Here’s what’s happening in and around Newport this week for entertainment and live music, enjoy! You Might Also Like – 20+ things to do in Newport this week: May 6 – 13 Monday, May 6 Diego’s Newport – Trivia at 10 pmFastnet Pub – The Ubiquitones at 9:30 pmFifth Element – The Groove Merchants at 7 pmJane […]
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
Agenda for May 8th Newport City Council meeting
Newport City Council will host their next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30 pm at Newport City Hall. Here’s what’s on the agenda;
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 100+ job opportunities available in Newport right now
Does the new month have you looking for a new gig, job, or career? Well you may be in luck as there are more than 100 local companies hiring right now in and around Newport. Good luck! 22 Bowen’s – Busser, Food Runner, and Host/Hostess41 North – Line Cooks/Sous Chef – 41 North All About […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Naval War College to host Army-Navy baseball game at Cardines Field
The U.S. Naval War College has announced that they will host a baseball game on Friday, May 10th at historic Cardines Field. The Army-Navy baseball game will be played in period-accurate uniforms, and gates to Cardines Field will open at 10:00 am; first pitch is at 11:30 am. Admission is free and the event is […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Aquidneck Island Road Report: Scheduled lane closures and traffic delays for May 4 – 11
Watch for lane closures and traffic delays on the following highways, byways, and roads over the upcoming days. Rhode Island Department of Transportation The following road and lane closure notices are effective for the week of May 4-10, 2019. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Visit RIDOT’s Travel Advisories website for a full […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Spring Concert for The Choir School of Newport County will take place on May 18th
The Choir School of Newport County has announced that it will host its fifth annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn St., Newport! The ensembles of The Choir School, separately and together, joined by instrumentalists and special guests, will perform in addition to Spring Concert 2019 special […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment & Health
Elevate Fitness to kick off 10th season of Beach Bootcamps
Elevate Fitness is hitting the beach starting May 14th to kick off their 10th season offering the acclaimed summer Beach Bootcamps. According to Elevate, Beach Bootcamps are their most popular camp ever, and they are modeled after owner Kathy Martin’s signature bootcamp classes using an array of fitness styles including HIIT, weights, kettlebells, TRX, cardio, […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
January gas outage adds four days to school calendar, last day for Newport Public Schools is now June 21st
Newport Public Schools announced today that the last day of classes has been moved to June 21st, due to make-up days from the gas outage. The 2018-2019 school calendar has been revised, with the four make-up days from the gas outage, the last day of school for students will be Friday, June 21st. Note that […]
Posted inNews
Salve business students to unveil their study of university’s economic impact on Aquidneck Island
Undergraduate business students who conducted an independent study assessing the economic impact of Salve Regina University on its surrounding communities will reveal their findings at a press conference before university officials and community leaders on Thursday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, located in the O’Hare Academic Building, Ochre Point Avenue. The semester-long academic […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Tunnel To Towers 5k Run & Walk coming to Fort Adams in October
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, established in memory of a fallen 9/11 firefighter, whose mission is to honor and support first responders and the military, today announced plans to hold the INAUGURAL Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk at Fort Adams State Park in Newport on Saturday, October 19th, 2019. The event […]
Posted inThings To Do
Where to find live music and entertainment this weekend in Newport: May 3 – 5
Discover all that’s happening in and around Newport this weekend for live music, comedy, karaoke, and entertainment. Friday, May 3 Atlantic Beach Resort – Live music at 7 pmBuskers Irish Pub – Will Cooley at 9 pmCeltica – Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House – DJ in the Boom Boom Room at 9 pmDiego’s Barrio & […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
VIDEO: Gov. Raimondo, McKee highlight Utility Reform Proposal
At a press conference at the Newport Gateway Center earlier today, Governor Gina Raimondo, Lieutenant Governor Daniel McKee and Senator Louis DiPalma called for the passage of legislation that would give the state the tools necessary to demand greater accountability from National Grid. Legislation pending before the House and Senate requires National Grid to file […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ things to do in Newport this weekend: May 3 – 5
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. Friday, May 3rd 4 pm – Diego’s at Ragged Island Brewing Co.4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – The Mustang at Jane Pickens Theater5 pm – Rosé Release Night at Newport Vineyards6 pm – Opening Reception: Science FictionSat Jamestown Arts Center6:30 pm – Newport Little League’s Annual Fundraiser at O’brien’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
How does climate changes in the polar regions affects us here in Rhode Island? Climate Change speaker to explain on May 8th
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) announces a lecture on climate change given by Dr. Martha McConnell on Wednesday, May 8, at Rogers High School in Newport. The free event will take place at 7:00 p.m. and is titled “Climate and Ocean Changes: A View from the Polar Regions.” Dr. McConnell’s talk will focus on how changes […]
Posted inBusiness, Real Estate
Local real estate professionals give back to area teachers and schools; donation made to Rogers High School
A group of local real estate professionals are on a mission to give back to area schools in Newport and surrounding counties. On Friday, the group visited Rogers High School where they delivered a generous donation of school and classroom supplies. The effort is an initiative of a program called Home Assist Teacher which provides […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo, Lieutenant Governor McKee to hold press conference in Newport today in support of Utility Legislation
Governor Gina M. Raimondo, Lieutenant Governor Daniel J. McKee, Mayor Jamie Bova and Acting DPUC Administrator Kevin Lynch will hold a press conference this afternoon in Newport in support of the Utility Service Restoration Act. The press conference is scheduled to start at 2 pm and will take place on the first floor of the […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Registration opens for 9th Annual Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run
Get those shoes laced up, the Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run is back! The 9th annual run/walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 20th and registration is open with early bird pricing. The 4-mile run/walk starts in Jamestown and finishes in Newport, taking pedestrians across the famous Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge on the only day of the year […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Annual 4 Bridges Ride returns on September 15th
The seventh annual 4 Bridges Ride, sponsored by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Foundation will be held on Sunday, September 15th 2019. The 26-mile charity ride allows cyclists an opportunity to cross the Verrazzano, Pell, Sakonnet and Mt. Hope Bridges connecting the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The ride is open to cyclists of […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Alliance Francaise of Newport to present talk about Japanese-Americans who fought in France in WWII
The Alliance Française of Newport will present a program about Japanese-American soldiers who fought in France during World War II. Dr. JamesT. McIlwain, Professor Emeritus at Brown University, will give a talk on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the Redwood Library located at 50 Bellevue Avenue in Newport. There will be a Reception at 6:00 […]
Posted inNews
Peter and Bobby Farrelly surprise movie fans at Jane Pickens Theater
What started as just an event idea during a discussion between What’sUpNewp, Jane Pickens Theater, and Narragansett Beer recently, turned into a night that many movie fans will never forget. What’sUpNewp co-hosts a series of “throwback films” at Jane Pickens Theater annually, during a recent conversation with Narragansett Beer, a primer sponsor of their 2019 […]
Posted inNews
RITBA: Customer Satisfaction Survey results show 85% favorability rating
In late 2018, The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) conducted its first ever customer satisfaction survey and the results are now in. The goal of the survey was to obtain and assess public opinion in a variety of areas including; perception of RITBA, travel on bridges, toll price, bridge and traffic signage, effectiveness of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum welcomes student musicians for the Portsmouth Abbey Spring Recital
The Newport Art Museum will welcome the talented Portsmouth Abbey Chamber Music students as they perform works for their Spring Recital this Thursday, May 2 from 6 – 7:30 pm. Newport Art Museum will celebrate its extended seasonal hours, where from April – December the Museum remains open to the public until 7pm on Thursdays, with this special Music in […]
Posted inBusiness
Lark Hotels reopens The Cliffside Inn, its third Newport property
Lark Hotels announced in a press release today that they will open the doors to its third Newport property, The Cliffside Inn, today (May 1st). In addition to The Cliffside Inn, Lark Hotels operates sister Newport properties The Attwater and Gilded and more than 20 other properties in New England and beyond. Originally a 1876 […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Rhea’s Cafe closes, Italian eatery to open
Rhea’s Cafe in Middletown took to Facebook earlier this morning to announced that they have closed. According to their Facebook Post, an Italian eatery will be taking over their location at 36 Aquidneck Avenue.
Posted inNews
National Sailing Hall of Fame names Heather Ruhsam new Executive Director
The National Sailing Hall of Fame announced this morning that Heather Ruhsam has been named their organization’s new Executive Director. Ms. Ruhsam’s appointment is effective immediately. She will be based at the organization’s new home at the Armory on Thames Street in Newport. City officials in March formally closed on a deal to sell […]