The Bit Players, RI’s most award-winning comedy troupe, will host seven live improv comedy shows in four days this week. (Full Disclosure: This business is an advertiser on What’sUpNewp.com) The Bit Players always hit the stage with their hilarious improv comedy inspired by audience suggestions (much like “Whose Line is it Anyway“) full of larger than […]
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, Things To Do
Hotel Viking Will Host ‘Viking Wine Festival’ in 2016
Celebrated Winemakers Pair with Culinary Creations from One Bellevue One Bellevue, the award-winning restaurant at Hotel Viking in Newport, has announced the Viking Wine Festival, a sequence of exceptional winemaker-hosted dinners featuring some of the top personalities from the world of wine. The Viking Wine Festival is modeled after the internationally acclaimed Boston Wine Festival, created by Chef Daniel Bruce. […]
Posted inThings To Do
20 Things To Do On 2015-2016 New Year’s Eve in Newport
Wondering what to do on New Year’s Eve in Newport, RI? The What’sUpNewp has got you covered with 20 great places to go and/or things to do, enjoy and Happy New Year! Looking for what’s happening to ring in 2018? Head here –What’s up for 2017-2018 New Year’s Eve in Newport 1 – New Year’s […]
Posted inThings To Do
VIDEO: Ice Skating on Lily Pond in Newport
Is there anything more nostalgic and fun then heading to Lily Pond for some good ol’ fashioned ice skating? It would be tough to find. This great Vimeo video that was shot in January 2015 was uploaded by the incredible photographer (and videographer!), Onne van der Wal. Onne shared it on Facebook with the following […]
Posted inArts & Culture
PODCAST: Discussion About the Upcoming State Mandated Changes at the Maher Garden Center
The Maher Garden Center in Middletown, operated by the John L. Maher Center, will be closing temporarily at the end of 2015 for their seasonal closing.When it re-opens in the spring, it will have a whole new feel to it as far as operations and the people who work there. The 17 employees with disabilities […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Newport Wine Cellar Looks to Transfer Liquor License From Bellevue Ave to Memorial Blvd
Is Newport Wine Cellar moving from Bellevue Avenue to Memorial Boulevard? Newport Wine Cellar has filed an application to transfer its Class A Alcohol Beverage License from 24 Bellevue Avenue to 11 Memorial Boulevard. The application will be reviewed by the Board Of License Commissioners at 6:30pm on Wednesday, January 13th at the Pell Elementary […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News, Style & Shop
12 New or Improved Businesses We’re Looking Forward to Embracing in 2016
There are a lot of updates, upgrades and openings of new businesses that we should be looking forward to in 2016, and these are just the changes that we know about! With a few bigger commercial spaces available around Newport, we look forward to seeing what new ventures come to town. 1 – Cafe Zelda It […]
Posted inStyle & Shop, Things To Do
Three Newport Businesses Team Up To Open Shunya Studio in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, RI will soon welcome a new place for yoga, pilates, skin care, shopping and more! Shunya Studio will open its doors at Clock Tower Square to the yoga community at their grand opening on Saturday, January 30th (Facebook Event) The blessing of the new space is free, open to the public and will include […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Newport Skating Center Will Reopen Tonight
After heavy rain and warmer temperatures early last week, the Newport Skating Center had to close for several days to repair their ice. The Newport Skating Center has announced they will be open tonight, December 28th, from 5:30pm to 9pm. During Newport School Vacation (December 19th – January 2nd) the Newport Skating Center is open Monday […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
5 Reasons To Take The 2016 Polar Bear Plunge at Easton’s Beach
(Photo by Larry Hart Bettencourt) Before you know it New Year’s Day will be here and area “polar bears” will be making their annual plunge into the frigid waters off Easton’s Beach. While taking a dip in near-freezing water might not necessarily benefit your health, this is certainly a party with a purpose and worth doing. […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News, Style & Shop
10 Popular or Long-Time Businesses We Said Goodbye To in 2015
These 10 long-time, popular, hip, cool and/or established businesses will certainly be missed moving in 2016 and for many years to come here in Newport, RI. We did not include Rhumbline or Cafe Zelda, both restaurants will open under new ownership but with the same name. It is unknown what the immediate future looks like for Teas […]
Posted inNews
16 Questions To Ponder as Newport Heads Into 2016
As we move closer and closer to welcoming in 2016; I can’t help but wonder what will come of the following 16 questions that face us in the new year! 1 – Will 2016 be the year Newport finds and hires a City Manager? Former City Manager Jane Howington resigned in the spring of 2014. Since July […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Midtown Oyster Bar Hopes to Add Second Floor Addition and Deck
Midtown Oyster Bar is looking to offer more outdoor seating with the addition of a third deck. View of 2nd floor at Midtown Oyster Bar (via Midtown Oyster Bar) Midtown is seeking permission from the Newport Zoning Board to add a 1,021 square foot rear addition with a second floor deck. The addition would be […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Aquidneck Island Has Much To Be Proud of as Comanche takes line honours in Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
(Photo of Comanche via Rolex Sydney Hobart Facebook Page) Comanche is the line honours winner of the 71st Rolex Sydney Hobart Race from Sydneck Australia to Hobart, Tasmania. Their official time is 2 days, 9 hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds. This is the first American boat to lake line honours since 1998. For more […]
Posted inThings To Do
16 Biggest Newport Events To Look Forward To In 2016
There’s still a few days left in 2015 but we’re already looking ahead to 2016 and marking our calendars down with the biggest events that we have to make sure we get to. Here are What’sUpNewp’s 16 events not to miss in 2016. Start marking those calendars. 1 – 28th Annual Newport Winter Festival – February 12 – 21, 2016: […]
Posted inNews
Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued For Aquidneck Island, Block Island and Others
The National Weather Service has issues a Hazardous Weather Outlook for our area beginning on Monday night into Tuesday and on Thursday. For more information, see the Hazardous Weather Outlook and current National Weather Service forecast below; HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 840 AM EST SUN DEC 27 2015 CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-RIZ001>008-281345- HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Thames Street Kitchen Counts Down To Final Day With Awesome Tribute To Their Employees
Thames Street Kitchen (TSK) announced on November 15th that they would permanently close “come January 1st” – Thames Street Kitchen Announces They Will Permanently Close. TSK will be open at 5:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week for dinner. If reservations are available they are highly recommended by calling 401-846-9100. On December 17th, TSK announced […]
Posted inThings To Do
Your Guide to the Best of What’s Happening, New & To Do in Newport This Week (Dec. 27 – Jan. 2)
(Featured photo of Polar Bear Plunge by Larry Hart Bettencourt) Discover the best events, live music, entertainment, activities and things to do in and around Newport this week, December 27th through January 2nd. This week we salute Thames Street Kitchen, Atlantic Beach Club, Erika Zap Collection and Down Under Jewelry as they close up for good […]
Posted inNews
Snow and Sleet Possible For Newport on Monday Night and Tuesday
(Photo via Morgan Macia/Macia Photography) Newport could see snow and sleet for the first time this Winter on Monday, December 28th and/or Tuesday, December 29th. The forecast from the National Weather Service as of Saturday night; Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a north wind 13 to 22 mph. Monday Night […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
End Of An Era: Last Weekend For Atlantic Beach Club Is Here
Atlantic Beach Club, an Aquidneck Island institution since the late 1920’s, will see an end to its long and storied journey come January 1st, 2016. After almost 90 years of being in operation, it was announced on February 19th that LONGWOOD would be purchasing the Atlantic Beach Club and opening it as a new waterfront wedding […]
Posted inNews
Block Island Times and Jamestown Press Both Announce They’ve Been Sold This Week
It’s been a busy few days for local island newspapers, both the Jamestown Press and Block Island Times announced they have been sold during Christmas week. Jamestown Press Jamestown Press announced on Christmas Eve that their company had been sold by Jeff McDonough to Robert Berczuk. McDonough had owned the newspaper for 25 years. According to LinkedIN, […]
Posted inThings To Do
10 Best Things To Do This Winter In Newport
(Photo of Newport Polo at Easton’s Beach during Newport Winterfest by: Chip Leakas) Discover the best events, activities and things to do during Winter 2015/2015 in and around Newport, RI. Winter arrived just before Christmas (December 21st) to record warm conditions in Newport and across most of New England. Eventually it will get cold, we […]
Posted inNews
Two Local Restaurants Land on OpenTable’s Top 10 Places For Best Seafood in New England
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews to help users discover new favorites. Restaurants with the best overall Seafood cuisine in New England were recently analyzed and Jamestown Fish and Boat House Restaurant found themselves as the only Rhode Island restaurants among Top 10 Diners’ Choice Winners. Jamestown […]
Posted inThings To Do
New Year’s Eve in Newport: Ring in 2016 in Style
New Year’s Eve is almost here and the What’sUpNewp crew is keeping you in the know of the very best events and parties happening in Newport where you can ring in 2016 in style! NOTE: More events may be added as venues decide/announce what they are doing on 12/31. Looking for what’s happening to ring […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Clarke Cooke House Nominated For Best Yachting Bar in The World
The Candy Store at Clarke Cooke House has been nominated as one of the ten finalists for 2015 Best Yachting Bars In The World/Best Sailor’s Bar! From hundreds of fan submissions, the team at Wight Vodka has chosen the top 10 bars from around the world. The Candy Store is the only bar nominated from […]