The Greenlove Foundation has announced that a water bottle filling station (with an attached water fountain) has been installed at Fort Adams State Park just in time for Newport Folk Festival. The Greenlove Foundation was founded in loving memory of Kendra Bowers. Her favorite summer event was to attend the Folk Festival with her sisters 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 inNews
Fort Adams Trust Unveils New Golf Cart to Better Assist Visitors With Mobility Limitations
The Fort Adams Trust has purchased a seven-passenger golf cart to enable visitors with limited mobility to see all areas of the Fort that previously were difficult to gain access to due to distance and terrain. The new cart is a 2016 Cushman Shuttle Electric model with rain flaps for inclement weather that will allow […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Sail To Prevail Will Host Summer Sports Clinic at Fort Adams State This Week
Sail To Prevail will host 48 rehab patients from the Boston VA Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18-19, from its facility at Fort Adams as part of the Summer Sports Clinic for military veterans. During two sessions each day, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m., the veterans get to leave behind their wheelchair, crutches, canes […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Rolex-Presented New York Yacht Club Race Week Awards Winners in 14 Classes
Rolex’s involvement in yachting dates back to 1958 when it entered into partnership with the New York Yacht Club. By that time the Geneva-based watchmaker had already achieved a number of firsts, including the first waterproof wristwatch in 1926. For more than a century Rolex watches have accompanied legendary sailors and explorers around the world, […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Raymond Bidlack
Raymond J. “Butch” Bidlack, 69, of Wapping Road, Portsmouth, RI, died Sunday, July 17, 2016 at the Boston Medical Center in Boston, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Marie Francis Bidlack. Born in Newport on June 28, 1947. He was a son of the late Raymond L. and Gertrude (Pinheiro) Bidlack. Butch […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Q&A with Newport BridgeFest Artist Dick Lupino
When you start naming off great musicians who call Newport home and play regularly in Newport, it won’t take you long before you have to mention Dick Lupino. Dick Lupino, bassist and vocalist, is a graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Over the past 30 years his professional experience has […]
Posted inNews
Podcast #150: Preservation Society of Newport County and Newport BridgeFest
Trudy Coxe, CEO of Preservation Society of Newport County, and friends joined me on The Open Forum on WADK1540AM for an hour on Monday, followed by a couple of 2016 Newport BridgeFest Artists. Breakdown of the show: 12:30 – 12:45 – Ashley Householder, Associate Curator for Exhibitions, discussed the current exhibition at Rosecliff, Splendor at Sea: […]
Posted inThings To Do
Island Moving Co.’s ‘Great Friends Dance Festival’ Continues July 19 – 23
Island Moving Co.’s seventh annual Great Friends Dance Festival continues July 19-23, 2016 at the Great Friends Meeting House in Newport, RI. Performances, which are unique each night, are at 7:30pm. Island Moving Co’s dancers perform each evening with Owen/Cox Dance Group of Kansas City, joined by guest companies Nomad Contemporary Ballet of New York […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport BridgeFest is Just One Week Away, Here’s The Full Schedule of Events
Newport Festivals Foundation will continue the tradition of Newport Bridgefest in 2016, over the four days the festival will aim to celebrate folk, jazz, and the musical heritage of Newport. Newport BridgeFest was founded in 2009 by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County to “bridge” the days between the Newport Folk and Jazz […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, Things To Do
By The Numbers: Newport Folk Festival, Newport BridgeFest and Newport Jazz Festival
I don’t know if you’re like me, but I love crunching numbers. It can be argued that these are the largest events of the summer and the busiest few weeks around the City-By-The-Sea. Here’s some random and fun things to know… What’sUpNewp’s 2016 Newport Folk Festival Coverage is brought to you by Midtown Oyster Bar […]
Posted inJobs
60+ Companies Hiring Right Now in Newport
Looking for a job in Newport, RI? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. All jobs posted within the last 7 days; 22 Bowen’s – Line Cook – 22 Bowen’s99 Restaurants – Kitchen ManagerAloha Cafe – Sandwich Maker/Kitchen HelpA Market – Cashier PositionBarling Bay LLC – CIS Trainers – NewportBayberry Inn […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Just In Time For Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island PBS Airs ‘The Newport Effect’
With the 2016 Newport Folk Festival just days away, there’s plenty to be excited about – amazing artists are scheduled to perform, the long-range weather forecast is calling for warm and dry conditions and well…just about everything about the three-day weekend has us excited. Rhode Island PBS has appropriately scheduled The Newport Effect, a feature length […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Barbara E. Agostinelli
Barbara Eugenia (Plociennik) Agostinelli was a resident of Portsmouth, RI. She grew up in West Roxbury, MA with her parents, Eugene J. and Katherine (Sheridan) Plociennik, and her two sisters, Anne Marshall of New York and Corinne Boyd of Quebec, Canada. She was married to Anthony J. (Tony) Agostinelli for 52 years. They raised their […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Norma Lee Houtchens
Norma Lee (Defoor) Houtchens, 80, of 32 Continental Drive, Middletown, RI, passed on July 15, 2016 at the Village House Nursing Home in Newport, RI, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Horace Paul Houtchens. Born in Oklaunion, OK on February 19, 1936, she was the daughter of the late […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Great Things To Do This Weekend in Newport
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport, RI. Where To Find Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Weekend Ongoing 48th Annual Newport Music Festival – July 8 – 24, 2016, it continues the tradition of presenting unique chamber music programs, American debuts, world-class artists and gala special events […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Luke Walker
Luke W. Walker, 57 of Middletown RI died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Luke was born in Corning NY and is survived by his wife of 32 years, Bess Walker and daughter, Jacqueline Marie Walker, 21. He is also survived by his parents William Donald Walker and Mary Lucille Walker and brothers and sisters; […]
Posted inFood & Drink
70+ Chances To Laugh, Dance, Sing and/or Be Entertained This Weekend
Discover the best entertainment, comedy and live music happening around Newport, RI this weekend. If you’re looking for events and other activities that are happening this weekend, check out – 20+ Great Things To Do In Newport This Weekend. If you find value in these listings, please consider supporting the venues in bold. These are […]
Posted inNews
47 Open Houses This Weekend in Newport, Portsmouth & Middletown
Here’s our weekly roundup of open houses taking place on Aquidneck Island over the weekend, happy home shopping! Need real estate help or a reliable agent? E-mail us at Ryan@whatsupnewp.com, we’d be happy to put you in touch with a preferred and reliable real estate agent that can fulfill your needs. The following information has […]
Posted inNews
Podcast #149: Leadership at All Levels with Gail Alofsin and Preview of Newport Bridgefest
Gail Alofsin stopped by The Open Forum studio today at WADK1540 AM for her monthly focus and show on Leadership At All Levels, among her guests were representatives from Dockwa, Marc Allen Fine Clothiers and Sailing World Magazine. At 1:30pm, local musicians John Monllos and Louis Vaughan joined me in the studio to talk about the […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Veronica “Roni” Elizabeth Perry
Veronica “Roni” Elizabeth (Pine) Perry joined her fellow angels on July 14, 2016. Born December 15, 1941, she was raised with her seven siblings on the Point in Newport. She was a devoted wife to her only love for 55 years, a doting mother and grandmother and caring daughter, sister and friend. Roni graduated from […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for George W. Glover
Portsmouth, RI – George W. Glover, LCDR USN Retired, of Portsmouth, RI, died July 14, 2016, at the Village House Nursing Home, in Newport, RI. Born in Akron, OH on November 23, 1925, he was the son of the late Charles C. and Blanche A. Glover. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years […]
Posted inNews
Newport Folk Festival: 15 Of Our Favorite Photos and Memories From 2015
With the 2016 Newport Folk Festival just days away, the What’sUpNewp Crew gathered recently at Gary’s Handy Lunch to chat about our past and future coverage of the festival – what we did right (and wrong) in 2015, how we could be better in 2016, what information do our readers want/need and shared some great […]
Posted inNews
Podcast #148: Chat About Travel and Tourism with Evan Smith, CEO and President of Discover Newport
It was that time of the month where we are fortunate to have the opportunity to be joined by Evan Smith, CEO and President of Discover Newport. Among the topics covered in our nearly 90-minute interview were the Providence-Newport Ferry, the possibility of Middletown becoming home of the USS John F. Kennedy, upcoming events in […]
Posted inNews
Providence-Newport Ferry Sells 5,000 Tickets in First 12 Days, 30% Sold to Out-Of-Staters
Providence-Newport Ferry Service Continues its Successful Debut: Sells Over 5,000 Tickets The Providence-Newport ferry service continues to prove popular with Rhode Islanders and visitors alike, and has sold more than 5,000 tickets in its first 12 days, providing passengers a unique and convenient transportation option to one of Rhode Island’s most popular summer destinations. Additionally, […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: It’s Time For United Prayer in Newport
The following was written by Paul Hoffman, Pastor at EFC Newport. Based on the shootings last week in Baton Rouge, St. Paul and Dallas, and the heated Presidential campaign, I am convinced now more than ever, events in America are reaching a crescendo. It seems we’ve entered a “Kairos” moment, a cultural Zeitgeist. […]