Jonathan Perry from the Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant joined What’sUpNewp’s Frank Prosnitz on this edition of The Open Forum on AM 1540 WADK.s Among the variety of topics that made up the conversation was Newport To Nashville, Cabaret Comedy Night, Newport Bridgefest events, the opening of No Tell Motel, and more upcoming events and […]
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 inArts & Culture
This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings (July 6 – 8)
Here’s a look at all the live music and entertainment that’s worth seeing, hearing, doing, or knowing about in Newport County this weekend. Unless otherwise indicated, the venue is located in Newport. Friday, July 6th Buskers: Live music at 9 pmCeltica: Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House: DJ & Dancing in the Boom Boom Room at 10 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislation inspired by Broadway Improvement Project, abuse at St.George’s, and food trucks signed into law
Rhode Island General Assembly’s Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau announced via press releases on Friday that three pieces of legislation with local ties sshave been signed into law by Governor Gina Raimondo. New law requires state to notify businesses of impending road construction, provide assistance The Department of Transportation will coordinate with the Rhode […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Weekend: 30+ things to do in Newport County
Here’s what’s up, happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend, enjoy! Friday, July 6th 5:15 am – Newport Music Festival: Sunrise Concert – Guitar at Chinese Tea House 4 pm – Paco’s Taco Nights at Ragged Island Brewing Company 4:45 pm &7:30 pm – Won’t You Be My Neighbor at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with Brewer Rowe, Tournament Director of Dell Technologies Hall Of Fame Open
Brewer Rowe, Tournament Director for the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open, joined Tim Towey and me on Thursday on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on WADK 1540AM from 1 pm to 2 pm. Listen below to hear all about what will be happening, new, and to do during the tournament and at the International Tennis Hall of Fame from July […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Art Museum to host the Whale Guitar Project at Second Saturday
The Newport Art Museum will welcome parents and children to the galleries for the popular monthly Second Saturday program on Saturday, July 14 at 10:30 am. Second Saturday presents engaging, family-oriented programming designed to inspire young minds and satisfy the curiosity of every member of the family. Each Second Saturday is uniquely curated based on a theme, and includes a variety of activities […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sophisticated ladies set to take the stage at Newport Jazz Festival
For six decades, the Newport Jazz Festival has showcased the music of the most important female musicians in the art form – from Mary Lou Williams and Toshiko Akiyoshi, to Carla Bley and the late Geri Allen. And this edition of the festival offers a powerful potpourri of sophisticated ladies, who, while maintaining the base […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson will host a constituent meeting on July 11
Representative Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) has announced that she will hold a constituent meeting Wednesday, July 11, at 6 pm at the Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St., Newport. Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) The meeting is an open-ended conversation with constituents, with a focus on the recently concluded legislative session. All House […]
Posted inArts & Culture
One Of A Kind: Children’s Author Chris Gorman will appear at Island Books
Island Books has announced that children’s author Chris Gorman will be at their store on Saturday, July 14th at 11 am. Gorman will be reading from and signing copies of his new children’s book One of a Kind. One of a Kind is a picture book celebration of individuality and community. It tells the story of a […]
Posted inThings To Do
Costumed living historians to interpret Newport’s French Occupation
Newport Historical Society invites the public to visit the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House at 17 Broadway, Newport, RI, on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 10am-2pm to see costumed living historians interpret the year 1780, when French troops arrived in Newport. Find out what life was like in Newport, RI in 1780, after 12,000 French soldiers and sailors […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Tour Guides & Greeters News – #27: Welcome Newport’s summer of sun,sailing, and fun
Clear blue skies, sharp bright sunshine, and a fleet of sailboats gliding over an endless Narragansett Bay awaits the hundreds of thousands of visitors who will arrive in our City-by-the-Sea during the next ten weeks! We’ll need all hands on deck, from the visitor information center to the hotels, museums, mansions, and the wide range […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Travel beyond time and space at Newport Art Museum’s Art After Dark
Newport Art Museum’s Art After Dark, which recently received the 2017 Editor’s Pick Award for Best Artsy Social Event by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, is back on Thursday, July 12 from 5 – 9 pm. Each Art After Dark has unique programming for the whole family. This event joins the ranks of the many events and educational programs the Museum currently offers in its galleries at 76 Bellevue […]
Posted inCity & Government
Two bills sponsored by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero signed into law
Two pieces of legislation sponsored by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) were signed into law by Governor Gina M. Raimondo last week. Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) The first bill (2018-H 7080A) authorizes a city or town clerk/recorder of deeds, if they so choose, to accept electronic documents for recording real […]
Posted inNews
Peabody’s Beach in Middletown closed for high bacteria counts
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends closing Peabody’s Beach in Middletown for swimming because of high bacteria counts. RIDOH also recommends reopening Oakland Beach in Warwick and Echo Lake Campground in Glocester, based on results from water samples that show bacteria levels within acceptable limits. Camp Watmough’s Beach in Glocester, and Briar Point […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with Ron Becker, Co-Presidents of Alliance For A Livable Newport
Ron Becker, Co-President of Alliance For A Livable Newport, joined me on Tuesday’s edition of The Open Forum on AM 1540 WADK Newport to chat about their call for questions for political candidates and the work that ALN is doing out there. Alliance For A Livable Newport wants to hear what Newport’s voters are interested […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Dave McLaughlin from Clean Ocean Access chats about Swim To Skim, summer initiatives, and more
Dave McLaughlin, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Access, joined me for 45 minutes on Tuesday’s What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK Newport to chat about this weekend’s Swim To Skim, Clean Ocean Access’s summer initiatives and more. Swim to Skim is a 0.9 mile or 1.5-mile open-water swim through Newport Harbor from Perrotti Park to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum’s Summer Gala, the Artists’ Ball, to celebrate the Art of Fashion
On Friday, July 20, 2018 the Newport Art Museum will hold its annual summer gala, the Artists’ Ball, the Museum’s largest fundraiser of the year. This fashion forward event’s presenting sponsor is Oscar de la Renta and will feature guest artist Donald Robertson. Tickets for the event, as well as a preview of the items […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: A conversation with Alyson Novick and Melanie Saunders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, serving Newport County, is changing lives one person at a time by offering nutritional, cultural, educational, and social services for people of all ages and cultures. Alyson Novick and Melanie Saunders from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Sailing Team roster released by New York Yacht Club’s American Magic, Challenger for 36th America’s Cup
New York Yacht Club American Magic, the U.S. sailing team challenging for the 36th America’s Cup has announced an initial roster of 17 sailors who will train and compete with the team. The accomplished group includes nine Americans and sailors from four other nations. The 36th America’s Cup will take place in March 2021 off […]
Posted inNews
Newport Festivals Foundation makes donation to Girls Rock! RI, helps create Band Booster Program
Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. has announced that they will provide financial support to create the Band Booster program, a new initiative for Girls Rock! RI, whose mission is to use music creation and critical thinking to foster empowerment, collaborative relationships and the development of healthy identities in girls, women, trans and gender non-conforming individuals. The Band […]
Posted inNews
Emmanuel Church awards $10,000 in grants to those in need
Emmanuel Church of Newport announced on Monday that they have recently awarded $10,000 in grant funds to help stabilize people’s lives with housing, food security, and employment resources. In 2001 Margit Baum of Newport bequeathed a Fund for Emmanuel Church to distribute to those in need in Newport. The Reverend Dr. Anita Schell said “ […]
Posted inFood & Drink
John Dunn named General Manager of Harry’s Bar & Burger in Newport
John Elkhay, CEO and Maestro of Chow Fun Food Group, which includes; Ten Prime Steak & Sushi, Luxe Burger Bar, Harry’s Bar & Burger and Xaco Taco announced today the hiring of Newport native, John Dunn, as general manager of Harry’s Bar & Burger in Newport. John Dunn “John truly is one of our best […]
Posted inNews
Keen becomes a sponsor of Newport Folk Festival, will offer limited edition ‘Newport Revival Sandal’
Keen Inc., best known for the Newport sandal designed 15 years ago, has signed on as a sponsor of the Newport Folk Festival. As a sponsor of the festival, which takes place July 27-29, Keen has designed a limited-edition Newport sandal and will donate half of the proceeds to Newport Festivals Foundation’s music education initiatives. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Week: Live music and entertainment listings
Here’s a look at all the live music and entertainment that’s worth seeing, hearing, doing, or knowing about in Newport County this week. Unless otherwise indicated, venue is located in Newport. Monday, July 2nd Diego’s: Trivia at 9:30 pmFastnet Pub: The Ubiquitones at 10 pmFifth Element: The Groove Merchants from 7 pm to 10 pmFirehouse […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Week: 30+ things to do in and around Newport
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. Monday, July 2nd 5 pm – Brick Market Book Club at Museum of Newport History 5:30 pm & 8 pm – Won’t You Be My Neighbor at Jane Pickens Theater 6:35 pm – Newport Gulls Home Game at Cardines Field 8 pm […]