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...
Voting has now concluded for the 2018 Motif Theater Awards. Thank you for participating and supporting our theater community. Winners were announced at a free public event on Sunday, August 12th at McVinney Auditorium in Providence. This event featured performances from 8 different local theaters, including Trinity Rep and Theatre by the Sea, representing some of their […]
My friend of some years asked to remain anonymous as she explains the dangers of the federal government policy of separately detaining children, even infants and toddlers, of families crossing the border into the US, a policy now in chaos with promises to end it but no clear plan to reunite the 2,000 or so […]
Aries: Get ready for some changes in your home/career — one impacts the other. A shift is taking place in your plans to achieve your personal goals. Your changing values are changing the direction of your life. Take the time to think. This is not an overnight decision; you must weigh all factors in the balance. […]
Rhode Island: Governor’s Budget Despite some very promising material in the initial draft of Governor Gina Raimondo’s 2018-2019 budget, the rewrite released by the General Assembly in early June removes some key progressive aspects. The first version proposed adding 12 additional dispensaries, bringing the total for the state up to 15; the second version eliminates this […]
You might be feeling the post-fourth hangover and dealing with the oppressive humidity. But take comfort that there’s lots of music coming this month that will keep your pounding head from thinking of the weather. Ry Smith — Days of Iron Ry Smith is a visual artist and a one-man band wizard who conceives fascinating music in his Newport home. […]
Several years ago I worked as a professor at a military academy, so when I think of bootcamp, I envision of a squad of young cadets with the pangs of death in their eyes, knowing they will never be the same person after this experience. In fact, bootcamp classes at the gym evoke similar sentiments, […]
1. Saturday, July 14: Brandon Reilly; 7:30pm; $10; All ages; Alchemy, 71 Richmond St, PVD. Brandon Reilly is having a busy year. His old band The Movielife reunited and in September released their first full length in 14 years: Cities In Search of a Heart. Brandon will be performing a solo set including his songs from The Movielife and […]
City Upon a Hill: The Theatrics Behind America’s Cover (Up) Story Exactly 10 years ago, former president Barack Obama stood before the nation and remarked, “If we think that we can secure our country by just talking tough … we will misunderstand this moment and miss its opportunities.” Around the same time, Mr. Obama also reflected […]
Okee dokee folks… Have I mentioned that I #%@*<!@ hate summer? (I am refraining from profanity; Mom was mad that I used it in my column.) The only thing, in my opinion, summer is good for is music festivals. At the END of the summer, which I am looking forward to, is the fifth annual Providence […]
When referring ambiguously to any music festival in Newport, most folks within Rhode Island’s borders (myself included) think of the Newport Jazz Festival or the Newport Folk Festival. Both festivals have international recognition and sell out year after year. However, there is another Newport festival to be aware of, and it’s unique in its own […]
