Desserts On-the-go with a Heart
First came frozen yogurt, then cupcakes. Dessert trends seem to be unfolding faster than I can lose the weight I gained from the last one, but the latest has me […]
Snow Likely Thu: Expect 1 – 2 inches, mixing with or changing to rain
Winter Weather Advisory in effect from February 6, 07:00 AM EST until February 6, 07:00 PM EST At Providence, snow likely Thu 7am – 4pm, possibly mixing with or changing to sleet, freezing rain, and rain...
Being Bad Never Felt So Good: Interview with Black artists and designers of RISD
Although it may seem counterintuitive, some of the most poignant examples of Black history lay in our youth and their efforts to honor the spaces pioneered by their mentors and ancestors. As young as they...
Open & Closed
Image from Big Feeling Ice Cream. OPEN Track 15, a huge food hall featuring several different flavors of restaurant, from the local to the national, will be opening sometime in February. Keep your eyes open for specific...
{{title}}
{{content:words:35}}...
Merciless
Merciless1 I think I understand Victor Frankenstein now that I am older He was lonely and so created his monster for companionship without knowing it was going to appear monstrous. I, too, did the same thing...
Grit & Polish: An exhibition by The Steel Yard residents
The WaterFire Arts Center (WFAC), the multi-use arts venue on Valley St in PVD, is hosting a month-long group exhibition by Steel Yard metal artists titled GRIT & POLISH, highlighting the stories, skills, and artistry...
The Grounding: Fiction
Paul-C’s granddaughter turned 12 years old on December 21st. At her birthday party, after she blew out all the candles on her cake and opened all the presents her family got her, he pulled her...
{{title}}
{{content:words:35}}...
Cocktail Recipes
When talking about American bar culture, one cannot separate the intrinsic cultural influence of individuals of color. What are considered classic cocktails have deep roots in African American communities, dating back to post-slavery and the...
Three Body Problem
THREE BODY PROBLEM1 “…My resolution is fixed. I shall be free.” …at that moment he was free, at least in spirit. The future gleamed brightly before him, and his fetters lay broken at his feet....
3 Local Shows You Should Know About
Guess Method, Liminal Space at the Ocean Mist Two of southern Rhode Island’s favorite groups, Guess Method (funk/ jam) and Liminal Space (indie/rock) are joining forces on February 7 at the Ocean Mist in Matunuck...
Album Review: J. Michael Graham- Stuck
On his first full-length release, Stuck, singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and Rhode Island native J. Michael Graham showcases some stellar songwriting that explores the evolution of interpersonal relationships and finding the inner strength to move...
Another Year of Film: Ann Clanton helps Black RI artists find their voices
Ann Clanton has spent two decades contributing to Rhode Island’s thriving journalistic and creative communities, providing support to the state’s African-American, AfroCaribbean and Afro-Latin filmmakers while running her own business, Ann Clanton Communications, as a...
{{title}}
{{content:words:35}}...
The Benefit of Crisis: An upcoming TedX Talk invites us to meet ourselves, wherever we are
5 minutes into talking with Claudia Cardozo, I’m taken aback by her overwhelmingly positive aura and calm presence. Claudia, originally from Colombia, is a corporate coach, who for the past couple of years has been...
Ants in the City: Shelter as a right, not a privilege
“We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools. We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And...
Vaporizing Flavors Part 1: What effect will the flavored vape ban have in RI?
A few days ago, some friends and I were having drinks. As expected when you put on a decent buzz, we started to reminisce about the joys of a good drink and a good smoke....
EcoRI News Roundup
RI Environmental Agencies Avoid Cuts in McKee’s 2026 Budget PROVIDENCE — Many of the state’s climate and environmental programs are avoiding the chopping block — for now. That’s the main takeaway from Gov. Dan McKee’s $14.2...
{{title}}
{{content:words:35}}...
{{title}}
{{content:words:35}}...
Black Luv: Poetry
I dig you! Like the impassioned hands of a gard’ner surrendering to the earth. I fuxs with you! Like, the sugary, spicy blend of nutmeg and brown sugar in sweet potato pie Like, the buttery...
On The Cover: Afilandra Goncalves
“I want my art to give a feeling of mysteriousness, that you’ve peeked into a moment that maybe you weren’t supposed to see,” says Afilandra Goncalves of Providence, who created the cover for this issue,...
{{title}}
{{content:words:35}}...
{{title}}
{{content:words:35}}...
Rhode Island Music Awards 2025 Nominations
View the event on Facebook The 2025 RI Music Awards are off and running! You can vote now at the survey link above. Every year, a typo surfaces as soon as this goes out, despite our...
The Father: Play review; a tragic farce
Winner of the Molière award for France’s best play, The Father, by Florian Zeller and directed by Wilbury Theatre’s Artistic Director Josh Short, flirts with the cruel nature of time while exploring the limits of...
Stuff to Do
Bill Frisell
February 5 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmRochambeau Library Big Media Sale (CDs, DVDs, vinyl)
February 7 @ 1:00 pm - 4:30 pmDraw the Line
February 7 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmHeartland Radio
February 7 @ 9:00 pm - February 8 @ 12:00 amRochambeau Library Big Media Sale (CDs, DVDs, vinyl)
February 8 @ 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Q&A with Tony Jones: “Rhode Island is in a fiscal crisis and we must start somewhere to get things on track.”
2014’s Rhode Island elections are drawing near, and one candidate for the lieutenant governor’s office is looking to eliminate it altogether. Vice Chairman of the Libertarian Party Rhode Island and […]
Sex Q&A: Is it normal to be a female who has never orgasmed with a partner?
Ever found yourself wondering how to introduce a new sex act to your partner, or how to have orgasms that really hit the spot? If so, you’ve come to the […]
Strange Happenings at the 48 Hour Film Project
Motif recently sat down with the audience choice award winners from Providence’s 48 Hour Film Project and asked them one question: What was the strangest thing that happened during competition […]
Alt-Nation: Keeping It Simple
Picked up the pieces while waiting for The $3 Bar to re-open and figured I’d recap the Newport Folk Festival. To attempt to recap the state’s biggest annual music event […]
2014 Election: Some local artists have expressed concern that the tax-free art bill will encourage out-of-state galleries and out-of-state artists to use RI as a tax haven, something that is already happening. Is this a bad thing, and what would you do to ensure the promotion of local artists when it comes to selling art?
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): We’re moving in the direction of having tax-free-zones for art collaboratives. That’s the long-term answer to the business community. Gina Raimondo (D): I think we can do […]
Primaries — Should We Hold Them at All?
I was asked to write about the three primaries I find most interesting. I am not the person to be writing about primaries because 20 years ago I filed a […]
Downtown Goes Derby
For the first time since 2009, the wheels of Providence Roller Derby will once again be rolling on The Providence Rink at the Bank of America City Center. On August […]
IMBIBE: The Sherry Negroni
Ah, the classic Negroni. That ballsy little drink of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Herbal, bitter, sweet, blushing. Just what you want when sitting down after a long hot day […]
Roots Report: Don’t Let These Shows Pass You By
Okee dokee folks … As I mentioned last month the summer shows are plenty. I have managed to get to quite a few so far and have many more to […]