Olivia Lunger By Izzy Cooke ...
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...
It’s often said (well, I definitely say this), that some of the deepest conversations and connected moments can happen while one is sitting in a car. This is certainly true for the duo, band, sisterhood...
Image: Olivia Lunger. Local Civil War re-enactor Bill Sherman was having trouble recruiting young people into the hobby, so he hit on a novel idea that is perfectly suited to Gen Z. He immediately telephoned his...
The Continental Congress, befooled. April Fool’s Day originated among the French a few years into the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin had been pleading with them for any sort of assistance. The brand...
If you have been a craft beer lover over this past decade, you may remember when the first Rhode Island Brewery Passport was released. It was changed to an app in 2020. Six years later,...
After attending Chalumeau’s release party for their album BLUE at The Met in Pawtucket last August, I wrote that if you ever got the chance to see them perform live, you should jump on it....
On February 28, after 20 years of being a community staple for first dates, Super Tuesday regulars, and movie fanatics alike, CWTheaters (previously called CinemaWorld) was forced to shut its doors for good. The decline...
Last year, I had a blast and a half working on a fun commercial shoot. I landed the gig because the fella producing, Josh Kirk, asked around to find an actor to portray the client’s...
Photo: Jenn Lombari. @jennlombariphotography ssa lin has been making a local splash like a rockin’ rainstorm after a record-setting blizzard, since releasing her first single, “tallboys,” at the end of 2025. The feedback has been good,...
When I first saw this young lady perform, I went to New Urban Arts (NUA) to see a fellow “Word!” family member perform for the youth at NUA. The Providence Poetry Youth Slam Team were opening, and this was my first time witnessing their brilliance because I missed them at AS220. The Gospel of Providence […]
The recent trend in education reform has been essentially a war on teachers and, by proxy, teachers unions. Certain factions want to place the full responsibility for declining student test scores on “overpaid” and “lazy” teachers. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking with West Warwick Senator Adam Satchell, who is a […]
Hope Anchor – Never Gonna Let You Go Hope Anchor are a gang of veteran rockers that came out of the gates a few years ago as an indie guitar rock band. Their debut record, Pile on the Dirt (75orLess Records), reflected this and was okay with a couple of decent songs, but nothing special. […]
Well-known writer, actor and director Kevin Broccoli, a native Rhode Islander, is an amazing theater resource. Broccoli is widely known as prolific and talented. However, one of Broccoli’s largest contributions to the theater community is his prescient idea of reaching out to work with others throughout the state. Broccoli rejected the idea that the only […]
The title of this narrative non-fiction tale really gives away the plot. Before I even put down the $20 to pay for this book, I knew that John Gordon was the last person to be executed in Rhode Island and was later redeemed, though about 100+ years too late. Even though I knew the outcome, […]
Some of the most valuable experiences that impacted my life revolve around my education. I can remember all of the teachers who willingly stayed after school ensuring their students understood the lessons that would prove valuable in their future. I remember the school dances, clubs and functions. As a student athlete, I learned the lessons […]
Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s Bob is almost impossible to summarize in any linear way, even though the storyline is more or less chronological. Consider a play set in the following location: “All over the United States of America, interiors and exteriors. Plus one scene in Mexico. The play often changes rapidly from location to location and […]
The Rock Spot brings vertical exercise to Rhode Island As I drive south along Route 1 headed toward Narragansett, I realize something about South County. It might as well be Alabama. Farms stretch as far as the eye can see, and signs advertising farm goods line the roadsides. Here, it’s Rhody Fresh milk; there, it’s […]
In honor of Lovecraft’s birthday and this weekend’s Necronomicon, we thought we’d look at some of H.P.’ s monstrosities and turn the tables. The dinner tables, that is. While traditionally his ancient beings eat us helpless mortals, these images show that we can also consume them. Thanks to Dori Blacker, who actually created the cake […]
The Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kingston has been experiencing a bit of a resurgence in its 25th year. With the departure of the resident theater company a few years ago, the space was in flux. Now, under the direction of JC Wallace and Loraine Lesniak, Courthouse is openly and aggressively courting all manner […]
