Obituary: Honoring Mike Schiavone, “A legend.”
Michael J. Schiavone (1982-2022), fondly referred to as Mike or Mikey, passed away unexpectedly on February 28, 2022. The obituary written for his funeral services describes music as “his world,” […]
Events:
The Flower, The Labor, and The Sea
September 27, 2025 - June 28, 2026
Fun, Yet Profound: The Prom at PPAC entertains and teaches valuable lessons
I recently read an article online that posed the question, “Can’t Broadway just be for fun?” The article stepped into the debate on perhaps the biggest existential question at the […]
A Not-So-Hidden Gem: Trinity Rep’s Gem of the Ocean awes and inspires
The Gem of the Ocean was a slave ship, but the gem of Trinity Repertory Company is the searing emotion conjured as part of a riveting retelling of August Wilson’s […]
Raising the Barre: Beatles, Jethro Tull and John Hall
Okee dokee folks… Back in 2004, I was asked to write for a fledgling publication called Motif. The magazine had only put out a couple of issues and I wasn’t […]
Fungi Foraging, Finagling, and Feasting: Mushroom foraging in RI
When early humans first embraced the hunter-gatherer lifestyle, there was a lot of experimentation (along with parental disapproval and conservative condemnation; it was practically the ’60s). Tools like sharpened sticks, […]
Experimental Compositions: The illusion and immersion of Happy Place
As late January’s nor’easter dropped nearly two feet of snow in Tiverton, Will Mason prepared for his students’ return to in-person classes following extra Omicron precautions. After a week of […]
Nick Politelli: Examiner
Examiner, the debut release from local guitarist and songwriter Nick Politelli, is a well-crafted rock record that mixes tight hooks with experimental grooves. Politelli started playing music around age 20 […]
Take a Hike!: Top RI hiking trails for spring
As the weather gets warmer, people will be making their way to the great hiking trails that RI has to offer. According to Alltrails.com, there are 386 to choose from […]
The Nature We Build Around Us: A conversation with Connor Burbridge of Nuts & Bolts Nursery Co-op
With hopes that March melts February’s freeze and April’s showers again bring May flowers, Motif’s Sean Carlson interviewed Connor Burbridge of Nuts & Bolts Nursery (374 Farnum Pike, Smithfield), a […]
Strides toward Sustainability: Zero Waste PVD takes initiative to mitigate RI waste issues
At Zero Waste PVD, volunteers collaborate to reduce excess waste by focusing on activism, policy development, and legislative work. They host reusable bag giveaways, and recruit handy volunteers to sew […]