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...
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,...
Okee dokee folks… I had the chance to talk with comedian Lewis Black the other day. Here is our conversation. Special thanks to Lori Mars for transcribing the interview! John Fuzek: Hi, It’s John from Motif in Rhode Island. Lewis Black: Oh, yes, Rhode Island. JF: You say that kind of funny. LB: Well, I’ve just been talking […]
Civility – Self-titled EP It seems like there has been a recent surge in the amount of post-punk/new wave influenced bands lately. I’m generally ambivalent about trends, but anything that cuts down on the banjo epidemic from the Americana plague is okay by me. Civility started just less than a year ago, and is heavily […]
Every year we set out to write about the state of the state’s healthcare industry – from the perspective of all involved. That includes patients, physicians, insurers and hospital systems. A lot has changed in the field over the last couple of decades and change has been even more intense over the last few years. […]
Vibrant music is more than just an assortment of sounds abiding by rhythm and structure. It’s an antidote for life’s redundancy; it makes the knees buckle and the hips gyrate. The sensation transforms a floor into an artistic canvas where the feet are the paintbrushes creating a contagious vision. Austin, Texas afrobeat funk act Hard Proof […]
Thu 12 Phantogram: Don’t move, the famed electronic duo is fresh off their latest album and performing their trademark mix of shoe gaze, hip-hop beats and and psychedelic pop. 8pm, Lupo’s, 79 Washington St, PVD. Sat 14 Long Live Anniversary Party: Long Live Beerworks is turning 1! Yummy local BBQ and flights with PVDonut holes. […]
The influence of ex-Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo knows no bounds. Countless noise, punk and avant-garde musicians hail his unique style of playing an electric six-string. As a solo artist, he’s currently extending his craft as a songwriter and showing fans a side of himself that they never got to see while he was with […]
THRU FEB Ice Skating at the Alex & Ani Center Daily until 10pm. Get your ice skating on and take an adorable selfie before falling over. Prices vary. Alex & Ani Center, 2 Kennedy Plaza, PVD. alexandanicitycenter.com/ice-skating THRU JAN 7 Christmas 2016 at Linden Place Mansion: Daily 10am – 4pm. Linden Place, 500 Hope St, […]
What makes music “cool”? Is it a catchy chorus? Is it a badass guitar riff? Maybe it’s the swagger. Maybe it’s one of these factors or maybe it’s none of them; there’s no measuring stick when it comes to the “coolness” of an artist’s or band’s sound. One thing that can make music “cool” is brilliance […]
Dear C; During the holidays, I had a falling out with a friend. Let me start by saying that I have my own issues. I was touched inappropriately as a child, with no say in the matter. Physical intimacy has never been a casual thing for me. When I was younger, I sometimes let guys […]
By: Blue Cross Blue Shield Looking for a healthy weeknight meal? These soups are easy to make and easy on your wallet—both cost less than $10 to make. Pair them with a crusty, whole-grain bread.Find more great recipes and tips for healthy living at bcbsri.com/rhodeahead Bean and pasta soup 5 servings 1 Tbsp. olive oil […]
