A fundraiser has been planned for November 16th at Brick Alley Pub to help support Carol Perry. Perry was recently diagnosed with Vasculitus, a crippling autoimmune disease, according to event organizers. Event Details Know of a neighbor in need? Email details, information, and/or contact to Ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
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
Neighbor In Need: Fundraiser planned for Carrigan Nelson
Friends, family, and loved ones are planning a fundraiser this month to raise money for Carrigan Nelson of Portsmouth. Funds will help pay for coasts associated with her medical care in her fight against Osteosarcoma – a rare bone cancer. Event Details Care For Carrigan sponsored by Tiverton & Portsmouth Rotary Club will take place […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
newportFILM will host a Documentary Cinematography Retreat in Newport
newportFILM announced today a new program to provide support and mentorship to documentary cinematographers. The newportFILM lab, developed in consultation with Sean Flynn, Co-Founder and Program Director at Points North Institute, will host seven emerging filmmakers for a weekend long retreat October 18th – 20th offering master classes on cinematography. Shana Hagan (Director of Photography, The Kingmaker, Generation […]
Posted inCity & Government
Poll: Do you support or oppose the proposed six-month moratorium for the Mixed-Use Innovation district?
On Wednesday, October 9th, Newport City Council will vote on a Second Reading that would amend Chapter 14.04 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Comprehensive Land Use Plan”, to add a new section 14.04.020 entitled, “Moratorium”. Passage by the majority of the council on this ordinance change would impose a moratorium on decision relating to the […]
Posted inNews
Harvest Fair raises $104,000 for Norman Bird Sanctuary
Norman Bird Sanctuary announced this evening that they welcomed thousands of community members to the 45th annual Harvest Fair on Saturday and Sunday October 5th & 6th. “We are delighted to report that the Harvest Fair raised a record-breaking $104,000,” said Norman Bird Sanctuary Executive Director Kaity Ryan in a press release. “These funds provide […]
Posted inThings To Do
Spooky things to do in and around Newport this October
As the middle of October approaches in Newport a spooky wind sweeps in and strange things begin to go bump in the night. Here’s all that’s happening in and around Newport in October that is spooky, frightful, terror-filled and spooktacular… 1 – Olde Town Ghost Walk Tours depart nightly thru Halloween at 8 p.m Ghost Ships, […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, Things To Do
Podcast: A conversation with Doug Key, Founder of Rogue Island Comedy Festival
More than seventy comedians are headed to Newport this week to participate in Rhode Island’s only stand-up comedy festival. They are all heading for the City-By-The-Sea to participate in the 5th Annual Rogue Island Comedy Festival. Frank Prosnitz from the What’sUpNewp Crew caught up with Doug Key, Founder of the festival, this week to chat […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport PD: Street Fair will close Broadway to all motor vehicle traffic for most of the day on Saturday
The Newport Police Department has issued the following press release regarding traffic impact for Broadway on Saturday, October 12th. On Saturday, October 12, 2019. The Annual Broadway Street Fair will take place. Broadway will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic between Gould Street and Farewell Street, and all of Washington Square, beginning at 8:00 […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport International Boat Show: ‘Excellent turnout’ for 2019 show
Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, announced today that, even with site changes and construction, the 2019 Show ended on a positive note.“Ticket sales were on par with last year, which was a banner year at NIBS,” said Nancy Piffard, show director, Newport Exhibition Group in a prepared statement. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Trinity Church’s annual Pumpkin Patch returns October 18th – 31st
Trinity Church‘s Annual Pumpkin Patch will open their 11th Annual Pumpkin Patch to the public on Friday, October 18th. This year’s pumpkin patch will be open from October 18th – 31st, hours will be 12 pm to 6 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 6 pm on weekends Visitors are invited to stop by the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Art Museum invites public to join them for an ‘Art Excursion’ to Trost Richards Exhibition at Boston College
The Newport Art Museum will host a Museum Art Excursion to Boston, MA on Sunday, November 10, 2019. Guests will depart the Newport Art Museum on a coach bus at 8:30 am to visit the McMullen Museum of Art at Boston College as well as the Harvard Art Museums and return at approximately 6 pm. Tickets are $150, or $130 for Newport Art Museum […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Wesley W. Stinson
The Rev. Wesley W. Stinson, 91, passed away on July 4th, at the John Clarke Nursing Center in Middletown, R.I. Born in Millville, MA. he was the youngest of four sons. He grew up in Uxbridge, MA. and was a graduate of Uxbridge HS, Eastern Nazarene College and Boston University School of Theology. Wesley is […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Robert A. Silvia
Robert A. Silvia, Sr., age 76, of Troy, Maine, formerly of Middletown, RI, passed away on October 5, 2019, in Maine. Robert was born in Newport, RI to the late Christopher C. Silvia and Doris (Tobin) Silvia. As a young man he helped on the family farm in Middletown as well as with his father’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Food & Drink, Things To Do
What’s Up This Week: 50+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this week and weekend, enjoy! Monday, October 7th Things To Do 7 am – YMCA Charity Golf Tournament at Alpine Country Club11 am – Busking at Bowen’s Fall Series3 pm – Make-It, Take-It Crafts at Middletown Public Library4:30 pm & 7:30 pm – Downton Abbey at Jane Pickens […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Blues Inn becomes Paws on Pelham, grand opening celebration planned for October 26th
Landings Real Estate Group has announced the grand opening details for Paws on Pelham, “Aquidneck Island’s premiere dog friendly inn”. Paws on Pelham, the former Newport Blues Inn located at 96 Pelham Street, has undergone a complete renovation and will open its doors to guests and their dogs for the first time in October 2019. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fortress of Nightmares returns to Fort Adams this weekend
Fortress of Nightmares returns to Fort Adams this month for its fifteenth season with new adventures and attractions. Fortress of Nightmares is the largest and last of the season fundraiser for the year that benefits the Fort Adams Trust. The haunted attraction features: “Tunnels of Terror, Mayhem in 3D, Paranormal 360 and ‘Spirits Rising,” that […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Tickets for 2020 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival available now at 2019 Prices
Just a few weeks after a successful Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, the Preservation Society of Newport County announced today next year’s dates (September 17 – 20, 2020) and that tickets for the 2020 Festival are available at 2019 prices now through Christmas. The Marble House lawn will once again be the spectacular setting […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Jamestown Arts Center will host free, family-friendly Autumn Arts Open House on October 19th
The Jamestown Arts Center (JAC) has announced that they will host their Autumn Arts Open House on Saturday, October 19th from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. This is a FREE family friendly event for all ages. Learn about the JAC’s Arts Education, Meet JAC Instructors and staff, tour their studios, watch demos and make something! […]
Posted inThings To Do
Potter League to host 30th Annual Heart and Sole Walk for Animals on October 20th at Glen Park
Potter League for Animals will host their 30th annual Heart and Sole Walk for Animals on Sunday, October 20th at 10 am at Glen Park in Portsmouth. The Heart & Sole Walk for Animals is the most exciting pet walk of the year and the Potter League’s largest fall fundraiser and festival, bringing together hundreds […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Susan Daly, Janette and Rufus Van Gruisen to speak about polar wilderness at upcoming Sail Newport lecture
Sail Newport has announced that they will host a lecture on the polar wilderness through the eyes of several Newporters who traveled to the Southern Hemisphere. The event is scheduled from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, October 17th. Susan Daly will present stories and spectacular imagery from Patagonia and South Georgia. Daly also […]
Posted inThings To Do
Bike Newport, AARP hosting Full Moon Ride on October 13th
Bike Newport and AARP-Rhode Island invite everyone who loves the sea, the moon, the fall, and historic Newport to enjoy a beautiful crispy autumn evening from the seat of their bicycle by the light of the moon, with friends old and new, followed by good spirits, camaraderie and refreshment. AARP-RI FULL MOON RIDENewport’s Iconic Ocean […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Experts from U.S. and abroad will gather in Newport to explore value in preserving sites with “difficult histories”
Modern-day preservationists from around the world and the U.S. will address the important work of safeguarding historic structures and objects, even when they shine light on a problematic past, at Salve Regina University’s 19th Conference on Cultural and Historic Preservation – Preservation and Memory – October 18-19, 2019. The conference welcomes nearly two dozen preservation […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Brick Alley Pub hosting a Moving Party for Plumby’s on October 13th
If somehow you didn’t hear the news, the Middletown Grange at 499 East Main Road in Middletown (across from Frosty Freez) will soon become Plumby’s, Brick Alley Pub’s fast-casual burger concept. Plumby’s opened on the second floor of Brick Alley Pub on August 17th, 2015, and on October 13th Brick Alley Pub for Plumby’s before […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Janet B. (Brownlee) Munson-Lyons
Janet Munson-Lyons, 79, of Newport, passed away on October 5, 2019, at the Newport Hospital, surround by her loving family and friends. Born in Ferniegair, Scotland, on January 6, 1940. Janet was the daughter of George Brownlee and Annie (Holland) Brownlee. She graduated from Hamilton Academy and Jordan Hills College at the University of Glasgow. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Centennial Speaker Series: Hear from 11th Hour Racing’s Michelle Carnevale at Seamen’s on October 9th
The next Centennial Speaker Series at Seamen’s Church Institute of Newport will feature Michelle Carnevale, grant program director for 11th Hour Racing, on Wednesday, October 9th at 6 pm. Carnevale leads the organization’s ocean health grant-making and will be speaking about the grant program and the organization’s work to support innovative and local solutions to […]