Busking @ Bowen’s Fall Series will once again present free live music this in the heart of downtown Newport with support from Bank Newport and Bowen’s Wharf Company & Merchants Association. The series is an autumnal welcome to off-season visitors as well as entertainment for locals during the quieter fall season. Established and emerging musicians […]
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 inBusiness, Food & Drink, News
Kickoff of Aquidneck Community Table’s annual Food Challenge set for this Friday
Lisa Raiola, founder of Hope & Main in Warren, RI, will speak at the kickoff party to open Aquidneck Community Table’s annual Food Challenge this Friday at Innovate Newport in the old Sheffield School, 513 Broadway, Newport. The event will run from 5 to 8 PM and will feature a selection of locally sourced foods […]
Posted inNews
Cabo Verde will host The Ocean Race in first ever West African stop in 2021-22
Source: The Ocean Race For the first time in its history, The Ocean Race will make a stop in Cabo Verde during the 2021-22 edition. Cabo Verde will become just the second African venue the Race has ever visited and the first West African nation to host the event, dubbed sport’s ‘toughest test of a […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 90 job opportunities available right now in and around Newport
Looking for a new gig, job, or career in or around Newport? Here are nearly one-hundred job opportunities that are available right now. All job opportunities available in the last seven days and are located within five miles of downtown Newport. 22 Bowen’s – Food Runners & Bussers A 4 Architecture – Junior Architectural Designer […]
Posted inThings To Do
Common Fence Music returns to Portsmouth, Woody Pines to kick off Fall 2019 concert season
COMMON FENCE MUSIC has announced that they will present front man WOODY PINES and his band on Saturday, September 28, 2019, 8pm. Doors will open to CFM members at 7pm, non-members at 7:15pm. The concert will take place at the CFP Arts, Wellness & Community Center, 933 Anthony Road, Portsmouth, RI. Tickets to the show […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Mitchell’s Lane will be closed from East Main Road to Wyatt Road on Wednesday
The Town of Middletown announced today that Mitchell’s Lane will be closed from East Main Road to Wyatt Road for construction from 7:30 am till 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 18th. Construction will be taking place in the area of 272 Mitchell’s Lane. Residents will have access from the appropriate side of the construction zone.
Posted inThings To Do
What’sUp Interview: Doug Key, Founder of Rogue Island Comedy Festival
Rhode Island’s only stand-up comedy festival is just a few short weeks away from returning to Newport! Now in its 5th year, the Rogue Island Comedy Festival will bring local and nationally known comedians to Newport October 10th – 14th, 2019. What’sUpNewp is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Rogue Island Comedy Festival. We recently […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
The Moving Wall: Large scale replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display in Touro Park this week
The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display at Touro Park in Newport from Thursday, September 19th – Monday, September 23rd. Approximately 243 feet in length, the replica has been touring the cities and towns across the US for 34 years leaving an imprint of […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Robert Michael Kilmer
Mr. Robert Kilmer, 68, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on September 12, 2019, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. Robert was born May 17, 1951, in Newport, RI to Victor Kilmer and Margaret (Devine) Kilmer. Robert enjoyed NASCAR, The New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. He had a great interest in local […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum to explore stained glass at Wake + Create
The Newport Art Museum will welcome parents and children to the galleries for the popular Wake + Create program on Saturday, September 21 at 10:30 am. Wake + Create presents engaging, family-oriented programming designed to inspire young minds and satisfy the curiosity of every member of the family. Each Wake + Create is uniquely curated based on a theme and includes a Guided Close […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Week: 60+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week and weekend. City of Newport Calendar This Week Monday – TAN Negotiations Subcommittee at 5 pmTuesday – Historic District Commission Meeting at 6:30pmTuesday – Newport School Committee Workshop (Cell Phone Usage) at 6 pmWednesday – Lecture: Tackling Sea Level Rise at […]
Posted inBusiness
RIMTA presents 2019 Anchor Award to Cynthia Goss
The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) announced today the recipient of its 2019 RIMTA Anchor Award, Cynthia Goss. Presented at the Newport International Boat Show on Saturday September 14th, the Anchor Award is given to a person or organization who, by their work and efforts, brings international attention to the marine-trades industry in Rhode […]
Posted inThings To Do
Jamestown Arts Center to host 22nd Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival
The Jamestown Arts Center (JAC) announced today that they will be hosting the 22nd annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival, the world’s first and only global film festival. According to JAC, they are the only venue in Rhode Island to host the festival. The festival will be held as part of their monthly film programming on […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Mayor Bova issues statement on proposed development moratorium
Newport Mayor Jamie Bova has provided the following statement regarding the proposed moratorium that Newport City Council is considering in the mixed-use innovation district. Many would agree that Newport is in a period of development and growth not seen in a very long time. Whether that is a good or a bad thing is debated, […]
Posted inNews
Million Dollar Listings: Home on Old Beach Road fetches $2.1 million, Cliff Terrace home fetches $2.275 million
Lila Delman Real Estate has announced the recent sales of 104 Old Beach Road for $2,100,000 and 9 Cliff Terrace for $2,275,000. Kendra Toppa, Lila Delman Newport Sales Manager, and Tracey Moore, Lila Delman Sales Associate, represented the seller of 104 Old Beach Road. Eric Kirton, Lila Delman Broker Associate, represented the buyer of 9 […]
Posted inThings To Do
Norman Bird Sanctuary seeks volunteers for 45th Annual Harvest Fair
Hit the fairgrounds with a volunteer t-shirt and a smile at the 45th Anniversary of Norman Bird Sanctuary’s Harvest Fair on October 5th & 6th. You can help with kid’s games, crafts, hay rides, pony rides, sack races, the log saw, the Sanctuary Café, and more. “Thousands of volunteers over multiple generations have made this […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport International Boat Show announces Newport for New Products award winners
Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, announced today the results of this year’s Newport For New Products™ (NFNP) Awards. Judged on Thursday during the show’s opening day and announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, September 13th, 2019. The fourteenth-annual NFNP winners are: Best New Electronics Product Garmin GPSMAP 86SCI Best […]
Posted inBusiness, Things To Do
Half-Way to St. Patrick’s Day: Fundraiser on Saturday will support 2020 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade committee invites you to join them for their first event and fundraiser leading up to the 2020 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The Half-Way to St. Patrick’s Day Barbecue will take place at Hibernian Hall on Saturday, September 14th from 4 pm to 8 pm. Tickets, which are available […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: 30+ things to do, live music and entertainment listings
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Friday, September 13th Things To Do 8:30 am – Mansions Guided Bike Tour with Bike Newport9:30 am to 4 pm – Art on Rose Island10 am to 6 pm – Newport International Boat Show11 am – 2019 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup4:30 pm – Waffles […]
Posted inNews
Australian, Canadian and Irish Clubs charge to the fore on day 3 of the Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup
The IC37 by Melges sailboat may be new to them, but the breezy and lumpy conditions on Rhode Island Sound for Day 3 of the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup were old hat for the teams from Australia’s Royal Sydney Yacht Club, Ireland’s Royal Cork Yacht Club and the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. […]
Posted inNews
MerConcept and 11th Hour Racing Team announce strategic partnership
MerConcept, the French offshore sailing company founded by sailing legend François Gabart, and 11th Hour Racing Team, headed by leading American ocean racers Mark Towill and Charlie Enright, announced a strategic partnership today. 11th Hour Racing announced the following in a press release this morning; The two sides will work closely on technical and performance aspects of the […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Newport among first five regional ‘Tech Bridges’ for US Navy (Updated)
To help the Navy harness technological innovation, James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, announced this week a plan to rapidly expand collaboration with industry by setting up five regional offices around the country. This story was originally published on September 6th. Update: On September 12th, NUWC Division Newport Public […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment & Health
Anchor Fitness: New gym opening in Middletown
Those looking for a more intimate, personalized, and one-on-one place to work out and get fit will soon have a new place to drop anchor. Anchor Fitness confirmed this week with What’sUpNewp that they will be soon be opening at 823 West Main Road in Middletown. Anchor Fitness will offer private training, small group training, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport, Newport Restoration Foundation to co-host lecture on sea level rise
The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) and the City of Newport announced today that they will co-host Tackling Sea Level Rise through Digital Technology at Innovate Newport (513 Broadway) on Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. According to the announcement posted by the City, the lecture will be given by Morris (Marty) Hylton III. Hylton will share […]
Posted inThings To Do
Rotary At The Fort: Cars, trucks, and motorcycles coming to Fort Adams on September 22nd
On Sunday, September 22, 2019, the Middletown Rotary Club will hold its 18th Annual Fall Car, Truck, aand Motorcycle “Rotary at the Fort” event at Fort Adams State Park. The event brings together a myriad of vehicle types such as sports cars, hot rods, custom trucks, motorcycles, muscle cars and a great variety of other […]