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...
In my opinion, fall is the best season for going on dates – whether it be for folks in committed relationships, or folks dating casually. The air is crisp, the vibes are cozy, and the fashion potential skyrockets. Nothing screams romance for me more than putting on a comfy sweater and apple picking, watching a […]
SIGISMUND The rich man dreams his riches which are cares, The poor man dreams his penury and pain, The man who prospers dreams, the man who strives, The man who hurts men, and the man who’s hurt, All dream. So what’s this life? A fraud, a frenzy, A trick, a tale, a shadow, an illusion.And all our life is nothing […]
The long standing McCoy Stadium is circling the bases one last time. After multiple rain delays in July, the stadium will have one more at-bat with its last ever event “McCoy’s Final Inning” on Sunday, September 3, before its demolition. McCoy Stadium has had an odd past that goes back over 70 years. The stadium […]
When I was six I got hit in the ribs by the fastest pitcher in the Wanskuck little league. It was 2008, and I vowed (while literally gasping for air) to hate all things baseball forever. I held my hand to my chest and collapsed into the batters’ box while that pitcher’s dad called me […]
Motif asked each candidate to answer a handful of questions. Here are their responses, side by side for easy comparison. These are the candidate’s own words – none of their statements are fact checked or externally verified. We do this every election cycle. Answers are edited only if absolutely necessary to fix obvious typos. Each […]
Air and Silk is a family trio of circus artists based in Providence, RI. Once a year, they bring the circus into their own backyard. The idea began in 2020 during the COVID pandemic lockdown. Simone Jogl and her daughters Skye and Anneken, created a story in movement as a gift for a friend who […]
On Saturday, October 28, Motif will make its first foray into cannabis events, partnering with Mother Earth Wellness Dispensary and The MET for the first in a series. From 6 – 8:30pm we will have at least 10 vendors, no cover, a smoking section, low-key scavenger hunt, food, drink and live performances, including DJ Matt […]
Motif is doing its first ever astrology-centered event this year, on November 15 (a date chosen by the stars and verified by our astrologer as a great day to network). At R1 Indoor Karting, 100 Higginson Ave, Lincoln. Doors at 5:56pm, running until 10pm We will have astrological readings, tarot readings and vendors, a talk […]
Save the date and warm up for Halloween with our TimeMission-sponsored cosplay event! Date: Thursday, Oct 12 Time: 6 – 11pm Location: R1 Entertainment Center, 100 Higginson Ave, Lincoln Cosplay is for everyone, and there will definitely be something for everyone at this showcase! Show off your costume or cosplay in our Stage Strut (open […]
Now in its 24th year, National Farmers Market Week (August 6 – 12, 2023) is an annual celebration highlighting the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. The week’s events help boost market attendance and visibility. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the value these markets bring to our communities. How do […]
