(Photo: Diego’s Barrio Cantina) As summer’s arrival is just around the corner, new and renovated businesses throughout Newport and its surrounding coastal communities stand ready to make a memorable first impression on visitors and residents alike. Discover Newport, the official convention and visitors bureau for Newport and Bristol Counties, has put together the following sampling of […]
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: 30+ things to do in and around Newport
Photo: SVF Foundation will host their Annual Open House on Saturday Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, RI this weekend. You Might Also Like – This Weekend: Live music and entertainment listings Friday, June 15th 9 am to 5 pm – 2018 Newport Bermuda Race 10 am to 5 pm – June […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Radio – June 14th: Pamela McLaughlin, Project SEARCH
Newport Hospital recently celebrated the graduation of Project SEARCH interns at a ceremony held last week at Newport Hospital. The Project Search program prepares special needs students for the workplace, helping them acquire career and life skills through hands-on internships. Their interns completed three 10-week rotations throughout the hospital, working alongside Newport Hospital employees in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Collaborative Community Initiative: Tree Path Project on display through June 21
(Photo: Newport String Project student musician’s Tree Path Project, featuring violins and musical notes) The Tree Path Project, a collaborative art-making project between the Women’s Resource Center, Newport Health Equity Zone,Salve Regina University and the Newport Art Museum will be on display and celebrating ideas of hope and community through Thursday, June 21. The Tree Path Project was developed and is […]
Posted inNews
Eco-Depot headed to Portsmouth High School on June 23
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) and the Portsmouth Department of Public Works are partnering for a household hazardous waste collection on Saturday, June 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Portsmouth High School located at 120 Education Lane. Created in 2001, the Eco-Depot program is a free service offered that provides for […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator DiPalma’s legislation regarding net neutrality rules and state contracts passes Senate Commerce Committee
STATE HOUSE – Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s legislation (2018-S 2008A) that would prohibit the state from entering into contracts with any internet service provider (ISP) who engages in business practices that were prohibited by recently repealed net neutrality rules was passed by the Senate Committee on Commerce last night. The legislation would require ISPs that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Singer-songwriters to be featured at Newport To Nashville on Thursday
Newport to Nashville returns to The Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant on Thursday, June 14th. Referred to by organizer and owner Jonathan Perry as “Newport’s First Listening Room”, Newport To Nashville transforms The Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant every month into a “Nashville Style” Listening Room. The goal of Newport To Nashville is to showcase […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Whitehouse joins fellow senators in advocating for better insurance options for local shellfish farmers
Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse announced in a press release on Wednesday morning that he has joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) to advocate for better insurance options for local shellfish farmers, which would give the aquaculture industry more certainty to expand and create jobs. The senators outlined their […]
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What’sUpNewp Radio – June 13: Rebecca Bertrand, Executive Director of newportFILM
Rebecca Bertrand, Executive Director of newportFILM, joined me on today’s edition of What’sUpNewp Radio on AM 1540 WADK Newport to chat about and give us a preview of all that’s ahead for newportFILM Outdoors and the non-profit organization this summer. newportFILM Outdoors More than a film festival, newportFILM Outdoors makes each film its own festival. At […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Gallery Night walking tours expand for the 2018 Season
Newport Galleries Night 2018 is underway and the season is kicking into high gear at their member galleries, museums and cultural institutions with June Newport Gallery Night on Thursday, June 14th from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The popular free Summer Guided Walking Art Tours continue for June Newport Gallery Night. And these short, informational […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’sUpNewp to present The Greg Abate Uptown Jazz Quintet during Bridgefest
We’re pleased to announce to our readers and supporters today that we’re kicking off a new series – “What’sUpNewp Live”, a new live music and concert experience. Internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Greg Abate will kick off the new “What’sUpNewp Live” series when he brings The Greg Abate Uptown Jazz Quintet to The Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant during Bridgefest […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum to host film screening of “Reflections on a Mermaid: Roy Lichtenstein”
Beginning at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 22, the Newport Art Museum in partnership with Sail Newport is pleased to host a very special documentary screening featuring exclusive, extensive, intimate and never-before-shown coverage of one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th century, Reflections on a Mermaid: Roy Lichtenstein (1994), contextualizing Lichtenstein’s iconic creative process. Tickets for Newport Art Museum members […]
Posted inThings To Do
Japan America Society of Rhode Island releases schedule for 2018 Black Ships Festival
The Japan America Society of Rhode Island is celebrating the 35th year of the Black Ships Festival on July 13-15, 2018. Started in Newport in 1984, the organization announced on Tuesday in a press release that they have expanded the Festival to Bristol this summer. As WJAR has reported – following a dispute, Newport and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Summer Sunday concerts return to King Park gazebo on July 1st
The twelfth annual NIMFest music series will begin Sunday, July 1 from 3:00-6:00pm and consecutive Sundays through August 26 at King Park, Wellington Avenue, Newport. Concerts are free and feature local or regional performers in a variety of musical styles. Brunch Belly food truck and lawn seating available, bring a chair or blanket. The kickoff […]
Posted inNews
Three-Time Olympic medalist Elizabeth Beisel will lead two youth and teen swim clinics for Save The Bay
Save The Bay announced on Monday that on Friday, August 3rd, it will present two youth swim clinics, each led by three-time Olympic medalist and Saunderstown native Elizabeth Beisel, at Roger Williams University’s Aquatic Center. Each clinic will include 60 minutes of pool time and 15 minutes for autographs and photos with the Olympian, who […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Scotland will make 13th appearance at Newport Polo on Saturday
On Saturday, June 16th at 5 pm, Scotland returns to Newport Polo for its 13th campaign against the USA at the polo grounds at Glen Farm, home of the NBC10 Newport International Polo Series 27, Presented by BMW. The 6-chukker exhibition polo match will mount the USA, looking to even the record of wins against rival Scotland, for a duration of approximately 2 hours. The match will conclude with a Veuve […]
Posted inNews
Sailing Heals and Newport Car Museum join efforts to give cancer patients healing breaks at sea
The Newport Car Museum has teamed with Sailing Heals, a non-profit in Marblehead, Mass. that serves cancer patients in Rhode Island and several states, to host a fundraiser at the Museum on Friday, June 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. In addition to exploring six separate galleries filled with more than 70 cars, guests will enjoy cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres along with […]
Posted inThings To Do
Preservation Society hosts augmented reality exhibition at The Elms in partnership with Rhode Island School of Design
A first-of-its-kind exhibition at The Elms (1901) allows visitors to use their audio tour player’s screen to view “digital” objects superimposed within the room. Augmented reality technology is finding its way into museums as a way to enhance and expand the visitor experience through objects that no longer exist, never even existed or are too […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Euer’s bill that would simplify food truck registration passes Senate
The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Dawn Euer to lighten the regulatory burden on operators of food trucks. Senator Dawn Euer represents Newport and Jamestown The State Mobile Food Establishment Registration Act (2018-S 2502A), which Senator Euer introduced on behalf of the Department of Administration, would standardize the business registration process for trucks or […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Professionals chat about how preventing suicide is everyone’s business
On average, one person dies by suicide every three days in Rhode Island. Frank Prosnitz and I dedicated 90 minutes of our shows (The Open Forum and What’sUpNewp Radio Edition) on AM 1540 WADK Newport today to have a serious and much-needed conversation about suicide. From 12 pm to 1:30 pm today, representatives from Newport Mental Health, American Foundation […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Island students complete voyage aboard Tall Ship Oliver Hazard Perry
With 21 students aboard from Rogers High School, Portsmouth High School and the MET School, Rhode Island’s Official Sailing Education Vessel SSV Oliver Hazard Perry returned to Newport on Monday morning after ten days at sea. The 200 foot three-masted Class A Tall Ship and its student trainees, plus two teacher chaperones and 18 professional crew, started the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Clean Ocean Access and Newport Bermuda Race to host beach cleanup on Wednesday
Clean Ocean Access (COA) has announced that they have joined together with the Newport Bermuda Race Clean Regattas effort to help rid the oceans of marine debris and work towards a more sustainable future. Together, they invite sailors, crew, volunteers, and everyone to join them this Wednesday, June 13th at Surfers End Second Beach for […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Charter Yacht Show: A Sneak Peek at Yachts for Charter in New England
With its illustrious maritime history, picturesque coastlines and quaint islands and towns, New England is a summer hot spot for luxury charter vacations, and from June 18-21, the NewportCharter Yacht Show presented by Helly Hansen Newport will showcase the impressive lineup of world-class yachts available for charter in the region this season. Staged at the mega-yacht friendly Newport Shipyard, the annual event is the only […]
Posted inNews
Sports Camp encourages kids to ‘break free’ of poor choices
Using examples of professional athletes competing for the greatest touchdown, the last minute three-point basket or maybe the Olympic gold medal, instructors at the EFC Newport Kickin’ Kids Sports Camp will teach children how to break free from poor choices and fear. Scheduled for July 9-13 at EFC Newport, RI this one week, half-day camp […]
Posted inThings To Do
This Week: 25+ things to do in and around Newport
Discovers all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, RI this week. Monday, June 11th 4:45 pm – RBG at Jane Pickens Theater 7:30 pm – Disobedience at Jane Pickens Theater Tuesday, June 12th 10:30 am – Mornings at the Museum at Museum of Newport History 4 pm – Sails and Ales with Newport […]