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 Like: Six Picks: The Best in […]
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 inEnvironment & Health, Things To Do
Registration now open for 2018 Newport Night Run
Registration is now open for the fifth annual Newport Night Run, which will be held on April 7th, 2018. The 5K road race benefits the Newport Public Education Foundation and is produced by Gray Matter Marketing. Since it’s inception in 2014, the Newport Night Run has raised more than $10,000 for the Newport Public Education Foundation. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport: December 1 – 3
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this weekend. You Might Also Like: Six Picks: The Best in Local Music This Week (November 30-December 6) Newport live music and entertainment guide: Dec. 1 – 3 Friday, December 1st 2017 Newport Holiday Stroll 2 pm – Holiday pop-up store at The Edward King […]
Posted inBusiness, Things To Do
Help brighten downtown Newport with seasonal cheer at Newport Skating Center’s Grand Re-Opening and Traditional Tree Lighting
The Newport Skating Center invites one and all to come enjoy a festive celebration with a sprinkle of holiday magic at its Grand Re-Opening and 36TH Annual Tree Lighting Celebration, to take place next Friday, December 8th at 5:00 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center. The illumination of the Newport Yachting Center evergreen tree […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust completes improvements to Oakland Forest and Meadow Preserve
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced that they have completed improvements to Oakland Forest and Meadow Preserve after receiving a $1,500 grant from the National Association of Realtors. Two trail kiosks, a trailside bench, and directional trail signage were installed on the 30-acre preserve, one of 77 ALT-conserved properties on Aquidneck Island. The site has […]
Posted inNews
Foolproof Brewing Company announces Annual Barrel Reserve Night and Fifth Anniversary Party
Foolproof Brewing Company today announced its annual Barrel Reserve Night & Fifth Anniversary Party, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:00-10:00 p.m., at Foolproof Brewing Company, 241 Grotto Avenue, Pawtucket, R.I. Tickets are $35 per person and available for sale through EventBrite.com. Foolproof’s Barrel Reserve Night is an annual event featuring various barrel-aged beers […]
Posted inNews
Newport Police Department seeking two females who vandalized Cliff Walk
Newport Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying two females who recently vandalized the Cliff Walk using spray paint. UPDATE: 12/2/17 – Females who vandalized Cliff Walk turn themselves into Newport Police On Saturday, November 25, 2017, at about 3:40 pm, Newport Police Officers responded to the Cliff Walk behind the area of 646 Bellevue […]
Posted inNews
Early bird 3-day and 2-day passes are now available for 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
Flex tickets for the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management are sold out, but Early Bird 3-Day and 2-Day Passes are now available. Produced by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., the 2018 Festival is set for August 3 – 5. Early Bird 3-Day Passes, the best deal at $155.00, is good for Adult General […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Marriott receives AAA’s Four Diamond Rating
The Newport Marriott, located in the heart of historic Newport, RI, has received the esteemed AAA Four Diamond Rating. This is the first time the Newport Marriott has attained this celebrated designation. Hotels at this level employ experienced, highly qualified staff to provide the custom service luxury hotel guests expect, according to AAA. These establishments […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation hosts 2nd Annual ‘Keeping History Above Water’ in Annapolis
The second Keeping History Above Water conference, held October 29 through November 1 in Annapolis, Maryland, brought 275 attendees from around the world to discuss the impact of sea level rise on historic coastal communities, according to a press release issued today from the Newport Restoration Foundation. The first conference, organized by the Newport Restoration Foundation in […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth single-use plastic bag survey results announced
The Town of Portsmouth recently asked their citizens about their use and disposal of single-use plastic bags, how effective they thought a ban on single-use plastic bags would have on the environment and if they were supportive of the enactment of a ban on single-use plastic bags in the Town. According to the Town of […]
Posted inNews
Senator Euer to host first Constituent Meeting
On Tuesday, December 5, Senator Dawn Euer (D – Dist. 13, Newport & Jamestown) will hold her first Constituent meeting. The meeting will be an opportunity to hear from Senator Euer about what she has been working on for the past couple months since taking office and what bills she will be focusing on in the […]
Posted inNews
Rogers Boosters Club will host ‘Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale’ outside IYRS this weekend
The First Annual Rogers High School Christmas Tree & Wreath sale will take place December 2 & 3 at IYRS, 449 Lower Thames Street, Newport. This sale was previously hosted by Cluny School in Newport. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, or while […]
Posted inNews
Ballard Park to host cleanup on December 2nd, volunteers needed
Friends of Ballard Park has announced that they will be hosting a cleanup of Ballard Park on Saturday, December 2nd from 10 am to 12 noon to get the park ready for its 13th Annual Illuminated Garden in February. Volunteers are needed to remove invasive plants. They will also pick up trash and scrape paint from the entry […]
Posted inNews
WUN Radio Edition – Podcast #10: Author David Brown chats about ‘Shadowing Dizzy Gillespie’
In celebration of Dizzy Gillespie’s 100th birthday, author David G. Brown (Deacon’s Crossbow) has shared his intimate experiences and memoirs of this humanitarian, innovator, and magical musician in his new book, Shadowing Dizzy Gillespie. Brown, a former Rhode Island resident, joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on AM 1540 WADK on Monday, November 27th to talk […]
Posted inNews
Sen. Sheehan says risks should be mitigated or state should walk away from PawSox deal
After considering a proposal for the building of a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox, Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) has stated that unless certain risked are either guaranteed or mitigated by team owners, the state should walk away from the deal. Under the current legislative proposal, the Pawsox would […]
Posted inNews
Applicants sought to replace John Florez on Newport City Council
Following the announcement that Newport City Councilor At-Large John Florez would be stepping down from City Council effective January 9th, 2018, the City of Newport has issued the following press release. The Office of the Mayor announces the resignation of City Councilor-at-Large, John Florez, effective January 9, 2018. The City appreciates the service of Councilor […]
Posted inNews
A1 Roofing & Construction donates Thanksgiving Day turkeys to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
A1 Roofing and Construction located on Bliss Road in Newport donated more than 60 turkeys to the Marcus Wheatland Avenue based Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center to help those in need celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving. This was the fifth year A1 has donated to the Community Center as part of the company’s efforts to […]
Posted inBusiness
People’s Credit Union donates Thanksgiving Baskets to Child & Family Services
People’s Credit Union’s Community Enhancement Committee, Employee Activities Committee, and Senior Leadership Team recently partnered in a joint effort to raise funds for Thanksgiving baskets. Employees from the three groups each donated $15 which went towards purchasing items for the baskets that were then donated to Child & Family Services. Lyn Dawley, VP of Lending […]
Posted inBusiness
BankNewport named Newport 10 Miler title sponsor
Local favorite road race, the Newport 10 Miler, has a new title sponsor, BankNewport. The annual event, which has sold out every year since 2016, will take place on June 3rd, 2018. The event is produced by Gray Matter Marketing, based in Portsmouth. “With the additional support of BankNewport, we can ensure this event continues to […]
Posted inOpinion
Net Neutrality repeal could damage local news startups
Information must flow freely for democracy to flourish Editor’s Note- The following was written by Matt DeRienzo, Executive Director of Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION Publishers). What’sUpNewp is a proud member, the only Rhode Island member, of LION Publishers and supports the views and opinions expressed within. Repealing Net Neutrality would allow giant chain […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO: Newport by drone – November 2017
Matt Eastwood shared with What’sUpNewp these drone highlights that he recently captured during an absolutely spectacular November day over Newport. This video includes drone footage taken in Newport – a city set on Aquidneck Island in the state of Rhode Island – in November 2017. Newport’s yacht-filled harbor hosted the America’s Cup, a renowned sailing […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
Grace Vanderbilt unveils new ‘Cozy Cocktail Den’
The garden terrace at Newport’s Grace Vanderbilt hotel has received a makeover just in time for winter, emerging as the new Cozy Cocktail Den. Guests to the all-new Cozy Cocktail Den can experience a warm haven offering delicious, hand-crafted cocktails and over-the-top s’mores setup to enjoy beneath the warmth of overhead heaters, Grace- branded wool blankets, while kicking up […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County Road Construction Report for Week of Nov. 26 – Dec. 2
Here is what’s happening for road work, closures and detours in and around Newport, RI this week. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Department Of Transportation: November 25 – December 1, 2017 Tiverton/Portsmouth: Rte. 24 South at the Old Sakonnet River Bridge, please watch for construction vehicles exiting and entering the shoulder to access the construction site, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
You vs Food: Gut-Busting Food Challenges in Newport
If your goal in life is to become Newport’s own version of Kobayashi, or just impress your friends, this list of gut-busting challenges is for you. 1 – The Hungry Monkey’s King Kong 15 Egg Omelet Challenge You have one hour to finish the entire five pound meal that consists of an 15 egg omelet filled with chorizo, other […]