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...
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 evidenced by...
“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,...
The opening ceremony for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi occurs at 8:14pm Sochi time. In the horoscope erected for that time, the first thing that pops out is Mercury, a mere 18 hours into retrograde motion, together in the sky with Neptune. Mercury is the planet of the news media, transportation and information of all […]
Do you have a nickname? Red or LiLi What do you never leave home without? My sense of humor. It comes in handy in almost any situation. What’s your favorite book? The Giving Tree What’s your favorite flower? A peach rose Where is Providence’s most romantic spot? Under the Biltmore sign . What’s your idea […]
Valentine’s Day and craft beer typically go together like a fine French wine and the Nacho-Libre special at the local bowling alley. Not to say that it can’t have a place there, but let’s look at a few minor issues. Unfiltered beer has yeast, which will certainly produce some un-romantic results. Beer is carbonated, which […]
The Atlantic Thrills –Self Titled (Almost Ready Records) On their debut full-length release, Atlantic Thrills let their retro flag fly proudly from the cover straight down the songs that celebrate the spirits and sound of 60s garage, psychedelic, harmonies and surf guitars. Atlantic Thrills keep the recipe simple as far as basing everything off […]
Playwright Alan Ayckbourn, prolific British author most well known for Absurd Person Singular and the trilogy The Norman Conquests, has a fascination for witty characters who feel they are missing out on something and are driven more or less crazy by that realization, something like Noël Coward for the looney bin. Comic farce about mental […]
Aries: You’re tired of the traditional and regular routine of your life and want to take a break from your habitual actions. Hanging with your posse opens you to new friendships with the unconventional types you seek. This is not a month without surprises and opportunity. The disruptions have you longing for the monotonous. Taurus: Pay […]
Local Rhode Islanders develop Drinking Sherpa; the app that helps people discover breweries, wineries, and distilleries in their area. It’s no secret that the latest start-ups in RI are mostly breweries — Proclamation! Whalers and maybe Tilted Barn. But the best kept secret these days is Drinking Sherpa, the umbrella company that developed Brewery Sherpa, […]
1. Friday, February 14: Bad Rabbits, Seasick Mama, Young Pandas; $15; 8 pm doors / 9 pm show; all ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. Bad Rabbits finally seem to be on the verge of the stardom they rightfully deserve. A righteous blend of rock, funk and R&B, the Boston-based band finally […]
In need of a cocktail? Fulfill that need and make yourself a Black Cider Incinerator. There is no perfect cocktail. Like in dating, there are both attractive and wholly unattractive features in potential mates. And for enthusiasts of the ever-growing cocktail scene, this attraction/repulsion cycle plays on: There are highbrow and lowbrow cocktails; cocktails you […]
Classic cars added to accent flowers displayed in Rhode Island Flower Show. The theme of this year’s Flower Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center is Vintage Gardens. The unique floral installations created by landscape artists and designers displaying their craft will be paired with automobiles that reflect the concept and period of the garden […]
