Photo: From left, Dan Keating, Captain & President of Newport Polo with Brooke Fairman, Auction Chair & Roger Williams Park Zoo Dir. Of Development, and Caroline Ervin, Auctioneer from Christie’s. For the 16thconsecutive year, the Newport Polo Club welcomes nominations of nonprofit civic or charitable organizations to be chosen as the beneficiary for its next gala, on Friday, Aug. 5, […]
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
PODCAST: Newport Remembers Buddy Cianci
Buddy Cianci was always quite a fan of Newport, we remember him fondly today upon the news of his passing. I had the chance to spend time with him during a live broadcast of The Buddy Cianci Show on News Talk 630 & 99.7 FM WPRO at the Ocean State Tall Ships Festival a few years back, he went […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
VanGogh Pizza Announces They Will Permanently Close
VanGogh Pizza, located at 12 Broadway, took to their Facebook Page on Thursday, January 28th to announce that they will soon permanently close. UPDATE: VanGogh Pizza will close on Sunday, February 7th. “With a heavy heart and tear filled eyes we would like to let everyone officially know that February 18th 2016 will be our […]
Posted inNews
RECAP: Newport City Council Meeting (Jan. 27)
The Newport City Council hosted their regularly scheduled meeting on January 27th at 6:30 p.m.at the Pell Elementary School Cafetorium, 35 Dexter Street. Here’s a quick round-up of some of the more interesting items that were reviewed, discussed and introduced – the full agenda for the meeting is here. Contact information for the Newport City Council can be found HERE. SPECIAL […]
Posted inThings To Do
What To Do This Weekend In and Around Newport (Jan. 29 – 31)
Discover the best events, activities, entertainment, live music and things to do this weekend in and around Newport, RI! 1 – Pajama Night at Newport Skating Center Friday from 5pm – 9pm Wear your PJ’s to the Newport Skating Center and be entered to win a “Newport Sleep Over” at the Hyatt Hotel on Goat […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
UPDATE: Parking For Residents of Newport During Winter Months Will Not Change
This story was originally posted on January 20th, it was updated on January 28th Councilor John Florez has submitted a resolution to be reviewed by City Council at their next regularly scheduled meeting on January 27th that would suspend the current parking ordinance during the month of January and February. With passage of the resolution, […]
Posted inNews
UPDATED: 15 Streets Added To Snow Emergency Parking Ban List
This story was originally posted on January 19th at 8:38 a.m. At their regularly scheduled meeting on January 13th and January 27th, Newport City Council addressed a request for city council action to increase the number of roadways where parking bans are established during snow emergencies. The recommendation came from the Department of Public Services […]
Posted inFood & Drink
UPDATE: New Owners of Cafe Zelda Approved For Class A Entertainment License
This post was originally published on December 29, 2015 What’sUpNewp brought you the news first on November 24th that Cafe Zelda had been purchased by Craig and Patrick Kilroy (PK), PK is a co-owner of Midtown Oyster, Rhumbline & Surf Club (formerly Perry Mill Tavern). The Kilroy’s have gotten approval for victualing and the transfer of […]
Posted inNews
Newport Health Equity Zone invites Public to Participate in Envision Event
On Saturday February 6th, 2016, the Newport Health Equity Zone will be hosting the Envision Newport Lab at the Florence Gray Center Gymnasium in Newport, RI. The lab will serve as a forum for the community to come together and explore innovative ways for which we can improve quality of life in Newport, particularly the […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Conversation with Phil West, Former Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode Island.
Frank Prosnitz and Phil West will joined me on The Open Forum on WADK 1540AM from 12:30pm – 2pm today, among the topics were ethics, the presidential race and much more. Phil West served for eighteen years, 1988-2006, as executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, the state affiliate of the national, nonpartisan, nonprofit citizens’ lobby that […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Laura Jean Denim Will Host Annual Denim Sale From January 29 – 31
Laura Jean Denim will host their annual denim sale starting Friday, Jan. 29 through Sunday, Jan. 31. Popular denim brands like AG Adriano Goldschmied, FRAME, and MOTHER will be marked down to $50, $75, or $100. The annual sale will also include discounts on cashmere sweaters, cold weather accessories, jewelry and more. “If you’ve ever […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
The Newport String Project Will Present “Dvorak in America” at Ochre Court
On January 31st at 3pm, the Newport String Project will bring a program of works for strings by Czech master Antonin Dvorak to the beautiful surrounds of Ochre Court at Salve Regina University. Violinists and Newport String Project directors EmmaLee and Ealain The centerpiece of the concert is Dvorak’s String Quartet in F Major op.96, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson Will Host Constituent Night at Newport Public Library
Representative Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) will host a constituent night Monday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the program room at the Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St. The event is open to all of her constituents in House District 75, and the discussion will be about the start of the 2016 legislative […]
Posted inThings To Do
Junior Company of Island Moving Co. Will Present “Carnival Of The Animals” During Newport Winter Festival
The Junior Company of Newport’s Island Moving Co. will present the charming new work, “Carnival of the Animals” at the Island Moving Co. studio on Sunday, February 14th at 2:30 and 3:30pm. The Island Moving Co. studios are on the second floor at 3 Charles Street off Washington Square in Newport, RI. The performances are part […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Promoting Green Sector Job Growth Was Topic of Paiva Weed’s Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday
Promoting green sector job growth topic of Senate action plan, roundtable discussion President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed today hosted a roundtable discussion of a legislative action plan and corresponding legislation intended to promote job growth in green industries in Rhode Island. Entitled “Grow Green Jobs RI,” the action plan focuses on a wide spectrum […]
Posted inNews
Local Church Will Host “Night to Shine” Prom for People with Special Needs on February 12th
Night To Shine, Sponsored By The Time Tebow Foundation, Is Coming To Newport, RI on February 12, 2016 Crosspoint Church announced today that they will serve as one of the more than 100 churches around the world that will host Night to Shine sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation simultaneously on Friday, February 12, 2016. […]
Posted inNews
344 People Register at Monday’s Bone Marrow Drive For Local School Principal and Secretary
(Photo of Mr. Jaime Crowley) The bone marrow drive at Pell Elementary School on Monday is being called a huge success by the Rhode Island Blood Center, a Be The Match Partner. “I just wanted to thank you again for having me on the show (The Open Forum on 1540 AM) yesterday. To follow up, […]
Posted inCity & Government
What To Watch For: Newport City Council’s January 27th Meeting
The Newport City Council will host their regularly scheduled meeting on January 27th at 6:30 p.m.at the Pell Elementary School Cafetorium, 35 Dexter Street. Heading to the public meeting? Here’s a quick round-up of some of the more interesting items that will be reviewed, discussed and introduced – the full agenda for the meeting is here. Can’t make […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Conversation with Scott Wheeler, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor for City Of Newport
(Photo of Ballard Park via Friends of Ballard Park) Scott Wheeler, Building and Grounds Supervisor/Tree Warden for City of Newport, stopped by The Open Forum on Tuesday, January 26th to discuss Newport Open Space Partnership, Newport Arboretum, the ongoing project to install an elevator at Newport City Hall and much more. Wheeler joined me from […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Folk Festival Rolls Out Fan-To-Fan Ticket Exchange
Back in December after seeing tickets quickly go up on 3rd party sites just minutes after tickets went on sale, Newport Folk Festival announced that they would be exploring the possibility of a direct fan to fan way of selling and exchanging tickets. Related Post: Newport Folk Festival and Scalping: Here’s What You All Need To […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Newport Distilling Company Adds Widows Walk To Their Portfolio, An Overproof White Rum
Since its inception in 2006, the Newport Distilling Company (NDC) has sought to revive the tradition of crafting rum in the state of Rhode Island. In the early 1700s Newport was considered to be the rum capital of the world with close to two dozen distilleries operating on the Newport Harbor front. By 1872 the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams Will Perform at Channing Memorial Church
Photo by Tom Moore Common Fence Music at Channing Church will present The Slambovian Circus of Dreams on St. Valentine’s Eve, Saturday, February 13 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The band is a Common Fence Music favorite and returns for a fifth visit on this night for lovers of all ages. The performance will take place in […]
Posted inNews
Stage Crew Manager for Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals Tied to Alleged Abuse at St. George’s
New Sexual Abuse Allegations at St. George’s Include Newport Festivals Foundation’s Stage Crew Manager St. George’s first found themselves on the front cover of the Boston Globe back on December 15th in a story written by Bella English that included former students from the 1970’s that alleged they were sexually abused. Latest: Boston Globe‘s Coverage of St. George’s School Sex […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Sale of Willy’s Burger Bar and Rotisserie Now Under Binding Contract
Back on November 7th, 2015; What’sUpNewp reported that Willy’s Burger Bar and Rotisserie had been put on the market for $1.2 million. What’sUpNewp has confirmed that a binding contract has been signed for the property, subject to meeting certain contingency conditions, the seller is soliciting back up offers. The Newport Blast reported on January 14th that the property had […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Paiva Weed Will Host ‘Grow Green Jobs RI’ Discussion on Tuesday
President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-13, Newport & Jamestown) will host a roundtable discussion of the Senate’s new Legislative Action Plan entitled “Grow Green Jobs RI” and related legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the State House in the Senate Lounge. Among those expected to participate […]