Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ Appoints Bassist Christian McBride As Artistic Director of Newport Jazz Festival For the first time in its 62-year history, the world-renowned Newport Jazz Festival® will have a musician other than pianist/producer George Wein as its artistic director. Multiple Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride has been named artistic director to work alongside, 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 inFood & Drink
Revival Brewing and Russell Morin Catering and Events will Host ‘Irish Revival Beer Dinner’ on Friday
Russell Morin Catering & Events has teamed up with Revival Brewing to host The Irish Revival Beer Dinner at ‘Vue in Newport on Friday, March 11th at 7:00 p.m. The dinner at Russell Morin’s event space on Bellevue Avenue will consist of five different beers perfectly paired with five different courses. The cost for this […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do This Weekend in Newport (March 11 – 13)
Discover the best events, entertainment, live music, activities and things to do during this Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Weekend in and around Newport! In Chronological Order 1 – Expo & Job Fair Friday, March 11th at 4pm The Newport County Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 EXPO and Job Fair will take place this Friday, March 11th from 4:00 […]
Posted inThings To Do
2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Lineup and Order of March
The 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will will begin today promptly at 11:00am from Newport City Hall and will proceed to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church in the heart of the Fifth Ward. The parade this year is estimated to last 2 hours and will include Pipe Bands, Marching Bands, Fife & Drum Corps, […]
Posted inNews
NBC 10 News: National Conference of Trucking Industry Relocated from Newport Due to RhodeWorks
Chris Maxwell from the Rhode Island Truckers Association has told Bill Rappleye NBC 10 News that a planned national conference of the trucking industry that would have taken place in Newport, RI has been relocated in response to the RhodeWorks truck toll plan recently passed. Read More: RI truckers move conference due to RhodeWorks It is […]
Posted inNews
Cluny School Will Welcome Superior General of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny on Thursday
On Thursday, 10 March, the Cluny School will welcome to Newport the Superior General of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, Sr. Claire Houareau, who is visiting North America from France. She will be accompanied by Sr. Luke Parker, SJC, Superior of the Province of the United States and Canada of the Sisters of St. […]
Posted inNews
Expert Panelists to Lead ‘Watershed in Focus’ Community Forum at Salve Regina
The Pell Center at Salve Regina University will host a community event, “Watershed in Focus,” on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, located in O’Hare Academic Center on Ochre Point Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. Moderated by Jameson Chace, associate professor in Salve Regina’s department of Biology and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fundraiser to be Held at Midtown Oyster Bar on St. Patrick’s Day to Support Newport AOH Pipes & Drums
Join Bobb Angel and me (Ryan Belmore) on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) as we broadcast live from 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Midtown Oyster Bar. Whaler’s Brewing Company, Midtown Oyster Bar, 1540 AM WADK and What’sUpNewp will be teaming up to raise money to help support Newport’s Ancient Order of Hibernian’s Pipes and […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Public Invited to Welcome Dignitaries From Kinsale, Ireland on Thursday
Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano and members of the Newport City Council are inviting the public to a reception welcoming a delegation from Newport’s sister city, Kinsale, Ireland on Thursday, March 10th from 5 to 6 pm at the Gateway Center in Newport. This year’s delegation, which includes seven members from Kinsale and County Cork municipal government, will be led by […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Newport National Golf Club Has Been Sold
Newport National Golf Club, one of New England’s finest golf courses, has been sold to Combined Properties, Inc. Combined Properties, Inc. announced the purchase of the 350 acre Newport National Golf Club, located at 324 Mitchells Lane in Middletown, on March 7th. The sale includes the award-winning Orchard Golf Course which originally opened in 2002. It has […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Delegation Announces $891,243 to Help Protect Rhode Island Coastline
NOAA Funding to Help Coastal Communities in New England Prepare for Severe Storms and Rising Sea Levels Today, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced $891,243 in federal funding for a partnership between Rhode Island and four other New England states to study the effects of coastal storms […]
Posted inNews
Robert Redford, Rooney Mara and Jason Segel To Film ‘The Discovery’ on Aquidneck Island
Robert Redford, Rooney Mara and Jason Segel will film “The Discovery” on Aquidneck Island and throughout Rhode Island in 2016. Principal photography is slated for March and April in Rhode Island. “With our unique locations in close proximity and an organized talent pool of local artists and professional technicians, Rhode Island is the perfect place to make […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Henin, Safin, Petra and Scriven Will be Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame
Additionally, Yvon Petra and Margaret Scriven have been elected for posthumous induction in the Master Player Category. Former WTA Tour world No. 1 Justine Henin, who won seven Grand Slam singles titles, and Marat Safin, a two-time major champion and former ATP World Tour world No. 1 have been elected to receive tennis’ highest honor […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Pancakes With A Purpose: IHOP of Middletown Will Offer Free Pancakes Today for National Pancake Day
On March 8, 2016, from 7 AM to 7 PM, guests from around the world will celebrate the eleventh annual National Pancake Day at participating IHOP restaurants and enjoy one free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. Here on Aquidneck Island, the IHOP of Middletown will be serving up a free short stack of pancakes from […]
Posted inCity & Government
Alliance For A Livable Newport Will Host Public Forum on Public Education In Newport
The Alliance for a Livable Newport (ALN) will be holding its first Public Forum of the year when leaders of Newport’s public schools provide highlights of their 5 year Strategic Plan currently in development. The ALN Forum will provide the public the opportunity to learn about latest developments and advances our schools have made and the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Salve Regina Students Bring Advocacy Quilts Exhibit to RI, Launch a “Global Call For Mercy”
Salve Regina students have organized the acquisition of 18 advocacy quilts on loan from Washington, D.C.-based Advocacy Project that they will hang as part of “A Global Call for Mercy” public exhibit March 8-16 at Ochre Court, 100 Ochre Point Ave. Open to the public, the exhibition, “A Global Call for Mercy – Vulnerable Communities Speak Out […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Smoke RIng is Latest Creative Brew from Newport Storm Brewery
If you’ve been following the Newport Storm Brewery lately you might have noticed that their brew collection has been growing. In the past two years the brewery has upped the ante producing close to 20 different varieties of beer with a noticeable focus on experimental styles. Storm is set to release 6 new beers this […]
Posted inThings To Do
Happening This Week in Newport: Events, Entertainment and Things To Do (March 7 – 11)
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during March in and around Newport, RI. March is Newport Irish Heritage Month for a full list of events, activities and things to do, visit www.aohnewport.org. (In chronological order) 1 – Newport St. Patrick’s Day Pint Nights March 6th – 11th Eager with anticipation for the 2016 […]
Posted inNews
Lufthansa Returns as Partner of Newport Polo Series
The Newport International Polo Series has announced a partnership with Lufthansa, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious airlines, to be featured on Saturday, June 11, 2016 in the Lufthansa Cup at 5pm. Like the Polo Series itself, Lufthansa offers an international experience from over 20 North American gateways, to over 450 destinations in more than 120 countries. Among its 16 flights […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring in Newport: 50 Companies Currently Seeking Help (March 6th)
Looking for a job? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. All jobs have been posted in the last 7 days. Now Hiring In Newport, RI – March 6, 2016 [the_ad id=”9856″] Lemon & Line – Retail Associates & Retail ManagersNewport County YMCA – Group Fitness InstructorCrawford Thomas […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Former Thames Street Kitchen Space Will Become New Restaurant
There’s a new restaurant concept that will soon take over 677 Thames Street, formerly Thames Street Kitchen. According to a City Of Newport Victualing License Application, the restaurant space will soon operate as a restaurant under the name of “Winner Winner”. It is unknown what concept the restaurant will have or what it will offer. […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Jack Wills Closes Store in Newport
Jack Wills, the British-based retailer offering trendy takes on classic fashions for men & women, has closed it’s store located at 170 Thames Street in Newport, RI. The final day for the Thames Street store and only Jack Wills location in Rhode Island was Thursday, March 3rd. Jack Wills opened in Newport in 2011. Jack Wills […]
Posted inThings To Do
12 Best Things To Do This Weekend in Newport, RI (March 4 – 6)
Discover the best events, activities, live music, entertainment and things to do in and around Newport, RI during this weekend. Mach is Newport Irish Heritage Month, celebrate all that is Irish during this exciting month-long event. Visit www.aohnewport.org for full list of events, activities and things to do! Editor’s Note – In the interest of full […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
International Tennis Hall Of Fame Issues Statement on Passing of Hall Of Famer Bud Collins
The following statement and information has been shared with us from the International Tennis Hall of Fame; Today the International Tennis Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Bud Collins. Bud had an incomparable impact on our sport as a journalist, broadcaster, and historian. He exuded a genuine passion for tennis that was second to none. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
EFC Newport Will Host Coffeehouse Featuring Live Music and Entertainment on March 18th
Evangelical Friends Church Newport (EFC Newport) will host “The Well”, a monthly coffeehouse featuring Christian music and written work performed by area musicians and artists, at The Annex in Newport on Friday, March 18th from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Well endeavors to connect individuals throughout Newport County monthly for an evening of encouragement and fellowship. The event […]