Life is Good Founders are hitting the road on their first-ever Nationwide Optimism Tour and they’re coming to Newport. The tour will bring the owners of the optimistic lifestyle brand to the Life Is Good Newport Store, one of the very first stores to carry Life is Good, on November 6th from 5 p.m. to […]
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
Newport Art Museum’s Coleman Center Now Enrolling for Holiday Workshops
The Newport Art Museum‘s art school, the Coleman Center for Creative Studies, is now enrolling students for holiday themed workshops in ceramics, calligraphy and painting. The workshops, geared toward beginners but open to all levels, are designed to give students an opportunity to learn a new art making skill while creating holiday gifts. Those interested in ceramics can take Handmade Holiday with Charlene […]
Posted inNews
Newport Mansions Landscapes Recognized as Official Arboretum; Accreditation Granted by International Body
The 88 acres of landscapes cared for by The Preservation Society of Newport County, including 1,800 trees, have been recognized and accredited as an official arboretum by the Arbnet Arboretum Accreditation program of The Morton Arboretum in Chicago, the only international body that accredits arboreta. Accreditation of the Newport Mansions Arboretum recognizes that the Preservation […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO: Pod of Dolphins Join SSV Oliver Hazard Perry in Newport Harbor
After a weekend spent at the 25th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry set off for her next destination on Monday morning. The 200-foot Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, the Ocean State’s Official Sailing Education Vessel and the first ocean-going full-rigged ship built in America in over a century, had some company […]
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Newport Morning News and Notes: October 19
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Author Describes Revolutionary-Era Engraver and Forger: This 5:30 p.m. program takes place at the Newport Historical Society’s Resource Center at 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI. General admission costs $5 per person, … (Patch) RITBA to Close Lanes on Jamestown-Verrazzano […]
Posted inThings To Do
5 Best Things To Do In and Around Newport This Week
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Hard to believe it’s almost November, where has the year gone? Don’t let the cooler temps fool you, plenty of great things still to do in and around Newport! Check out our list below to discover the best events, activities and things to do this week in and around Newport, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Your Guide to Live Music, Karaoke, Trivia and Entertainment This Week
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Newport for live music and entertainment this week, enjoy! Listings: Entertainment & Live Music In Newport This Week 1 – Bowens Wharf Monday October 19 • Kate Grana from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 2 – Buskers Irish Pub & Restaurant | 178 Thames Street Wednesday: Open mic night with […]
Posted inNews
Permanent Eastbound High Speed Lane Closure Beginning on Jamestown Bridge This Week
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that it will be doing infrastructure repairs and upgrades on the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge for six weeks beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2015 until Tuesday, November 24th, 2015. This construction will necessitate the routine closing of lanes periodically on both the eastbound and westbound sides of the […]
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Newport Morning News and Notes: October 18
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Amputee gets high heels, courtesy of Marathon bombing survivor: Heather Abbott vowed not to give up wearing high heels after losing part of her left leg in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. Hillary Cohen, an amputee from Walpole, […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
The Canfield House Restaurant and Pub Will Close on October 31st
The Canfield House Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Newport, will soon join the growing list of long-time restaurants that will permanently close in 2015. The Canfield House Restaurant & Pub last day open will be Saturday, October 31st. The property will soon be purchased by the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. The […]
Posted inThings To Do
The Do’s and Don’ts of the 25th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival
Bowen’s Wharf will host their 25th annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival on October 17th and 18th. Check out the list below and keep these little things in mind to make sure your Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival experience is the best it can be! Bowen’s Wharf 25th Annual Seafood Festival Hours: Saturday, October 17th from 11 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Taking Inventory and a Closer Look at Newport Liquor Licenses
We hear these questions all the time – “how can I get a liquor license?”, “why aren’t there more liquor licenses?” or “who currently has a liquor license (and is for sale)?” So, here’s our attempt at making sense of the liquor license scene here in Newport, RI. In Rhode Island, the quantity of liquor licenses […]
Posted inThings To Do
5 Best Things To Do In And Around Newport This Weekend | October 16 – 18
Heads up, it’s going to be a great weekend in and around Newport! With the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, Fortress Of Nightmares, International Oktoberfest and activities like the Trinity Pumpkin Patch it’s one of the best weekends of the year around here! Here’s Our 5 Favorite Events This Weekend, Visit Our Events Calendar For More Great Events! 1 – […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where to Find Live Music and Entertainment In and Around Newport This Weekend
Here’s what’s up for live music, comedy, entertainment and fun this weekend… Don’t Miss This -> Top 5 Things To Do In & Around Newport This Weekend Newport, RI Live Music & Entertainment Listings [the_ad_placement id=”manuel-ad”] Buskers Irish Pub & Restaurant | 178 Thames Street | Phone: 401-846-5856 Friday: Live music from 9pm to 1am. No Cover.Saturday: Live music with […]
Posted inNews
Morning News and Notes: October 17
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Sail Newport to Hold Community “Boatyard” Sale: A “Boatyard Sale” will be held to benefit Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center for their public access sailing programs on Sat., Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Sail Newport to Hold Community “Boatyard” Sale
A “Boatyard Sale” will be held to benefit Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center for their public access sailing programs on Sat., Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sun., Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Items at the sale will include used boats, marine gear, parts and nautical […]
Posted inThings To Do
25 Years Later: Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival Continues to Reinvent Itself
From its inaugural celebration in October 1990, the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival offers exactly that: seafood, and plenty of it. The event has grown to be a favorite island tradition over the last 25 years, encouraging the local residents to come back to the waterfront after each summer season. It’s the best time to celebrate […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport’s Seasonal Restaurants Prepare to Close for Off-Season
As we make our way quickly towards the beginning of October and Columbus Day, many restaurants (particularly among the waterfront) are preparing to call it a season and close during the off-season until next spring. While a lot of the restaurants who close it up for the winter wait until Columbus Day Weekend or after […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Explore The World Of Oysters at Hotel Viking on November 7th
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Join the What’sUpNewp Crew for Oyster Explorers as we sip and slurp on November 7th at Hotel Viking with Oyster Sommelier, Julie Qiu of In A Half Shell. Julie Qiu is an oyster sommelier, blogger and sustainable seafood advocate from New York City in search of the world’s most exceptional […]
Posted inNews
Morning News and Notes | October 16
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Canfield House Will Close on October 31st: The Canfield House Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Newport, will soon join the growing list of long-time restaurants that will permanently close in 2015. (What’sUpNewp) Newport restaurant closes; will auction items: A […]
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Newport Morning News and Notes | October 15
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Newport, RI News and Notes International Tennis Hall Of Fame Will Purchase The Canfield House Restaurant and Pub: The Canfield House Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Newport, will soon join the growing list of long-time restaurants that […]
Posted inThings To Do
1916 Centennial Committee to Host Irish Historical Presentation in Newport
The Easter Rising of 1916 Centennial Remembrance Committee of Rhode Island will hold a multi-media historical presentation on Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. at the Ancient Order of Hibernian Hall, 2 Wellington Avenue, Newport. The event is free and open to the public. The Easter Rising, also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fort Adams Will Appear on Syfy’s ‘Ghost Hunters’ Tonight
Fort Adams State Park will be featured on Ghost Hunters tonight, October 14th at 9:00pm, on Syfy . In each episode, Jason Hawes and his team of paranormal investigators, TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) investigate paranormal activity across the country. In this episode, KJ and Dustin investigate the sound of footsteps in the bakery in Fort […]
Posted inNews
Morning News and Notes | October 14
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; International Tennis Hall Of Fame Will Purchase Canfield House: The Canfield House Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Newport, will soon join the growing list of long-time restaurants that will permanently close in 2015. (What’sUpNewp) […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Art Museum Curator to give Gallery Talk on “Reviving Durr Freedley”
The Newport Art Museum invites guests to an afternoon Gallery Talk on Reviving Durr Freedley: Newport’s Forgotten Artist on Sunday, October 18 at 2pm in the Museum’s Cushing Gallery. The talk will be led by Nancy Whipple Grinnell, Newport Art Museum Curator, who will discuss Freedley’s life and work. The event is free with the price of Museum admission. […]