A Chorus of Christmas Carols
Nominal Christians (or “Chreasters” as some like to call them) are often derided for the practice of showing up to church once or twice a year at the Big Masses […]
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...
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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...
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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 Now 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...
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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...
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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,...
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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
Monster Jam
January 31 - February 2Beth Killian
January 31 @ 6:30 pm - 9:30 pmNeal Vitullo and the Vipers
January 31 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmClub D’elf
January 31 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmMystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads
January 31 @ 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Resolve to Embrace Localism in 2014
The term localism can incite different reactions from different crowds of people. For some, it’s a die-hard mantra of deep-held political and social beliefs that calls for one’s involvement in a […]
DareMe: I Am The Ghost Of The Arcade
By Katie Lewis This month’s dare took place in Providence’s newly renovated Arcade, which is located between Westminster Street and Waybossett Street and rumored to be haunted by the ghost […]
This Year, Ebenezer Makes Some New Resolutions
Ebenezer Scrooge here. Whilst on my way to market this morn, I passed a new shop whose window was filled with those moving picture boxes called “televisions.” Each box had the letters […]
Lunar Notes: Your Monthly Horoscope
Aries: When temptation crosses your path this month, trod the straight and narrow. Be the designated driver. This is a period of great opportunity for you and you need to be on […]
Scene and Heard: An Interview with Tom DeNucci
Native Rhode Island filmmaker Tommy DeNucci talks hard work and ‘The Damned Tall and lean with a shock of wavy dark hair. Big dark eyes and a deep voice. He’s the epitome […]
The Not So Great Gatsby: A Night Out With Scrooge
Dear Nick, I’ve really enjoyed my first year at Motif. 2013 has been a wild thrill ride of a year, and writing this column has been the icing on the proverbial […]
Five Questions: An Interview with Clothing Designer Always Starving
Earlier this year, Scott Nelson and Chris Bullock co-founded Always Starving, an artistically designed clothing line that practically oozes style. Their first major creation was a shirt that read, “That […]
Holiday Dance Gets Audiences Into The Spirit
With Christmas right around the corner, local dance companies come bearing a variety of holiday offerings to help get you into the Christmas spirit. From December 20 through 22, Festival […]
Be The Fan
There are many intricate pieces involved in creating a truly memorable live show. You must give credit to everyone involved, from the booker, to the merchandise girl, to the percussionist on […]