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...
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...
We have a whole lotta brew news to spice up your ho-ho-holiday elbow-bending… Crooked Current recently debuted a new IPA, The Devil You Know, which was a big hit; a fresh batch is in the fermenters and will be ready for sipping soon. CC is also serving up its seasonal hits throughout the month: Eggnog […]
As of this writing, the ACA – its common moniker, Obamacare, now gets bandied about as both a holy grail and a curse, depending on who you’re talking to – is still a thing. The current administration is working on undercutting it, so there is a high possibility of change coming – but what’s actually […]
Okee dokee folks… Eagles concert tickets went on sale and folks were complaining about the ticket prices that ranged from $125 – $800. The corporate rock scene is out of control. Doesn’t Don Henley have enough money by now? I saw the Eagles in concert on their 1980 “Long Run Tour.” I paid about $10 […]
The holidays are a good reminder that a new year is quickly approaching and provide the opportunity for self-reflection and thought about the year ahead. For 2018, I challenge you to create some goals for yourself. Write them down, occasionally check your progress and take pride in your accomplishments throughout the year. If you plan […]
It’s that time of year when everyone’s looking for the perfect place to grab a tree. We all want bountiful trees, gorgeous scenery, festive ambiance, you know, the Norman Rockwell experience. Well I have great news for you: You can have all that and BEER at the Tilted Barn Brewery & Christmas Farm in Exeter. […]
1. Saturday, Dec 9: “Don’t Break Down” – A Film About Jawbreaker; 8pm doors / 9pm show; $10; All ages; Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, PVD. I used to write a ‘zine with my friend Brian Jannarelli back in our punk rock high days. We used the platform mostly to get in touch with our musical […]
In regard to your recent review of The Slave, I had to read it more than a few times to be sure I understood this critic’s detailed negativity toward the production and her position on why this play was too offensive to be produced (*and with full disclosure, said critic is a longtime colleague and local […]
Playwright Wendy Wasserstein explores the internal struggles faced by a pair of young working women in Isn’t It Romantic, a bittersweet comedy/drama being performed by The Players at Barker Playhouse. Set in the 1980s, the story focuses on Janie and Harriet, who are longtime best friends juggling romance and careers. Janie is a freelance […]
Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol is an irresistible parable about redemption. The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge refuses to partake in the spirit of the holiday and seems destined to live a life of gloomy solitude. Arctic Playhouse presents the story as a live radio broadcast in the 1940s. The characters are brought to life by […]
Ed note – This review has generated some controversy and some very aggressive criticism online. It bears reminding folks that all reviews include an element of subjectivity. Our reviewers all make a commitment to give you their most honest impressions – whether popular or not. And because theater is subjective, other reviewers may vary dramatically […]
