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...
Women’s Fund of RI hosted a gubernatorial forum with candidates on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Rhode Island College’s Gaige Hall. Not all candidates participated. The Women’s Fund has a mission to advance gender equity by investing in women and girls through advocacy, research and partnerships to create systemic change in the lives of women. […]
For all the places I have traveled and the communities I have been a part of, many have come close, but none equal that of the family of Wildfire. I was a stranger in a strange world for only mere minutes. This retreat into the woods of Connecticut brings together the flow arts community of […]
THU 21 Chuck and Brad Re-Imagine Jurassic Park: Bone up on the prequel to the big dinosaur movie in cineplexes this summer, with this two-person comedic reenactment that’s sure to befuddle lizard brains. 7:30pm, The Comedy Connection, 39 Warren Ave, East Providence. ricomedyconnection.com THU 21 – FRI 22 CraveRI: A local foodie festival celebrating all […]
Favorite Burger/Slider Haven Brothers Open Season Red’s Street Kitchen Rhody Roots (Formerly Fork In The Road) Rocket Fine Street Food Favorite Grilled Cheese Captain Cheese Championship Melt Fancheezical Red’s Street Kitchen Rhody Roots Favorite Chicken Wings Buddha Belly Citizen Wing Fugo Julians Omnibus Rhodies Food Truck SoulFull Favorite BBQ Baby’s Bonetown BBQ Binge BBQ Eddie’s […]
Eric Weiner is the maven impresario of food trucks. His website, FoodTrucksIn.com, after five and half years in operation, lists more than 7,000 vendors in 1,600 cities, allowing the public to see the exact locations of trucks near them in real-time to help decide where to eat. Based in Rhode Island, his PVD Food Truck Events […]
A Real Funny Dictator Until last week, it was a realm filled by Charlie Chaplin in his brilliant political satire, The Dictator, but now – according to our president, at least – there is indeed a real-life despot out there with a jolly disposition. His name is Kim Jong-un, Supreme Leader of North Korea. He […]
WHO: National Grid WHAT: … has proposed the construction of a $180 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility right next to some other fossil-fuel producing, chemical-leaking facilities, all of which are conveniently located on the wrong side of the hurricane barrier. WHERE: Allens Avenue, South Side of Providence — otherwise known as The Sacrifice Zone. […]
Sam Bobrick’s Remember Me? (described alternately as “wacky” or “elegant,” depending on your source) is Newport Playhouse’s current offering, providing several easy chuckles for their always appreciative audiences. Running through July 1, Bobrick’s familiar tale of unhappy marriage and playful infidelity slots in well with Newport’s programming (last year’s Self-Help comes to mind) – bawdy, […]
It’s backyard barbecue season, and if you have a meat eschewing guest in your backyard, do more for them than provide a dry soy patty or a store-bought crudite platter for them to gnaw on. Elevate your vegetarian grilling menu to new heights and be sure your veggie friends keep coming back without feeling like they […]
Crave RI is coming back to Providence on June 21 and 22, and it is jam-packed with good food and drinks provided by more than 100 of RI’s finest establishments! Anyone will tell you to pace yourself when attending an event with so much deliciousness. Here is my plan: Being a beer girl, I reached out […]
