Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) is now accepting applications for grants from the Merritt Neighborhood Fund, an endowed fund which seeks to support the preservation of small parks, community gardens, and other natural spaces on Aquidneck Island. Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the organization’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects that […]
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 inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Mark Erelli to perform at Jamestown Arts Center on March 23
On Thursday, March 23, at 7 pm, the Jamestown Arts Center will host the Newport Live event: Mark Erelli’s concert and record release party, with opener, Americana singer/songwriter, Jobi Riccio. “Newport Live’s summer concert with Mark Erelli was sold out and was met with such enthusiasm that we had to bring him back. We recommend […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Nanna added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
Newport Folk Festival today announced that Nanna has joined its 2023 festival lineup. Nanna is scheduled to perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Nanna Hilmarsdóttir is an Icelandic singer-songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the indie folk-pop band Of Monsters and Men. Born on May 6, […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: March 2 – 5
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend, Thursday, March 2, through Sunday, March 5. Thursday, March 2 Things To Do Newport Irish Heritage Month 5:30 pm: Outsider Art: Harnessing Color – Panel Discussion at Jamestown Arts Center 6 pm: Gilded Age Orchestra of Newport 6 pm: The Cocktail […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s On The Agenda: Newport City Council Meeting on March 8
Newport City Council will host its next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 8 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall. The meeting is open to the public. Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda; CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 8, 2023 The following […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council is inviting all to a reception for Sister City Delegation from Kinsale
Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong and the Newport City Council are inviting the public to join them at a reception on Thursday, March 9th from 6:30-7:30 pm at The Edward King House to welcome members of a delegation visiting from Newport’s Sister City of Kinsale, Ireland. Light refreshments will be served, and all are encouraged to join in as the […]
Posted inNews
RI Foundation offering $10,000 grants for projects that bring the community together
The Rhode Island Foundation is offering local libraries, neighborhood groups and nonprofit organizations grants of up to $10,000 to fund proposals that bring people together as a community. March 15 is the deadline to apply. “We are looking for ideas that will enhance the quality of life, build relationships and improve community connections. Our goal […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sen. Euer, Rep. Felix bill would extend foreclosure protection for homeowners
Sen. Dawn Euer and Rep. Leonela Felix have introduced legislation to protect homeowners by preserving the state’s foreclosure mediation statute established by the 2013 Foreclosure Mediation Act. “To a lender, a mortgage might just be a line on a spreadsheet. But to a homeowner, it’s so much more than that,” said Senator Euer (D-Dist. 13, […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade: Here’s what’s happening at bars and restaurants
The 67th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. The Parade will begin promptly at 11:00 am in front of Newport City Hall and will proceed to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church. The parade this year is estimated to last 2 hours and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County is now accepting applications for the Tinney Scholarship
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County (“ACA”) is accepting applications for the Tinny Family Art Scholarship, a $2,000 award given each May to a high school senior who lives in Newport County and who has demonstrated artistic talent and the ambition to strive for excellence. All areas of the arts will be considered, […]
Posted inBusiness
Sanders schedules vote to force Starbucks CEO to testify
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer Sen. Bernie Sanders is raising the stakes in his effort to get Starbucks’ interim CEO Howard Schultz to testify at a Senate hearing about an ongoing unionization effort at the company. Sanders, a Vermont Independent and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said Wednesday that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
4Qs with Deanna J. Conheeny: President of the Board of Directors for the Museum of Newport Irish History on 46th Annual Newport Irish Heritage Month
March is Irish Heritage Month, and Newport is gearing up to celebrate its rich Irish heritage and culture. The Museum of Newport Irish History, a non-profit organization established in 1996, is leading the effort to compile and sponsor the March calendar of community-wide events on its website. In a recent interview with What’sUpNewp, Deanna J. […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Dog of the Week: Gideon
Meet your new best friend, Gideon, this week’s Adoptable Pet of the Week! Gideon, who is available for adoption now at the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, is a 10-year-old male mixed breed. Here’s what else the Potter League has to say about Gideon; Dobby the House Elf? Nope, it’s our very own elf, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Rhode Island PBS will host its ‘Uncorked! A Food & Wine Event’ at WaterFire Arts Center on April 21
Rhode Island PBS today announced that it will host its annual Uncorked! A Food & Wine Event on April 21, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence. Returning for its 23rd year, Uncorked! is the station’s largest fundraising event. Chef Ming Tsai, host of the PBS cooking show Simply Ming, will attend as the celebrity guest. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Volunteers needed for Newport’s July Secret Garden Tour
Imagine yourself sitting in a very stunning colorful garden with a variety of trees and flowers, the sun shining down, a cool breeze grazing your face, and the sound of birds happily chirping away. Sounds delightful, right? The Newport Secret Garden Tour is looking for volunteers for the upcoming July Tours which will take place […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport residents set to save on electric rates with community aggregation program
Newport residents can expect to save on their electricity bills beginning later this spring as the City of Newport readies to launch its energy aggregation program in May of 2023. The Program, dubbed Newport Community Electricity, was approved by the City Council in December of 2021 as part of an effort to provide new, competitively […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Kingston Chamber Music Festival to present ‘Bridge, Brahms and Beyond’ at Jamestown Arts Center
Two award-winning classical musicians will present a seldom-performed repertoire for viola and piano in “Bridge, Brahms and Beyond” presented by the Kingston Chamber Music Festival on Friday, March 17, 7-9 pm at the Jamestown Arts Center. Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt and Natalie Zhu will perform a “kaleidoscope of sound” through dynamic pieces curated to highlight […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Bartees Strange will perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival
Newport Folk Festival today announced that Bartees Strange has joined its 2023 festival lineup. Peck is scheduled to perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Bartees Strange is a rising musician and songwriter hailing from Mustang, Oklahoma, who has been making waves in the music industry with his unique blend of […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Here’s how much snow has fallen across Rhode Island: Feb. 27 – 28
The National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA released a public statement regarding the latest snowfall reports. The statement was issued on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 4:34 pm. According to the report, Rhode Island has seen varying amounts of snowfall in different state regions. Public Information Statement National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 434 PM EST Tue […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Cortvriend bill would create a path for intellectually disabled to experience college
Rep. Terri Cortvriend has introduced legislation that would provide inclusive opportunities at state colleges for young people with intellectual disabilities or autism. The bill, which is modeled after a law enacted in neighboring Massachusetts in 2022, would allow students with intellectual disabilities age 18 to 22 — who are currently allowed to remain in high […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA to detour four routes due to winter storm
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced that four routes are on detour today, Tuesday, February 28, 2023 due to winter weather conditions. Routes 13, 14, 27, and 64 are currently on detour. Riders may expect some delays on all routes due to weather conditions and are advised to use extreme caution at bus stops due to decreased visibility and […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 7 pm; an additional 1 – 3″ of snow possible
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for several parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The advisory warns of snowfall and high winds that could make travel conditions dangerous, particularly during the morning and evening commutes. According to the advisory, the affected areas include Central Middlesex, Western and Eastern Essex, Western Norfolk, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Irish Heritage Month will once again celebrate ‘All Things Irish’ throughout March
The 46th Annual Newport Irish Heritage Month is just around the corner, and the excitement is building in Newport. Throughout March, a wide variety of events will be taking place to celebrate Irish heritage, culture, and history, thanks to the efforts of local organizations such as the Museum of Newport Irish History, the Ancient Order […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport issues parking ban ahead of Winter Storm
The City of Newport has issued a mandatory Parking Ban from 11 pm on Monday, February 27, through 12 pm on Tuesday, February 28, due to impending winter weather. To help facilitate the City’s snow removal efforts, Newport residents are being urged to take advantage of free parking at the Gateway Center, Mary Street, and Easton’s Beach parking lots […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Dave Rosenberg reflects on the 35th Annual Newport Winter Festival
The Newport Winter Festival celebrated its 35th annual event from February 17 to 26, 2023, and Dave Rosenberg, Director of the Newport Winter Festival, was thrilled with the outcome. Fresh off the end of the festival, What’sUpNewp caught up with Rosenberg today for our “4Qs with” series. In the interview, Rosenberg reflected on this year’s […]