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,...
A night full of laughs, tears, and a literal double rainbow, Motif’s 3rd annual RI Spoken Word Awards ceremony was one for the books. With live performances from Julius Morris, Rudy Ru, Simply Sara, Nelle Nel, Ren L[i]u, Othannah Tomasina, Marlon Carey, Sandra Levy, Sonya Priest, Blaq Sav, Doug Key, and Mikayla Lee, the night […]
Amidst the golden rays of forest light filtering through the leaves and ferns, where the Earth smells damp and sweet, a little boy giggles. Before you see him, you hear the excited patter of little boots – like the world’s tiniest stampede. The little boy – mom affectionately calls him Frog – is running and […]
Appropriately, artist and writer Kim Arthurs of Providence created a garden dreamscape for the cover of the outdoors issue. They used a technique called cyanotype, which incorporates the elements of earth, air, water, and fire. Discovered in 1842 by astronomer John Herschel, cyanotype was popularized a year later by botanist Anna Atkins, who released a […]
Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes, Some Like It Hot is a non-stop fun fest of top-notch singing, dancing and heartfelt jocularity! PPAC presents this tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling Broadway hit that won more theater awards than any show in its season, including a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Based […]
Winners have been listed below. Save the date! Come out to Narragansett Brewery for our Tattoo Awards spotlighting the best in local tattoo talent. Expect live tattooing, free Hi Neighbor tatts, raffles, an awards ceremony, a tattoo model contest, and as always, some surprises! Hosted by season 2 “Ink Masters” winner Steven Tefft of 12 […]
Providence, RI: WaterFire Providence announces the 2025 WaterFire season, which currently includes six (6) full lightings, two (2) partial lightings, and four (4) Starts at Sunset lightings on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge. The season will kick off with a Starts at Sunset event on Thursday, May 15, with the first full lighting […]
Rhode Island might be the smallest state, but when it comes to dating, it packs a surprisingly complex punch. Between the students cycling through Providence, the artsy souls in Pawtucket, and the beach-minded flirters down in South County, this state is a patchwork of possibilities. But if you’re not looking for a long-term “Where is […]
Sponsored Content In recent years, news channels have expanded their coverage to include a wide range of lifestyle and consumer-focused segments, with wellness products often taking center stage. From televised morning shows to digital news platforms, these outlets are finding creative and strategic ways to highlight the latest wellness trends. Whether through sponsored content, expert […]
RI is in a state of emergency when it comes to primary care. Our state scores high on the national average for health insurance – only 2.2% of the people in Rhode Island are still without health insurance – yet an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 adults, or between a quarter and half of the adult population, lack […]
In Vedic tradition, soma is considered the bliss principle. It is called the nectar of immortality, a sweet, ethereal resin that descends from the heavens to blossom inspiration and possibility. The primary Vedic principle necessary for soma to exist is that of agni, its counterpart. If soma is water, agni is fire. The flame is […]
