On this day in 1907, the steamship Larchmont collided with the coal schooner Harry Knowlton in the worst maritime disaster in Rhode Island’s history. Between 150 and 200 lives were lost according to newspaper reports at the time. The exact number of deaths has been the subject of much speculation as the passenger list was […]
Sarah McClutchy
Posted inHistory
This Day In History: January 19th, 1996, North Cape Oil Spill
On January 19, 1996, the worst oil spill in Rhode Island history occurred when the tank barge, North Cape, and the tugboat, Scandia, grounded off Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown. The grounding occurred after the tug caught fire in its engine room during a winter storm. Tank barge North Cape and its tow tug Scandia […]
Posted inHistory
On This Day In History – April 10, 1987: Rose Island Lighthouse added to National Register of Historic Places
On this day in history in 1987, Rose Island Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Constructed in 1870, Narragansett Bay’s iconic Rose Island Lighthouse was built on top of a bastion of Fort Hamilton. The fort, including the lighthouse, is preserved, maintained and operated by The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation. […]
Posted inHistory
On This Day in RI History – April 10, 1794: Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry born
On April 10th, 1794, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry was born in Rhode Island. A member of the Perry family naval dynasty and often called the ‘Father of the Steam Navy,’ Perry is best known for leading two expeditions to Japan in 1853 and 1854. In 1853, U.S. President Millard Fillmore sent a fleet of warships […]
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This Day In History: March 25, 1991– Jeremy Irons wins Best Actor for portrayal of Claus von Bülow
At the 63rd Annual Academy Awards on March 25th, 1991, actor Jeremy Irons won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Claus von Bülow in the 1990 film Reversal of Fortune. The film recounts the true story of Claus von Bülow who was twice tried on charges of attempted murder after his wife, socialite […]
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This Day In History: March 25, 1947—Claudine Schneider, first woman elected from Rhode Island to House of Representatives is born
On March 25th, 1947 Claudine Schneider, the first woman elected from Rhode Island to the U.S. House of Representatives, was born. Elected in 1980, the political trailblazer also was the first Republican Representative to serve the state in more than 40 years. During her five terms in Congress, Schneider earned a reputation as one of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
CUSP Gallery Brings Art Crowd to Broadway
Newport’s art scene could be on the cusp of transformation, thanks to a new gallery at 35 Broadway and the vision of its owner, Curtis Speer, an artist who relocated to Newport in November. Along with his partner, Tyler Martin, Speer moved his CUSP Gallery & Lifestyle from the well-established artist colony of Provincetown, MA […]
Posted inBusiness
The ReFill celebrates its first anniversary with June sale
The ReFill—a store at 42 Spring Street where you can get common household items like laundry detergent, surface cleaners, and beauty products without plastic packaging—will celebrate its first anniversary on June 1st with a month-long sale. They are now added in a bio-degradable packaging by www.eliter-packaging.com. Bring your own containers (BYOC) of any size—empty laundry […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Local artist Ry Smith wins Fernet-Branca Regional Coin Design Contest
Ry Smith, the local artist known for his colorful murals and “hit shingles,” is celebrating winning Fernet Branca’s New England coin design contest with a coin release party at Giusto, where he is also a bartender. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ry Smith (@rysmithstuff) Smith’s design for the coin, which he […]
Posted inFood & Drink
15 cozy places to eat and drink in Newport
When it’s cold in Newport, sometimes you just need to go somewhere cozy. Whether you’re catching up with old friends during a holiday break, enjoying dinner out with visiting family members, or going on a date, you need a place to go with a warm ambiance, comforting food, seasonal drinks, and, preferably, a fireplace. Luckily, Newport has […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Shop Local – Last minute holiday gift ideas for 2022
As online shipping deadlines approach, your options for gift-buying for the holiday season are becoming more limited. Never fear, local businesses are here to answer the call. Here’s an updated list of stores with all kinds of gifts available for last-minute shoppers. For the Home Kristen Coates – Shop curated holiday gifts in the online shop here or […]
Posted inNews
Pop-up picnic businesses prove they have staying power
These three female-owned businesses are proving they’re much more than a pandemic trend.
Posted inFood & Drink
Where to find the best coffee in Newport County
Why buy coffee from the big chain stores when you can get better coffee at so many locally-owned cafes? Although Newport lost one of its most iconic, local-owned coffee spots at the end of 2021 when the Coffee Grinder shutdown, there are still plenty of cafes with big character in Newport and the surrounding areas. […]
Posted inNews
NPT HAUS diversifies Newport music scene with high-energy techno
Earlier this year, local cousins and house music enthusiasts Katie Marie Benisch-Egan (she/her) and Kelsey Morgan (she/her) launched NPT HAUS, an event production company focused on building an inclusive community grounded in a love of house and techno music. Their first dance parties at Bar and Board Bistro’s Leopard Lounge this winter were a smashing […]
Posted inBusiness
Tabasco is Newport’s hottest new charter boat
The hottest new charter boat in Newport Harbor is Tabasco, and you can be one of the first to book her for a small group charter starting May 14th. The saucy vessel — a Wasque (pronounced way-squee) powerboat that was built on Martha’s Vineyard in the ‘70s — is owned and operated by local Curtis […]
Posted inNews
Groundswell’s expanded market opens April 15th
Located in historic Tiverton Four Corners, Groundswell is a multi-building culinary + grocery + home + garden destination that opened on November 1, 2020. You might have missed the opening in the midst of the pandemic, but Groundswell needs to be on your must-visit list this spring. An expanded Table + Provisions shop is scheduled […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
The Newport Bachelorette Guide 2022
Fun nightlife, a thriving food scene, local vineyards, picturesque streets and stunning seaside sunsets all make Newport a destination that bachelorette parties flock to in droves. With travel experts predicting a major rebound this spring and summer, Newport’s hospitality industry is gearing up to welcome travelers of all kinds— including brides-to-be and their wedding parties […]
Posted inNews
Where to find the best sushi in Newport
In recent years, Newport’s sushi scene has changed immensely. Sushi used to be a harder-to-find food category in the area, but thanks to new restaurant openings and lots of new culinary talent, local menus have adapted to capture the demand for this popular food. While there are plenty of new sushi options to try on […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Where to find the best Mexican food in and around Newport
It’s Spring in Newport, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be here before we know it. You can count on WhatsUpNewp to have a full round-up of all the local Cinco de Mayo events happening in the area, but why wait until the 5th of May to enjoy fresh guacamole, margaritas, tacos and more? In […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Best Irish pubs in Rhode Island
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Looking for a place to grab a Guinness and a corned beef sandwich? Here’s our round-up of the 17 best Irish bars around the state. Which ones are your favorites? O’Briens | Newport Located in the fifth ward district of Newport, O’Brien’s has been operated continuously since 1945. Mews Tavern | […]
Posted inNews
Introducing Bellevue Boards, Broadway’s newest woman-owned business
Bellevue Boards, a new charcuterie board business owned by Newport resident Jackie Connor, opened its doors at 84 Broadway last weekend and is taking orders on bellevueboards.com. Each arrangement is handcrafted by Connor, who came to Newport as a college student at Salve Regina and just completed her MBA at the school in 2021. Jackie […]
Posted inBusiness
La Vecina ghost kitchen returns February 7th; in-person dining planned for spring
Newport Restaurant Group’s La Vecina, which began as an authentic Mexican pop-up restaurant from Bar ‘Cino’s Executive Chef Mariana Gonzalez-Trasvina, will return as a ‘ghost kitchen’ at Bar ‘Cino on Monday, February 7th, in advance of its brick-and-mortar opening this spring. Starting Monday, takeout and delivery will be available daily from 4 pm to 9 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Home Team’, film with Newport County connection, hits #1 on Netflix
Home Team, Netflix’s new family-friendly football comedy starring Kevin James, has a Newport County connection. Actually, it’s eight connections: The Kinnane Brothers, a production company comprised of eight brothers from Little Compton. The Kinnane Brothers (Left to Right) Brendan (Music Supervisor/Writer), Charles (Director), Pete (Editor), Wil (Producer), John (Writer/VFX), Daniel (Director/Cinematographer), Pat (Writer), Jeffrey Azize […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
‘New Worlds’ after a long Groundhog Day
Art by Ry Smith @rysmithstuff Tomorrow night, the JPT is screening the concert-documentary film New Worlds:The Cradle of Civilization. It’s about an unusual musical collaboration between national treasure Bill Murray and world-renowned German cellist Jan Vogler. Together, they created a genre-busting album that spans Bach to Van Morrison and Walt Whitman to West Side Story. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, People & Profiles
Local surfer’s One Last Wave Project helps thousands cope with grief
When he posted this TikTok video on January 4th in hopes of connecting with others experiencing profound grief, local surfer Dan Fischer didn’t know he was starting a worldwide movement to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. In less than four weeks, Fischer’s viral invitation to share the names and stories […]