Real music comes from the soul, believes singer-songwriter/guitarist Selwyn Birchwood. “The music that I enjoy is music that comes from people’s souls, it comes from people’s actual experiences rather than imitating what other people have experienced,” he told me in a recent interview. “Music is more authentic when people are putting themselves out there. You […]
People & Profiles
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Concert Recap and Photos: The Winehouse Project at The Met
Good times were rolling at The Met in Pawtucket Friday, April 1 when The Winehouse Project took the stage. Known for great live shows, the Amy Winehouse tribute band has lately been tearing it up around New England and beyond. Led by vocalist Lisa Kay, the nine-piece band rocked hard through two sets of Winehouse […]
Posted inCity & Government
Merger talks on again? We’ll ask when Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins us Wednesday for her monthly videocast
It appears school merger talks are on again between Middletown and Newport officials, and now we’d like to learn more. Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WhatsUpNewp for her monthly videocast tomorrow (Wednesday) at 1:30 p.m. We’ll ask for particulars as the two systems move toward what is being called a merger of “organizational […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
What’s Up Interview: A Ukrainian native shares her story
Olga Fedorenko, a nurse practitioner at a primary care office in Warwick, came to Rhode Island from Ukraine in 1991 to be with her partner, who had been living here for a year and a half at the time. They married, became citizens, and raised two kids who are now 28 and 20. But Olga’s […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
One on WUN: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
With the state’s school masking mandate ending next week, will Newport’s public schools also lift the mandate? We’ll learn more today at 1:30 p.m. when School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WhatsUpNewp for her monthly videocast.We’ll also learn more about the school department’s effort to cover increasing costs for its school building project – additional […]
Posted inNews
Introducing Bellevue Boards, Broadway’s newest woman-owned business
Bellevue Boards, a new charcuterie board business owned by Newport resident Jackie Connor, opened its doors at 84 Broadway last weekend and is taking orders on bellevueboards.com. Each arrangement is handcrafted by Connor, who came to Newport as a college student at Salve Regina and just completed her MBA at the school in 2021. Jackie […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Jazz pianist Greg Murphy coming to the Narrows Center Saturday Feb. 19
When it comes to jazz music, Chicago native Greg Murphy isn’t too concerned about being constrained by genre. He’s perfectly comfortable leading his band on classics like the Coltrane-inspired “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” while also adept at jazz takes on popular hits from his youth, like Seals and Croft’s “Summer Breeze.” Murphy’s trio, including bassist Paul […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Choreographer Patti Wilcox of “An Officer and a Gentleman” – at PPAC Feb 18-20
Patti Wilcox was pretty cheery when we chatted recently. “I’ve just arrived in Detroit and it’s great.” When I pointed out that “Detroit” and “great” don’t often appear in the same sentence, she laughed. “It’s a good tour city, and it is the home of Motown, so…” Wilcox is part of the creative team that […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
What’s Up Interview: Mike Reilly of Pure Prairie League
One of FM radio’s most iconic songs is one that was almost never a hit. “Amie” was first released in 1972 on Pure Prairie League’s second album Bustin’ Out. Other albums followed as the song became a favorite “album cut” on the radio, until it was finally released as a single in 1975. It became […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Stephane Wrembel Playing the Knickerbocker Friday Feb. 11
“Winter is when nature dreams, it’s like nature is asleep and dreaming,” muses guitarist Stephane Wrembel. “I always found that winter is very romantic in a very subconscious way. Everything is bare and we need to be reborn. I think dreams are fabricated then.” Deep thoughts from one of the world’s great guitarists, Stephane Wrembel, […]
Posted inFood & Drink, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Lisa McCurdy of RI Brew Fest – Coming to Waterfire Arts Center Saturday Feb. 5
Where can you find over 50 local and regional breweries sharing their bounty this weekend? At the Rhode Island Brew Fest, of course, returning to the Waterfire Arts Center in Providence after skipping last year due to the pandemic. We learned more about the 2022 Festival from Lisa McCurdy of Gray Matter Marketing, one of […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Shawnn Monteiro playing Chan’s Saturday, Feb. 5
Jazz singer Shawnn Monteiro is returning to Chan’s Saturday night after a 20-year absence from the legendary venue famous for “egg rolls, jazz and blues.” The show comes on the heels of her new release You Are There, an album of jazz standards featuring Monteiro on vocals fronting two stellar studio bands. I spoke to […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, People & Profiles
Local surfer’s One Last Wave Project helps thousands cope with grief
When he posted this TikTok video on January 4th in hopes of connecting with others experiencing profound grief, local surfer Dan Fischer didn’t know he was starting a worldwide movement to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. In less than four weeks, Fischer’s viral invitation to share the names and stories […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles
What’s Up Interview: Doug Woolverton, playing Miles Davis tribute Valentines shows Feb. 12 -13
Among the many great musicians who call Rhode Island home, Doug Woolverton stands out from the crowd. The trumpeter has played with nationally known artists like Aretha Franklin, Warren Haynes, Roomful of Blues, and most recently, blues keyboardist Victor Wainwright. Woolverton and his band will be playing a special Valentine’s show at the Updike Room […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Will tourism rebound in 2022; Discover Newport’s Evan Smith joins WUN for a live interview on Wednesday
No industry has suffered more than tourism during the pandemic, and no community in Rhode Island is more reliant upon tourism than Newport. Evan Smith, executive director of Discover Newport, joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video interview at 2 pm tomorrow (Wednesday) to look back at 2021 and to look ahead to next […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: Councilor Ceglie joins WUN for monthly live interview on Wednesday
Update – Since publishing this, the Mayor’s office has made us aware that Lynn Underwood Ceglie, Vice-Chair and At-Large Councilor, will be filling in for Mayor Napolitano. Newport Vice-Chair, At-Large Councilor Lynn Underwood Ceglie, on the heels of a divisive City Council meeting over North End zoning, joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles
Community rallies behind Philip Easton Landers, a beloved local artist and coach, as he fights spinal cancer
Cancer is a disease that has touched the lives of many. Unfortunately, it has recently affected a young adult in the local community. Last June, I wrote an article about the HOPE mural that local artist Philip Easton Landers painted at the Fifth Element on Broadway. This design has become synonymous with the positive and […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Olympic Swimmer Elizabeth Beisel will make a record-breaking swim to Block Island (Updated)
Three-time Olympian, silver medalist, and 2016 Team USA Captain, Elizabeth Beisel is poised to make history on Wednesday, September 22, when she swims from mainland Rhode Island (Matunuck Beach) to Block Island in her BLOCK CANCER SWIM. Update: 12 pm on September 21 Elizabeth Beisel’s safety team just moved her swim due to increasing surf and […]
Posted inCity & Government
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner joins WUN for a live virtual conversation on July 14
Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner joins WUN for a videocast on Wednesday, July 14, at 12:30 p.m. to talk about school and green infrastructure initiatives, the passage of important legislation that expands financial literacy in schools, and for adults. He will also talk about the Treasurer’s office’s unclaimed property program, which recently announced It […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with PJ Finn, Executive Director of MVY Radio (June 30 at 1 pm)
What’s Up Newp’s Ryan Belmore and Ken Abrams will be joined by PJ Finn, Executive Director of WMVY radio based on Martha’s Vineyard, for a live virtual video interview on Wednesday, June 30 at 1 pm. Finn will be talking about the history of the station, the station’s recent move to new studios, and the […]
Posted inNews
Nellie M. Gorbea announces candidacy for Governor
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, 54, of North Kingstown, officially announced her candidacy for governor in 2022, challenging current Governor Dan McKee, who assumed the governorship only a few months ago when Gov. Gina Raimondo joined the Biden Administration. Gorbea, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico and became the first Hispanic elected to […]
Posted inNews
Police Detective/legislator to share his views on police accountability
There are few issues more volatile today than policing around the country. Local communities, state legislatures, and Congress are grappling with proposed legislation that would significantly impact policing on a local level, demanding more accountability. Greg Howard, a detective in Stonington, CT also serves as a state Representative in Connecticut, and is chief among legislators […]
Posted inBusiness, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Steve Iwanski of Charter Books – Opening this weekend
Bookselling is what I love, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life doing it here in Newport.
Posted inArts & Culture
LIVE ON WUN: A conversation with musician Nick Casey (April 19 at 7 pm)
Musician Nick Casey will join What’s Up Newp for a conversation on Monday, April 19 at 7 pm. The Nick Casey Band was founded in July 2018. Residing in the state of Rhode Island, the band consists of Nick Casey on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ryan Tremblay on lead guitar, Olivia Baxter on fiddle, […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
History in the Making: Newport Historical Society’s interview with What’s Up Newp’s Ryan Belmore
Newport Historical Society’s Executive Director Ruth Taylor recently sat down, virtually, with What’s Up Newp’s Ryan Belmore to discusses the shift in community journalism that has taken place over the past year, and What’s Up Newp’s pivot from reporting on local events to providing detailed coverage of quarantine protocols, vaccine distribution, unsung heroes and more, […]