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,...
New Years Eve Eve | Dec 30 WBRU’s New Years Eve Eve: Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello rings in the New Year a day early. 8pm, Lupo’s, 79 Washington St, PVD. lupos.com $ Prince Tribute by The Purple Xperience: Prince’s music still lives on. Original member of Prince and the Revolution Matt Fink recreates […]
Check out our profile on Patreon, a site devoted to raising funds for artists (including, now, the art of arts journalism). And if you choose to support us and what we do, thank you very much and happy holidays. Note: Patreon is set up for small monthly contributions. Gifts associated would be delivered halfway through […]
Okee dokee folks … I had the privilege of seeing Norah Jones at Veterans Memorial Auditorium last Thursday night. The concert was sold out and I managed to get last minute tix to the show. Providence was bustling and parking was tight. We parked at the mall garage, but it was a bit difficult to orient […]
There’s a new breed of local music that’s been taking over Providence in 2016. It doesn’t conform to one style, genre or artistic trend. It’s as diverse as the city itself with influences coming from all different directions. One of those bands that made their presence felt this year is The Funk Underground, a hip-hop collaborative […]
PartyWolfe are an unstoppable force making its way slowly into the Providence music scene. These fine gentlemen hail from New Bedford, Fall River and Providence, and share some members with notable bands like Math The Band The Band. PartyWolfe does exactly what their name says: They bring energy to any show they play. All the members […]
Sean Larkin and his merry crew at Revival Brewing have three new beers on deck. Holy Moley Coffee Stout (8.5% ABV) is a variation on the mega-popular White Electric Coffee Stout; the new brew is a collab with the folks from El Rancho Grande, made with chili peppers and spices. Elder Dweller Cocoa Stout (8.5%) […]
I often find upcoming artists trying to sound like their favorite artist. Not too many are creative enough to think outside the box and discover what their sound is. But once in a while I find an artist who doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard before. That happened a few months ago when I attended a […]
Looking for a last-minute gift for the cannasseur in your life? Check out some of the products below to find the perfect present. Add to a friend’s coveted glass collection, find a book on growing for your roommate, or maybe get your parents their first vaporizer! Vapes Pax 3 – A higher end item for someone […]
It’s five minutes until go-time. The crowd noise is increasing and more and more pale flesh is seeing daylight for the first time in months. Bare feet are going numb in the sand. “Hair of the Dog” in the form of menthol-mint schnapps is coursing through my veins as I attempt to warm myself internally in […]
There’s nothing like watching a brewery being born — the fresh smell of yeasty fermentation, the open space with endless possibilities and the constant running around after foamy spillage. I love every carbonated second, and the more breweries that open in Rhode Island, the better! With the abundance of mill spaces for rent in RI […]
