Photo/Flyer by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Hotel Viking invites bivalve fans to slurp Rhode Island’s freshest oysters paired with sumptuous spirits in a special “Oysters Explorers” gathering hosted by oyster sommelier and bloggerJulie Qiu of In A Half Shell. Julie Qiu an internationally-recognized oyster sommelier and blogger in search of the world’s most exceptional oysters and […]
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
Ten Best Things To Do This Week in Newport | November 2 – 6
The first week of November is here and there’s no sign of the fun activities, events and things to do slowing down! Here’s the best of what’s up this week in and around Newport, RI…. Listings: Where to Find Live Music & Entertainment This Week in Newport, RI 1 – Mermaid Masterpieces Sunset Dune November […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Listings: Live Music, Trivia, Karaoke and Entertainment | November 2 – 5
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Newport for live music and entertainment this week, enjoy! Recommended Read: Ten Best Things To Do In Newport, RI This Week 1 – Buskers Irish Pub & Restaurant | 178 Thames Street Wednesday: Open mic night with Mike Warner from 9pm to 1am. No cover. 2 – Celtica | […]
Posted inNews
Fort Adams Trust Announces Appointment of New Executive Director
The Fort Adams Trust, located at 90 Fort Adams Drive Newport, RI announces the appointment of Joe Dias as Executive Director. Dias’ responsibilities will include overseeing the general management and operations of the fort, site rentals for public, private and fort produced events, wedding ceremonies and receptions, increasing visitation, as well as interfacing with […]
Posted inThings To Do
Jane Pickens Theater Will Host 25th Anniversary Special Screening of ‘Home Alone’
Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will host a very special 25th Anniversary screening of the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone on Tuesday, December 22nd at 7pm. When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O’Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Common Fence Music Will Host Concert at Channing Church on November 7
Photo via Channing Memorial Church Facebook Page Common Fence Music presents culturally relevant but underplayed folk, roots & world music concerts & educational workshops. Most performances hosted by Common Fence Music are held at CFPIA Community Hall in Portsmouth but on Saturday, November 7th they will take their show to Channing Memorial Church in Newport […]
Posted inNews
What You Get When You Pay Rent Around $50,000 Per Month in Newport, RI
Even though we all just changed the calendar to November in The City By The Sea, that doesn’t mean the luxury apartment and rental market slows down. Right now in Newport on Realtor.com, there are more than a dozen homes that are for rent that are asking more than $10,000 per month. Here are the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Food & Drink
Reminder: Atlantic Beach Club Open Through January 1st, Will Host Annual New Year’s Day Party
There was a lot of attention towards the end of the summer regarding the final days of live music on the Atlantic Beach Club Patio and that the venue will be closing. We’re here to remind you that the Atlantic Beach Club and Pavilion continues to operate their restaurant, lounge and banquet rooms through January 1, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Nine Individuals Elected to Board of Governors for International Tennis Hall Of Fame
The following information was provided by the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum; NEWPORT, R.I., November 2, 2015 – Nine individuals hailing from varied backgrounds in business, media, and technology, but all with a shared passion for the sport of tennis have been elected to the Board of Governors of the International Tennis Hall […]
Posted inThings To Do
Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs Will Present ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Romeo & Juliet’ at Jamestown Arts Center
Photo: Romeo & Juliet via wikimedia The Jamestown Arts Center, located at 18 Valley Street in Jamestown, has announced the continuation of their partnership with the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs with a fourth annual presentation of two Shakespeare plays. This season the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs presents The Tempest, directed by Kyle Vincent Terry and Romeo & […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport County Chamber of Commerce Set to Host Black, White and Gilded Event at Rosecliff
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their Annual Cocktail Celebration & Silent Auction on Friday, November 13, 2015 and cordially invites it’s Chamber members and the public to their Black, White and Gilded event. The event will be held at the astounding Rosecliff Mansion located on Bellevue Avenue from seven to ten […]
Posted inNews
Morning News and Notes | November 2
Good Morning! Here’s a round-up of the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Reminder: Atlantic Beach Club Open Through January 1st, Will Host Annual New Year’s Day Party: We’re here to remind you that the Atlantic Beach Club and Pavilion continues to operate their restaurant, lounge and banquet rooms […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Prepare to Celebrate These “Holidays” in Newport This November
Photo: Nachos at Brick Alley Pub We hear about them all the time, seems like there’s about a dozen “holidays” for just about every day of the year! The What’sUpNewp Crew has curated what holidays you should actually look forward celebrating this month, many of them give you the opportunity to indulge in something we […]
Posted inThings To Do
The 20 Best Things To Do In and Around Newport This November
Photo: Illuminated Boat Parade via Bowen’s Wharf Where o’ where has the year gone? While curating this list of the best things that will be happening in November in and around Newport, RI it hit us hard that Christmas is just around the corner! Actually, many Christmas and holiday activities get underway at some point […]
Posted inNews
Morning News and Notes | November 1
Good Morning! Here’s a round-up of the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; City Hall Will Open Late Monday: If visiting Newport City Hall is on your agenda for early Monday, it’s time to re-do your to-do list. (Patch) The 12 Most-Read Newport Stories of October 2015: (What’sUpNewp) All […]
Posted inNews
The 12 Most-Read Newport Stories of October 2015
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor at The Bodhi Spa Here are the twelve most popular and most read What’sUpNewp stories that got you and everyone else talking in October! Interesting Fact – Even with a very small team, What’sUpNewp was the first to break and bring you the news of at least 50% of these stories before any […]
Posted inNews
All Saints STEAM Academy in Middletown Will Host Radio Chat With International Space Station
All Saints STEAM Academy (AS2A) was notified Wednesday that its live question and answer session with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has been scheduled for the week of May 2, 2016. The specific day and time for the contact will be confirmed early March 2016. This will be Rhode Island’s first radio […]
Posted inNews
Newport Fire Department Responds to Working Fire on Red Cross Avenue
Newport Fire Department and companies responded to 29 Red Cross Ave on Saturday for a working fire (MAP). Newport Fire Department was dispatched to the location at approximately 12:13pm, at that time there was a report of a person trapped on the 2nd floor. Upon arriving on scene NFD confirmed the fire was in the rear […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Polo is at Forefront of Introducing the 3,000 Year-Old Sport to New Players
Newport Polo, reputed as a leading instructional polo program by the United States Polo Association (USPA), offers weekly Group Lessons in Autumn – December, with open enrollment for newcomers to start anytime. Lesson fee is $65 for 1 hour of instruction and scrimmage in the arena, including use of polo horses, polo mallets and safety […]
Posted inNews
Morning News & Notes | October 31
Good Morning! Here’s a round-up of the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Volvo Ocean Race Will Return to Newport: Organizers from Sail Newport, the State of Rhode Island, the RI Dept. of Environmental Management, Discover Newport, and the City of Newport have announced that Newport will once again […]
Posted inThings To Do
Your Ultimate Newport Halloween Party Guide
This Halloween promises plenty of spooktacular events and parties at some of the area’s favorite places for you to enjoy. Looking for what’s happening in Newport in 2016? Visit here – https://whatsupnewp.com/top-halloween-events-parties-happening-newport-oct-28-31/ 1 – 7 Spooky Things to do in Newport This October 2 – The Best Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes and Hayrides to Visit […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do in Newport on Halloween Weekend
Happy Halloween Weekend! There’s plenty of great reasons to get out in Newport (with or without a costume) this weekend, here’s what’s happening for events, activities and things to do! Still don’t have plans for Halloween? Scroll down for some great ideas or check out our Halloween Party Guide! Here’s where to find live music […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where to Find Live Music and Entertainment in Newport This Halloween Weekend
Photo by Morgan Macia It’s going to be a great weekend of live music, comedy, entertainment and Halloween fun in The City By The Sea! Looking for a Halloween Party? This should help – Your Ultimate Halloween Party Guide! Newport, RI Live Music & Entertainment Listings October 29 – November 1, 2015 Buskers Irish Pub & […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Prepare To Laugh Out Loud With Live Improv Comedy This Halloween Weekend
The Bit Players, Rhode Island’s most award-winning comedy troupe, will hit the stage five times this Halloween weekend with their hilarious improv comedy show full of larger than life characters, hysterical musical numbers, and the quickest wit you’ll ever see. The Bit Players will host Family Friendly Freaky Funnies at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, their […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Volvo Ocean Race to Sail Back into Rhode Island for Only North American Stop in May 2018
The following is an official press release from Sail Newport/Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (October 30, 2015) – Governor Gina M. Raimondo, in partnership with Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Paiva Weed, joined Volvo Ocean Race and Sail Newport today to announce the return of the Volvo Ocean Race to Newport in […]