Stars With Shirley: November 2022
Look to the Stars with Motif‘s Shirley Prisco, bringing you your astrological horoscope for November 2022.
GREASE
Skyler Shields (Kenickie) and the cast of the Theatre By The Sea (Wakefield, RI) production of “Grease” running thru July 18, 2026. Photo by Mark Turek. “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop! A-wop-bam-boom!” BY ALISON O’DONNELL ON JUNE 27, 2026 Grease is the...
Heat Advisory Tue–Wed: Dangerous heat indices up to 99°F expected; Air Quality Alert
Heat Advisory in effect from July 14, 11:00 AM EDT until July 15, 08:00 PM EDT At Providence, a Heat Advisory is effective Tue, Jul 14, 11am, to Wed, Jul 15, 8pm. Afternoon temperatures/heat indices are...
Between Worlds with Sheila Isham: Resurrecting the American abstract expressionist at the Newport Art Museum
Isham, Sheila. Teth (#8 Creation Series). 1972. Acrylic spray on canvas. Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI. (Image courtesy of the Newport Art Museum.) Quite some time ago, I read a quip that the art of diplomacy...
Rhode's Clothes — Part 3: A Strut Down Memory Lane
As an international student a year into Rhode Island, yet still only a breath into America, I finally found a question that I might be able to answer – this is my continued exploration of: What...
Discover Providence's Hidden Gem: Siren Spirits in Olneyville
Tucked inside the historic Harrison Steam Complex in Providence's Olneyville neighborhood, Siren Spirits is redefining what a visit to a distillery can be. Equal parts neighborhood gathering place, cocktail destination, and craft spirits experience, this...
Crank Up The Music -- It Makes Me Hoppy
Music makes beer taste better? In 2016, Vrije University in Brussels, Belgium, conducted a study that showed scientific evidence that music has an impact on our taste of beer. This study concluded that lower audible...
Roots Report
Cold Chocolate. Okee dokee folks… Well, summer is here and for me, summer is HELL! A few years back I wrote a song about my disdain of Summer for the Empire Revue’s “Cool” show. Here are...
Small Habits That Can Lead to Big Financial Rewards
America, the focus of this issue, runs on wealth. So here’s how to get yourself some. It’s the perfect opportunity to launch a new column aimed at helping non-one-percenters with financial matters. Feel free to...
Liberty Trees Map
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Corralled at the Blood Farm: The rise of the uniquely American plasma industry
“Foreigner.” I find it a harsh word that I hate seeing applied to others. Yet applied to myself, it’s the only word that half conveys how baffling I find this country at times. I’d like...
On the Cover: William Schaff
In his final year at college, cover artist William Schaff truly learned what it was like to work in a studio. “I developed a course of study in general fine arts with one of my...
Next to Normal at Trinity Rep: Intensity shines
Rachael Warren as Diana. Photo by Mark Turek. The Next to Normal audience is exposed to waves of raw emotions drowning your soul and dampening your eyes. You may wish you had premedicated with any of...
Spoken Award Winner Writeups
Blaq Sav. Photos by Lillian MK Photography. Favorite Free Verse Spoken Word 2026 Ashley Hosa Sending out a big congrats to Ashley Hosa, who came to the Spoken Awards with a multitude of wonderful supporters (shoutout to Ryan!)....
Obituary: Julian Forgue
The founder of the long-standing hipster-ish West Side restaurant Julians hadn’t been involved directly with the restaurant in quite some time. But his legacy persisted. A larger-than-life personality, you never knew at what event Julian...
Obituary: Lisa Gourley
Renowned supporter of local music and arts Lisa Gourley (Sometimes Lisa Gourleyx) passed away on June 15. Reading reactions on social media, you can’t help but notice how often the words “nice,” “kind,” and “photography”...
Summer Solstice
This beautiful Solstice moment, June 21, 2026 brings the winds of change into our lives. The pivotal points among the planetary movers and shakers of the Zodiac find Gemini, with Uranus and Ceres, reaching across...
2026 Tattoo Awards Photos
By Olivia Lunger By Lillian MK Photography ...
2026 Tattoo Awards Winners
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...
2026 Spoken Awards Photos
By Lillian MK Photography By Olivia Lunger ...
Spoken Award Winners 2026
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...
SUMMER THEATER PREVIEW: There’s no shortage of summertime fare at R.I. community theaters and professional playhouses
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...
Godzilla: 70 Years of Fame, Misunderstandings, & Property Damage
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...
Summer Fun Map
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...
OEight at Track 15
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...
Roots Report
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...
Wild Rock Dove: The new Ravi Shavi record and its want to “Misbehave”
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...
Why ask Can You Go Home?
“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...
“Our Weapons Are Cameras”: A Conversation With a RI Deportation Defense Line Organizer
We sat down a few months ago with one of the organizers of RI’s Deportation Defense Line. The Defense Line’s origins are organic and multifaceted. No one person is in charge of it. No one...
2026 Music Award Winner Writeups
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...
The Wait Is Over … Disney’s The Lion King returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center
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...
Stuff to Do
November Roots Report: Giving Thanks for Shows
Okee dokee folks… ‘Tis the season… to save DEMOCRACY! Hopefully you vote(d) and things work(ed) in democracy’s favor! I also hope that RI stays a smart, mostly Democratic, somewhat progressive place to live. November is turning out to be a bit of a busy month for shows. Things are nearly 100% back to normal but […]
Opinion – Fung Squirms as Magaziner Treads Water: 2nd Congressional District a Toss-Up
See how this turned out. In a three-way contest to represent the RI 2nd congressional district in the US House – among Republican Allan Fung, independent William Gilbert, and Democrat Seth Magaziner – polling has consistently shown a dead heat between Fung and Magaziner with considerable uncertainty as to whether Gilbert could serve as a […]
Opinion – Cannabis Bans on 31 of 39 Local RI Ballots: Revenue implications could be substantial
[See how this turned out.] Prohibiting licensing of cannabis-related businesses directly defies the underlying principle of the new Cannabis Act that legalized adult recreational use, which is to regulate it like alcohol. Allowing local bans of cannabis-related business was a necessary political compromise to get the legislation passed after well over a decade of stalling […]
Early voting now open to all in RI: No explanation or application required
Motif has analyzed a few of the hotly contested races and the statewide referendum questions (“News Analysis – Elections 2022: Few contested races remain after primaries”, by Michael Bilow, Oct 5). Every registered voter in RI is allowed to vote early with no need for explanation or pre-approval: just show up at your local city […]
Lending Library of Things: PVD Things opens in Olneyville
PVD Things held its grand opening on Sun, Oct 23, at its new space at 12 Library Ct in Olneyville. The multi-room facility was open for tours, and free hot dogs (with vegetarian options) were being served from a grill. “We are a non-profit co-operative tool-lending library, and what that means is we’re a non-profit […]
Half pints for a cause: Drinking to support emergency workers
Giving to a charity makes us feel good. Giving to a charity and being able to raise a glass of delicious craft beer to them is even better. If you are looking to support a local cause this month you can do just that at Bristol Beer Fest. Most of Bristol’s Fire Department, with the […]
Original Theater Production Permanent Solutions: Diving deep into mental health/suicide
The final curtain call for Director, Playwright, and lead actress Cassidy Caduto’s original production Permanent Solutions at AS220 may have been on October 9, but its resounding emotional grit and raw honesty lingered on long after the show ended. The two-act play, which premiered at RI Stage Ensemble (RISE) in April 2022 and was brought […]
“Art is what unites us”: Robertico Y Su Alebreke brings Latin flavor to RI Latinos and beyond
For almost 20 years, Latin music band Robertico y su Alebreke has been bringing Latin music to the community at large across RI. Aficionados in PVD, Pawtucket, Central Falls and beyond have become fans of the group’s diversified sound, including salsa, Latin jazz, bachata, and merengue. Musician Robertico Arias has seen the Latin music scene […]
Silhouette of a Silhouette: Wilbury in the shadows
The Wilbury Theatre Group presents the world premiere of Silhouette of a Silhouette by RI icon Rose Weaver and directed by Don Mays. Based on Weaver’s life, with threads of magical realism, Silhouette of a Silhouette is a story of redemption and hope inspired by loss, and told through music, song, and artistically expressive scenes — the story of a family struck by […]