Photo by Lillian Karboski. 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 Producer...
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...
The tattoo artist who goes by Mish, of Fall River, MA, created this month’s cover. “I got the nickname when I was younger, and it just kinda stuck,” she says. Also, it stirs a little...
On the “Weekend Update” satirical news segment on Saturday Night Live. anchor Colin Jost displayed a snapshot of an unhinged rant laced with profanity in the form of a Donald Trump post to Truth Social,...
VOTING OPEN NOW! VOTE HERE 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 community. The live celebration,...
Rhode Island summers, simply put, hit different. For a small state, we’ve got an enormous amount of shoreline — over 400 miles — with public beaches ranging from classic boardwalk hotspots to chill nature preserves. Whether you’re posting up with your family, surfing some early-morning waves, or just need a quiet place to hear yourself […]
Our Tattoo Awards took place the night of May 13th, and what a night it was! Narragansett Brewery was packed with tattooers, tattoo-bearers, and folks who just rolled in to see what all the fuss was about. A line of hopefuls waited outside before it even began, looking to get free Hi-Neighbor ink. Tattoo models […]
As I write this, I’m listening to the Grateful Dead’s legendary 1977 Cornell concert — considered by many Deadheads to be the band’s finest live performance. I only started listening to the Dead last year, and truthfully, my first reference to them was Jerry Garcia’s quirky cameo in the stoner classic Half Baked. Not exactly […]
Oasis Music opened 43 years ago in a small strip mall off Route 44 in Smithfield. Owner Tom Nimmo named the store after the band he was in at the time (a different band than the one you’re probably thinking of). He has since dedicated his life to music, drumming, and his family. He is […]
Say hello to another edition of Stop, Rock n Roll! We’re back in quick succession with some local releases, several of which are from recent winners of various Motif Music Awards. Check out these homegrown hits! Nel Fuoco – “Ciao Baby” Over a slick beat, local rapper Nel Fuoco drops bars that ooze confidence, even […]
In today’s ever-evolving musical landscape, few projects and musical acts manage to both break the mold and blend seemingly disparate genres seamlessly and in a way that maintains a consistent sound. Enter Chalumeau — the brainchild of Katherine Bergeron and Butch Rovan, two professors at Brown University who have spent years cultivating a deep understanding […]
On a breezy Friday night, May 9, Nick-A-Nee’s in PVD buzzed with excitement. Don’t judge a book by its cover, as this small dive bar backs a walloping punch. Known for showcasing RI’s rawest talent, they hosted the album release party for The Devil & the Deep Black Sea, the latest project from local genre-bending […]
FAVORITE INDIE ROCK ACT 2025 – SUE’S GARAGE Sue’s Garage is a band that keeps busy with shows. They play solid rock & roll that sounds just at home in a garage as it does in a sweaty basement. The songs are catchy with interesting guitar lines guiding them. They have a laid-back style that […]
Okee dokee folks… “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” Well, the lyrics of this Beatles’ song went through my head a couple of weeks ago. I turned 64. I don’t celebrate my birthday, haven’t in decades, but this getting old thing is tough. My father turned 90 a […]
For those unfamiliar with the Choose Your Own Adventure book series, DO NOT read the following in order. Start with paragraph 1, then see where it goes. While mostly fiction, the locations here are real and highly recommended! Enjoy! Paragraph 1 You awaken sprawled across the ornate stairs leading up to the sealed-off gates of […]
