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...
Okee dokee folks… Being a songwriter, musician and music fan who was born at the beginning of the ’60s set me up to be a fan of the work of Carole King. I remember hearing her songs on AM radio when I was a kid. It was really her landmark 1971 album Tapestry that caught my attention, as well […]
At the behest of the head-in-the-sand Orange Haired Monster and his band of enablers, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will be hosting a public meeting in Providence, as well as many other places around the country, to give us a dog and pony show on how good it is to drill for oil […]
British post-punk trio Shopping are on a mission to make people move. The band that calls both London and Glasgow home has an organic approach to the style that’s abundant with rhythm. Their third album titled The Official Body released on Jan 19 via Fat Cat Records is a fine example with each track guaranteed […]
WED 21 – SAT 24 STYLEWEEK 2018: The biannual business of fashion convention returns. 5:30pm. 1 Sabin St, PVD. riconventioncenter.com FRI 23 Tigers Jaw: PA punk rockers. 7pm. The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. themetri.com Darwin at Sea: This performance combines classical string music with the works and writings of Charles Darwin to recall to […]
You can help us as a supporter on Patreon: patreon.com/motifri Motif would like to thank our many generous Patreon supporters who have helped us out over the years. Jennifer Jolicoeur Alan Schinazi Deborah McGann Charles Fishbein Emily Olson Stacey Leasca Paul Rochford Rich Streitfield Mary Paolino Mary DeBerry Nancy Olson Mark Fogarty Lavender Pat O’Hara […]
Dear C; My girlfriend Stacy is getting married in about three weeks. I’ve known her since we were in high school and I was thrilled for her when she got engaged. She has a good handle on her career, but she has always wanted kids and was afraid it would never happen – she’s in […]
The classic musical West Side Story will be performed at the Stadium from February 16 – 18. Mike Daniels and Grace Cuellar star as Tony and Maria, who fall in love among the gang warfare of the Jets and the Sharks in New York City. Daniels previously starred as Johnny in the Green Day […]
WED 14 Sinful Valentine’s: Sin Bakery has a special event pairing high-lactose, irresistible desserts with wine and other romantic beverages. 6:30 – 11:30pm. Sin Bakery, 1413 Westminster St, PVD. eatwicked.com FRI 16 Romantic Rachmaninoff: Classical Rach. 6:30pm, The Vets. One Avenue of the Arts, PVD. thevetsri.com THRU SAT 17 Too Much Of A Good Thing: […]
1. Around 5,200 years old 2. Protection during pregnancy and birth 3. Emperor Constantine; he felt that tattoos disfigured that made in God’s image 4. It comes from the Tahitian word “tattau,” which means to hit or strike 5. Designs were cut into the skin, and then a soot-based pigment was rubbed into the wounds
Okee dokee folks… Are you single? Lonely? Well, we just got past the dreaded V-Day, and some of you may be looking for love or as Eddie Murphy’s Buckwheat says, “Wookin’ Pa Nub.” A local author sent me a copy of her book and asked me if I would be interested in writing a little […]
