The first significant winter storm of the season is expected to begin impacting the region late Thursday night. Snow is predicted to accumulate 5-8 inches for most of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts before the storm pulls away Friday afternoon. Smaller amounts are expected on the Outer Cape and Islands. Expect widespread cancellations and a […]
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 inWeather
Weather Alert: Winter Storm Watch in effect for all of Rhode Island – Storm expected late Thursday into Friday
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all of Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts for a storm beginning late Thursday night. The storm is expected to impact the Friday morning commute with heavy snow falling at a rate of one inch per hour. Snow is predicted to accumulate 4-6 inches for most of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Providence Restaurant Weeks returning January 9-24
Foodie alert! “Providence Restaurant Weeks” is returning Sunday, January 9. The event takes place over a two-week period from January 9-24, and includes all kinds of specials on the menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Several restaurants are serving up signature cocktails, family-sized entrees, specialty products, and more. And it’s not just Providence restaurants who […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens to screen James Bond favorites in January
If you like your martini’s shaken, not stirred, your time is now.Get your Bond on for a James Bond movie celebration this month at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport. In addition to screening first-run movies like Belfast and The French Dispatch this month, Pickens is presenting a series of classic James Bond films in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live Jazz slowly returning to the region
Along with mansions, sailing, and folk music, Newport, RI is synonymous with jazz. Although the jazz scene certainly peaks in late July/early August with the Newport Jazz Festival, you can hear top-shelf jazz year-round at several local venues. Of course, things are still somewhat tentative due to Covid, with some gigs coming and going and […]
Posted inNews
“Six Picks” Music – New Years Eve Edition
New Year’s Eve festivities are on this year, featuring top local bands and … state-mandated vax and mask requirements. Please stay safe and follow all venue policies. Happy New Year! Celebrate New Year’s Eve pandemic style in an igloo at Gurney’s Newport with food, drink, and DJ sets way past midnight. Details here. The Rooftop […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up at the Movies: We review “Don’t Look Up,” “Hawkeye” and “Being the Ricardos”
Don’t Look Up – Streaming on Netflix ★★★★ “It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.” Feel great actually, if the spin doctors in Don’t Look Up get their way. (Lyrics courtesy of REM) One of the better moments in the new Netflix film “Don’t Look Up” comes when […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Top 10 in 2021: Best Concert Photos from What’s Up Newp’s Rick Farrell
2021 started off slowly for local music fans, with smaller concerts held in the Spring, and large-scale shows returning by mid-summer. The return of Folk and Jazz to Fort Adams in July signaled live music was back, with Covid restrictions in place of course. We were there all year covering more live music than any […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music Critic Ken Abrams Top All-Time Christmas Songs and Spotify Playlist
Tis the Season! Here’s my updated Top 10 all-time favorite Christmas (and a couple of Hanukkah) songs with another dozen or so Honorable Mentions. Please enjoy my “Free Form Christmas” Spotify playlist below as well. Its got eclectic sounds from Motown to Country, Jazz to Rock and Roll. Happy Holidays! Here’s the Playlist: Check out […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Brewery of the Month – We visit Rejects in Middletown
Rejects Beer opened up exactly one year ago as the pandemic was raging … a practice that is becoming increasingly familiar for new businesses. A year and a couple of visits later, we can confirm that Rejects is here to stay, a welcome addition to the local brewery scene. Rejects is located next door to […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Style & Shop
“Six Picks” Gifts: Shop local for last-minute gifts
Last-minute shopping got ya down? Never fear – we’ve got a few favorites with fun gift ideas who are open through Christmas Eve. Here’s your chance to shop local! Newport Music opened this summer at 142 Bellevue Ave at the intersection with Memorial Drive. The store is well stocked for the holidays with gifts ranging […]
Posted inNews
Jay Leno warms up the crowd at Firehouse Theater
Legendary comedian Jay Leno brought his “A Game” to Newport’s Firehouse Theater Sunday night December 19th, in the first show of a five-night residency. The part-time Newporter performed new material in front of a friendly crowd at the Theater where he had previously made a surprise appearance in late November. Best known as the host […]
Posted inNews
Concert Recap and Photos: GA-20 leads the way at The Met
Thursday, December 16 brought a great night of music to The Met in Pawtucket for three bands at the top of their game. Chicago blues influenced GA-20 headlined the show which included Brooklyn’s The National Reserve and local favorites Smith and Weeden. GA-20 is currently on a national tour and riding high on their 2021 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The best in local music this weekend – Guitar heroes, REO Speedwagon and Nellie McKay
A wide variety of live music awaits this weekend – get out and enjoy before the cold weather really sets in! Friday/Saturday: Local favorites rule this weekend at Pumphouse MusicWorks in Kingston. Check out various incarnations of the Neil Young cover band Forever Young with The Joint Chiefs, Dan Lilley and Amy Bedard, and John […]
Posted inThings To Do
KoRn coming to The Dunk – First concert in two years scheduled for March 16, 2022
Live music is returning to the Dunkin Donuts Center! Grammy-winning Nu-Metal pioneers KoRn will take the stage on March 16, 2022. Although “The Dunk” has been open for Providence Bruins and Providence College basketball, the show marks the first concert at the venue since the outbreak of COVID-19. Once a regular stop on national concert […]
Posted inThings To Do
Levitate Music & Arts Festival returning to Marshfield, MA in July 2022
MARSHFIELD, MA – Dec 14, 2021 – Levitate’s signature summertime celebration of music and art is back for its 9th annual celebration this July 8, 9 & 10 at the Marshfield Fairgrounds! The largest iteration yet of the beloved homegrown festival, Levitate will bring its signature blend of world-class artists and emerging local acts. This […]
Posted inThings To Do
Mohegan Sun adds to busy concert line-up – Shinedown, Papa Roach, Jake Owen and more coming in 2022
Mohegan Sun announced four new arena concerts coming in early 2022 yesterday. Tickets are on sale soon for these shows. Check the Mohegan Sun Arena website here for details. Chart-topping singer-songwriter Jake Owen brings his signature blend of traditional twang and chill-Country coastal flair to Mohegan Sun Arena at 7:30pm on Friday, February 11, 2022. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
WUN Interview: Matthew Stubbs of GA-20 playing The Met Thursday, Dec. 16
Ready for an old-fashioned Chicago blues show? Boston-born (and now Providence residing) GA-20, named after a revered Gibson guitar amp, are headed to The Met in Pawtucket Thursday, December 16 on a New England swing of their national tour. Even better, opening the show are local favorites National Reserve and Smith & Weeden. (Tickets available […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
WUN Interview: Lindsey Stirling, playing PPAC Tuesday, Dec. 14
One of the 21st century’s most innovative performers is playing the Providence Performing Arts Center Tuesday, December 14. Lindsey Stirling is a multi-faceted entertainer, who blends her robust violin with dance, acrobatics, and spectacle in her shows. Stirling came to the forefront of American music when she made her debut on “America’s Got Talent” […]
Posted inNews
RI Author Expo to be held Saturday, Dec. 11
Looking for a unique present for the holidays? Then check out the Rhode Island Authors Expo Saturday, which is returning to Warwick this year in person. The event is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom from 9AM – 3PM, and features mainly local authors in fields from fiction to comedy, history to cooking, and […]
Posted inNews
Six Picks: The best in live music this weekend – Newport Strings, Miss Tess, and the Beatles at Christmas
Another beautiful weekend means lots of live music filling fancy halls and dive bars around the state. Our musical focus this weekend is on that vague genre known as Americana – a happy place where rock, blues, country, and folk meet. A few “Picks” below. Friday: We Banjo 3 is a “newgrass” band with members […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ticket Giveaway: Comedy Night at Rejects Beer Friday, December 10
You’ll be rolling kegs in the aisles Friday night December 10 when a comedy show featuring several area favorites barrels into Rejects Brewery. And thanks to the rejects at Rejects, we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to the show. (We know, poor attempt at humor, we apologize – love you Rejects!) The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: Hubby Jenkins at Common Fence Music
Common Fence Point Community Arts Center was the scene of a special show Saturday, December 4 with roots musician Hubby Jenkins. The show was part of the Common Fence Music series, which brings folk, roots, and Americana artists to Newport County. Jenkins was an integral part of the award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops and plays in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The best in live music this weekend: Hubby, Hiss, and Ladies of Folk
Another fine weekend to support live local music! Check some of our favorites below. Saturday: Roots musician Hubby Jenkins plays Common Fence Music in Portsmouth Saturday night at 8PM. You’ll hear some great strumming and get a lesson in country blues. Read our full interview with Jenkins here. Details on the CFM show here. Saturday: […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up in Theater: We review PPAC’s “HAMILTON”
“Look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now.” Inspiring sentiments from Eliza Hamilton (Stephanie Jae Park), Alexander’s wife in “Hamilton,” the musical. In times of trouble and near defeat, hope and optimism endure. Sound familiar? The blockbuster of the last decade is back … “Hamilton” has made its triumphant […]