By Olivia Lunger By Lillian MK Photography ...
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...
Slugger by Divey Divey & The Likes, or just Divey, are a rapidly growing presence in the Providence indie rock scene. Helmed by frontman Alexander Garzone, the band has a remarkable ability to bring the sensibilities of lofi bedroom pop to the stage, creating a dreamlike atmosphere at their shows. Recently, Divey released their newest […]
About 15 years ago, I went to an “adventure” at Patriot Place Boston created by an organization called “5 Wits.” It was different than anything else, an entertaining, if slightly claustrophobic set of team-building puzzles set on a submarine, with an overarching storyline. The creators would argue that it was not an escape room, but […]
At Providence, snow is likely Tue starting 7pm, changing to rain around 9am, and continuing with some on-and-off breaks until Fri 8am. Snow before mixing with rain is expected in the under-1 inch range. Snow accumulation probabilities in the metropolitan area: at least 0.1in 95%, 1in 40%, 2in near 0%.
I knew as I drove to Fall River on that moonless, raw winter night it was worth the ride. I could bank on it. Crossing the Braga Bridge and pulling into a dimly lit parking lot surrounded by old brick factories from a bygone era the scene was set. As I walked into the Narrows […]
At Providence, snow is possible Fri starting 1pm and ending 7pm. Temperatures in the high 20s preclude any mix or change to rain. Snow is expected in the under 1-inch range. Snow accumulation probabilities in the metropolitan area: at least 0.1in 90%, 1in near 0%. After this, no precipitation is expected through at least Tue.
Winter Weather Advisory in effect from January 15, 07:00 PM EST until January 16, 07:00 PM EST At Providence, snow is likely Tue starting 1am and ending 5pm, possibly mixing with rain and freezing rain 11am – 6pm as the temperature rises above freezing 1pm– 5pm. Because of the timing of the precipitation, commuters may […]
At Providence, another significant storm will bring an expected 1 – 2 inches additional rain to already swollen rivers and streams, up to 3 feet of coastal flood inundation, and wind gusts peaking to 40MPH. Rain is expected to start Sat 12am (midnight) and end 9am, heavy at times overnight. Wind gusts exceeding 30MPH are […]
Over 40% of Americans are obese and despite the fact that weight loss clinics and diet fads abound, these statistics continue to rise. The experts have been helpless to stop these burgeoning numbers so it is no wonder that the pharmaceuticals Ozempic, Wegovy, and other semaglutide medications seem like the miracle drugs Americans have been […]
Autism Spectrum Disorder, commonly known as autism, is a heritable, genetic neurodevelopmental challenge that impacts about 1% of the world’s human population. This means there are somewhere around 80 million people with this condition. There is a huge gradient of expression of autism by individuals. This is where the phrase “being on the spectrum” comes […]
Humans inevitably run into conflict. Such hardships are essential to our lives. The point is to persevere. To overcome. To change and grow. But more often than not, besting such trials is easier said than done. We need help. We need direction and advice. We need books. The obstacles in our lives are not always […]
