Samuel Ward was an American farmer, politician, Supreme Court Justice, Governor of Rhode Island and a delegate to the Continental Congress. Born in Newport, he was the son of Rhode Island Governor Richard Ward. Ward got his start in politics as a delegate from Westerly and was elected Governor in 1758. He was defeated by […]
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
This Day in RI History: May 24, 1988 – Singer Billy Gilman is born
Singer-Songwriter Billy Gilman was born on this date in Westerly, RI in 1988. In 2000, at age 11, he emerged as a child star after being discovered by Ray Benson of the popular country band Asleep at the Wheel. Gilman had a hit with the song “One Voice” in 2000, when he became the youngest […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Day in History: May 24, 1941 – Bob Dylan is born
OK, we know, he’s not a native Rhode Islander, but perhaps his greatest moment as a musician came in Newport in 1965. Singer-songwriter, “song and dance man” Bob Dylan was born Robert Zimmerman on this day in 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. Dylan moved to New York City in 1961 and the rest is history. He […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Day in RI History: May 20, 1959 – Susan Cowsill is born
Happy Birthday to Newport’s own Susan Cowsill! The youngest member of the popular family band The Cowsills, who charmed TV audiences in the late 60’s, turns 65 on May 20th. Cowsill was born in Canton, Ohio in 1959, but moved to Newport as a child. She sang and danced on many Top 40 Cowsills hits […]
Posted inHistory
This Day in RI History: May 18, 1652 – Rhode Island becomes the first colony to pass an anti-slavery law
On May 18th, 1652, Rhode Island became the first of the thirteen colonies to ban slavery. The good intentions of those who wrote the law, however, went unheeded – the statute was largely ignored for over a century, as many merchants in the state became leading slave traders in colonial America. The act read, “Whereas, […]
Posted inColumns, History
This Day in RI History: May 9, 1861 -U.S. Naval Academy moved to Newport
The U.S. Naval Academy was established in Annapolis, Maryland on October 10, 1845 with Commander Franklin Buchanan its first superintendent. The first class was comprised of 50 students and 7 professors. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, then superintendent Captain George S. Blake made the decision to move the Academy to Newport. Although […]
Posted inNews
This Day in RI History: May 4, 1776 – Rhode Island declares independence from Great Britain
On May 4th, 1776, a full two months before the rest of the new nation, the Rhode Island General Assembly formally declared independence from Great Britain. Of course, Rhode Island was already in a state of rebellion by that point, as the declaration came four years after the Gaspee affair, and a year after the […]
Posted inHistory
This Day in RI History: April 26, 1718, Esek Hopkins is born in Scituate
Esek Hopkins was born on April 26, 1718 in Scituate to a prominent Rhode Island family. Hopkins became a merchant and sea captain and in 1764, was in command of the slave ship Sally, known for a disastrous 15-month voyage that resulted in the death of 109 out of 196 slaves on board. The tragedy […]
Posted inNews
Newport Beer Festival fills the Fort
A chilly spring afternoon greeted hundreds of beer enthusiasts when the Newport Beer Festival took over Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, April 19. Dozens of vendors were present, including several from Aquidneck Island and many others from around the state, along with live music from the Z-Boys. More than 50 breweries from across the […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Charter Books to celebrate 4th birthday on Independent Bookstore Day, Saturday, April 26
A nationwide celebration of all things literary is returning to Newport on April 26. Independent Bookstore Day honors bookstores across the country annually on the final Friday in April with exclusive books, contests, author appearances, and special treats for visitors. We spoke to Steve Iwanski at Charter Books in Newport to learn more about what […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Kevin Kinsella of John Brown’s Body, playing Ragged Island Music Festival June 8
Looking forward to warmer weather, cool ocean breezes, and good reggae vibes this summer, (not to mention some of the best craft beer on the planet)? The line-up is set for the 2025 Ragged Island Music Festival, a two-day event on the grounds of the popular brewery, with ten local and nationally recognized bands scheduled […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Singer-Songwriter Will Dailey hosting record release party at The Parlour in Providence on April 4
Will Dailey has never been one to conform to the norms of the music industry. The eight-time Boston Music Award winner, who will be in Providence for an album release show at The Parlour on April 4, is releasing his new album Boys Talking in a somewhat unconventional method, at least by today’s norms. Instead […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Interview: Meet comedian Sophie Buddle, appearing March 29 at Lil Rhody Laugh Riot in Providence
Rising comedy star Sophie Buddle is headed to The Vets in Providence this weekend as part of the inaugural Lil Rhody Laugh Riot, a four-day comedy festival taking over the capital city. The Ottawa native, who made her comedy debut at age 15, is widely known for her 2019 album A Lil Bit of Buddle, […]
Posted inNews
Women’s History Month: Rhode Island’s greatest female musicians
Female musicians from Rhode Island have been an integral part of the local and national music scene for over 100 years. For Women’s History Month this year, we’re highlighting a few locals who’ve stood out among their peers. For more, check out the videos below and visit the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame website […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Marc Cohn, playing Jane Pickens Friday, March 28
Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn certainly knows a little bit about life’s challenges. In 2005, while on tour in Denver, CO, he was shot in the head during an attempted carjacking, and in January, he announced that he has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2020. The singer is bringing his band to Newport on Friday, March 28, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Legendary singer-songwriter Janis Ian, on new film ‘Breaking Silence’
Singer-Songwriter Janis Ian helped pave the way for modern songwriters. Where would today’s confessional singers be without ballads like “At Seventeen,” not to mention the groundbreaking classic “Society’s Child?” A compelling new documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, directed by Varda Bar-Kar, opens at the Jane Pickens Film and Event Center on April 3. The film […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Music: We preview the statewide Spring concert scene
Better weather, longer days and longer nights mean music fans from around the region are awakening from their winter slumber. There’s lots going on at area concert venues – we’ve got all the highlights of the Spring Concert Season leading into early June at venues around the state. More concerts are expected to be added […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Interview: Meet ‘Secret Mall Apartment’ Director Jeremy Workman and artist Michael Townsend
“There’s art that you see and enjoy, art that entertains you, and then there’s art that impacts you, and that’s the kind of piece this was,” says Umberto Crenca, founder of AS220, in the film Secret Mall Apartment. “It had an impact that was emotional and psychological and is not easily described.” In October 2007, […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Rob Barraco of Dark Star Orchestra, band playing PPAC Wednesday, March 12
The Music Never Stopped … Deadheads and fellow travelers, get ready to party … Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra is coming to town. The band will play their 3224th show (yes, they keep track) and their first show ever at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 12 at 7:30. They surpassed […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Westerly’s United Theatre announces “Nashville North”
A new initiative at The United Theatre was announced with great fanfare on Wednesday, March 5th, at the recently renovated cultural center in downtown Westerly. A new program, Nashville North, is expected to create an exciting pipeline between Nashville, America’s Music City, and Westerly. The program is a partnership with two notable Nashville institutions, The […]
Posted inFood & Drink
RI Craft Brewery Week bringing exciting programming to local breweries March 7-16
As warmer weather approaches, thoughts turn to all things spring – green grass, fresh outdoor air, long walks on the beach, and relaxing at local craft breweries. Just in time, Rhode Island Craft Beer Week returns March 7-16 with exciting events, special releases, new merchandise, and, most importantly, great brews at over 35 RI-based craft […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Acclaimed Irish violinist Máiréad Nesbitt playing Jane Pickens March 9
As March arrives, all things Irish take over the city by the sea. One highlight of the St. Patrick’s Day season will undoubtedly be the concert by violinist Máiréad Nesbitt, who takes Jane Pickens Film and Event Center stage on Sunday, March 9. Click here for tickets. I caught up with the top-selling Grammy Award-nominated […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Comedian Paul Mecurio, bringing people together, one show at time
Comedian Paul Mecurio’s show Permission to Speak is all about bringing people together. In his one-man show, Mecurio brings audience members on stage for a conversation. The ensuing discussion explores themes that all audience members share—joy, pain, heartache, and the successes and struggles that make up the human experience. And while that’s happening, Mecurio find […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
As Real as it Gets – Jason Isbell provides a clinic in great songwriting in solo concert at PPAC
If you weren’t at the Providence Performing Arts Center last night, you missed one of the best shows of the year. Yup, already! On what felt like the coldest night of winter, the Alabama-born singer warmed hearts with a solo performance in a show that rivals anything I’ve seen in recent years. Isbell excels in […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Interview: Folk legend Tom Rush, playing the Narrows Center Saturday, February 22
Folk legend Tom Rush continues to forge ahead. The 84-year-old singer-songwriter, who got his start in 1961, will bring a catalog of songs and stories to the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, on Saturday, February 22. At an age when most folks are comfortably retired, Rush remains active, recording a new album […]