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...
In an era where the immediacy of the Internet is destroying most mediums, comic books seem to be at the height of their popularity. Television and film has paved the way for comic books to reach such a level, and merchandising is off the charts (one of the purposes of Yogurt from Spaceballs). This boom has […]
In last year’s Comic Con issue, I wrote about cosplay in regard to personal discovery and was able to practice what I preached at Rhode Island Comic Con after the article was printed. Cosplay has played a huge role in my adult life and I like to share what I’ve learned with everyone. This year, my panel, […]
Aries: This is a critical time for you as you struggle between the traditional and the progressive. You want to push and expand the boundaries and are feeling the push back from those who want to maintain the status quo. Your value system is at stake here, so keep pushing back. Taurus: Relationships are put to […]
You’re thirsty from long lines and photo ops with your favorite celebrities. You want to stretch your legs but, oh, Comic Con’er, where to go? Take a cue from us locals and break out of the convention center. IMBIBE covers cocktails. Therefore, we not so humbly present the following list of cocktail joints* for each area of the […]
On November 9 I was driving to Logan Airport, listening to Hillary Clinton’s beautiful concession speech. I was in shock, dismay and immediate fear for so many lives and the democracy I loved. Many women I know, and many I don’t, were physically and mentally traumatized by Hillary Clinton’s loss in November. Many sank into […]
While many cannabis cultivators strive for no insect presence in their garden, an increasing number of growers are using mother nature’s pesticides — predatory insects. Chemical pesticides are expensive, can be dangerous to apply and consume, and are not always very effective. The first thing you want to do when exploring beneficial insects is to […]
RI’s Devised Theater Festival, created by recently returned RI ex-pat David Ledoux’s First Day Productions, debuted in October at the newly renovated Mixed Magic Theatre on Mineral Spring Avenue. The fest challenges local makers of theater to create short (less than 15 minutes) original works with only two weeks to conceive, write, tech, troubleshoot and […]
When their debut album Feels Like came out during summer 2015, Bully instantly catapulted themselves into being one of the top independent acts of the decade. Alicia Bognanno screams honest and truthful lyrics while getting highly amplified with her guitar. The rest of the band has guitarist Clayton Parker backing up Bognanno while drummer Stewart […]
In the Providence music scene, there is one band that identifies itself with the celebration of Halloween more than any other. That act is The Viennagram, who mix vintage macabre, punk essence and maniacal energy to create an uncanny style. The trio of bassist Chip Pietraszek, keyboardist Scott Peloquin and drummer A.V. bring an essence […]
Dear C: I’m 22 and still trying to figure out this relationship thing. My last relationship ended badly. It’s been a year, but I’m not completely over it. I spent two years with this person and it made an impression. Recently, I met a woman I really get along with and we’re starting to get […]
