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,...
Dear C; When I was in high school, I was tormented by four girls. They formed a club, and even had monogrammed matching satin jackets. I was sort of friends with them, until one day when Top Girl decided I was flirting with her boyfriend. He smiled at me … and all I did was […]
Music sometimes echoes the changing of the seasons. Spring and summer bring with them an upbeat feeling, and some bands’ styles go perfectly with it. Some bands, like The Beach Boys, built a career on it. Fall and winter bring a vibe that goes well with dark tones and driving rhythms as the temperatures get […]
Apocalypse Now, based on the Francis Ford Coppola film, is set during the Vietnam War and examines the impact violence has on a man’s soul. Director Shane Inman adapted the story for the stage and has done a masterful job of capturing the fear and confusion that afflicts the soldiers who are asked to fight an […]
I give start-up business owners a lot of credit, because starting a business can be quite a challenge. In addition to the risk that goes into the decision to branch out on one’s own, a lot of work, time and money need to be invested before the doors can open for the first time. Mike […]
Okee dokee folks … I had the opportunity to experience the musical Once on its first night of a four-show run at the Providence Performing Arts Center. I needed to let it percolate in my brain for a few days and contemplate what I really thought about the show before I wrote this. Initially I […]
Hecuba is a modernized retelling of the classic tragedy by Euripides. In this first-rate production at Brown, the titular character is the Queen of Troy. Throughout the story there were sometimes graphic depictions of the horrors of war and the inhumanity of man. Hecuba’s (Maya Blake) beloved city has been destroyed by the Greek […]
THU 8 A Creepy Christmas Carol: With Jeff Belanger and Dustin Pari. Bringing you the legends and lore that put the fear into the Yuletide season. From the monsters who hunt naughty children, to the ghosts that haunt us all, this program will take audiences on a tour of the almost-forgotten parts of the holiday […]
In a recent Twitter poll conducted by the National Weather Service, 70% of respondents voted they would welcome a Christmas Eve snowstorm if it meant a white Christmas. But, if you are truly “dreaming of a white Christmas,” Ocean State Theatre Company’s production of Irving Berlin’s holiday classic White Christmas just might have to do. Making […]
On Sunday, December 4, at Firehouse 13, beer will be swilled and a whole lot of rock ‘n’ roll will grace the room. The Supersuckers are coming through as part of a stacked show with Jesse Dayton, Gallows Bound, The Living Deads and locals The Quahogs for what has the makings to be one crazy night […]
Aries: Big ideas emerge while going about your daily business. These ideas prompt a shift in your direction, your career path and other personal goals. A feminine influence paves the way. Could be a woman in authority or a good friend. You’re active within your circle of friends and may find a romantic interest while hanging […]
