The Aquidneck Growers’ Market wrapped up their Summer Market and outdoor season at Newport Vineyards and on Memorial Boulevard last week. The 20 or so vendors that make up the Aquidneck Growers’ Market can now all be found at the Winter Market that is located indoors at Newport Vineyards, 909 East Main Road in Middletown. The […]
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
Morning News and Notes | November 7
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… Countdown Has Begun, “26 Months Until Opening Night” at Opera House: (What’sUpNewp) Orange Leaf Closes Newport Location Permanently: (What’sUpNewp) Newport, RI’s Fairholme Mansion Returns to Market for $21 Million … (The Wall Street […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News, Style & Shop
5 Long-Time Newport Businesses We Have To Say Goodbye To In December
What a year it’s been for changes around Newport! Someone recently said that there’s a starting point and end point for everything in life – “businesses don’t stay open forever anymore”, and plenty of businesses chose 2015 to be the year they signed off for good. Over the last 12 – 14 months, we’ve said […]
Posted inThings To Do
For The Fifth Consecutive Year, SantaCon is Coming to Town
SantaCon has announced that it will host its 5th Annual SantaCon in Newport, RI on Saturday, December 5th. SantaCon is a mass gathering of people dressed in Santa costumes parading publicly on streets and in establishments, held every December in cities around the world. The focus is on spontaneity and creativity, while having a good time […]
Posted inThings To Do
Sail Into Most Wonderful Time of Year at Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade
Sail into the most wonderful time of the year at the 18th Annual Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade on Friday, November 27, 2015 at 6:15 p.m. Spectators can view this highly anticipated dazzling display of nautical holiday spirit along Newport Harbor’s waterfront from the Newport Yacht Club (open to the public for the event), Perrotti […]
Posted inNews
Orange Leaf Closes Newport Location Permanently
Orange Leaf, home to “America’s Frozen Yogurt”, has closed their location at 198 Thames Street in Newport. Orange Leaf has been serving frozen yogurt on Thames Street since July 28th, 2012. A sign on the door of their on November 6th stated that location has closed and to visit their other locations in Rhode Island. A message […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Countdown Has Begun, “26 Months Until Opening Night” at Opera House
The marquee on the outside of the Opera House Theater & Performance Center is touting quite the statement in Washington Square; “26 Months Until Opening Night”. According to the Opera House’s website, the completion of the restoration and renovation of the Opera House Theater & Performance Center is set for December of 2017, the theater’s 150th […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Preservation Society of Newport County Will Host Two Free Informational Seminars for Artists
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County, in conjunction with the Preservation Society of Newport County, will present two FREE informational seminars geared toward members and practicing artists in Newport County. Both seminars will take place at the Preservation Society’s office, 424 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. 1 – Trademarks & Copyrights for Artists Tuesday, November 17, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Save The Date: Newport’s Biggest Events in 2016
With the arrival of November and the soon-to-arrive snow and very short days (and snow!), we’re already looking forward to spring, summer, music, wine, polo, next fall and all the great events, activities and things that keep us outside and busy in The City By The Sea. The What’sUpNewp Crew has curated a list (with […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Sandywoods Center For The Arts Will Host Fourth Annual Free Thanksgiving Community Dinner
Photo credit: lubbockmissionchurch.org At 2 pm on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2015, Sandywoods Center For The Arts in Tiverton, RI will host its fourth annual free Thanksgiving community dinner. The event is open to the public and they will be serving Turkey with the Fixings, and will also include a Vegetarian Main Course. Sandywoods invites […]
Posted inNews
Pell STEM Program Receives Legislative Support
Newport Representative Marvin L. Abney (D-District 73), visited the STEM Interventionists at the Claiborne Pell Elementary School this morning to present a Rhode Island Legislative Grant check to Ms. Mary Nordby and Mrs. Lori Delemos to support the STEM program. On hand for the check presentation were Newport Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain, Newport School Committee […]
Posted inNews
Cluny School Open House Set for Sunday November 8
Cluny School, located at 75 Brenton Road in Newport, will host an open house on Sunday, November 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Prospective parents and students will have the opportunity to tour the upper and lower school facilities and park-like campus, meet the principal and faculty, talk with current parents and students, and […]
Posted inNews
Glen Manor House Set to Host 2nd Annual Mistletoe Madness
The 2015 holiday season kicks off at the Glen Manor House with the Second Annual Mistletoe Madness. The event will give attendees the opportunity to sample food from some of Newport County’s favorite caterers including Blackstone Caterers and Russell Morin Fine Catering. Enjoy a night of dancing featuring “GQ and the Ladies;” and celebrate the […]
Posted inThings To Do
The 10 Best Things To Do In and Around Newport This Weekend
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor at 1/2 Shell Hey’o, can you believe it’s November? This weather is downright absolutely outstanding! There’s plenty of great things to do this weekend (believe us it was tough to narrow it down to these 10), here’s how to make the most out of the first weekend of November…. Recommended […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Your Guide to Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Weekend
Photo: The HonkyTonk Knights at Clarke Cooke House Here’s what’s up for live music, comedy and entertainment in and around Newport, RI this weekend… Recommended Read -> 10 Best Things To Do This Weekend in Newport Newport, RI Live Music & Entertainment Listings November 6 – 8, 2015 Buskers Irish Pub & Restaurant | 178 Thames Street | Phone: 401-846-5856 Friday: Live […]
Posted inNews
Morning News and Notes | November 6
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… The 10 Best Things To Do In and Around Newport This Weekend: (Wha’tsUpNewp) How Much Violent Crime Happened in Newport: According to the report, Newport saw 95 violent crimes in 2014. Violent crime includes […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jimmy’s Saloon Announces “Straight From The Stage” Interview Series
Part 01: Sid Abruzzi | Photos by Jessica Pohl Newport, Rhode Island has seen a resurgence of original, live music in the last five years. Venues like Jimmy’s Saloon, Hope, Parlor and others have been consistently welcoming innovative and original acts from our own backyard and around the world. With genres ranging from punk to […]
Posted inNews
Morning News and Notes | November 5
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… CrossPoint Church Selected By Tim Tebow Foundation to Host its “Night To Shine”: CrossPoint Church has been selected by the Tim Tebow Foundation to host its Night to Shine. (What’sUpNewp) Rogers High School Will […]
Posted inNews
CrossPoint Church Selected By Tim Tebow Foundation to Host its “Night To Shine”
Photo via Tim Tebow Foundation CrossPoint Church has been selected by the Tim Tebow Foundation to host its Night to Shine. The Tim Tebow Foundation has a great passion for people with special needs, and in 2014 they launched Night to Shine, a prom night experience for people with special needs. This event will be held […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust Selects New Development Director
Aquidneck Land Trust proudly announces the selection of its new Development Director, Laura Freedman Pedrick, who officially started on Monday, October 26th. Laura joins Aquidneck Land Trust from the law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, where she served as the Marketing Director since 2006. Prior to that, she spent 14 years at America […]
Posted inThings To Do
Volunteers Sought to Plant Daffodil Bulbs at Ballard Park
Friends of Ballard Park is partnering with Newport Daffodillion to plant 2,000 more daffodil bulbs in Ballard Park. Volunteers are sought to help plant the bulbs on Wednesday, November 11th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Last October volunteers and professional landscapers planted 19,000 bulbs in the quarry meadow of Ballard Park. The bulbs planted […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Gallery Night is Back on November 12
Gallery Night is back with the latest collections, exhibitions and events from the Newport Gallery Organization’s 28 member galleries and institutions. Support local art and community by strolling through historic Newport on Thursday, November 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Join the Newport Gallery Organization as it celebrates the final days of fall before […]
Posted inNews
Flipping Mansions: Fairholme is Back on Market for $21 Million
The iconic Newport estate known as Fairholme, which sold back in July for $15 million, is now back on the market for $21 million. The 15 bed, 14 bath, 24,393 square foot home located at 237 Ruggles Avenue was listed once again for sale on November 3, 2015 for $21 million, $6 million more than the purchase price and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport Restaurant Week Returns, Features New RI Seafood Partnership
The photo and following information was provided by Discover Newport; Newport Restaurant Week Celebrates its 10th Anniversary It’s hard to imagine Newport’s inaugural restaurant week launched 10 years ago this fall, but time flies when you’re having fun. Vibrant dishes, creative menus and ingredients from local farmers and fishermen will be the hallmarks of this […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School Will Host Veterans Day Assembly, Veterans Invited to Attend
Rogers High School cordially invites area Veterans and their families to attend an assembly in honor of their service to the nation. The assembly will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at 10:00 am, in the Rogers High School auditorium, located at 15 Wickham Road, in Newport, RI. This Veterans Day Assembly will feature […]