The Newport Opera House Theater & Performing Arts Center (Opera House) will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, February 29th at 9:45 a.m. inside the auditorium of the Opera House. Brenda Nienhouse, newly appointed Executive Director of the Opera House, and Alison Vareika, Chair of the Board of the Opera House, are expected to welcome guests, the public […]
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 inThings To Do
10 Events That You Shouldn’t Miss In Newport This March
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 – Hotel Viking Wine Festival – March 4th & 19th One Bellevue, the award winning restaurant at […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson Will Host Constituent Meeting on March 5th
Carson Will Host Constituent Event on March 5th Representative Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) will host a constituent meeting Saturday, March 5, at 10 a.m. in the program room at the Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St. The event was originally scheduled Feb. 8, but had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather. [contextly_auto_sidebar] The […]
Posted inNews
NBC 10: Construction Owner Says Gas Heaters May Have Caused Stonor Lodge Fire
Newport Fire Department and mutual aid responded around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday to a full involved structure fire at 479 Bellevue Avenue, “Stonor Lodge”. No injuries were reported but the $3 million property was a total loss. Our Coverage: Photos & Info – 3-Alarm Fire Engulfs Stonor Lodge on Bellevue Avenue The owner of Kirby Perkins Construction, the construction […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport’s Island Moving Company Will Perform at Vets Memorial Auditorium
Island Moving Co, Newport’s contemporary ballet company, will make its premiere at the beautiful Vets Memorial Auditorium at 7:30pm on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Now in its 34th season, IMC has performed on tour and regularly in Newport but has never performed a full evening at the Vets. For this evening, entitled “Moment to Moment,” Artistic Director Miki Ohlsen […]
Posted inNews
Flo’s Clam Shack Will Be Featured on Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations” on Tuesday
Flo’s Clam Shack has confirmed on their Facebook Page that they will appear on Travel Channel‘s Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations on Tuesday, March 1st at 9 p.m. A preview for the premiere of the “Providence” episode describes that the show’s host “Andrew Zimmern reveals the iconic foods of Rhode Island’s capital”. Flo’s is the only restaurant from Aquidneck […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dave Simonett and Dave Carroll of Trampled by Turtles Will Perform at 2016 Newport Folk Festival
Dave Simonett and Dave Carroll of Trampled by Turtles will return to Newport, R.I. on Saturday, July 23rd to play the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. Trampled by Turtles last performed at Fort Adams State Park for the Newport Folk Festival in 2014. Simonett (guitar, lead vocals, harmonica) and Carroll (banjo, backing vocals) are two of the five members […]
Posted inNews
$420,000 in Grants to Newport County Nonprofits Push RI Foundation to a Record Year of Giving
{Photo of Neil Steinberg, President of Rhode Island Foundation} The Rhode Island Foundation awarded more than $420,000 in grants to local organizations on the way to a record-breaking year in 2015. “We are indebted to our committed donors for joining with us for 100 years to address on the state’s challenges and opportunities,” said Neil […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Art Museum Will Host Gallery Talk with RI Artist Mary Dondero on Sunday
Members of the public and media are invited to the Newport Art Museum on Sunday, February 28th at 2pm for a Gallery Talk with exhibiting artist Mary Dondero. Learn more about the vision, processes and inspiration behind her elusive and atmospheric prints and drawings. Members of the Chamber Ensemble, the most advanced adult string ensemble […]
Posted inNews
3-Alarm Fire Engulfs Stonor Lodge on Bellevue Avenue
Photo via @curtbagnpt on Instagram This story was originally published at 4:36 p.m., it has been updated. Newport Fire Department and mutual aid responded around 4:30 p.m. to a full involved structure fire at 479 Bellevue Avenue, “Stonor Lodge”. The property was last purchased in November 2013 for $3.285 million, is valued at $2.9865 million and has been under […]
Posted inNews
Teens Will Have Opportunity to Sail Along New England Coastline Aboard Oliver Hazard Perry This August
If you are looking for a truly “off the beaten path” teen camp opportunity, this one makes its course on the ocean and offers life at sea aboard a Tall Ship. And not just any Tall Ship; it’s this country’s brand new 200-foot full-rigged Sailing School Vessel Oliver Hazard Perry. Two trips – one 11-night and one six-night – are open to […]
Posted inThings To Do
Great Chowder Cook-Off Will Return to Fort Adams State Park in June
Great Chowder Cook-Off Announces Chowderhead Club Tickets Featuring Early Access To Popular Summer Event on Sale Tuesday, March 1st In celebration of National Clam Chowder Day, Newport Waterfront Events has announced that exclusive, all-access Chowderhead Club tickets will go on sale in limited quantities this coming Tuesday, March 1st at noon for the 35th Annual […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council Votes in Favor of Nicholson as Permanent City Manager
The Newport City Council met on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in Executive Session to discuss the candidates for City Manager. The seven members of City Council voted 6-1, with Justin McLaughing voting against, to appoint Interim City Manager Joseph J. Nicholson Jr. to the permanent position of City Manager. The decision is pending contract negotiations between Nicholson […]
Posted inNews
The Preservation Society of Newport County Invites Research Fellowship Applications
The Preservation Society of Newport County invites applications for one-year research fellowships, to begin on September 1, 2016, on the topic of “Gilded Age Art and Technology.” Applications for six-month fellowships and sabbaticals will also be considered. [contextly_auto_sidebar] Interested scholars should submit proposals that will utilize Newport’s historic and cultural resources to examine the topic of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival Adds Son Little to 2016 Lineup
Aaron Livingston (also known by his stage name Son Little), an American rhythm & blues musician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will perform in Newport, R.I. on Sunday, July 24th at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. The entire 2016 Newport Folk Festival is being rolled out (almost) daily on their social media accounts, Son Little is the 13th act […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Barking Crab Will Become The Boat Yard Bar and Grill
After 7 seasons on Swineburne Row in Newport, The Barking Crab will soon become The Boat Yard Bar & Grill. Under new ownership and management, the restaurant will be operated by Executive Chef Brent Clark and Restaurantuer Walt Wunder from Alden Park in Plymouth, MA. A request for comment from The Boat Yard Bar & Grill/Barking […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Norey’s Named CraftBeer.com’s Great American Beer Bar in Rhode Island
Norey’s has been recognized as the best beer bar in Rhode Island in the annual Great American Beer Bars competition conducted by CraftBeer.com —the Brewers Association website for beer lovers. Norey’s, which has also been rated “World-Class” BeerAdvocate Magazine, offers 20 taps, 1 cask and 120 bottles of some of the world’s best and rarest craft […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What To Watch For: Newport City Council’s February 24th Meeting
The Newport City Council will host their regularly scheduled meeting on February 24th at 6:30 p.m.at the Pell Elementary School Cafetorium, 35 Dexter Street. Heading to the public meeting? Here’s a quick look at the agenda and what items will be reviewed, discussed and introduced. Can’t make it the meeting but interested in an item on the agenda? Click HERE to […]
Posted inNews
Newport’s Richard Hatch Fails to Win $100,000 At-Home Prize on ‘Biggest Loser’ Finale
After just three weeks, Richard Hatch was sent home from NBC’s The Biggest Loser back in January. The Newporter was eliminated after losing the least amount of weight for his team. Hatch appeared on the finale on Monday night and still had a shot at prize money of $100,000 with the “At Home” challenge. Those eliminated from the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Carson’s Commission That’s Studying Economic Impact of Sea Rise to Hold Final Meeting
The House Commission on Economic Risk Due to Flooding and Sea Rise will meet Thursday with an economist reviewing the costs and benefits of disaster and climate change preparation. The meeting is scheduled Thursday, Feb. 25, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 101 on the first floor of the State House. The meeting will feature […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up and Happening This Week In Newport, RI (Feb. 22 – 26)
{Photo of IMC performing Mother Goose at Rosecliff} Discover the best events, activities, entertainment, live music and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week! Scroll down for live music, entertainment and comedy listings this week! [the_ad_group id=”61″] In chronological order: Monday, February 22nd Best Places for Margaritas on National Margarita Day in […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 50 Companies Currently Offering Employment in Newport (Feb. 21)
Looking for a job and not love during the month of February? 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 – February 21, 2016 [the_ad id=”9856″] [the_ad id=”9856″] [contextly_auto_sidebar] 1. Seafood Restaurant – […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Councilor Florez Proposes City Wide Camera Surveillance Program
Councilor John Florez will introduce a resolution at Newport City Council’s meeting on February 24th that would put surveillance cameras across major streets in Newport. The resolution asks for City Administration to explore funding options for implementing a city wide comprehensive camera surveillance program. Newport City Council will also discuss a resolution that would arm […]
Posted inNews
POLL: How Do You Feel About Surveillance Cameras and Police Cameras in Newport?
Councilor John Florez will introduce a resolution at Newport City Council’s meeting on February 24th that would put surveillance cameras across major streets in Newport. [socialpoll id=”2335338″] Newport City Council will also discuss a resolution that would arm Newport Police Department with cameras on Wednesday night, Newport Police Department May Soon Roll Out Body Worn Camera Pilot Program. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Anthony Spiratos Suspends Campaign for State Senate, District 13 (Jamestown/Newport)
Anthony Spiratos took to his Facebook Page on Monday to announced that he would be suspending his run for State Senate, District 13 (Jamestown & Newport) in order to give enough time to someone who can devote the time that will be necessary to win. Spiratos announced in July of 2015 that he would be running against […]