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,...
VOTE HERE! "May your tattoo ink never run dry," as the ancient Portlandian blessing goes, has rarely been more applicable. Motif is proud to partner again with Narragansett Brewery to bring you the RI Tattoo Awards,...
Now that fall is approaching, new edibles ideas are aplenty with the arrival of flavors like pumpkin, apple and fall spices. Read on for some treats to make for a fall hike, a long drive leaf peeping or an afternoon of apple picking. Did you know? The terpene caryophyllene that is found in high amounts in […]
The few. The proud. The standout electronic music events happening this fall. From dubstep to happy hardcore, costumed to glow-in-the-dark, the Providence area has got you covered. The question is: Are you ready? If not, get your shit together, because these funky festivities are coming up quick. On Saturday, September 24, enter (if you dare) […]
After summer’s heat, long days, parties and weddings, many of us are ready to welcome a chill, throw on sweaters and relish a moment to just sit down. Well, not too calmly, just not as rowdy as the beach bars where we clamored for sweaty beers and margaritas. Apples hang lower and ripe, ready for […]
10. A couple of “gaggahs all the way” sounds awful, but they may save your life late one night. As you drive around Providence you may see signs touting “NY System Weiners.” This does not involve former NY Senator Anthony Wiener, or his, um, weiner, but they are hot dogs with mustard, celery salt and […]
Rhode Island offers year-round art classes and workshops to tap into your inner creativity. Below is a collected list of locations where professional artists and experienced teachers provide inspiring access to studio discovery. With day and evening classes for all ages, now is the time to sign up. Arch; 18 East Rd, Tiverton; 401- 835-8415, archcontemporary.com. Just in time […]
It must have been a Saturday in something like late June when I introduced one of my good friends to Long Live Beerworks, as I’ve been quite an evangelist for the relatively new craft brewery on the West Side of Providence. It’s a neighborhood I lived in for a few years, led a Motif neighborhood profile […]
While August gives way to September, area dance companies are busy preparing for their 2016/2017 season. Leading the way is Providence’s resident professional ballet company Festival Ballet Providence. Their season gets underway Halloween weekend with the popular “chatterBOXtheatre,” a dance series geared toward children, with an encore presentation of the “spooky Hansel and Gretel.” This […]
Okee dokee folks… Almost exactly one year ago I saw Weird Al Yankovic at the Zeiterion in New Bedford. In all honesty it was one of the BEST shows I have EVER seen. It was fun, funny, energetic … basically AWESOME! I had a grin on my face the whole time. Weird Al is a […]
Manhattan Short does not consider itself a travelling film festival per se. It screens simultaneously across the globe from September 23 to October 2, coining the phrase, “one world – one week – one festival.” Each year, audiences around the world view the same program of 10 films and vote for their favorite. The results are […]
Something new is brewing in the dance world, and it’s brewing right in our neck of the woods. This fall, some of the country’s most innovative choreographers will descend upon Rhode Island for the inaugural Northeast Choreographers Festival. The festival is the brainchild of Fusionworks Dance Company in Lincoln, founded in 1987. Back then, the […]
