By Olivia Lunger By Lillian MK Photography ...
Favorite Color Tattoo Evan Olin, Powerline Tattoo Runner-up: Luis Bold, Unicorn Ink Favorite Black & Gray Ryan Dowden, Dark Ritual Runner-up: Luis Bold, Unicorn Ink Favorite Black & Gray with Color Steven McDonough, Secret Safe Tattoo Runner-up: Rachel WS, Rachel WS Fine Art...
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...
As a self-proclaimed fashionista, I can confirm that not many things on this planet beat the feeling you get when you construct a killer outfit. Putting on an outfit that you feel confident and stylish in can make a world of difference when it comes to your mindset, confidence, and productivity. There is an undeniable […]
The world-renowned singer’s Eras Tour, attended by over 10.1 million fans (including yours truly) has taken its final bow, its last, “Oh hi!” It’s last, “For the last time, no!” Its last 22 hat giveaway, last surprise song mashup, and last game of Mastermind. If any of this sounds familiar to you, you’re probably a […]
January is a month that breeds an air of “betterness:”: better health, better fitness, better habits, and therefore a better life. Wellness trends skyrocket this time of year, shown by metrics such as increased supplement sales and upticks in gym memberships. It is important to understand that, although there are immense benefits to implementing wellness […]
We live in a time when many theaters are still in a state of recovery from the crisis of closure and contraction caused by the pandemic. Fortunately, we live in a region where national tours are being launched, local venues are offering regional premieres of innovative plays, and local playwrights are getting their due in […]
Rejoice! The holidays are over … or are they? Lurking right around the corner is the highly anticipated Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year is a time of celebration and the beginning of the agricultural season in ancient China. Many cultural traditions include fireworks, plum blossom gazing, lion dances, shrine visits, and extended families […]
Is it possible to maintain an abdominal six-pack after drinking craft beer on the regular? Professionally speaking as a registered dietitian my answer is, “It depends.” You have to work for your beer. This means you have to expend more energy (exercise) than you take in unless you have an amazing metabolic rate. There’s no […]
Tune In & Tune Up has had a productive few years. The organization is a health and awareness program that helps local musicians obtain mental health and other services and has given $25,000 to the music community since its inception. The team, co-chaired by musician Don Culp and retired physician. Al Puerini, has worked hard […]
Happy New Year, Motif readers! Here are five tasty local cuts to kick-off 2025 with style. Sure Thing – “Kidding Myself” Opening with banjo and gentle acoustic guitar, Sure Thing’s debut single harkens back to the folky indie music that peppered the indie scenes of the 2010’s. The production is crisp, and when the vocal […]
OPENED Roti Boti Restaurant: Traditional Pakistani cuisine in the lovely corner of Johnston. They also have a sister restaurant in Connecticut. You can find them at 100 George Waterman Rd, Johnston, or at their insta @rotibotiri for their spicy dishes. Swad Restaurant: A tasty Indian spot that already boasts 5 stars on their Google review! […]
Walking into Fête Music Hall at the Bend, I was reminded of music I often hear playing on my dad’s radio when he works in the garage: rock with a country-twang and a whole lot of soul. Outside of my usual music taste, I didn’t know what to expect but as anticipation rose in Fête’s […]
