Gallery Sitka’s latest exhibition, “Movement + Color” opens with a reception on Saturday, September 23, from 2-4 pm at Gallery Sitka on the corner of Spring and Franklin Streets. “Movement + Color” is by Bristol, RI-based artist, Kate Huntington. Kate shares, “In this exhibit, I’ll share a variety of paintings – both seascapes and figures. Many people will be able to pick […]
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).
He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.
Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.
In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.
In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.
Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inArts & Culture
Salem witch stories take center stage as Trinity Rep opens 60th Anniversary season
Trinity Repertory Company opens its 60th Anniversary Season with two plays performed in rotating repertory, both dark dramedies with thematic ties to gender, power, and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. The Good John Proctor by Talene Monahon, directed by Kimberly Senior, will play September 7 — 15 before taking a brief pause for Becky Nurse of Salem by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Curt Columbus, which begins its run on September 21. Starting September 28, both plays will run […]
Posted inNews
MBTA Commuter Rail and Keolis to run special event train service to New England Patriots home games all season long
The MBTA Commuter Rail and Keolis will be providing round-trip, special event train service from Boston and Providence to New England Patriots home games all season long. Round-trip, special event train tickets to Patriots games are just $10 this season and are on sale now for the Sept. 10 home opener exclusively via the mTicket […]
Posted inCity & Government
$300,000 in federal funding to support Community MusicWorks and the Newport String Project
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today joined students and representatives of Community MusicWorks and the Newport String Project to celebrate $300,000 in federal funding to support and expand music education and mentoring services for students from urban communities in Rhode Island. After announcing the funding, the Senator met with students in the program and listened to performances from […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Reed & CODAC Newport raise public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pills
To help warn Rhode Islanders about the increasing dangers of fentanyl-laced counterfeit drugs, and how they can access information needed to spot and avoid these lethal substances, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is joining with CODAC Behavioral Healthcare on Tuesday, August 29 at 12 noon at CODAC Newport to help amplify the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) One Pill […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical to host free community concerts at Great Friends Meeting House and Newport Craft Brewing
Continuing its commitment to ongoing year-round programming, Newport Classical presents two fall Community Concerts featuring Sybarite5 on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 2:30pm at Great Friends Meeting House (21 Farewell Street) and Kinan Azmeh’s CityBand on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 2:30pm at Newport Craft Brewing (293 JT Connell Highway). Audiences can look forward to casual, engaging, and welcoming concerts right in their own Newport neighborhoods. The performances are free and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News, Things To Do
What’s Up Today: Tuesday, August 29
Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, August 29, 2023. ⚓ On this day in 1778, the First Rhode Island Infantry regiment defeated three assaults by British Troops at the Battle of Rhode Island. The First Rhode Island Infantry regiment was the first all-black unit in the United States. ⚓ At 10:30 am today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse […]
Posted inReal Estate
Waterfront Block Island cottage sells for $3.3 million
Lila Delman Compass today announced the sale of 288 Spring Street on Block Island for $3,300,000. Rosemary Tobin & Emma Andy, Sales Associates of Lila Delman Compass’ Block Island Office, represented the Seller, according to Lila Delman Compass. Rosemary Tobin also facilitated for the Buyer in this transaction. Situated on nearly four waterfront acres, this […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator DiPalma honored with Tides Family Services ‘Humanitarian Award’
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) has been honored by Tides Family Services with the group’s “Humanitarian Award” at its 40th Anniversary Gala held on August 25 in North Kingstown. “I am very grateful for this recognition, but more so for the invaluable services provided by the dedicated […]
Posted inReal Estate
Waterfront home in South Kingstown sells for $2.8 million
Lila Delman Compass today announced the sale of 591 Camp Fuller Road in South Kingstown for $2,800,000. Debbie Wilson, Sales Associate of Lila Delman Compass’ Narragansett Office, represented the Seller in this transaction. This transaction marks the highest sale in South Kingstown in 2023.* Sited on over 2 acres, the waterfront home features 4 bedrooms, […]
Posted inNews
Meet Bruno, a stunning boy, with floofy fur to pet, and lots of kisses to give
Meet your new best friend, Bruno – this week’s adoptable dog of the week! Bruno is a three-year-old male, available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown. “Bruno is a stunning boy, with floofy fur to pet, and lots of kisses to give,” Potter League for Animals shares on their website. “He’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Portsmouth Historical Society to host Family Fun Day on Sept. 10
The Portsmouth Historical Society will sponsor a Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 10th, from 2 to 4:00 PM at the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum, which is located at 870 East Main Rd in Portsmouth. This free event will include a living history display with prizes in the Society’s 1725 “Southernmost” Schoolhouse and colonial games. […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Today: Monday, August 28
Good Morning! Today is Monday, August 28. 🎥 On this day in 1987, film director, screenwriter, and actor John Huston died in Middletown, from pneumonia as a complication of lung disease. Huston was in Rhode Island and rented a home in Middletown for his work as producer and co-writer of Mr. North (1998), the last film he would ever […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter: Just build the school
I graduated from Rogers High School in 1992, following in the footsteps of my dad and many of our family members before us. My siblings and their children also went to and graduated from Rogers, so I come from a family of proud Rogers Vikings. I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Rogers […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up Today: Sunday, August 27
Good Morning! Today is Sunday, August 27 ⛳ On this day in 1995, 19-year-old Tiger Woods won the U.S. Amateur Championship at Newport County Club. 🎇 Naval Station Newport hosted its annual Salute to Summer concert and fireworks event yesterday! Here’s some video of the fireworks display. author Naval Station Newport on Instagram AUGUST 27, 2023 ⚾ […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Road Report: August 26 – September 2
Here are the weekly road construction reports from the Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RITBA) and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). All schedules are weather dependent. Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority August 27 – September 2, 2023 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeWestbound Right Lane Closure- 8/28 to 9/1- 6 am to 2 pm Jamestown […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Saturday, August 26
Good Morning! Today is Saturday, August 26, 2023. 🎇 Naval Station Newport will host its annual Salute to Summer concert and fireworks event today! The free, public event will feature performances by local bands and Navy Band Northeast. There will be activities for children and food vendors on site for the purchase of snacks, meals, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation announces 17th Annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award honorees
The Newport Restoration Foundation is announcing the recipients of its annual Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards for their exemplary projects of historic preservation in Newport. The 2023 awards also seek to highlight innovative approaches to preservation, including new technologies, materials/products, creative adaptive reuse, and excellence in practice, climate change adaptations, and similarly progressive concepts. The […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
RI VegFest’s ‘RI Vegtoberfest’ returns to Trinity Beer Garden on Sept. 23
RI VegFest, Rhode Island’s only fully vegan festival, will again host their annual “RI Vegtoberfest” at Trinity Beer Garden, located at Biltmore Park in downtown Providence, on Saturday, September 23, 2023 (rain date is September 24th). This fun, one-day celebration of compassionate plant-based living is proudly sponsored by Bootstrap Compost, World Centric, and Sam’s Solutions, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOT provides an update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project
The Rhode Island Department of Transporation today provided the following update on the Pell Bridge Ramps Phase 2 project. Pavement removal along the south side of Admiral Kalbfus Road will finish followed by drainage and electrical work. Commuters for the Navy base can also utilize the JT Connell roadway south of the roundabout and the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Irish Traditional Music & Dance concert coming to King Park on Sept. 2
The 5th annual Irish Traditional Music & Dance concert at King Park, Newport presents national artist Kevin Doyle’s Roscommon Soles on Saturday, September 2nd from 3-6 PM. Doyle, a winner of the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship in Irish Dance, awes audiences with his rare gifts of high-stepping folk dance, bodhran drum rhythms, […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Today: Friday, August 25
Good Morning! Today is Friday, August 25, 2023. 🎬 Van Johnson, a popular Hollywood star in the ’40s and ’50s with such films as “30 Seconds over Tokyo,” “A Guy Named Joe” and “The Caine Mutiny,” was born in Newport on this day in 1916. ❤️ Newport’s Harbormaster’s Building at Perrotti Park is being named […]
Posted inCity & Government
$400,000 in grants awarded to help Rhode Island farmers expand market access for specialty crops
Governor Dan McKee and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today are announcing that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded through DEM $137,983 in mini grants to Rhode Island farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and over $270,000 to DEM through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to help Rhode Island […]
Posted inNews
Moira Rose is looking for a home where she can receive the love and attention she deserves
Meet your new best friend, Moira Rose – this week’s adoptable cat of the week! Available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Moira Rose is a 15-year-old female Domestic Shorthair. “Does Moira Rose’s name and stunning profile photo bring to mind visions of a former soap opera star in a sleek […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: August 24 – 27
Here’s a look at what’s happening this week and weekend; enjoy! Cruise Ships Here’s what’s coming up on the cruise ship schedule; Thursday, August 24: American Star Friday, August 25: American Eagle Tuesday, August 29: American Constitution Thursday, August 31: American Star Thursday, August 31: Caribbean Princess Thursday, August 24 Things To Do 8:30 am to […]