It’s official, the Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival will be in Newport for at least another 40 years. Governor Raimondo; George Wein, Co-founder of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival; Jay Sweet, Producer of the Newport Jazz and Newport Folk Festival; Janet Coit, Director of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management […]
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, News
Ragged Island Brewing Company to purchase and preserve Van Hof Nursery in Portsmouth
Ragged Island Brewing Company in Portsmouth has entered a purchase and sales agreement to buy the Garden Shop building and 37-acre Van Hof Nursery property at 54 Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth. “We are really excited about the potential of preserving this beautiful agricultural property and expanding our business right here on Aquidneck Island”, said […]
Posted inArts & Culture
PHOTOS: 2018 Newport Folk Festival – Friday, July 27th
Day 1 of the 2018 Newport Folk Festival is now history and it is one that folks will remember and be talking about for quite a while. The day kicked off with stellar performances by Boston’s Darlingside on the Harbor Stage and ended with David Crosby surprising the crowd when he joined Jason Isbell and […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls drop third straight game
The Gulls (19—21) dropped its third in a row with a 5–1 loss to the New Bedford Bay Sox (17—24) on Friday night. Russell Smith took the loss for Newport giving up four runs on seven hits in five innings of work. Meanwhile on the other side Jared Shuster picked up the win for New Bedford in five innings […]
Posted inNews
Best of Rhode Island: What’sUpNewp named best ‘Local News Blog’ in 2018 Best of Rhode Island Readers’ Poll
Rhode Island Monthly readers have voted, and What’sUpNewp is among their favorites. What’sUpNewp was among those honored on Thursday night at Rhode Island Monthly’s 25th Annual Best Of Rhode Island Party at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence. In front of a sold-out crowd, What’sUpNewp was recognized for the best “Local news blog” in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2018 Newport Festival Schedule & Lineup
Gates for the 2018 Newport Folk Festival will open at 10 am this morning at Fort Adams State Park. This year’s event yet again promises to be a jam-packed weekend of music, here’s a look at the schedule; Here’s this year’s schedule! If you want to personalize your own schedule on your mobile phone, be sure to […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with International Jazz Artist Greg Abate before his August 2nd appearance in Newport
Greg Abate, who is listed in Downbeat Magazine’s latest critics poll as among jazz music’s top rising stars, brings his uptown jazz quintet for a high powered night of music at the Newport Playhouse, Thursday, August 2. Known for his straight-ahead jazz and bee-bop style, Abate’s performance is part of Bridgefest, linking the folk and jazz […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls blanked by Muskrats 7 -0
Newport (19 – 20) dropped its second-straight game on Thursday night with a 7–0 loss to the Winnipesaukee Muskrats (13 – 26). David Stiehl wore the loss for the Gulls while Justin Pearson earned the win for the Muskrats. Newport is now half a game behind Mystic (20 – 20) for third place in the Southern Division. […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport International Boat Show announces 2018 Show partners and sponsors
Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, announced today its line-up of sponsors for this year’s show. A number of premier companies have committed and will play instrumental roles in providing attendees with the most enjoyable boat show experience yet – from product samples to on-site financing. “The Newport International […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO: Newport resident appears on ‘Megyn Kelly Today’
Braden Leonard, a Newport resident, appeared on Megyn Kelly Today on Thursday. The former Johnston firefighter was on to talk about how he is inventing high-tech prosthetic after losing his hand in a biking accident. “Braden Leonard was a firefighter and avid outdoorsman. After a thorn went into his hand during a mountain biking accident, […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
The Chanler at Cliff Walk unveils two new culinary concepts, Cara and The Café
The Chanler at Cliff Walk unveiled two new culinary concepts last week, a move that replaces The Spiced Pear restaurant and adds to the beloved property’s food and beverage portfolio. This summer, The Chanler at Cliff Walk becomes home to Cara. Translating to “dear one” in Italian and “friend” in Gaelic, Cara is named in […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
The next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race is taking shape
The 2021-22 edition of the world’s premiere fully-crewed around the world race will feature two classes of boats, the IMOCA 60 and the VO65 class. Each class has its distinct characteristics, and the inclusion of both means the race will be more open and inviting to sailors and designers as well as more engaging to […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Weekend: 25+ things to do in Newport County
Newport Folk Festival weekend is here and it promises to be a very busy weekend throughout Newport County. Here’s a look at all that’s happening, new, and to do out there this weekend, enjoy! Friday, July 27th 9 am to 9 pm – Hell Hansen Newport Summer Sale 10 am to 7 pm – Newport Folk […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings
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. Friday, July 27 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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Podcast: A conversation with Joe Louis Walker, Blues Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner
Joe Louis Walker, a Blues Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner celebrates a career that exceeds a half a century. His new album Everybody Wants A Piece cements his legacy as a prolific torchbearer for the blues. Walker joins What’sUpNewp’s Frank Prosnitz on this edition of the Open Forum on AM 1540 WADK […]
Posted inBusiness, Things To Do
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News – #30: Music festivals, weekly races, and walking tours
Newport made one of its several reputations with sailing, particularly the America’s Cup. It has since added and strengthened its reputation with world-class music and outdoor events. Two internationally-known events are about to takeover Newport’s Fort Adams and this weekend marks the first of the year’s two biggest music weekends. The Newport Folk Festival begins […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Gulls fall 4-0 in 13 innings
The Gulls fell to 19 – 19 Wednesday night in a 13-inning ballgame with the Vermont Mountaineers (17 – 22) and are once again tied with the Mystic Schooners (20 – 20) for the third and final playoff spot in the Southern Division with six games to go in the season. Virginia Tech’s Nic Enright pitched a […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Award-winning instrumentalist, vocalist and bandleader Cynthia Sayer
On August 3, 2018, Cynthia Sayer will become the first featured 4-string banjoist ever to perform at Newport Jazz Festival. The multi-award-winning instrumentalist, vocalist, and bandleader is acclaimed by musicians, critics, and fans alike as the top 4-string jazz banjoist in the world today. Praised for her “drive and virtuosity” by the New York Times, Cynthia enchants audiences […]
Posted inNews
Million Dollar Listing: Home on Catherine Street in Newport sells for $1.185 million
Lila Delman Real Estate has announced the sale of 50 Catherine Street in Newport. The property reportedly sold for full asking price, $1,185,000. Annie Becker, Broker Associate, represented the buyer. “Sometimes the perfect property is like a needle in a haystack. 50 Catherine Street is just that for my clients,” commented Annie Becker. “This classic […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls: Reed powers Gulls past Bay Sox
Newport improved to 19 – 18 on the summer with a 4–3 victory over the New Bedford Bay Sox (16 – 23) on Tuesday night. The Gulls are now tied with the Mystic Schooners (20 – 19) for the final playoff spot in the Southern Division with just seven games remaining in the regular season. […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: What to do with the Armory?
The Newport City Council will vote to approve the sale of a portion of the Armory building on Wednesday night. On today’s edition of What’sUpNewp Radio on AM 1540 WADK, I talk about the sale of The Armory to the National Sailing Hall Of Fame. We go over the facts presented in the resolution and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
By The Numbers: Newport Folk Festival, BridgeFest, and Newport Jazz Festival
The next few weeks are arguably the busiest for restaurants, retailers, streets and just about everything else in Newport. A lot of that has to do with a few of largest events of the summer taking place, Newport Festival Foundation’s Newport Folk Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and Newport BridgeFest. We love numbers and fun facts, […]
Posted inNews
IYRS raises record scholarship funds at the 21st Annual IYRS Summer Gala
On the evening of Saturday, July 7, over 650 supporters gathered for the 21st Annual IYRS Summer Gala, title sponsored for a second straight year by State Street. For the fourth consecutive year, Anne & Matt Hamilton, Barbara van Beuren & Steve Glascock, Kimberly and John Palmer, and Helene & Archie van Beuren served as the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Canario warns of ‘troublesome domino effect’ by National Grid 19 percent rate increase proposal
Rep. Dennis M. Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) is warning ratepayers and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that National Grid’s recent 19 percent rate increase request for the coming winter months will result in a “troublesome domino effect” that will fall on the backs of Rhode Island’s residents. “A 19 percent rate increase […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Mary Regan and Andrew Bulk, Three Angels Fund
Mary Regan and Andrew Bulk from Three Angels Fund joined me on this edition of What’sUpNewp Radio on AM 1540 WADK Newport. The money raised by Three Angels Fund throughout the year and at their annual fundraiser, which is scheduled for August 5th, allows them to make a generous donation to the Lifespan Cancer Institute […]