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...
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,...
Heat Advisory in effect from July 15, 11:00 AM EDT until July 17, 07:00 PM EDT At Providence, a Heat Advisory is in effect Tue 11am through Thu 7pm, likely to be extended into Fri, with temperatures/heat indices reaching 85°F/94°F (Tue), 88°F/98°F (Wed), 86°F/97°F (Thu), and 87°F/94°F (Fri). Temperature/heat index will decline somewhat after the […]
Providence, Rhode Island is a city known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and close-knit community. One of the city’s best-kept secrets? Its diverse and welcoming collection of independent bookstores. Whether you’re a lifelong bibliophile or simply looking for a new read, these local gems provide the perfect blend of literary escape, community connection, […]
The Warwick Public Library (WPL) on Sandy Lane, whose reading programs run from infancy to adulthood, is abuzz with the Summer Reading Challenge. Split into three age groups, participants have to log 16 hours of reading time by August 23 to earn their prizes. They also get a halfway prize after reading for eight hours, […]
“I get paid to do the Hokey Pokey. It’s kind of a cool gig,” Anne Leyon Kilkenny says of her job at Providence Public Library (PPL) on Empire Street. She joined PPL 15 years ago as an early childhood/children’s educator, which was a new position at the time. The Library, a 150-year-old nonprofit institution, wanted […]
Death Before Dishonor is a staple Boston hardcore band that recently released Nowhere Bound on Bridge 9 Records. They’ve been a band for over 20 years, building a fanbase and becoming one of the most consistent bands in the Boston scene. “I think the record came out great,” says bassist Greg Chihoski. “It sounds enough […]
We all know what friends with benefits are. If you have any, good for you. I think that they are hard to maintain, no pun intended. It’s always that one’s feelings that get in the way, despite the verbal contract that was made. I have discovered that friends with beer-nefits is much more gratifying and […]
Grace Darko’s music serves as a bridge, connecting the vibrancy of African heritage with the pulse of American jazz and soul. As a first-generation African American woman carving out her space in the jazz world, Grace’s voice holds the weight of history, culture, and innovation while honoring the legacies of those who came before her. […]
Okee dokee folks…While setting up for my show the other day I had a conversation with the sound person about music. I was shocked to find out that he didn’t think much of a lot of today’s music. As surprised as I was, I agreed with him. He is 25 years old and I never […]
The Scurvy Dog will have hosted their second Parking Lot Mega Show of the season by the time this article is printed. The award-winning festival (cough cough, Motif) is celebrating its 11th year, and is something many in the PVD arts and music scene greatly anticipate each summer. These shows are family- (though the bands […]
Why Have a Bio Blitz at Peace and Plenty Community Garden? That may have been a question the 17 people had on their minds as they huddled together in the bustling 30-some degree cold on April 12. If it were any other group. But this eclectic, excited group (including Melissa Guillet of 15 Minute Field […]
