I have always believed that we need to give every guest all we’ve got and deliver a “WOW! Experience” every time. We have the opportunity to transform every visitor to Newport into a lifelong ambassador for our city and its many attractions. Writer and international hospitality expert Micah Solomon explains it this way: “Creating a […]
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 inJobs
Now Hiring: 90+ companies hiring right now in and around Newport
Time for a new part-time gig, new full-time job or a new career? Start your job search right here, there are more than 90 businesses hiring right now in and around Newport. All job listings have been posted within the last 7 days and are located within 5 miles of Newport. 22 Bowen’s – Line Cooks […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport-Kinsale Chef Exchange will celebrate Sister City bond from March 10th – 14th
Chefs from Kinsale, Ireland, will descend on Newport for four days of culinary and cultural exchange from March 10th – 14th. This March, while the City by the Sea celebrates its 41st Annual Irish Heritage Month, local restaurants will welcome guest chefs and restaurants from Kinsale, the “Gourmet Capital of Ireland,” located in County Cork. […]
Posted inNews
Second-grader at Pell Elementary School honored with Newport Police Department’s first ‘Young Hero Award’
Pell Elementary second grade student Andrew Novaes, was honored this morning by a contingent of officers from Newport’s Police and Fire Department, who visited Mrs. Bonnie Cecil’s classroom at the Pell School to present the Newport Police Department’s First Young Hero Award. According to a press release from Newport Public Schools, Andrew’s mother, Tatiana Lima […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Two Canadian sailors receive boats from the 2017 Clagett Boat Grant Program
The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta have announced the recipients of two 2.4mR boats from The Clagett Boat Grant Program are two sailors from Canada, Shaylagh Ley from Nepean, Ontario on Canada’s East Coast and Delani Hulme Lawrence from St Paul in Victoria, British Columbia on the West Coast. “We are very […]
Posted inCity & Government
Westerly Town Manager leaves for Mansfield, CT.
After two and a half years on the job, Westerly’s Town Manager, Derrik M. Kennedy, is leaving to accept the Town Manager’s position in Mansfield, CT, where he’ll earn a substantial pay increase and leave behind rumors that his job in Westerly was in jeopardy. Kennedy resisted a last-ditch effort Monday night by some Westerly […]
Posted inBusiness, Jobs
IYRS will host Career Day on March 24th
The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) will host a Career Day on March 24th from 9 am to 1 pm at the IYRS campus on lower Thames Street in Newport. Career Day is a free job and career-exploration fair that draws employers who come to this annual event with one goal in mind: to connect with individuals with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Author shares history of RI’s first black militia for NUWC Division Newport’s commemoration of Black History Month
The contributions of men of color during the American Revolution were explained by historian and author Robert Geake on Feb. 22 to commemorate Black History Month at Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport. Titled “Privates, Pilots and Privateers,” the discussion focused on the history of the Continental Army’s 1st Rhode Island Regiment, known as the […]
Posted inNews
Volvo Ocean Race: Team AkzoNobel holds off late charge to win epic Leg 6 into Auckland
Team AkzoNobel has won Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, racing 6,344 miles from Hong Kong to Auckland in 20 days, 9 hours and 17 minutes and 26 seconds. It was a tremendous win, and came after an epic final 24 hours, when a ridge of high pressure off the north east coast of New […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDOT to host public workshop on Pell Bridge Ramp Project on March 1st
Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be holding a public workshop to provide information about the reconstruction of the Pell Bridge Interchange in Newport. The public forum is scheduled for Thursday, March 1st at 6 pm at Newport City Hall.
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
41st Annual Irish Heritage Month set to officially open on Sunday with Dancing at Forty Steps
The 41st annual Newport Irish Heritage Month kicks off on Sunday, March 4th, at 3:00 pm, with Dancing at the Forty Steps. In addition to dancing and live Irish music, the AOH Men choral group will provide some sing-a-long Irish songs. Weather permitting, of course. This event not only officially begins Irish Heritage Month […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Great American Beer Bars: CraftBeer.com readers choose Norey’s as best beer bar in Rhode Island
Norey’s has been recognized as the best beer bar in Rhode Island in the annual Great American Beer Bars competition conducted by CraftBeer.com —the Brewers Association website for beer lovers. Norey’s, which was founded in 2000, offers at least 20 taps and 110 bottles of some of the world’s best and rarest craft beers. “There are more than 6,000 small and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport Burger Bender: Winner, Critic’s Choice, and Most Creative revealed
Thirty local restaurants cooked up their best burgers, topped them with everything from frizzled onion straws and mac & cheese to creole remoulade sauce and jalapeno jam, placed it all between a bun (or loaded potato skins) and tossed it into the ring during the 2nd Annual Newport Burger Bender contest, held in Newport and […]
Posted inNews
URI to host live broadcast with Volvo Ocean Race sailors on March 20th
The University of Rhode Island will bring the Volvo Ocean Race to campus on March 20 through a live video broadcast with sailors as they race across the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and South America. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 pm in Edwards Auditorium on […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ballerina to hang up pointe shoes after 11 years
Island Moving Company, Newport’s contemporary ballet company, announced on Monday the upcoming retirement of locally beloved ballerina Christine Sandofi. Sandorfi retires after 11 years dancing with the company, an extraordinary achievement considering the physical rigor ballerinas endure through their work. Her final performances will be held at Rosecliff Mansion on two nights only Friday, March […]
Posted inBusiness
KVH provides a part for the inner workings of the robot that participated in the torch relay to PyeongChang
When a humanoid participated in the PyeongChang torch relay for the Winter Games, it was one more first for robotics, and one more instance of an inertial navigation product made by KVH Industries, Inc., keeping a humanoid on track. KVH’s DSP-1760 fiber optic gyro (FOG) is part of the inner workings of Hubo, a humanoid […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
25+ things to do, calendar of events for this week: Feb. 26 – Mar. 3
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this week. (scroll down for This Week in Newport Government) Monday, February 26th 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Call Me By Your Name at Jane Pickens Theater 5 pm – Last Skate of the Season! at Newport Skating Center Tuesday, February 27th 10:30 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live music and entertainment listings: Feb. 26 – Mar. 3
Our Newport Live Music and Entertainment Guide is Newport County’s premier and most comprehensive source for live music and entertainment in our area. 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. Monday, February 26th Diego’s: Trivia at 9:30 pmFastnet Pub: […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
30+ things to do this weekend: Feb. 23 – 25
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this weekend! Friday, February 23rd Feb. 16 – 25 – Newport Winter Festival Feb. 16 – 25 – Newport Burger Bender 3 pm to 9 pm – Polar Pineapples at Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina 3 pm to 11 pm – Newport Skating Center Open 4 pm & […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Live music and entertainment listings: Feb. 23 – 25
Our Newport Live Music and Entertainment Guide is Newport County’s premier and most comprehensive source for live music and entertainment in our area. 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. You Might Also Want To Check Out: 30+ things to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
James Montgomery, Mike Renzi among eight to be inducted into Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018
The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame (RIMHOF) held a press conference earlier today announcing its 2018 inductees. The press conference took place in the RIMHOF Museum located at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket. Members of the RIMHOF Board of Directors, several past inductees, and fans and family were on hand for the naming of the eight […]
Posted inNews
Friday’s Illuminated Garden at Ballard Park has been cancelled due to wet weather
Weather is not on Ballard Park’s side this week. For the second day in a row, Ballard Park has been forced to cancel their 13th Annual Illuminated Garden due to the wet weather. Friends of Ballard Park hopes to run the event on Saturday, February 24th, 2018 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm if the weather cooperates. The free event […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Extensions Dance Company will present annual spring concert, ‘Here/Now’, March 1 – 3
Extensions Dance Company, Salve Regina University’s select group of dancers, will be presenting their annual spring concert, “Here/Now,” with public performances March 1-3 at the Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody St. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3, with an additional matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m. General admission tickets ($15 general admission, $10 military and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Podcast: Rhode Island Music Hall Of Fame, James Montgomery, and Jenn Vix
Ken Abrams, the music writer for What’sUpNewp, joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK today to chat about all things music! Russell Gusetti and James Montgomery phoned into the program live from the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame 2018 inductee announcement in Pawtucket. Ken and I were also joined by special guest […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Symposium will present ‘Great Collectors’ with new weekend schedule and venue, April 26-29
The 26th annual Newport Symposium, Great Collectors: Taste, Passion & Patronage, will be held Thursday, April 26 to Sunday, April 29, 2018, debuting a new weekend schedule, new venue and, for the first time, a one-day registration option. The Newport Symposium, presented by The Preservation Society of Newport County, is New England’s preeminent convening of national and international […]