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...
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 evidenced by...
“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...
On the “Weekend Update” satirical news segment on Saturday Night Live. anchor Colin Jost displayed a snapshot of an unhinged rant laced with profanity in the form of a Donald Trump post to Truth Social,...
VOTING OPEN NOW! VOTE HERE 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 community. The live celebration,...
VOTE HERE! "May your tattoo ink never run dry," as the ancient Portlandian blessing goes, has rarely been more applicable. Motif is proud to partner again with Narragansett Brewery to bring you the RI Tattoo Awards,...
Okee dokee folks… “You should never give a drummer a microphone.” This was spoken by drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Bonham brought his Led Zeppelin Experience to Veterans Auditorium in Providence tonight. But it was a good thing he had a microphone. The show was much more than […]
Sponsored Content The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) announces that the North American tour of the hit Broadway musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is coming to PPAC Tuesday, December 2 to Sunday, December 7, 2025. The Providence engagement of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is part of the Taco and The White Family Foundation Broadway Series. Tickets for […]
Scientific models forecasting the upcoming winter season are driven mostly by observations of such factors as Pacific Ocean temperature, since weather moves from west to east across the continental United States. It has been known for more than a century that worldwide seasonal phenomena were correlated with trade winds and ocean water temperature, controlling the […]
Sponsored Content AT THE PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025 Bridging the gulf between rock n’ roll and classical music, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (RIPO) performs THE MUSIC OF PINK FLOYD at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 7P. Tickets for THE MUSIC OF PINK […]
The Arctic Playhouse has long been a gem of Rhode Island’s theater scene, and their latest production, Keep On Laughing, is a testament to the venue’s knack for blending humor with heart. Director W. Richard Johnson’s treatment of Paul Elliott’s play creates a “comfort-comedy,” delivering a freshness that keeps the evening from slipping into the predictable. […]
Is it true love or a rewarding romp in the sack? You’ll go back and forth for two hours trying to decide in “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.” What’s undisputed is the sparking chemistry and riveting banter between the diner waitress and cook on their first date. Specifically, the show, playing at […]
Support SocietyJennifer JolicoeurAmato A DeLucaPaul Rochford You’re On a Lobstah ROLL TierDon RhodesSI RosenbaumDaria Phoebe BrashearJeannine PetersonAlex You’re a Weiner TierHannah ChasonSarah SummersMary Paolino You’re Not So Awful Awful TierVincent FugereMadiganSeeDubs And THANK YOU to our anonymous donors!
“The indigenous Taino were ill-prepared for the arrival of Spanish settlers. There were not war-like people; they were welcoming and trusting. Many were eradicated and most survivors simply cowered before the advanced weaponry of the Conquistadors. A few brave warriors dared to defy the occupation, however. Guarionex was a cacique, a trusted leader in his […]
If you haven’t noticed yet, Rhode Island is bursting with endless creative energy. Providence has named itself the Creative Capital and is the home of the Rhode Island School of Design, WaterFire, and PVDFest — just to name a few extraordinary arts events. It is also hard to miss all the movies and television shows […]
While built for quick, seamless visits, this dispensary does it without losing its sense of community. What used to be known as Agaves Mexican Grill on Jefferson Boulevard has now become a community-driven dispensary for medicinal and recreational users. Tucked between office parks and the constant airport traffic, sits RISE Cannabis. While there is no […]
