As fall weather slips away and with it, beer festival season, Gray Matter Marketing has announced that tickets for the January 27th Rhode Island Brew Fest are now on sale. The event, which will be held at the Pawtucket Armory, is in its sixth year and features local and regional breweries from across the northeast. “The […]
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, Things To Do
30+ things to do this weekend in Newport
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport County this weekend. Friday, November 10th All Day – 2017 Fall Newport Restaurant Week 11 am – Island Moving Company invites public to open rehearsal for ‘Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff’ 12 pm – Free Essential Oils Workshop at Thames Street Yoga 3:30 pm & 8:15 […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
This Weekend in Newport: Live music, comedy and entertainment listings
Discover where to find live music, karaoke, comedy, dancing, and entertainment this weekend in and around Newport! *Unless otherwise noted, the venue is located in Newport. Friday, November 10th Casino Theater: Extensions Dance Company Concert at 8 pmCeltica: Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House: DJ & Dancing in the Boom Boom Room at 10 pmFirehouse Theater: The Bit Players at 8 pmGulf Stream […]
Posted inNews
Mark Mulcahy rolls through The Met in Pawtucket on November 15th
When it comes to the jewels of New England’s music culture, Mark Mulcahy is definitely one of them. He started out as the frontman for the New Haven, CT indie rock act Miracle Legion in the ‘80s. Then he gained cult status as the leader of Polaris due to being the house band for Nickelodeon’s […]
Posted inNews
WUN Radio Edition – Podcast #3: A conversation with Clean Ocean Access about single-use plastic bag bans
3 communities in Rhode Island have now adopted a single-use plastic bag ban, 1 community will adopt a ban on April 18, 2018, and another community is considering a ban in 2018. On the Wednesday, November 7th edition of What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on WADK 1540AM, we’ chatted all about single-use plastic bags and why 5 Rhode […]
Posted inNews
Sardella’s to donate 170 turkeys to MLK Center’s annual holiday food drive
For over a decade, Newport restaurateur Richard Sardella is donating 170 turkeys to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (MLK Center) in Newport for its holiday food drive. This is the 11th year that Sardella’s Ristorante Italiano has provided the main attraction of the distinctly American holiday so that all local families can enjoy […]
Posted inNews
New Life Trustees named for International Tennis Hall of Fame
In recognition of their lengthy and steadfast support of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Hope (Happy) van Beuren and Christopher Clouser have been appointed Life Trustees of the organization, the International Tennis Hall of Fame announced on Thursday. “On behalf of the Board of Governors, it is a pleasure to present this formal acknowledgement […]
Posted inNews
Tall Ship Oliver Hazard Perry releases 2018 Program Schedule
After completing a full schedule of programs and festivals in New England, Bermuda and Cuba during 2017, the 200-foot Tall Ship SSVOliver Hazard Perry is preparing for her 2018 adventures, which will take her to Charleston, S.C. and St. Petersburg, Fla. before she sails south to Cuba and Jamaica.Perry is America’s newest Tall Ship and Rhode Island’s Official Sailing Education Vessel. […]
Posted inNews
WUN Radio Edition – Podcast #2: A discussion with Kevin Robinson (K-Rob), Guinness World Record Holder and X Games Gold Medalist
After visiting students at Thompson Middle School in Newport, Guinness World Record Holder and X Games Gold Medalist, Kevin Robinson (K-Rob) joined me on What’sUpNewp Radio Edition on WADK 1540AM. Hear about K-Rob’s experience at TMS, learn more about the K-Rob Foundation and how he hopes T.R.I.C.K. will help students. To learn more about Kevin Robinson or K-Rob Foundation, visit […]
Posted inNews
Recap: November 8th Newport City Council meeting
Newport City Council continues to keep their council meetings “short and sweet”. A few more than a dozen people were on hand Wednesday night for City Council’s 20-minute meeting, here’s a quick recap. Here’s The Full Agenda All 7 special event licenses were approved unanimously with a small amendment to #7, the Newport Night Run. Councilor Leonard […]
Posted inNews
WUN Radio Edition – Podcast #1: Debut of new show, Bonnie Gomes and Pastor Paul Hoffman
What’sUpNewp Radio Edition debuted on Monday, November 6th. Ryan Belmore, Owner, Editor and Publisher of What’sUpNewp, announced at the start of the show that he will return to the airwaves to host What’sUpNewp Radio Edition every weekday at 1 pm. Belmore has previously hosted 1540 Live on WADK from 4 pm to 6 pm and most recently hosted The Open […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Island Moving Company readies to celebrate 16th season of ‘The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff’
The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff is in its 16th season, with a cast of Island Moving Company dancers, guest artists and children from studios throughout Rhode Island. Performances at Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, begin on Friday, November 24th and conclude, after 14 shows, on Friday, December 1st. Tickets range from $100 to $55 and are available, in limited quantities, at […]
Posted inNews
Newport Pell Deck Repair Project completed ahead of schedule
JAMESTOWN, R.I. – The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA)is pleased to announce the early completion of the first phase of the deck repair project on the Newport Pell Bridge. This comes weeks before its scheduled completion date. As of Friday morning, the traffic pattern on the Bridge will resume to two lanes in each direction. This […]
Posted inNews
HopeHealth expands into Newport County, opens location in Middletown
HopeHealth announced today that they have expanded hospice, palliative, and home care services to Newport County with the opening of a location in Middletown. Hope Hospice & Palliative Care RI and Visiting Nurse of HopeHealth, HopeHealth’s Rhode Island branches, have started services recently. HopeHealth staff is caring for patients in Jamestown, Middletown, Newport, and Portsmouth […]
Posted inNews
Now Hiring: 80 businesses 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 100 businesses hiring right now in and around Newport. Featured Jobs Christine’s Coastal Cleaning – Assistant HousekeeperMokka Coffeehouse – Barista, Counter Server, and Short Order CookNewport Marriott – Food and Beverage Positions available at the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Lt. Gov. McKee announces for reelection entering primary election against Progressive Democrat Aaron Regunberg
Lt. Gov. Dan McKee yesterday (Tuesday) announced he was running for a second term, setting up what many expect to be a highly contested primary election against a progressive and well-funded two-term Providence State Representative, Aaron Regunberg. Aaron Regunberg A former Cumberland mayor, McKee has become a strong small business advocate, devoting much of his […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls 2018 Season Tickets and Summer Camp vouchers are now on sale
The Newport Gulls have announced that they have made 2018 Season Tickets and Summer Camp Vouchers available for sale in anticipation of the holiday season. The New England Collegiate Baseball League and the Newport Gulls Youth Summer Camp schedules have not been released but will be shortly after the New Year, according to the Newport […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History
Replica of Volume of Newport’s African Union Society Records Produced
The Newport Historical Society has announced that they have worked with local bookbinder James Currier to produce a replica of a volume of 18th-century records from Newport’s African Union Society. The African Union Society (AUS) was formed in 1780 by free African Americans seeking to create a mutual aid organization to benefit its members, according […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Island Moving Company invites public to open rehearsal for ‘Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff’
Island Moving Company invites the public to attend an open rehearsal of The Newport Nutcracker at the Company’s studios at 3 Charles Street in Newport. The rehearsal will begin at 11 am on Friday, November 10, 2017. The rehearsal is free and informal and will feature Artistic Director Miki Ohlsen at work with the dancers and children’s cast on the […]
Posted inNews
Viral Video: ABC News shares video of moon over Newport
A time-lapse video of a “super moon” rising over Newport has gone viral. The clip, shot by Mike Cohea of Jamestown and shared by ABC News on their Facebook Page on Sunday, shows a bright moon rising over Newport and a cruise ship traveling in Narragansett Bay. Because it is not made known when the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Review: Obnox’s ‘Murder Radio’
Cleveland native Lamont “Bim” Thomas has been stunningly prolific ever since his noise punk project Obnox started out during the beginnings of the 2010s. He’s released seven full-length albums and nine EPs since and his most recent release, Murder Radio, that came out on October 13 via New York City label Ever/Never Records is a […]
Posted inCity & Government
Gubernatorial race heating up as more candidates announce
Lt. Gov. Dan McKee, a Democrat, has raised considerable speculation with his announcement that on Tuesday, November 7th he plans on making a major announcement that some believe will be his candidacy for governor of Rhode Island. If that happens it will fuel what already promises to be a spirited primary election with two Republican […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson to host constituent meeting at Gateway Center on November 14th
Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) will hold a constituent meeting to talk about the work of the tourism promotion commission she leads at the State House. “Tourism is so vital to Newport, and ensuring that the state is getting the biggest bang for its tourism promotion buck means a lot in my district. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to hold next Regular Meeting on November 8th
The Newport City Council will next meet on Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 pm in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall. The meeting is open to the general public and there is an opportunity for the public to speak (on a topic not already on the agenda) at the beginning of the meeting. Among […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund opens to help those in need of energy assistance
The Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund (GNEF) announced on Monday that it is now open for those Rhode Island households experiencing financial difficulty and in need of assistance with their energy bills. The Fund, which is sponsored by Dominion Energy, National Grid, Ocean State Power, Pascoag Utility District, Petro Home Services and RISEC LP […]