A special concert to benefit Ovarian Cancer research is coming to Newport’s St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on October 8. Singer-songwriter Mike Kaufman, a South Carolina resident and lifelong musician, will play Newport performing songs from his new album “Old Guy, New Songs” and more. More about Mike Kaufman: Mike lives in the low country […]
Ken Abrams
Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams writes about music, the arts and more for What'sUpNewp. He is also an Editor and Writer for Hey Rhody Media. Ken DJ's "The Kingston Coffeehouse," a roots/folk/rock radio show every Tuesday, 6-9 PM on WRIU 90.3 FM. He is a former educator in the Scituate, RI school system where he taught Social Studies for over 30 years.
He is on the board of the Rhode Island Folk Festival and Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music), a non-profit that brings diverse musical acts to the Newport area.
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (September 9-11)
With fall festivals and other seasonal events ramping up, local musicians continue to be as busy as ever. We’ve got a few top picks below, along with a couple of national tours you may want to check out. Saturday: The 2022 River Bend East Song Festival is a free event happening Saturday outside Slater Mill […]
Posted inCity & Government
Amica Newport Marathon debuts An updated course for 2022
Newport, RI – Each October, runners come from near and far to compete in the annual Amica Newport Marathon and Half Marathon. The event, held each year on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend and produced by local business Gray Matter Marketing, draws competitors from across the sport, from those running their first half marathon to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (September 9-11)
Although it’s still technically summer, fall festivals and more are in the air. Check out some fun activities to do around the state this weekend. Saturday: The twelfth annual Rhode Island Seafood Festival takes place this weekend at Providence’s India Point Park. The event features delicious seafood from around RI with vendors including Melville Grille […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
UPDATE – POSTPONED: Singer-Songwriters Kerri Powers and Lauren King to play Blackstone River Theatre Sept. 17
September 13: UPDATE: This show has been postponed due to illness. Blackstone River Theatre will present a split concert featuring Kerri Powers and Lauren King on Saturday, September 17, 8:00 p.m., at the Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St., Cumberland, RI. Admission is $15.00 advance and $18.00 day of show. For reservations or information call Blackstone River Theatre at (401) […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: It’s everyone’s duty to report child abuse, neglect
Contributed by Representative Julie A. Casimiro As autumn begins and many families resume busy schedules of learning, work, sports practices and other extra-curricular activities, it is a time of fresh starts and new opportunities. Kids will try new things, learn new skills and make new friends. They will meet new mentors who will help shape […]
Posted inNews
Heavy Rain forces closure of shellfish area in Narragansett Bay
PROVIDENCE, RI: The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that several shellfish areas in Narragansett Bay are closed due to excessive rain in the Providence metropolitan area Sept. 5-6. Upper Narragansett Bay area A, Upper Narragansett Bay area B, and Lower Providence River area E are closed to shellfishing and are scheduled to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Patton Magee of The Nude Party playing Greenwich Odeum September 11
Be ready to rock out this weekend in East Greenwich, but please keep your clothes on … On Sunday, September 11, The Nude Party will bring their modern garage rock sound to the Greenwich Odeum on Main Street. Yes, there’s a story behind the band’s name but that shouldn’t distract from the music. Fans of […]
Posted inWeather
Flood Watch remains in effect for all of RI until 5PM Tuesday September 6
A Flood Watch remains in effect for all of Rhode Island for Tuesday until 5PM. Moderate to heavy rain is expected to continue throughout the day. Today’s forecast for Newport is for rain with a high near 72 with an east wind 8 to 11 mph. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of […]
Posted inThings To Do
Samuel Slater Experience announces Fall programs
[Webster, MA] – Just six months after opening its doors to the public and a spring season that brought visitors from all over New England to Webster, Mass., Samuel Slater Experience is expanding its program offerings this fall with concerts and conversations that pay homage to the history of the region. Described as “Disney-like,” the museum employs state-of-the-art 4-D […]
Posted inWeather
Weather Alert: Flood Watch issued for the region through Tuesday afternoon
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for all of Rhode Island and parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts from Monday, September 5 through Tuesday afternoon September 6. Heavy rain is expected to begin Monday afternoon and continue overnight through Tuesday. 3-5 inches of rain are expected with localized amounts of 5-7 inches possible […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Photos: Rhythm and Roots weekend begins in Charlestown
The 24th annual Rhythm and Roots Festival kicked off in grand style on Friday, September 2 with music fans returning to Ninigret Park in Charlestown, RI for some of the best in roots, zydeco, blues, and rock and roll. The New Orleans influence was strong on two stages Friday, with attendees in full dance mode. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (September 2-4)
The Labor Day holiday weekend means a ton of live music throughout the region. This is one of those times where you really need to clone yourself to get to all the shows on your events page! Check out a few favorites below. All Weekend: We’ve had a couple of stories on the 22nd annual […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH Recommends No Swimming at Surfer’s Rock area at Second Beach, Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth and two more
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) today announced that it has recommended closing several area beaches due to high levels of bacteria in the water. RIDOH recommends closing Scarborough State Beach-South in Narragansett, Surfer’s Rock Area only at Second Beach in Middletown, Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth and Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Club Passim Announces Labor Day Weekend’s Campfire Festival Schedule
(Cambridge, MA) Club Passim has announced the lineup for the annual Campfire. Festival over Labor Day Weekend. With more than 70 artists performing over four days at the legendary Harvard Square listening room, Campfire. is a celebration of Boston’s folk music scene and a way for the club to showcase emerging artists including Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen […]
Posted inNews
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (September 2-4)
Happy Labor Day Weekend! We present “Six Picks Events,” some fun ideas for what to do around the state this weekend. Friday: Head to Rejects Brewery in Middletown Friday night for the best comedy on Aquidneck Island. Held on the first Friday of every month, laugh it up this weekend with Dina Hashem, Max Antonucci, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Rhythm and Roots Festival Edition – Festival begins Friday Sept. 2
The annual Rhythm and Roots Festival at Ninigret State Park is a Labor Day Weekend tradition for many Rhode Islanders. Although the festival is under new management, very little has changed, with the musical lineup as strong as ever. The 22nd annual festival runs from 5PM Friday, September 2 until late in the evening on […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: 2022 Rhode Island Folk Festival a big hit in Riverside
Over 2,000 fans attended the 8th annual Rhode Island Folk Festival at Rose Larisa Park in East Providence Sunday, August 28, enjoying over 40 musical acts on three stages. The state’s musical talent was on full display all day long along with food trucks, crafts vendors, and a “Young Folks” tent where kids were able […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: The Weight Band carries the torch at Jane Pickens
Another in a series of great concerts rocked the Jane Pickens Theater and Events Center Thursday, August 25 when The Weight Band played before a packed house. Led by Jim Weider, former member of The Band and the Levon Helm Band, the Weight Band jammed hard through two sets of rock and roll, playing originals […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (August 26-28)
A couple of big shows at Gillette Stadium this weekend headline “Six Picks” along a free music festival featuring some of the region’s best artists. Check out some of the best music around town in “Six Picks.” Friday: One of the greatest songwriters of the 21st century, Jason Isbell returns to the area for a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (August 26-28)
There’s quite a lot going on this weekend in “Six Picks Events,” our weekly column featuring things to do around the state. Check out some top picks below. Friday: Who knew? Star of the Toy Story movie franchise and best-selling toy since 1952 is turning 70. Why not throw a party for the legendary, heroic, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Mark Cutler’s Same Thing Project announces ‘Community Songwriting for Mental Health’ College Tour
The Same Thing Project, founded in 2016 by Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee Mark Cutler, is taking its innovative community songwriting workshops to college campuses for the 2022-23 academic year in a tour titled Community Songwriting for Mental Health. This first-of-its-kind college tour has been developed with support from the National Museum of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Samantha Fish, coming to Rhythm & Roots Festival Sunday September 4
Rhode Island’s Rhythm and Roots Festival is known to support diverse musical styles. Genres from rock to blues, folk to zydeco, and more are part of the mix at the annual event in Charlestown over Labor Day Weekend. One 2022 R&R artist who is hard to pin down to a specific genre is singer-guitarist Samantha […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Jim Weider of The Weight Band, playing Jane Pickens Thursday, August 25
You won’t have to “wait” much longer … another in a line of great concerts is coming to Jane Pickens Film and Events Center later this week when The Weight Band arrives in Newport. Fans of classic rock and Americana won’t want to miss this show. The band just released their second studio album, Shines […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island Folk Festival returning to Rose Larisa Park in East Providence Sunday, August 28
The Rhode Island Folk Festival returns to Rose Larisa Park in East Providence, RI on Sunday, August 28 from Noon-6 PM. The free music festival includes some of the finest folk, rock, acoustic and Americana acts in Rhode Island and beyond. This year’s Festival features nationally known artists including Jake Blount, Robin Lane, and The […]