What makes a Christmas movie? Most moviegoers will be quick to tell you that there’s a difference between a proper holiday movie like “Elf” or “Home Alone” and other holiday-adjacent movies like “Die Hard” or “Gremlins.” And while we may not have a definitive answer either—Is it the setting? The number of Christmas trees or […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up Today: Wednesday, December 21
Good Morning! Today’s newsletter is 859 words — a 4-minute read. 🌙 Today is Wednesday, December 21. The Winter Solstice begins at 4:47 pm today. In honor of the Winter Solstice, the Tiverton Land Trust will host a Winter Solstice Tree Lighting today, the shortest day of the year, at Pardon Gray. Read More 🎄 What’sUpNewp […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Fu’una’s artwork to be featured in upcoming exhibit at RISCA’s Atrium Gallery
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) today announced a new exhibit featuring the works of Providence-based artist Fu’una, also known as Kameko Branchaud. The exhibit, titled “27,000 Miles,” will be on display at the Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill from January 27 to April 5. Born in Woonsocket and raised in […]
Posted inCity & Government
RISCA awards 93 grants to arts and culture organizations, folk artists, individual artists, artists in healthcare
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) has announced the distribution of 93 grants totaling $452,206 to arts and culture organizations, folk artists, individual artists, and artists in healthcare. The grants, which were approved in December, will be used to advance arts and cultural activities throughout the state and support workforce development in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton Public Library announces January adult programming for tech help, crafts, and more
The Tiverton Public Library has announced a range of adult programs for January, including weekly watercolor groups, a poetry workshop, a cross-stitching group, and a book club. The library is also offering tech help sessions and assistance with Cricut machines, as well as iPhone terminology classes. In addition, local artist John Irwin will be leading […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’sUpNewp, JPT to host its annual National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Party on Dec. 21
What’sUpNewp and The JPT are teaming up once again to host our annual National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Party! Join us on Wednesday, December 21 for live music by Dave /Tessier’s All-Star Stars at 6:15 pm, followed by a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 7:30 pm. There will be complimentary Christmas Cookies with admission. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport is the place to be in 2023
Newport is gearing up for a year full of exciting events in 2023, starting with the annual Newport Polar Bear Plunge on January 1. This fun event, held at Easton’s Beach, involves participants running into the winter waters, sometimes in costumes, as a way to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation. February will […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Things to do this week in and around Newport: Dec. 19 – 25
Newport is bustling with festive events and activities this week as Christmas weekend and the end of the year approaches. On Wednesday, December 21, the Tiverton Land Trust will host a Winter Solstice Tree Lighting at Pardon Gray, and What’sUpNewp and the JPT Film & Event Center will host their annual National Lampoon Christmas Vacation […]
Posted inArts & Culture
10 classic movies about holiday travel
It’s that time of the year again when the cool air is nipping, and life is all about family and friends. Some people may have already started (or even finished) their Christmas shopping. Others may have already begun planning their holiday gatherings—travel included. Hollywood may be able to offer up some inspiration as you’re firming […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Today: Monday, December 19
Good Morning! Today’s newsletter is 1,061 words — a wicked good 5-minute read. 🕎 Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate! WUN’s Gerry Goldstein has a bit more to say about the holiday – Spelling aside, ‘Chanukah’ brightens the season ☀️ This Christmas week is forecast to have mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, with a […]
Posted inColumns
Comic – Sour Grapes: Out Of Hand
Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes, enjoy! Tim Jones is the creator, artist and writer of the widely popular, self-syndicated comic strip, “SOUR GRAPES”; a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in a problematic and troubled world. Sour Grapes is currently published in multiple newspapers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
23 things to do in Newport in 2023
Newport, Rhode Island is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches, beautiful mansions, and rich history. It can sometimes be tough to figure out (or remember, if you live here) all the great things there are to do in and around the City-By-The-Sea. Whether for yourself or for guests, here’s a look at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Best new TV shows of 2022
Some say we’re living in a golden age of television, and 2022 gave us nothing less than a stunning collection of new shows to binge. Whether it’s visiting a dystopian society in “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,” uncovering a corporate conspiracy in “Severance,” or looking at life in a high-adrenaline sandwich shop kitchen in “The Bear,” people were […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The best in local music this weekend (December 16-18)
With 2022 winding down, there are only a couple of weekends left to get out and support live music. We’re previewing a few shows below … have a great weekend! Friday: The Friday Songwriter Series at Foolproof Brewery in Pawtucket is back this weekend with a trio of Rhode Island’s best – Allysen Callery and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Style & Shop
‘Six Picks’ local music for gifting this holiday season
Here’s a holiday gift idea for the music fan in your life. Buy local music! “Six Picks Local Music, Holiday edition” includes some of our favorite new releases from RI-based artists, plus a few honorable mentions. Tell us your favorites in comments below. Various Artists – Fire Escape Want to get to know some of […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend in Newport: Dec. 16 – 18
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do this week and weekend in and around Newport and Rhode Island. Weather Friday, December 16 Things To Do Christmas In Newport 10 am to 4 pm: A Rough Point Holiday at Rough Point Museum 11 am: The Edward King House Senior Center Presents: A Holiday Concert 4 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Best albums of 2022
Some could call 2022 the comeback year for music artists. Others might even dub it the year COVID-19 seemingly backed down, no longer thwarting the thrill live music concertgoers have longed for since the world was brought to a momentary halt thanks to the global pandemic. We’re calling it one of the most inspiring years […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Gamm starts New Year with Brian Friel’s haunting ‘Faith Healer’
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) opens the new year with a limited run of Faith Healer by celebrated Irish playwright Brian Friel. In a series of monologues both profound and poetic, this masterwork tells the tale of an itinerant faith healer performing in the forgotten corners of the British Isles. Unfolding in spellbinding revelations, Faith Healer explores truth and myth-making, and the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
20 of the best movies set in winter weather
Conjuring images of snowy landscapes, barren trees, and frigid temperatures, winter weather imparts an instant and identifiable tone. It’s no wonder that a number of key films use this particular season as a constant backdrop. Rarely does the mere use of weather render such an immediate impact as it does when characters are exhaling steam […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Jazz Guitarist John Pizzarelli playing Jane Pickens on Dec. 16
John Pizzarelli will forever be associated with “The Wonder of it All,” that unforgettable jingle from the Foxwoods ad that ran on TV and radio heavily in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Of course, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist’s career has been about a lot more. He’s most recognized as a leading interpreter of songs […]
Posted inColumns
Comic – Sour Grapes: Lose Weight
Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes, enjoy! Tim Jones is the creator, artist and writer of the widely popular, self-syndicated comic strip, “SOUR GRAPES”; a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in a problematic and troubled world. Sour Grapes is currently published in multiple newspapers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, […]
Posted inNews
15 unconventional Christmas albums from the past 50 years
Remember The Singing Dogs? It was a band made up of dogs, and all the songs were spliced-together dog barks. The group’s Christmas song, “Jingle Bells,” hit the top of Billboard’s Christmas Singles chart in 1972. But don’t be fooled—The Singing Dogs’ Christmas album is far from the quirkiest piece of holiday music out there. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Art Museum now accepting applications for its 2023 Artist in Residence Program
The Newport Art Museum announces that the application process is now open for its 2023 Artist in Residence program (AiR Newport). AiR Newport 23 is open to emerging to established artists, located in the U.S.) for one-month residencies.The Newport artist residency is designed to encourage the creative, intellectual, and personal growth of emerging to established visual artists and designers […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ – A new holiday classic?
Last year, former Naval War College instructor, and contributor to The Atlantic, Tom Nichols wrote a piece entitled, “The Most Beloved Christmas Specials Are (Almost) All Terrible,” where he runs through the list of animated and Claymation specials we were subjected to as youths in the 1960s and 70s, pointing out their flaws and coming […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The best in local music this weekend (Dec. 9-11)
“Six Picks” is our weekly music column which highlights some of the best shows in area music, from big concerts to smaller, local gigs. We’ve got a little of each this weekend. Here goes … Friday: An under-the-radar outlaw country artist makes a stop at Askew in Providence Friday when Florence Dore headlines an early […]