The Jamestown Arts Center’s latest exhibition, A Hard Rain’s-A Gonna Fall: An Intersection of Art and Science opens April 21. This exhibit brings together 11 artists from far reaches of the world – from Slovenia, Japan, Australia, to Norway, Brazil, and France – all presenting a common thread: each artist explores realms of post-ecological catastrophe […]
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 inNews
RIDOT to open new intersection on March 30 to reconnect Jt Connell Highway
On Thursday night, March 30, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will open a new intersection at the Pell Bridge Ramps Project that will reconnect two sections of JT Connell Highway that were bisected more than 50 years ago with the construction of the original ramp system. The new intersection is where JT Connell […]
Posted inThings To Do
The Elms and Green Animals Topiary Garden will open for the season in April
With the arrival of spring, The Preservation Society of Newport County is set to open two more of its best-loved properties. Beginning Saturday, April 1, The Elms will open daily for self-guided audio tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Built between 1899 and 1901 by architect Horace Trumbauer for coal magnate Edward Berwind, this […]
Posted inNews
Watershed Protectors announce Almy Pond Watershed Outreach Event
The Watershed Protectors, a group of local non-profits and residents, announce a free public event to discuss ways in which residents can help to improve the water quality in Almy Pond and other island waterbodies. The event will be held on April 10, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., at the Bazarsky Lecture Hall at Salve Regina […]
Posted inNews
West Place Animal Sanctuary seeking volunteers, student interns
Local nonprofit West Place Animal Sanctuary invites adults and students in high school or college to attend a Volunteer Open House on Sunday, April 2, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Guests will have opportunities to learn more about a variety of volunteer openings that support more than 70 farm animals rescued from cruelty, abuse, […]
Posted inSports
Kim English named Providence College Men’s Basketball Coach
Providence College today announced that they have found their next Men’s Basketball Coach. Providence College President Father Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P., and Athletics Director Steve Napolillo announced today the appointment of Kim English as the head men’s basketball coach at the College. English, who becomes the 16th head coach at Providence College, comes to PC […]
Posted inNews
Cities with the fastest growing home prices in Providence metro area
It goes without saying that the coronavirus pandemic sparked a wave of uncertainty across myriad industries, and no other market has quite felt its impact like that of real estate. The pandemic became a driving force behind the continued real estate boom, with high demand for vacation homes and a limited supply of housing that […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Gillette Stadium to host ten concerts in 2023
Gillette Stadium is gearing up for a record-breaking summer of music. Following the announcement that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are adding a second Gillette Stadium stop to their 2023 tour, the 2023 Gillette Stadium Concert Series presented by Dunkin’ will now feature a venue-record 10 total concerts, surpassing the previous mark of […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Jim Jefferies bringing ‘Give ‘Em What They Want Tour’ to The Vets
Australian comedian Jim Jefferies (Legit, FX; The Jim Jefferies Show, Comedy Central) brings his world-wide Give ‘Em What They Want Tour to The VETS in Providence August 26, 2023. Tickets are on sale Friday and can be purchased online at TheVetsRI.com or by calling 401-421-ARTS (2787). About Jim Jefferies This Sydney native is one of the most popular and respected comedians of his generation, entertaining audiences across […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Gamm Theatre announces its 2023-24 season
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) announced its 2023-2024 season comprising Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winners, landmarks of the American theater, and modern plays that have made waves in the theater world. Season 39 includes a 5-show subscription series beginning in September and concluding in May, as well as a limited run of the theater’s popular holiday show, It’s A Wonderful Life: […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council approves resolution establishing a policy on flags hanging at City Hall
The Newport City Council took a step forward on Wednesday night in ensuring they have a policy regarding what flags can and can’t be outside of Newport City Hall. After some brief discussion and comments from the public, Newport City Council unanimously passed the resolution that was before them titled- “Establishing a policy on flags […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council takes first step in extending paid parking season, meter hours
Big changes could be coming for the City of Newport’s paid parking season. During their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 22, Newport City Council received two communications from City Manager Joe Nicholson with several proposed changes to the paid parking season, meter changes, and parking at Easton’s Beach. City Manager Nicholson said during the […]
Posted inNews
Newport Jazz Festival announces 2023 lineup, tickets now on sale
The legendary Newport Jazz Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park in Newport this summer. One of America’s most important and enduring cultural institutions will return for its 69th Anniversary, where it will continue to hold space for the once-in-a-lifetime performances that only Newport’s unique alchemy of intimacy and artistic community can bring. This year’s event will […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center to celebrate National Poetry Month with free JAC OutLoud Poetry Reading on April 23
In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Jamestown Arts Center will host a free JAC OutLoud Poetry Reading on Sunday, April 23, at 3 pm. Four highly acclaimed, nationally-recognized poets will read from their selected works. An open discussion will follow. “Award-winning, published, renowned academics – these poets bring it all, from Chicago, New York, […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Free Range added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
The Newport Folk Festival today announced that Free Range, the project of Chicago-based musician Sofia Jensen, will be heading to Fort Adams State Park to perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival. Free Range will perform on Friday, July 28, 2023. On their behalf, Newport Festivals Foundation has made a grant to Afrorack, an audio arts organization […]
Posted inCity & Government
RITBA Customer Service Center will be open during the evening on March 23
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority customer service walk-in center will be open for special evening hours on Thursday, March 23rd, from 4 pm-7 pm. “We had a great response to our evening hours last week,” said Lori Caron Silveira, Executive Director of RITBA in a statement. “Customers appreciated the convenience of being able to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island bill proposes solar panels on new construction projects
Rhode Island Representative Jennifer Boylan has introduced a bill that could make solar panels a requirement for most new construction projects in the state. The initiative aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce the long-term costs of homeownership while contributing to environmental preservation and clean energy goals. The legislation, known as 2023-H 5851, directs the […]
Posted inBusiness
Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium offering $25,000 in scholarships
Middletown, Rhode Island-based Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) announced today that they will award up to $25,000 in scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year to undergraduate and/or graduate students pursuing degrees in STEM-related fields with a focus on undersea technology. Students will be awarded a scholarship of $5,000 by UTIC. STEM-related fields include engineering, computer […]
Posted inNews
11th Hour Racing: Vital buoy deployed in the remote Southern Ocean
With The Ocean Race fleet passing some of the most remote locations on earth – places seldom reached by scientific vessels – deploying these surface drifter buoys makes it possible to collect vital data where none has previously been directly measured. The data from these remote buoys is providing valuable insights for the scientific community. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to host a workshop on its Transportation Master Plan
The Newport City Council will host a workshop to discuss the Transportation Master Plan. The Transportation Master Plan gives a comprehensive view of all things transportation – from the impact of climate change, trucks, parking, safety, and more. The meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2023, at 5:30 pm. According to a meeting notice, the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Christmas in July in RI: Legislation introduced that would create an annual sales tax holiday
STATE HOUSE — Rep. Jon D. Brien (I-Dist. 49, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) has introduced legislation that would create an annual sales tax holiday. Touted as “Christmas in July in RI,” the legislation (2023-H 5805) would create a sales and use tax holiday for the second Saturday and Sunday in July annually, exempting items below $2,500 […]
Posted inSports
URI to host Adjutant General’s Cup Hockey Tournament at Boss Arena
This year when the Rhode Island Army National Guard faces off against the Rhode Island Air National Guard in the Adjutant General’s Cup Hockey Tournament, the University of Rhode Island will be well-represented. The tournament, which will be held Friday, March 31, at URI’s Boss Ice Arena, will benefit the Providence Vet Center. The vet center, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical’ will open tour at PPAC in 2024
Today, producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio announced that a multi-year North American Tour of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL will conduct technical rehearsals and launch at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence in the Fall of 2024. The tour will then play more than 25 cities in its first year, including stops […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sen. Ujifusa introduces
Sen. Ujifusa introduces
bills to lower prescription drug costs
Sen. Linda Ujifusa, a member of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, is taking aim at the high cost of prescription drugs with two bills that protect Rhode Island patients and taxpayers from the harmful activities of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), private corporations that work on behalf of insurers and make enormous revenues in […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band add a second Gillette Stadium Show
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have added two new North American dates to their 2023 international tour, announcing a long-awaited return to San Diego on December 2 at Pechanga Arena, plus a second night at Foxborough, Massachusetts’ Gillette Stadium on August 26 due to overwhelming demand. Near-immediate sell-outs have seen Springsteen and The […]