Favorite Color Tattoo Evan Olin, Powerline Tattoo Runner-up: Luis Bold, Unicorn Ink Favorite Black & Gray Ryan Dowden, Dark Ritual Runner-up: Luis Bold, Unicorn Ink Favorite Black & Gray with Color Steven McDonough, Secret Safe Tattoo Runner-up: Rachel WS, Rachel WS Fine Art...
By Lillian MK Photography By Olivia Lunger ...
Photo by Lillian MK Photography. Favorite Free Verse Spoken Word Ashley HosaRunner-up: Jeff Daniellian Favorite Social Justice Spoken Word Erik AndradeRunner-up: Mx Asher Favorite Youth Poet Angel CruzRunner-up: (by one vote) Josselyn Wolf Favorite Poetry Event Apothica's Monthly Poetry NightRunner-up: Afroverse Favorite...
Congratulations, you survived the record-breaking Blizzard of 2026. With the anticipated arrival of clear skies and warm temps, how will you be spending your well-earned, much-needed downtime this summer? If you’re adventurous, you could explore some of...
Artwork by Bob Eggleton. Godzilla has been a cinematic icon for over 70 years. However, there are important themes around the monster that have gotten lost with international audiences. There is no gigantic monster that has had...
Tie-dye by Spun Laundry. BEACHES Atlantic Beach Park: Family beach, amusements, kiddy rides, snack bars, antique 1915 carousel, batting cages, bumper boats, go-carts, mini golf, game room, waterslides, gift shop, beachware and an ocean-view cocktail lounge. 321...
Photos by Lillian Karboski. Every time you listen to a song, there is always something more than the words or catchy melody. On Friday, May 1, right in the heart of downtown Providence, an extraordinary group...
Okee dokee folks… Rising costs of everything is what’s on my mind this month. It really should be on everyone’s mind. The main things I will talk about here are gasoline and concert tickets. One...
Photo: Christopher Mongeau. Ravi Shavi, a band that has been around since 2011 and started as a moniker for Rafay Rashid’s music project, has evolved and become more rooted in its creative approach and performance, as...
“Can I go to X?” is the question 2 Feet 2 Bucks has answered with “Yes” dozens of times, where X = place worth going out of your way to, to take a walk, short...
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...
Photo by Matthew Murphy. The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King last played the Providence Performing Arts Center in 2017. After nearly ten years, The Lion King is back astounding Providence for a limited...
“Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). This is the core theme behind William Shakespeare's darkest comedy, Measure for Measure, one of Shakespeare’s most exciting, underperformed and underappreciated plays, currently presented by Burbage...
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...
Trinity Rep jump starts its 61st season with Selina Fillinger’s POTUS, directed by Curt Columbus. With all the debating and mudslinging of late, why not take a farcical break from the inevitable political frenzy! The folks at Trinity know many of us dread the upcoming election, and suggest we face our fears and laugh at […]
EXPUNGEMENTS A few months ago, we reported on the process of automatic expungement for criminal and civil offense records mandated by the RI Cannabis Act (“Cannabis Records Expungement: Progress report and guide to the process,” Apr 3, 2023) which was required no later than July 1, 2024. The Office of the State Court Administrator confirmed, […]
WEDNESDAY, SEP 4, 2024 – 12 DAYS TO DEADLINE On September 4, the editors of Motif Magazine held a meeting with the writers to solicit ideas for the Hispanic Heritage issue. Someone suggested restaurant reviews. To which I responded, “How about a pozole review! I’m kind of passionate about pozole.” The editors always encourage the […]
I am no expert. But it makes sense that your sign and personality affect what you favor in your glass. Whether you’re a fire, earth, air, or water sign, you have your preferences! If you have been less than pleased with your palate choices, perhaps my suggestions will help. Aries: The ram is headstrong. They […]
Okee dokee folks … Some of my favorite lines from a song are “Can you help me remember how to smile? Make it somehow all seem worthwhile. How on Earth did I get so jaded? Life’s mystery seems so faded” from “Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum. I have identified with those lyrics since I first […]
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece are those of the artist and not necessarily those of Motif, other writers or staff. Grammy Award Nominee and platinum-selling artist Five for Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) has kicked off his current tour with the October String Quartet, which includes esteemed Broadway musicians, and will perform over two […]
RENZO ARTETA Aquarius and triple air sign! Yes & no. I’m aware of it, relate to a lot of it, but don’t fully buy in or let astrology dictate who I am. My emotions totally affect my moods, and my moods affect my behavior. I feel, I flow. I move quickly, and apologize for my […]
City dwellers with occasional need for a convenient-yet-genuine dose of nature take note: Nineteen minutes from Fox Point, door-to-door, RIPTA #60 brings you to Osamequin Nature Preserve, 42 acres of woods, meadows, and salt marsh that adjoins Walker Farm, a town boat launch facility and an excellent kayak rental enterprise. Spread along Hundred Acre Cove, […]
Rhode Island was founded on intellectual and personal freedom principles by Roger Williams, author of a book banned in England and colonial Massachusetts. Today, RI authors are coming together to uphold our state’s tradition of free speech, which includes the written word. In celebration of Banned Books Week (Sep 22 – 28), the Rhode Island […]
NOAA ALLOCATES $1.5M GRANT TO REMOVE BARGE FROM PROVIDENCE RIVER PROVIDENCE — The sunken barge polluting the Providence River since 2017 will soon be gone. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to remove the 114-foot, crane-topped barge from the river, […]
