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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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“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...
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...
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...
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!)....
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...
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”...
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...
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...
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...
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...
We here at Motif are heartbroken to hear about the loss of DJ Pauly Danger, a pillar of Providence’s music community. Pauly was so much more than a DJ. He was a friend, a father, and a genuinely kind soul. He brought light and warmth everywhere he went, and we are so grateful for the […]
Through the scented mist of Ultra Clutch hairspray and the thrum of sugary ’60s pop tunes, there’s no mistaking the Broadway-level quality of the musical Hairspray at Theatre by the Sea. From exquisite staging to jaw-dropping vocals, the show is mesmerizing from start to finish – literally. Tracy Turnblad, bubbly Baltimore teen played by Niki […]
Welcome to Motif Magazine’s 3rd annual Spoken Awards, where we celebrate Rhode Island’s love of all the spoken crafts and arts. Check out our video recaps of the festivities featuring interviews with the winners! Thanks to our sponsors: Rhode Island Black Storytellers, Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading, Myrtle and The Lobster Lover for making […]
Don’t miss this FREE FirstWorks Summer Beats concert at the Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, 02907 July 25, 6:00 pm 2025 (Rain date: Same date inside the Roger Williams Park Casino) Khumariyaan, upon receiving prestigious accolades in Montana for being the best folk, hails from Peshawar, Pakistan. This is a group whose […]
Heat Advisory until July 25, 08:00 PM EDT At Providence, a Heat Advisory is in effect through Fri 8pm with temperatures/heat indices reaching 93°F/102°F (Fri). Temperature/heat index will decline after the advisory period, remaining comfortably hot, 83°F/83°F (Sat) and 80°F/82°F (Sun). Chance of rain Fri, with possibly severe thunderstorms, will exceed 20% between 1pm and […]
Click this link to find / fill out the form. It takes roughly 90 – 120 seconds. https://prettyform.addxt.com/a/form/vf/1FAIpQLSeDV3XgvpHi_mSHDm2ysa5HsSWCg7z54pjX9oKJDOka6ebFXA Thank you!
Sunday, September 14.
Okee dokee folks… Legendary musician, Graham Nash, of Hollies and CSN/CSNY fame performed a memorable, sold out concert last Friday night at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA.Nash hobbled to a seat on the stage with the assist of a cane and exclaimed, “I’m 83 years old and evidently I don’t know how to walk […]
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, […]
