August 2014 Cover Artist: Eric Fulford
This Month’s cover illustration is done by the talented Eric Fulford. Check out his portfolio here: http://www.ericfulford.com
Spoken Award Winner Writeups
Blaq Sav. Photos by Lillian MK Photography. Favorite Free Verse Spoken Word 2026 Ashley Hosa Sending out a big congrats to Ashley Hosa, who came to the Spoken Awards with a multitude of wonderful supporters (shoutout to Ryan!)....
Obituary: Julian Forgue
The founder of the long-standing hipster-ish West Side restaurant Julians hadn’t been involved directly with the restaurant in quite some time. But his legacy persisted. A larger-than-life personality, you never knew at what event Julian...
Obituary: Lisa Gourley
Renowned supporter of local music and arts Lisa Gourley (Sometimes Lisa Gourleyx) passed away on June 15. Reading reactions on social media, you can’t help but notice how often the words “nice,” “kind,” and “photography”...
Summer Solstice
This beautiful Solstice moment, June 21, 2026 brings the winds of change into our lives. The pivotal points among the planetary movers and shakers of the Zodiac find Gemini, with Uranus and Ceres, reaching across...
2026 Tattoo Awards Photos
By Olivia Lunger By Lillian MK Photography ...
2026 Tattoo Awards Winners
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...
2026 Spoken Awards Photos
By Lillian MK Photography By Olivia Lunger ...
Spoken Award Winners 2026
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...
SUMMER THEATER PREVIEW: There’s no shortage of summertime fare at R.I. community theaters and professional playhouses
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...
Godzilla: 70 Years of Fame, Misunderstandings, & Property Damage
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...
Summer Fun Map
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...
OEight at Track 15
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...
Roots Report
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...
Wild Rock Dove: The new Ravi Shavi record and its want to “Misbehave”
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...
Why ask Can You Go Home?
“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...
“Our Weapons Are Cameras”: A Conversation With a RI Deportation Defense Line Organizer
We sat down a few months ago with one of the organizers of RI’s Deportation Defense Line. The Defense Line’s origins are organic and multifaceted. No one person is in charge of it. No one...
2026 Music Award Winner Writeups
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...
The Wait Is Over … Disney’s The Lion King returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center
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...
MEASURE FOR MEASURE: What Would You Wouldn’t Do?
“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...
Town Hall Unites Community: Everyone hates an AI data center
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...
Mindfully Thermia: How a new local restaurant inspires its patrons to take it slow
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...
Summer is Happening: Here's what you don't want to miss
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...
Rent Destabilization: Providence City Council fails to override Mayor Smiley's rent stabilization veto, but the fight is not over
“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...
ON THE COVER: Chenlu Hou
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...
News Analysis – Iran War Update: The world faces deadlines only weeks away
[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...
MOTIF’S 2026 RI SPOKEN AWARDS
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...
KIMBERLY AKIMBO is Playing at PPAC Now Through May 10 and It May Just Be “Your New Favorite Musical” (Hollywood Reporter)
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...
A Time Capsule from the 90s in 2026: ‘92 Winona and their Punk Inspiration
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...
John Faraone's Newest Record, The Waves: How his kid brain allowed for the art of self-expression
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....
Roots Report
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...
Stuff to Do
2014 Election: In their own Words: Why Isn’t cannabis legal yet?
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I am in favor of legalization of cannabis for adult use. The “let’s wait and see” attitude is going to result in watching other states create the revenue while RI falls further behind. The momentum is very strong. I believe it will pass within the next two years Gina Raimondo (D): It […]
2014 Election: In their own Words: Small gallery owners have successfully cross-promoted with events like gallery nights, but they often fall through the cracks between initiatives directed at small businesses and the support given to non-profits. What action, if any, would you take to support this niche in the Providence art scene?
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I think there’s a number of arts and non-profit supporters who understand the issue enough to design executive committees to bring action to the problem. For example, the mobile trolleys. I believe they can work with the busing authorities, for example, to promote destination-based community events. Gina Raimondo (D): I think, generally […]
2014 Election: In their own Words: What will you suggest to make the city/state more hospitable to artists?
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I want RI to be the Amsterdam of the East Coast. I want to have the most welcoming atmosphere of business, culture and lifestyle. Not every leader understands that lifestyle is a consumer choice. Gina Raimondo (D): I think, generally speaking, we need to do a better job of helping our artists […]
2014 Election: In their own Words: Live/work spaces are sometimes considered crucial for incubating both artists and small businesses. Would you develop any plans to cultivate these spaces in [Providence / Rhode Island]?
RI Governor Gina Raimondo (D): Absolutely. We are already home to some great shared spaces and incubators, and as governor I will work to highlight and expand these wonderful resources Clay Pell (D):I welcome the opportunity as governor to promote the arts statewide and ensure artists have access to the space they need for their work. I […]
2014 Election: In their own Words: If you had to cut funding and had to choose between arts programs in schools, and funding for public art, which would you cut first?
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I would enhance school arts programs if it were a choice. The art programs that are always underfunded is the place where we need to invest the most. When you bring in the arts model, you have role models from the community who show the pathways to the career, such as […]
2014 Election: Crime seems to be up. Why do you think it’s a hot button issue in this election?
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): The economy is in prolonged recession in RI, the crimes of opportunity are up. People are the eyes and ears of the community; they see it and aren’t okay with it. Elections are naturally the most effective time to bring them to light. Gina Raimondo (D): Crime has a major impact on […]
2014 Election: In their own Words: Acknowledging that there are a lot of intricately interconnected factors driving the economy and no silver bullet to fix it, what do you feel is the is the single biggest reason RI is slowly recovering/not recovering from the recession?
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I feel that we haven’t done enough to bring in the federal dollars, specifically the banking bailout money that was created by TARP. It provides provisions for small business loans, which could be our state commerce fund, additional provisions for statewide pension fund loss up to $1 billion. That’s written into […]
Album of the Week: Spoon’s They Want My Soul
The best success a band can have is through consistency. I’m not talking about playing the same style in each album you put out, but instead putting out quality music while not being afraid to push boundaries and try new things. Coming a long way from the lo-fi punkish alternative rock sound of their debut […]
Opinion: Censorship on the Fringe
The political situation in the Gaza Strip has dominated the news recently, and there is a substantial variety of reasonable views that reasonable people might have about it. My own views are not, however, my subject here. As a theater and film critic, I am deeply disturbed – indeed, shocked – by recent news reports […]