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...
Mad Max inspired food truck race. Illustrated by Zoë Anderson. This month, Motif was honored to welcome back Zoë Anderson of Warwick for our July Food Truck Award nominees issue. This is the sixth time her work has graced our cover. Taking inspiration from Motif’s Food Truck Awards, Anderson also drew inspiration from the Mad […]
At Providence, air pollution from particulate matter at least 2.5µm (PM2.5) is expected to reach “moderate” levels (51-100) Mon and Tue as a result of continuing wildfires in Canada, possibly reaching “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (101-150) or even “unhealthy” (151-200) levels. This is a return of conditions seen a few weeks ago that resulted in […]
At Providence, a Flood Watch is in effect Sun 2am to Mon 2am with potential for 1 – 2 inches of rainfall, and localized amounts as much as 4 inches mainly to the north and west. Heavy rain, strong gusty winds, and thunderstorms with frequent lightning are possible any time after Sat 9pm, but rain […]
Welcome to a recap of Motif Magazine’s first-ever Battle of the Bands Contest! Congratulations to winners Meridian and runner-up winners Baby Baby Explores the Reasons Why that Gum is Still on the Sidewalk and David Tessier and the All-Star Stars. The full list of bands competing in this year’s event: David Tessier and the All […]
Organization Description:Motif is a free alt-paper dedicated to the arts and entertainment in Rhode Island and surrounding areas, and to bringing readers alternative local news about subjects of all kinds. Motif was founded in 2004 to help bring to light some of the amazing music, art, and culture happening around Rhode Island that escapes coverage […]
Okee dokee folks… The other night, July 8, I checked out a new, to me, venue, The Bank of NH Pavilion, and attended The Last Summer on Earth Tour with Barenaked Ladies, Five For Fighting, and Del Amitri. This very cool, outdoor concert amphitheater is located close to Lake Winnipesaukee and Laconia Airport. This area […]
Nominate yourself or other bartenders for this years event! The event will be on August 11th at R1 Indoor Karting in Lincoln RI. The awards will be part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration and will be happening from around 7pm-11:30pm. Use this link to nominate: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2GMPLZC More information coming soon…
The Soly’s are a resilient family that supports each other and turns everything into a family affair. Past endeavors include the non-profit Punks for a Princess, coaching basketball, making music, and running their food truck Sunnyside of the Street. Regardless of the family member leading the charge, the other three are never far behind, ready […]
Athena is in search of her forever home, along with her five littermates! Athena is one of the six Great Dane puppies recently surrendered to Anchor Paws Rescue. Athena is approximately 10 weeks old. As a typical puppy, Athena is a happy-go-lucky girl who can make friends with anyone! She loves playing with other pups […]
Aries: Your jolly July takes on a more somber tone after the New Moon on July 17. Responsibilities come calling, bringing some problems with co-workers and more tedium to your daily routine. Questions arise in a budding romance when Venus goes retrograde on July 22. Some things were not as they seemed. Muddle through and […]
