The iconic Newport estate known as Fairholme, located at 237 Ruggles, has recently been sold for $ 15 million. Melanie Delman, President of Lila Delman Real Estate International represented the seller and facilitating for the buyer. The sale of Fairholme is the largest residential sale in Rhode Island since 2013 according to data from the Rhode Island Statewide Multiple […]
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 inArts & Culture, News
Watkins Family Hour Performance at Jane Pickens Theater Featured on ‘CBS This Morning’
Watkins Family Hour is a group formed by siblings Sarah and Sean Watkins that includes Fiona Apple and Benmount Tench, a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In celebration of their debut, self-titled album, Watkins Family Hour was recently featured on CBS This Morning. The program broadcast songs from Newport Folk Festival kick-off performance at the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
VIDEO: Musician Proposes to His Girlfriend on Stage at Newport Folk Festival
It was one of those moments that you will never forget on Sunday at the 2015 Newport Folk Festival. It was a Newport Folk Festival first when Christopher Paul Stelling proposed to his girlfriend, Julia Christgau, after a standing ovation at the end of their set on the Harbor Stage at Fort Adams State Park. As you […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
In Pictures: 2015 Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival took place from July 24-26 at Fort Adams State Park and featured Roger Waters, James Taylor, The Decemberists, ’65 Revisited (celebration of the 50th anniversary Bob Dylan going electric at Newport Folk Festival), The Tallest Man on Earth, Sufjan Stevens, Hozier and many more. Friday Lineup & Set List – 2015 Newport […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Here’s What’s Happening on Day 1 of Newport BridgeFest
Entering its 7th year, Newport BridgeFest is a local, live music and music education festival that “bridges” the gap between the prestigious Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals for a continuous 10 days of music in our community. This year’s festival dates are Monday July 27 through Thursday July 30, 2015, here’s the full Newport BridgeFest […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
2015 Newport Folk Festival Set List: Sunday July 26th
Photo by Morgan Macia Here’s what you heard or missed on Day #3 of the 2015 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park. SUNDAY HARBOR CHRISTOPHER PAUL STELLING CP Stelling-git Julia Christgau-vox Hardwork Horse Every Last Extremist Warm Enemy Brick By Brick Scarecrow Revenge Motherless Child 16 Tons JONES FAMILY SINGERS Bishop Fred A […]
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In Pictures: Day 2 of Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival continued on July 25th at Fort Adams State Park with The Decemberists, Spirit Family Reunion, James Taylor Sufjan Stevens and many more. Recommended: 2015 Newport Folk Festival Set List: Saturday, July 25th Recommended: In Pictures: Day 1 at 2015 Newport Folk Festival What’sUpNewp Photographer Morgan Macia, also of Macia Photography, has provides us with a […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
2015 Newport Folk Festival Set List: Saturday July 25th
Photo by Morgan Macia Here’s what you heard or missed on Day #2 of the 2015 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park. SATURDAY HARBOR ANDY SHAUF God Bless the Peaceful Hometown Hero Swimming in a Cage Drink My Rivers Martha Sways Jenny Come Home Wendall Walker My Dear Helen LULUC Zoë Randell-git/vox Steve […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
In Pictures: Day 1 of 2015 Newport Folk Festival
The 56th Annual Newport Folk Festival got underway at Fort Adams State Park on Friday, July 24th. Day 1 of the sold out festival featured Roger Waters, The Tallest Man on Earth, Haunt The House, Bahamas, The Lone Bellow and many more. Recommended: 2015 Newport Folk Festival Lineup & ScheduleRecommended: 2015 Newport Folk Festival Set List: Friday, July […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2015 Newport Folk Festival Set List: Friday, July 24th
Photo: Haunt The House by Morgan Macia Here’s what you heard or missed on Day #1 of the 2015 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park. FRIDAY HARBOR HAUNT THE HO– USE Will Houlihan-Vox/Git Bessie Bessin-Acordion/vox Amato Zinno-Bass Allysen Callery-Vox Steve Law-Mandolin/vox Mosquito coast Ease Your Troubled Mind Hymnal Mandolin (house of the rising […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2015 Newport Folk Festival Schedule and Lineup
Photo: Jon Batiste & Stay Human The 56th Annual Newport Folk Festival will take place this weekend at Fort Adams State Park. The sold-out festival features Roger Waters, The Decemberists, ’65 Revisited (celebration of the 50th anniversary Bob Dylan going electric at Newport Folk Festival), The Tallest Man on Earth, Sufjan Stevens, Hozier and many more. Helpful […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Rhode Island Foundation Helps Underwrite 3rd Day at Newport Jazz Festival
The Newport Festivals Foundation Inc. has announced that it has received a $40,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to help underwrite the third day of music featuring emerging artists and future icons at the historic Newport Jazz Festival on Friday, July 31, at Fort Adams State Park. A grant from the Rhode Island Foundation,the largest […]
Posted inNews
‘Slots’ Sign Will be Removed From Newport Grand
Twin River Management Group will be fulfilling a promise on Thursday, July 23 when they have the ‘Slots’ sign removed from the west-looking side of the Newport Grand Slots building. “I just heard the SLOTS sign on Newport Grand will be removed tomorrow between 8:30am -11:30am!! We appreciate the promise to do so is FINALLY […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Newport Among Top 8 ‘Beach Towns To Explore On Foot’
Huffington Post has consulted with Redfin real estate agents and looked at Walk Score data to find the best beach towns that can be explored on foot. Among those making the 8 best beach towns to explore by floor is Lahaina, Hawaii; Seaside, Oregon; Ocean City, New Jersey; Long Beach, New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Coronado, California; Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Santa Cruz, California […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, Things To Do
Woody Allen’s ‘Irrational Man’ Will Open At Jane Pickens Theater on August 7th
‘Irrational Man‘, the latest film from Woody Allen, which was filmed throughout Newport and Rhode Island in 2014, will open at Jane Pickens Theater on August 7th. Starring Jamie Blackley, Joaquin Phoenix, Parker Posey, and Emma Stone, Irrational Man tells the story of a tormented philosophy professor who finds a will to live when he […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rajeev Ram Wins 2015 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships
Photo by Kate Whitney Lucey Rajeev Ram claimed the title at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on Sunday, overcoming No. 2 seed Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(2). It is Ram’s second ATP World Tour title, having also won the Newport title in 2009. Ram started the week off with a bang, saving one match point to […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Video: Billie Jean King presented official International Tennis Hall of Fame Ring
Billie Jean King, ITHF Secretary Peggy Woolard, ITHF Chairman Christopher Clouser. All photos by Kate Whitney Lucey. Tennis legend Billie Jean King was among the honored guests at today’s International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, during which she was presented with her official Hall of Fame ring. King, a 39-time Grand Slam champion and […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Throwback Thursday: Bill Burr Gives Video Tour Of Newport
Just before comedian Bill Burr performed at the Newport Comedy Series in 2012, he took to the streets of Newport! In this YouTube video, Burr gives viewers and fans a walking tour of the “illuminati resort town known as Newport, Rhode Island”. Note: While this video is funny, it is not safe for work. […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Google Earth Took Most Recent Satellite Images Of Newport at The Perfect Time
Google took new satellite imagery of Newport for Google Earth during a historic moment in the The City By The Sea’s history, during the 2015 Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover. Newport hosted the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover for the very first time from May 5 – 17th, 2015, the event was a great success and attracted […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Two Naval Officers Participate In ‘Coolest Re-Enlistment Ever’ In Newport
Senior Chief Valdez and Chief Kurtz recently took oath and re-enlisted in the United States Navy while onboard the “command cutter” while underway in Narragansett Bay. While some in the U.S. Navy or other U.S. Armed Forces may argue with the proclamation that it’s the “coolest reenlistment ever”, it could arguably be the best way […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Folk Festival Releases 2015 Schedule
The Newport Folk Festival has announced the release of their 2015 schedule. To be among the first to see the schedule, download the “Newport Folk Festival” app on your iOS or Android smartphone. If you already have a version of the app on your smartphone, Newport Folk Festival encourages users to refresh or update their app to […]
Posted inNews
Sea Turtle And Shark Found On First Beach In Last 24 Hours
Less than 24 hours after a dead shark was found on First Beach in front of the Atlantic Beach Club, a large sea turtle has washed ashore. The turtle was discovered at approximately 11am on Tuesday morning was missing it’s right flipper and deceased. It is unknown at this time why both the shark and […]
Posted inNews
Shark Washes Ashore In Front Of Atlantic Beach Club
Marcos Henrique of Newport discovered something he wasn’t expecting to see while walking on Easton’s Beach just around 8 pm on Monday night, a dead shark was found just feet from volleyball nets at the Atlantic Beach Club. “I was hanging out with my family after the volleyball league at first beach and my wife found the shark”, Henrique told […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Horse Severely Injured at Saturday’s Newport Polo Match
Just moments after the horse was injured | Photo via Mike McDonald USA vs Ireland, the most anticipated face-off yet this season in the Newport International Polo Series, saw tragedy on Saturday afternoon. Just after Ireland had one of the quickest scores possible and just minutes into the match, there was commotion on the field […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Owners Of Midtown Oyster Bar Have Purchased Perry Mill Tavern
Perry Mill Tavern & Music Hall, formerly the Rhino Bar & Grille, has been sold. The property had been on the market for almost one year. The property was purchased by Surf Club LLC, also known as Larry Silverstein and Patrick Kilroy (co-owners of Midtown Oyster), from J.H. Enterprises LLC. The duo opened Midtown Oyster Bar […]