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...
OPENED Options: The temporarily defunct Providence queer culture magazine has reinvigorated and busted back onto the scene with a new board and mostly new staff. optionsri.org The Lotus Garden Noodle & Sushi House: True to its name, this Cambodian-style dining experience joins the culinary cluster on Federal Hill. 223 Atwells Ave, PVD. fb.com/LotusGardenPVD White […]
This is an article I have mixed feelings about writing. I in no way want to promote drunk driving. To the contrary, I believe that in the era of Uber and Lyft, there’s no excuse to get behind the wheel of the car if you’ve had too many, asshole. Unfortunately, however, many of us think […]
This year, more than 730,000 businesses or individuals are expected to use bankruptcy to wipe out or reduce their debt, according to the US Trustees Program. But despite trends and numbers — and no matter how common bankruptcy may be — there’s no comfort in solidarity when a person is faced with mounting financial pressure. […]
Aries: Conversation and companionship help you weather the slings and arrows directed at you from those in authority who seek to control you. You are having none of that as independence is part of your DNA. Finances play a role in this. An inheritance or other financial windfall prompts you to take control. Taurus: Relationships revolve […]
Penis enlargement has been an obsession with men since they first noticed they had penises. Considering the booming business in breast enhancement, it seems only fair that men should have alternatives for super sizing, too. But is there really an option out there that can change the size of your prize? I took a look […]
Urged by Sanders supporters angry at Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for supporting Hillary Clinton at the convention, Lincoln Chafee has decided to give it a go by challenging Whitehouse in the Democratic primary to be held in September. The Providence Journal quoted him as saying, “I will see what kind of response I get.” While his […]
The inbox is overflowing with beer news. Here’s a baker’s half-dozen of enticing items! Providence Brewing Company owner Efren Hidalgo is thrilled to note that Rhody’s newest beermaker will be “having its Grand Opening on Memorial Day weekend (May 26-28), Saturday through Monday from noon-4pm. Food trucks, fanfare and beer will be the rule of […]
Probable Cos Bill Cosby’s excessive misuse of his pudding pop finally caught up with him, as the celeb who defined Father Figure for many kids of the ‘80s was found guilty of Very Bad Role Modeling, Disappointing a Generation, and Aggravated Indecent Assault (as opposed to decent aggravated assault? Thank you, legal system, for adding […]
My daughter was asked by her fourth-grade teacher to write about the importance of rules. She cleverly opened with, “A teacher calls for her students to come in from the playground, no one answers her.” It’s an interesting intro that raises a good question. If no one respects authority, where does that leave us? We […]
March for Science on April 14 This didn’t happen, yet we still hope people went, because science is a cause and effect worth marching for. And it was cancelled for lack of funding, which has us confused — we thought marches were volunteer efforts. True, for the big ones, beyond the cost of a permit, […]
