Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis is featured in a new 30-second public service announcement that has been created to generate awareness for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The new PSA was filmed in July at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. During filming, Hingis had the opportunity to tour […]
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 inEnvironment & Health, News
Indoor Rowing Studio Will Open in Newport, First of its Kind in R.I.
Pulse Fitness has announced that the company is opening EnERGy Rowing Studio, an indoor rowing studio, on September 1 at 580 Thames Street. Jacki Lane, Founder of Pulse Fitness Recently making headlines in the fitness world, indoor rowing studios are popping up nationwide. Made popular in major cities across the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Egg & Dart Announces Closure, Will Reopen as Pretty Young Things
Egg & Dart has announced that as of August 31st they would no longer be operating under that name at 57 America’s Cup Avenue. Painter Chris Wyllie and designer Kristen Coates have collaborated to bring Egg & Dart, an eclectic collection of art and home décor, to Bowen’s Wharf on America’s Cup Avenue for the last few years. […]
Posted inNews
In Pictures: 2015 Salute To Summer Concert and Fireworks Show
Naval Station Newport hosted their annual ‘Salute To Summer’ on Saturday, August 29th at Dewey Field. The free event featured live music and entertainment by Changes In Latitudes and Navy Band Northeast, plenty of activities for children and a fireworks show. Here’s some of our favorite photos that were shared on social media of the […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Local Restaurants are Recycling Shells to Help Restore Rhode Island’s Oyster Reefs
Midtown Oyster Bar shared this picture on August 25th of what they’ve donated so far to The Nature Conservancy in 2015 – “Look at all the oysters we shucked this summer!” The Nature Conservancy is working with Newport Restaurant Group, Midtown Oyster Bar and a few other local seafood restaurants to bring back native oysters and restore essential habitat in […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Thames Street Yoga and Long Time Sun Apparel Are Moving in Together
Thames Street Yoga will be joining Long Time Sun Apparel at 198 Thames Street , beginning this fall. While Thames Street Yoga’s space at 580 Thames Street (Wellington Square) will close, their practice and kula will continue at their new location. Move date & new schedule is to be determined. Thames Street Yoga and Long […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Three Newport Food Events Among ‘Best Food Festivals in Small Towns 2015-2016’
PR Web has included 3 Newport, RI food events in their recent article “Best Food Festivals in Small Towns 2015-2016”! Read The Full Story Below Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival Foodies wanting a satisfying food festival experience in 2015 and 2016 are encouraged to indulge in the following events recommended by chefs and hoteliers. From […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Lou Lou’s Decor Will Move From Portsmouth to Newport
Lou Lou’s Decor, a boutique of fine furnishings and home accessories, will soon move from Clock Tower Square in Portsmouth to Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI. Before moving into their new home in The City By The Sea adjacent to the International tennis Hall Of Fame & Museum, Lou Lou’s will have a moving sale August […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Blue Rocks Market Will Close Down Early This Season Due to Lack of Help
Blue Rocks Market has announced that it will close down for the 2015 season on September 7th. In 2014, Blue Rocks Market closed around October 19th. The news that the store and deli would be closing earlier than normal comes after a previous announcement at the end of July where they decided they they had to […]
Posted inFood & Drink
VIDEO: The White Horse Tavern Awaits You
Stop by The White Horse Tavern and listen to the many great stories Bartender John Begin has to share. It’s hard to imagine what the The White Horse Tavern has seen, experienced or been host to since 1673 when it opened here in Newport, RI. The new world was an unruly collection of English colonies, […]
Posted inNews
Wake, Funeral Scheduled For Musician Joe Martins
What’sUpNewp brought you the unfortunate news of Joe Martins passing on Friday, August 21st. Joe Martins was a saxophonist for Triple Threat and at one time or another also played with Soul Ambition, The New York Minute, Merge, Big Cat Blues and James Montgomery Band. Calling hours will be held at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway in Newport, […]
Posted inHistory
Class Of 2019: 18 Things That Happened In Newport The Year They Were Born
Students heading into their first year of studying at college this year are mostly 18 and were born in 1997. Since they are 18 or soon will be, we decided to share 18 things that happened in Newport the year the incoming class was born! Salve Regina University will host move-in day for the Class of […]
Posted inThings To Do
15 Free Things To Do In Newport Before Summer Ends
Although pumpkin beer, football and hoodie weather will all be here before you know it, Fall begins on September 23, early in the morning at 4:21 A.M. Here’s 15 free things to do before we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall! 1 – Free Concerts at Long Wharf The Shops at Long Wharf […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Naval Station Newport Will Host Free Concert and Fireworks Show
Naval Station Newport has announced it will host ‘Salute To Summer’, their annual free concert and fireworks show, on Saturday, August 29th at Dewey Field. The event, which will feature live music and entertainment by Changes In Latitudes and Navy Band Northeast, is open to the general public. Guests should be prepared to present a […]
Posted inNews
Family, Friends Mourn Passing of Triple Threat’s Saxophonist
Joe Martins, saxophonist for Triple Threat Band, has passed away, according to his friends, fans and loved ones. The self-taught sax player was born on January 26, 1956, and at one time or another also played with Soul Ambition, The New York Minute, Merge, Big Cat Blues and James Montgomery Band. Friends and family of Joe flocked to his Facebook Profile […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
VIDEO: Esteemed Makers and Craftspeople Share Insights During IYRS Roundtable
IYRS School of Technology and Trades recently hosted the 3rd Annual Mastering the Craft Summer Series Roundtable in Newport, RI. The roundtable discussion, which shined the spotlight on the importance of the work and accomplishments of a variety of craftspeople and technicians, provided attendees insight into the worlds of esteemed makers and craftspeople. Roundtable discussion […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
The 15 Best Newport Instagrammers
Let’s face it, most of our daily lives are just not interesting enough to warrant flocks of followers anticipating our every post but here are some Newport Instagramers whose feeds are much cooler than yours. *Editor’s Note: Although Instagram users like @DscvrNewport and @IgersNewport are fun to follow, we tried to include Newport users that post […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO: Conan Launches Campaign Song to Help Lincoln Chafee Get to 1% in Presidental Race
Former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee is currently polling at 0 percent and has landed on the radar of Team Coco and Conan. Conan states in the video that he won’t be voting for Presidential Candidate Chafee but wants to help him get from 0% to 1%. Make you proud to be from Rhode Island, […]
Posted inNews
2015 ‘Wet Paint’ Raises $125,000 for the Newport Art Museum
The Newport Art Museum‘s beloved art making event and fundraiser,Wet Paint presented by AR Capital, wrapped up on Sunday, August 16 raising a grand total of $125,000 for the Museum’s exhibitions, outreach, education and historic preservation efforts and setting a new record for the event. 400 artists of all backgrounds, skill levels and ages made art on Saturday, donating 534 pieces […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
9 Can’t Miss Road Races on Aquidneck Island This Fall
Summer in Newport, RI is winding down, sigh! Luckily there are many road races scheduled over the next few months across Aquidneck Island to give us all great reasons to be outside! If you don’t livei n Newport, make your way to The City By The Sea for a race-cation! 1 – StarRide | September 13, 2015 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport’s KEEL Vodka Makes its New York Debut
KEEL, the producers of the nation’s only Premium Light Vodka, has officially announced its arrival in the state of New York. KEEL is produced in Idaho but calls Newport, RI home and can be found in many of the finest bars and restaurants in The City By The Sea. Where most neutral spirit brands have […]
Posted inThings To Do
Daily Drive Maps and Best Viewing Spots For Weekend Of Coaching
Authentic 19th century coaches drawn by highly-trained teams of horses will return to Newport from August 20-23, 2015, in the triennial renewal of a Weekend of Coaching, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County. The public will enjoy free viewing of the colorful and historic coaches every day, as they drive through the streets […]
Posted inNews
VOTE NOW: Newport Among Top 20 Nominees For Best Travel Destination
10Best needs your help in picking the best travel destinations in the USA in the 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. You can vote once per day in the categories of Best Destination for Shopaholics, Best Destination for History Buffs, Best Destination for Culturephiles, Best Destination for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Best Destination for Luxury Travelers. Newport has […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Bowen’s Wharf Set to Host 25th Annual Seafood Festival in October
Vendors Wanted For 25th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, E-mail TBW@BowensWharf.com For More Info Bowen’s Wharf will host the 25th annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival on October 17th and 18th. Dates: Saturday, October 17th & Sunday October 18th, 2015Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., EXTENDED on Saturday night to 6 p.m.FREE ADMISSION (food and beverages can […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Plumby’s Upstairs Burger Bar Now Open
Plumby’s Burger Bar, Brick Alley Pub’s Fast-Casual Burger Bar located on the second floor of Brick Alley Pub, opened on August 17th. The new concept on the second floor of the Brick Alley Pub offers a relaxed dining experience where customers can order food, craft beer, drinks and wine at the bar and seat themselves in […]