Here’s what Newport was reading, talking about and most interested in during December 0f 2015! What a month, thank you for everyone who continues to read, support and share our stories and all that we’re doing! Wishing you a very prosperous, healthy and happy new year! 15 – 12 New or Improved Businesses We’re Looking Forward […]
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
UPDATED: 30+ Newport Restaurants Are Taking Some Time Off This Winter
It’s beginning to look a whole lot more like the off-season around Newport, RI. Many restaurants have already permanently/temporarily closed or are preparing to do so over the next few weeks. As of December 31st; we are sure there are a few more updates to come… @ The Deck – Closed until Spring.Atlantic Beach Club […]
Posted inNews
The 15 Most-Read Newport, RI Stories in 2015
More than 316,500 different people from all around the world visited What’sUpNewp.com more than 1.7 million times in 2015, here are the fifteen stories that were read the most! Thank you to each and everyone of you who visited What’sUpNewp.com during 2015, we love you all! ~ Ryan Belmore & The What’sUpNewp Crew 15 – Newport […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Style & Shop, Things To Do
SUNDAY GALLERY SUNDAY, a New Monthly Gallery Day, Will be Unveiled This Sunday
SUNDAY GALLERY SUNDAY was realized amongst a group of like-minded gallery owners and operators in Newport after attending several opening receptions and arts-oriented gatherings together in the fall of 2015. The creators of this new event series will bring artists, artisans and art enthusiasts together while infusing the community with art, art viewing and education […]
Posted inStyle & Shop, Things To Do
Two Yoga Studios Will Come Together in One Space in Portsmouth
On January 1, two separate yoga studios will come together in one space. Mahatma Yoga Studio will open a Vinyasa studio within the converted barn space, presently a home to Tenth Gate Yoga Studio at 1046 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Mahatma will offer its own brand of Vinyasa flow based classes. Heated, Slow Flow, non-heated, and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Darrell West Will Kick Off 88th Annual Winter Speaker Series at Newport Art Museum
Newport Art Museum Welcomes First Winter Speaker Darrell West on January Darrell West, a former Brown University Professor and author of 20 books, will kick off the Newport Art Museum‘s 88th annual Winter Speaker Series on Saturday, January 9 at 2pm in the Museum’s Griswold House at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. In keeping with tradition, […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: What The Small Business Administration Can Do For The Local Small Business Community
Frank Prosnitz, Mark Hayward, District Director for the Small Business Administration and Ryan Belmore discuss what the SBA can do for the local small business community. Joining Frank Prosnitz on the Wednesday edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport today was Mark Hayward, District Director for the Small Business Administration. Just a few weeks […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO: Child named Easton Beach Tries Bacon For The First Time
Easton Beach, 19 months old, tried bacon for the first time on Christmas morning and his reaction was priceless! With a name like Easton Beach how could we not share this this? We had to. Video Description: Easton Beach, 19 months old, was dressed in Santa Claus pajamas and sitting in a high chair at […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Blue Rocks Market Will Not Reopen in 2016
While its nothing new for Blue Rocks Market to be closed during the winter, What’sUpNewp has learned that the popular deli and market will not reopen when the spring arrives. Ownership will continue to operate Blue Rocks Catering but after seven years they will not continue to operate Blue Rocks Market and will rent out the Carroll Avenue space in […]
Posted inThings To Do
7 Chances to Catch Live Improv Comedy in Newport Over The Next Few Days
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 […]
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 […]