“The contribution of jazz musicians of Caribbean lineage is as old as jazz itself. The difference with the current generation is their perhaps more overtly prideful embrace of elements of their native culture in their expressions of jazz, reflecting the more ecumenical nature of the 21st Century approach to the genre.” Willard Jenkins, New Music […]
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
Obituary for Dorothy Quinn: June 5, 1928 – July 3, 2016
Dorothy Carr Quinn, of Newport passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at Newport Hospital. A native Newporter she was born on June 5, 1928 and was the daughter of Raymond H. Carr Sr. and Irene Diggles Carr. She was predeceased by her three older brothers, Robert F. Carr, Raymond H, Carr Jr. and […]
Posted inNews
Schooner Spirit of South Carolina Arrives In New England, Will Stop in Newport This Summer
Spirit of South Carolina, a 140-foot-long, two-masted topsail schooner designed to take groups of novices to sea on sailing adventures, has arrived at Mystic Seaport — “The Museum of America and the Sea” — in Connecticut, and will be spending the summer in New England waters. Spirit is a pilot schooner reminiscent of the famed schooner America, a vessel that made our nation […]
Posted inNews
Our Favorite Photos and Video of 2016 Newport Independence Day Fireworks Display
The 2016 Independence Day weekend is now in the history books and it would be hard to ask for, predict and/or come across such a beautiful and busy weekend. Thank you Mother Earth for blessing us with great weather on what’s sure to be the busiest weekend of the year. The crazy weekend all wrapped […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls Rally to 6-5 Win With Four Tuns in the Ninth vs. Ocean State on Monday
The Newport Gulls scored four times in the ninth inning, turning a 5-2 deficit into a 6-5 walk-off victory against the Ocean State Waves at Cardines Field on Independence Day, all as fireworks went off throughout downtown Newport. The Gulls ninth-inning comeback began when Trey Harris, the newest addition to the squad making his debut as […]
Posted inNews
Coast Guard Responds to Plan Crash Off of Bonnet Shores in Narragansett
The Coast Guard was called Monday to a plane crash in the west passage of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Only the pilot, who was reportedly not injured, was aboard the aircraft during the crash. After the single-engine propellor plane plunged into the bay, a nearby good Samaritan aboard a recreational boat rushed to recover the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do This Week In and Around Newport | July 4 – 8
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport, RI. Monday, July 4 9am to 1:30pm – Newport Independence Day Festivities 5:30pm to 10:30pm – 4th of July Barbecue and Fireworks at Rose Island 6pm to 9pm – 4th of July at Top Of Newport 6:35pm – Newport Gulls Home Game – Newport Gulls to […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth Will Display Original 1776 Copy of Declaration of Independence
Portsmouth Historical Society Hosts Lecture and Display of 1776 Declaration of Independence at Town Hall The Portsmouth Historical Society, in conjunction with the Town Clerk’s office, will host a lecture by noted local scholar John Parrillo on William Ellery, one of Rhode Island’s signers of the Declaration of Independence, and a display of Portsmouth’s original […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Joseph Brady: November 21, 1952 – July 2, 2016
The following obituary appeared on O’Neill-Hayes first; Joseph Richard Brady, 63, of Newport, RI passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital surrounded by his family Saturday, July 2, 2016. He is predeceased by his wife of 28 years Ellen S. Brady (Caswell). They were married in Newport, at St. Mary’s Church. Born in Jersey City, NJ […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: 50+ Local Businesses | July 4
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 – Restaurant Manager – 22 Bowen’sAll About Home Care – CNAs and HOMEMAKERS -You Can Make a Difference in the Lives of Others!BAE Systems – Towed Array […]
Posted inNews
Coast Guard, Local Agencies Search For Possible Person in Water Off of Block Island
The Coast Guard is searching for a possible person in the water in Great Salt Pond on Block Island, Rhode Island. At about 1 a.m., Monday, watchstanders at the Sector Southeastern New England command center received a report of an unmanned dinghy making in circles in Great Salt Pond. The Block Island Harbormaster and a […]
Posted inNews
Seastreak Cancels Ferry Scheduled to Depart Providence for Newport at 9:45 pm Tonight
Due to the city of Providence Fireworks taking place this evening and channel closures Seastreak has cancelled the 9:45pm Providence departure. The boat was scheduled to arrive in Newport at 10:45 p.m. this evening. The last boat to depart Providence today for Newport will be at 5 p.m. The last boat to depart Newport today for Providence […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What To Know About City Of Newport’s 4th of July Fireworks Display
The City of Newport will set off its traditional fireworks display on Monday, July 4 over Newport harbor, with a raindate of Tuesday, July 5. The fireworks show begins after it is dark enough for the show to be seen which is anticipated to be 9:15 PM and lasts approximately 20-25 minutes with Pyrotechnico Fireworks, Inc., of New Castle, PA, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport County 4th of July Fireworks and Celebrations
Portsmouth, Jamestown and Newport are among just three of the firework displays scheduled to take place over Fourth Of July Weekend throughout Rhode Island. Firework displays, sails, a barbecue and a clambake are among some of the ways you can celebrate the 4th of July weekend throughout Newport County. Friday, July 1st – 6pm to 9pm: July […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls to host Star Wars Night on July 4
The Newport Gulls are calling upon all Star Wars fans to come to Cardines Field on Monday, July 4 dressed in their favorite Star Wars-themed costumes – whether they side with the Galactic Empire or the Rebel Alliance – as the Gulls host the Ocean State Waves in Pell Bridge Series NECBL action at 6:35 […]
Posted inThings To Do
12 Biggest Newport Events To Look Forward To In July of 2016
Discover the best, biggest and most popular events happening in and around Newport, Rhode Island this July! For a full listing of events, visit our Events Calendar. 1. Newport Independence Day Festivities – July 4, 2016: Enjoy a wide variety of events throughout Newport from 9am to 1:30pm including a reading of the Declaration of Independence, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Four Historic Newport Houses of Worship Will Kickoff ‘Four Faiths Tour’ Today
Four historic Newport Houses of Worship – Touro Synagogue, Trinity Episcopal, Newport Congregational, and St. Mary’s Catholic have announced that the second season of their cooperative walking tour, “4Faiths, 4Landmarks”, will begin on July 3, continuing through Labor Day weekend, September 4. Tours will all meet at the John Loeb Visitors Center at Touro , […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do In Newport This Independence Day Weekend
Discover the best activities, events and things to do in and around Newport this Independence Day weekend! Looking for somewhere to sing, dance or be entertained this weekend? Check this out -> Where to Find Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Independence Day Weekend Friday 10am – Newport to Providence Ferry Begins 6pm – July 4th Weekend […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where to Find Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Independence Day Weekend
Discover the best entertainment, comedy and live music happening around Newport, RI this weekend. If you find value in these listings, please consider supporting the venues in bold. These are the businesses who make what we do on a daily basis possible! Newport, RI Live Music & Entertainment Listings This information was provided to us […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music Month at Ballard Park Begins July 6th with Navy Band Northeast
For the seventh year, Jenkins Construction Company of Middletown is the presenting sponsor of Music Month at Ballard Park. The series includes four free concerts by a diverse group of bands including The Navy Band Northeast, The Ubiquitones, the Toe Jam Puppet Band and Chelley, Bill & Dyl. The series opens on Wednesday, July 6th when the Navy […]
Posted inCity & Government
John Florez Won’t Seek Re-election on Newport City Council
After announcing that he would seek re-election and after submitting his declaration of candidacy earlier this week, Newport City Councilor-At-Large John Florez has announced that he will not seek re-election come November. The announcement came on his John Florez City Councilor-at-large Newport Facebook Page on Friday; “Serving my community has been an unbelievably enriching experience. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Jaws Will Drop at the Save The Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium in Newport this July
Sharks are in sharp focus next month at Save The Bay’s Exploration Center and Aquarium. July is Shark Month, giving guests the opportunity to learn all about the apex predators from the deep and to find out which sharks and skates populate the waters of the Narragansett Bay. A shark-themed scavenger hunt, hands-on arts and […]
Posted inNews
Mackeral Cove Beach in Jamestown Reopens For Swimming on Friday
After being closed on Thursday, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommended the reopening of Mackerel Cove Beach in Jamestown around 5pm on Friday for swimming. The beach was closed based on results from water samples that measured bacteria counts at the beaches. RIDOH did recommend closing Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick due to high bacteria counts. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Podcast #140: Sav Rebecchi, Candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 13
Sav Rebecchi, a Jamestown Resident who has decided to run against Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed for the Senate District 13 seat this November, joined me on The Open Forum today. Rebecchi spoke about his past, his decision, his platform and what he would propose Rhode Island does to move forward. For more information about Rebecchi, […]
Posted inNews
UPDATE: Two Dogs Found on Hammersmith Road This Morning Have Been Reconnected With Owner
Karen King, Owner of Style Newport, came across two beautiful dog on Hammersmith Road this morning. The dogs were laying in the shade and exhausted, they have matching collars but no tags. Newport Police and Potter League for Animals have not received any calls from anyone looking for the dogs. UPDATE: These dogs have been reconnected with […]