The Newport Music Festival announces today that it has changed its name to Newport Classical, saying in a press release that it better reflects the organization!s 53-year history of embracing the timelessness of classical music as well as its current mission of looking toward the future and celebrating the diversity of expression within the artform […]
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 inObituaries
Obituary: Carson W. Awe
Carson Awe, age 71, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away unexpectedly on October 5, 2021. Carson was born in Queens, NY to Walter and Hattie Awe. Carson was married to Tina McGuinness. Carson has certainly led an interesting life. He joined the Army at 18, Airborne, DOD, Specialist, Honorably discharged. After his time in the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Island Moving Company opens its 40th Anniversary Season with ‘La Palomba/Ascending’ this weekend
Island Moving Company, (IMC) Newport’s classically trained, contemporary ballet company, announces this week that it will open its 40th Anniversary Season with La Palomba / Ascending on Friday, October 8th at 7:00 pm. The performance will take place on an outdoor stage at the Great Friend Meeting House in Newport at 7 pm on October […]
Posted inThings To Do
Amica Newport Marathon & Half Marathon returns on Sunday
Runners from across the country and around the globe will be in town this weekend to compete in the annual Amica Insurance Newport Marathon and Half Marathon. The event is produced by Gray Matter Marketing. Photo credit Clancy Creative/Newport Marathon On Sunday, October 10th, both races will start at 7:30 AM. The course starts at Easton’s Beach, heading up Memorial […]
Posted inThings To Do
Trinity Church’s 13th annual Pumpkin Patch returns October 16 – 31
Trinity Church‘s Annual Pumpkin Patch will open their 13th Annual Pumpkin Patch to the public on Saturday, October 16. This year’s pumpkin patch will be open daily outdoors on the lawn of Trinity Church from 12 pm to 6 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5 pm on weekends through Sunday, October 31. On opening day, […]
Posted inJobs
CCRI partners with Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island and USMRC to offer free maritime career training
CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships, in partnership with the Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island and the United States Maritime Resource Center (USMRC), is now accepting applications for its 20-day FREE training program that looks to provide basic marine manufacturing experience and help students find career opportunities in both afloat and ashore career tracks. Hands-on training will […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: October 7 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. This story may be updated as we learn about additional events or listings. Have an event you’d like to see added to this list or a future list? Add it to our event calendar. Note: An event or performance may change at […]
Posted inNews
MVYRADIO awards first ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants
MVYRADIO announced this week that it has awarded the first round of quarterly ‘Business Diversity Initiative’ grants.This first round of grantees includes Tap Tastings, Al Fresco Tails Pet Sittings, and The Monarch Studio. Tap Tastings Craft Brew Excursions & More: A woman, veteran and LGBTQIA+ owned business, offering private excursions to local (Cape Cod area) […]
Posted inNews
Traffic pattern changes at Newport Rotary begin this week
Starting tonight, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will make a change to traffic patterns at the Newport Rotary (the intersection of JT Connell Highway and Admiral Kalbfus Road). Traffic will shift inward on the traffic circle, but all lanes will remain open. Work on the rotary is one of the initial tasks of […]
Posted inNews
East Bay Community Action receives $616,578 from the American Rescue Plan to make capital improvements
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that eight community health centers have received a total of more than $6.1 million from the American Rescue Plan to make capital improvements aimed at better serving Rhode Island patients. Newport-based East Bay Community Action is among the health […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Agenda for Newport City Council’s meeting on October 13 is here
The following items of business, filed with the Newport City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will go before Newport City Council at their next meeting, which is to be held on October 13, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR (THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS APPROVED […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Paula A. Deacon
via O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home Paula A. Deacon passed away at Newport Hospital on October 1, 2021. She was a resident of the Heatherwood Nursing Home in Newport, RI and previously the Anita Jackson House in Middletown, RI. Born in Newport on May 15, 1953, she was raised in Middletown and graduated from Middletown High […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: John T. Harrington
via O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home John T. Harrington, age 72 of Newport, RI passed away peacefully on September 21, 2021, in Newport Hospital surrounded by loved ones. John was born to John “Specks” and Doris (Holman) Harrington in Newport on May 7, 1949. He was a graduate of Rogers High School and attended Roger Williams […]
Posted inBusiness, Things To Do
Innovate Newport to host a Startup Showcase & Quick Pitch event
Innovate Newport today announced that it will host a Startup Showcase & Quick Pitch on Friday, October 22, as part of Rhode Island’s first-ever “RI Startup Week” organized by RIHub, an innovation campus and accelerator that supports entrepreneurs throughout the state. The Startup Showcase will be a traditional exhibition featuring about 15 startup companies throughout […]
Posted inThings To Do
Preservation Society to host a Scavenger Hunt and Trick or Treat event at The Breakers
The Preservation Society of Newport County will host a Scavenger Hunt and Trick or Treat event at The Breakers on Friday, October 29, with separate timed entries at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Families are invited to come in costume to walk through the house, look for Halloween-themed items and receive treats from costumed Preservation […]
Posted inNews
Castle Hill Inn voted #1 hotel in the Northeast by Conde Nast Traveler readers
Newport’s Castle Hill Inn has been named the #1 hotel in the Northeast by Conde Nast Traveler’s 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards! The hotel is acknowledged with a total score of 99.06. “We are honored and humbled to receive this distinction from Condé Nast Traveler magazine,” stated Brian Young, Managing Director at Castle Hill Inn. “This is the direct result of the high levels of personalized service […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator DiPalma recognized by the Rhode Island United Nurses & Allied Professionals with an award for labor advocacy
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) has been recognized by the Rhode Island United Nurses & Allied Professionals (UNAP) with the organization’s 2021 Torch Award for labor advocacy. “It is a true honor to be recognized by the amazing and dedicated healthcare workers of UNAP. The value and tremendous work […]
Posted inNews
Open road tolling lanes on Pell Bridge will be closed October 14 – 28
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that the open road tolling (ORT) lanes at the Claiborne Pell Bridge plaza will be closed October 14-28, 2021 to facilitate the transition to all-electronic tolling. The ORT lanes are the “free flow” traffic lanes equipped with an overhead gantry, located in the middle of […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: October 4 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. This story may be updated as we learn about additional events or listings. Have an event you’d like to see added to this list or a future list? Add it to our event calendar. Note: An event or performance may change at […]
Posted inNews
More than 30,000 daffodil bulbs will be given away on October 16
You’re invited to help add to the beauty of our communities. Newport in Bloom and Newport Daffodil Days this week announced that they will be distributing free “Dutch Master” daffodil bulbs on Saturday, October 16 from 9 am to 12 pm at Easton’s Beach Rotunda, until supplies last. Bulbs come 30 to a bag (a […]
Posted inNews
Sour Grapes – A Comic Strip by Tim Jones: October 5
Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes, enjoy! Join us next Tuesday for the next edition of Sour Grapes! About Tim Jones / Sour Grapes Tim Jones is the creator, artist and writer of the widely popular, self-syndicated comic strip, “SOUR GRAPES”; a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in […]
Posted inThings To Do
Rogue Island Comedy Festival returns this weekend
The Rogue Island Comedy Festival returns this weekend with ten festival shows at unique venues in and around Newport. [What’s Up This Weekend: October 7 – 11] The festival lineup includes headliners Eddie Pepitone (Comedy Central, Bob’s Burgers, Conan, Chappelle Show), Mark Normand (Netflix, Tonight Show, Joe Rogan Experience), Kerry Coddett (Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, Showtime), […]
Posted inCity & Government
Commission studying the reorganization of Coastal Resources Management Council will meet on Wednesday in Newport
The special House commission to study the Coastal Resources Management Council will meet Wednesday in Newport. The commission is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. at Seaman’s Church Institute, 18 Market Square, Newport. The commission’s agenda for the meeting includes a presentation by Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) Executive Director Jeffrey Willis and […]
Posted inNews
Save on winter travel to Stowe during Vail Resorts’ Winter Getaway Sale
Vail Resorts today announces its Winter Getaway Sale, offering travelers lodging rates as low as $99 per night for bookings made Monday, Oct. 11 through Thursday, Oct. 14. Vail Resorts’ Winter Getaway Sale invites guests to book their winter vacation in advance to take advantage of discounted lodging rates throughout the entire ski and ride […]
Posted inNews
Butts Hill Fort is coming into view
Butts Hill Fort is coming into view. After two days of mechanical clearing in August, 34 volunteers, aged 10 to 87, brought yard tools, chain saws, brush hogs, and enthusiasm to the historic Fort on Sunday, September 12. In four hours of work, they made good progress, particularly around the entrance and inside the Fort. […]