In an effort to connect the community with locally owned and run businesses in northern Newport County, the vendors and EFC North worship campus at Patriots Plaza in Portsmouth will be opening their doors this Saturday, August 25 from 9am to noon for a family friendly Open House. This casual event will give folks an […]
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 inThings To Do
This Weekend: 25+ things to do in and around Newport
It’s that time of the summer where we begin to realize or recognize that summer is coming to an end. It really hit us when we found out that Naval Station Newport will host their annual Salute To Summer Free Concert & Fireworks Show this weekend, is it really already almost Labor Day weekend? Yikes! […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music an entertainment listings (Aug. 24 -26)
Here’s where to find entertainment and live music in and around Newport, RI this weekend. Friday, August 24 Atlantic Resort: Sean Rivers at 4 pmBuskers: Live music at 9 pmCeltica: Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House: DJ & Dancing in the Boom Boom Room at 10 pmDiego’s Barrio Cantina (Middletown): Los Gallos Locos at 10 […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News – #34: A Yachting Weekend For All
A grand weekend of yachting kicks off on Saturday with the Ida Lewis Yacht Club-sponsored Newport Classic Yacht Regatta. The regatta continues on Sunday and will coincide with the annual Narragansett Bay Classic Yacht Rendezvous Parade beginning in Newport Harbor at 10:30 am. Classic yachts, both power and sail, are encouraged to join the parade. […]
Posted inThings To Do
French classes offered by The Alliance Francaise of Newport begin on September 11th
The Alliance Francaise of Newport is offering Beginner and Intermediate French Classes beginning September 11, 2018. Classes will be held until December on Tuesday evenings at Salve Regina University, Newport. Tuition is $55 for members of The Alliance Francaise and $100 for non-members. Registration is required, and checks must be received by September 7, 2018. […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio – August 22nd: RIDOT on Pell Bridge ramp realignment; Comedian and parodist Steve Goodie
Following our show yesterday on the Pell Bridge Ramp realignment project, Jody Richards, RIDOT’s Pell Bridge Ramps Project Manager, joined me for a few minutes on the program to discuss the project. I was then joined by comedian and parodist Steve Goodie before his big show tonight at 7:30 pm at The Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant. Listen […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with Darcy Lynch, Hands That Rock
Hands That Rock, a Rhode Island non-profit that uses massage therapy to bring “the magic of music to underserved children,” is holding a fundraiser on Sept. 15, featuring three bands, food, and merchandise signed by many famous bands. Darcy Lynch, the organization’s executive director who also owns Stagehands Massage Therapy that provides massage, chiropractic, and […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Li Na, Thomas Muster among eight candidates named to ballot for 2019 induction into International Tennis Hall of Fame
Eight players hailing from seven different nations have been named as candidates on the ballot for the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor in tennis, representing a sum of an athlete’s achievements as being at the highest possible level in the […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: 115 local job opportunities available right now (Aug. 22)
Time for a new part-time gig, new full-time job or a new career? Start your job search right here, there are 100 businesses hiring right now in and around Newport. FEATURED JOB LISTINGS BeYoutiful Salon & Spa – Full or Part Time Hairstylist, Full or Part Time Nail TechJane Pickens Theater – Crew MemberLark Hotels […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Wet Paint’ raises more than $121,000 for Newport Art Museum
The Newport Art Museum’s beloved art making event and fundraiser, Wet Paint, wrapped up on Sunday, August 12 raising a grand total of $121,780 for the Museum’s exhibitions, outreach, education and historic preservation. On Saturday, 380 artists of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels made art and donated their work, much of it still wet, to the Museum. Over […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio – August 21: Pell Bridge ramp redesign proposals
Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is in the beginning stages of planning the reconfiguring of the Pell Bridge Interchange and is currently seeking the public’s opinion on a variety of designs. On WADK 1540AM today, we chatted about the project, its status, how you can provide concerns and feedback, and the eight proposed designs. Representative Lauren […]
Posted inNews
Telly Award-Winning “Story in the Public Square” program set for weekly broadcasts in major markets across America starting in September 2018
The Telly Award-winning series Story in the Public Square will be broadcast in major markets across America beginning September 10, 2018, the show announced on Tuesday. The show has been a fixture since January 2017 on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and in southeastern New England from its flagship TV station, Rhode Island PBS. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, […]
Posted inNews
Chromebook Distribution Night scheduled for incoming freshman of Rogers High School
Newport Public School announced via press release on Tuesday that Rogers High School will hold a Chromebook Distribution Night for all incoming ninth grade students (Class of 2022) and their parents/guardians between 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday, August 27, 2018, in the Rogers High School Cafeteria. This Chromebook Distribution Night is mandatory for all incoming freshmen, (Class of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Inaugural Narragansett Bay Classic Yacht Rendezvous set to take place August 23 – 26
The Narragansett Bay Classic Yacht Rendezvous, a combination of the Panerai Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta and the Panerai Newport Classic Yacht Regatta, returns August 23rd to the 26th to celebrate classic yachts, both power and sail, and the importance of the craft associated to the history, heritage and their restoration. On Thursday, August 23rd the Panerai Herreshoff Classic […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Week: Live music and entertainment listings (Aug. 20 – 25)
Discover all that’s happening for live music, arts, entertainment, and theater this week across Newport County! Unless otherwise indicated, the venue is located in Newport. Bold listings are our advertisers and supporters. Please consider supporting them, they make what we do possible. Monday, August 20 Fastnet Pub: The Ubiquitones at 10 pmFifth Element: The Groove Merchants from […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio – August 20th: Pawsox, sailing mishap, things to do this week, and more
We had a lot to get to today on the radio program. I recapped the news and reaction regarding the PawSox announcement on Friday, talked about the very odd story from the weekend where a woman fell from a sailing boat and wasn’t noticed missing for several hours, and hit on things happening this week in […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Southern Yacht Club wins Hinman Trophy in dramatic fashion
There are plenty of easier ways to win a team race. But few are more satisfying than the twisting, 17-year route Southern Yacht Club took to its first victory in the New York Yacht Club Invitational Team Race for the Commodore George R. Hinman Masters Trophy, which was held August 17 to 19 at the […]
Posted inThings To Do
40+ things to do this week in and around Newport
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, RI this week. Monday, August 20th 11 am – No Tell Motel at The Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant 4:30 pm – Blackkklansman at Jane Pickens Theater 7:30 pm – The Gardener at Jane Pickens Theater 8 pm – Laughter For Locals presented […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Ida Lewis Distance finds its pace, names winners in five classes
With its largest fleet ever, the 14th edition of the Ida Lewis Distance Race started Friday (August 17) at lunchtime south of Rose Island (in Narragansett Bay’s East Passage) and saw its first of 47 teams finish off Ida Lewis Yacht Club (in Newport Harbor) shortly after 2:40 a.m. on Saturday. Taking the early morning line honors was […]
Posted inJobs
Featured Job Opportunity: Lark Hotels – Guest Services/housekeepers
Lark Hotels is seeking housekeepers and guest service associates for our boutique hotels in Newport, The Attwater and Gilded. Hours will vary based on occupancy but will include weekend days and evenings. Interact with our great guests and work with fabulous general managers! Start immediately for training. Please forward resume, references and availability to Careers@larkhotels.com […]
Posted inThings To Do
Beavertail Aquarium set to open on August 21st
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has announced that the aquarium at Beavertail State Park will open for the season starting next week. To mark the opening, DEM is hosting ‘Bioluminescence Night’ at Beavertail on Tuesday, August 21 starting at 5 p.m. The event will include an outdoor viewing of the Disney movie, Moana, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport legislators Euer, Carson urge public to comment on Pell Bridge ramp redesign proposals
Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer jointly released a press release on Friday encouraging all of their constituents to actively participate in the project to redesign the Pell Bridge access ramps, now in the planning stages. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is currently accepting public comments for the environmental assessment of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Navy Band Northeast’s Alumni Big Band will perform outdoor concert at the Newport Art Museum on August 23rd
On Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 6pm, the Newport Art Museum will host the Navy Band Northeast’s Alumni Big Band for a free, family-friendly outdoor concert on the Museum’s lawn. Always popular, the Navy Band Northeast’s upcoming performance is particularly exciting as the band will be joined by past alumni musicians. This special reunion concert of the Alumni […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH reopens Conimicut Point Beach, closes beach in Portsmouth and Smithfield
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick for swimming based on results from water samples that show bacteria levels within acceptable limits. RIDOH also recommends closing Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth and Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield for swimming. RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
PawSox leaving Rhode Island, will call Worcester home beginning in 2021
The Pawtucket Red Sox today signed a Letter of Intent to build an innovative downtown ballpark in Worcester, Massachusetts that would be scheduled to open in 2021, according to a news release and press conference by team officials on Friday. PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino today signed the letter in a ceremony at Worcester’s City Hall […]