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,...
In less than a decade, the Rhode Island Black Film Festival (RIBFF) has grown into a highly anticipated cultural event in Rhode Island. What began as a small, grassroots effort in 2017 has evolved into an essential platform for Black storytellers, filmmakers, and audiences to come together and engage with cinema that speaks to Black […]
Okee dokee folks… I had the pleasure of performing at the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) Songwriters In The Round (SITR) show a couple of weeks ago. Our theme was “Holding Back.” Because my brain is preoccupied with the ongoing destruction of this country, my contribution wound up being a protest/socially conscious song called “The […]
Give the Drummer Some is a unique event presented by Tune In & Tune Up (T-2), an organization that offers medical and mental health assistance to individuals in the RI music business. Six reputable drummers and one percussionist will be gracing The Met stage on May 4 to celebrate the art of drumming, bring awareness […]
The International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMAs) have become an essential event in the celebration of Portuguese music and culture, bringing together a diverse community of musicians, fans, and Portuguese-Americans seeking a taste of home. This year, the event, held on April 12 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island, was a stunning showcase […]
May’s energy will be bringing a wave of open-hearted reprieve for those who are willing to settle into the simplification of pleasure, connection, and new opportunities. Our tarot cards for the month are the Ace of Cups and the Two of Cups, two cards signifying a wellspring of inspiration and love. On their own, these […]
Muckraker A tech billionaire aspires to bring mankind into space, starting his own space travel and electric car company, but has a secret agenda that includes more than a little eugenics. No, we’re not talking about Chainsaw guy, believe it or not, but the highly analogous villain of Moonraker, the 1979 Bond film where Roger […]
OPENED Monarca Authentic Mexican Cuisine: The Hummingbird Café off-Broadway in Newport is getting a Mexican takeover. The owners of the popular Caribbean restaurant are moving to North Carolina after an 8-year stint, giving Monarca the perfect opportunity to set up shop. Find the new owners, and their fabulous fish tacos, at 104 Broadway in Newport. […]
Sponsored Content Meeting new people can be difficult, but speed dating events in Providence offer practical ways to connect. These events use structured activities to help people break the ice and find real connections. In this guide, I will show you the most popular speed dating options in Rhode Island, their unique formats, and what […]
RI’s bike paths are one of the state’s best-kept secrets — especially if you’re the kind of cyclist who rides for the snacks. From converted rail trails to scenic coastal rides, the state quietly offers some of the most accessible and beautiful cycling routes in New England. The best part? These paths roll right past […]
Traditionally, higher education has been regarded as a space of intellectual freedom. The secular university is a special continuum that allows for a vacuum of art and thought, and is typically exempt from religious or ideological persecution. With our recent administration change, this truism is veiled in speculation. Under Donald Trump, the academic sphere is […]
