When I walked into Earthtones Metaphysical Shop on Wickenden Street in Providence, here is what I noticed: a clean, calming space; two warm storekeepers; the layered scent of essential oils and manifestations; and Beyoncé’s “Hold Up” buzzing through the speakers. Mercedez Matos and Serena Barton-Zainyeh, a couple of five years, entered the metaphysical space as […]
Every so often an event comes along that restores your faith in artistry and your community. That’s what the Mausoleum Hill Sessions have done for its creator, Dave Alves. Alves, a native of New Bedford, has been a staple of the music scene in Southern New England for several years now. “I am grateful for […]
When given the opportunity to cover this year’s PVDFest, I jumped on it – what better way to get involved in the action? But first, one major disclaimer: the last time I attended PVDFest was over seven years ago. I had very little frame of reference for this year’s event. Whether this was good or […]
Five weeks before Wooly Fair, in the Nicholson File Mill studios, Dave Allyn stands on a ladder busy at work. He and Stephanie Grant are building large-scale lanterns with long swaths of multicolored fabrics. Talia Lipkind is making a dichroic glass disco ball. Fred Gorman is asked what costume he’s going to wear. Classic rock […]
Moving can be an exciting time with a fresh start, but it also comes with an incredible amount of stress. There is a lot that needs to be added to the checklist and there are usually some added expenses. Some people start their new journey with all of their previous belongings, while others need to […]
What is a cannabis event all about? We’ve been thinking about that question since before it was legal – Motif contributors have long been fans of events put together by 13 Folds, Bobby Nuggz and Marc Shepard’s New England Cannabis Convention. Some of those we can’t talk too much about, although it’s all legal now. […]
Photo: Mavis Staples by Bryan Ledgard through Wikimedia Commons. Labor Day often feels like the end of summer: Kids are back in school, beach days dwindle, and pumpkin spice lattes reappear on coffee shop menus. This year, though, we can stretch summer at least one more weekend, through September 8-10, with the return of PVDFest. […]
The long standing McCoy Stadium is circling the bases one last time. After multiple rain delays in July, the stadium will have one more at-bat with its last ever event “McCoy’s Final Inning” on Sunday, September 3, before its demolition. McCoy Stadium has had an odd past that goes back over 70 years. The stadium […]
When I was six I got hit in the ribs by the fastest pitcher in the Wanskuck little league. It was 2008, and I vowed (while literally gasping for air) to hate all things baseball forever. I held my hand to my chest and collapsed into the batters’ box while that pitcher’s dad called me […]
Air and Silk is a family trio of circus artists based in Providence, RI. Once a year, they bring the circus into their own backyard. The idea began in 2020 during the COVID pandemic lockdown. Simone Jogl and her daughters Skye and Anneken, created a story in movement as a gift for a friend who […]