Spectacle Live announced today that they will present the Crash Test Dummies at the JPT Film & Event Center in Newport, Rhode Island, on May 9, 2024. “In 2018, 25 years after the release of their multi-Grammy nominated hit album “God Shuffled His Feet”, The Crash Test Dummies hit the road for the first time […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport: Feb. 13 – 25
Here’s a look at what’s happening for events, live music, and entertainment in and around Newport from Tuesday, February 13, through Sunday, February 25, 2024. Tuesday, February 13 With parking plans and poor weather conditions, many (if not most events) are being canceled. Please check in with the venue before heading to any event. Things […]
Posted inNews
24 of the most anticipated movies coming in 2024
It’s safe to say that 2023 was a revolutionary year for film, reflected by the historic Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strikes. With the two strikes overlapping, Hollywood effectively shut down for roughly half the year, delaying or otherwise impacting dozens of film and television projects. […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
February’s special events at the Jane Pickens Theatre
February break is just around the corner. If you are a parent, student, teacher, or just someone who needs a self-care day, the Jane Pickens Theater is hosting a lineup of specialty screenings – but there’s a twist. It’s not just special showings of old films or new off-the-wall indie films but also unique deals […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County to highlight Rose Island Artists’ Residency Program at Arts Around the Fire Event
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County will host its next Arts Around the Fire event on February 21, 2024, to highlight the Rose Island Artists’ Residency program. The free event will occur at Parlor Bar and Restaurant at 200 Broadway in Newport from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The event will showcase information […]
Posted inArts & Culture
On This Day in RI History: February 9, 1976, Actor Charlie Day is born
Actor, writer, comedian, and producer Charlie Day was born on February 9, 1976, in New York City. His family moved to Middletown, RI where Day’s father worked as a Professor of Music History at Salve Regina University and his mother was a piano teacher at The Pennfield School. Day graduated from Portsmouth Abbey and later […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Interview: We speak to actors Richard Thomas and Jacqueline Williams, stars of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at PPAC
You’ve got a few more days to get to the Providence Performing Arts Center to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, one of the best productions to come to the Providence theater in some time. (Read our review here.) Based on the 1961 novel by Harper Lee, the play revolves around the trial of an African-American […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
The Jane Pickens Theater celebrates Valentine’s Day with a trio of romantic films beginning this weekend
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is celebrating Valentine’s Day by showing a trio of romantic films, The Navigator, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and The Taste of Things, starting this Saturday. “There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than going to see a movie that is sure to put you in the Valentine’s Day […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: Feb. 9 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island, this weekend. What’sUpNewp Stories Related To This Weekend Friday, February 9 Things To Do in Newport County 10 am: A is for Art: Pizza Pie at Newport Public Library 2 pm: Film Series: Maggie Smith at Newport Public Library 3 pm: […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society launches new digital database to highlight Black and Indigenous history
The Newport Historical Society (NHS) is launching a new digital database that will make it easier for people to find and learn about the history of Black and Indigenous people in Newport. The project, called Voices from the NHS Archives, has been in the works for years and includes reviewing 4,000 church records, business papers, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, News, Things To Do
Stage musical ‘The Queen of Versailles’ starring Kristin Chenoweth to make Boston bow this summer
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Visitors to Boston this summer will get a treat: A stage show that reunites singer-actor Kristin Chenoweth with her “Wicked” songwriter Stephen Schwartz. Chenoweth will star as socialite Jacqueline “Jackie” Siegel in the live adaptation of the 2012 documentary film “The Queen of Versailles.” The musical will make its […]
Posted inArts & Culture
It’s Academy Award Season at the Jane Pickens Theater
It’s awards season, which means the time is drawing closer for when all eyes turn to Hollywood to see who receives that coveted golden man – the Oscar, formally known as the Academy Award. This year, the 96th Academy Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will honor the best films […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Netflix to create shows on 2004 and 2024 Boston Red Sox
NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox will be the focus of a pair of new Netflix shows. The streaming service will follow the team through the 2024 season and present a documentary series in 2025 that will be produced and directed by Greg Whiteley of One Potato Productions. Netflix said Wednesday it will […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Comedy takes center stage in Newport this Winter
There’s good news for those on Aquidneck Island who enjoy a good stand-up comedy show. The Newport comedy scene is heating up this winter with multiple monthly shows at various venues, including the Newport Playhouse, Rejects Beer Company, The Quencher, and the Newport Comedy Series at Newport Blues Cafe. A long list of regional and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’ soars at PPAC
When a legendary Hollywood actor headlines a play, there’s always a risk they could steal its thunder. No doubt, many theatergoers buy tickets to see one of their favorite actors on stage. In the case of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, running at the Providence Performing Arts Center through Sunday, February 11, the appearance of Richard […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Puddingstone Music Series continues this month with Europe’s Fidelio Trio
The Puddingstone Music Series continues this month with another live concert following January’s sold-out performance at Newport’s Old Colony House. Like the previous concerts, this performance will combine performing and non-performing arts in an approachable, intimate 19th-century-style salon. Thursday, February 22 at 7:00 pm “Impressionism and Beyond” at Gardiner House (Lee’s Wharf, Newport). Visiting from […]
Posted inThings To Do
Winterfest Story Time at The Breakers Stable & Carriage House returns
An annual tradition, Winterfest Story Time at The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, returns February 19-23 to celebrate the winter season. Families can listen to a winter-themed story, participate in craft projects, and view the historic carriages on display. Each program is from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A different children’s book will be read each […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Aquidneck Land Trust announces Art & Writing contest winners
The Aquidneck Land Trust has announced 24 student winners in the 2023 Aquidneck Land Trust Art & Writing Contest, held annually to promote the importance and value of the conservation of open spaces. Students at Aquidneck Island schools and those who reside on Island were invited to enter artwork or written work depicting their favorite […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Led Zeppelin 2 is coming to The JPT
Spectacle Live will present Led Zeppelin 2 on Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 am at JanePickens.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. LED ZEPPELIN 2: The Live Experience recreates the sights, sounds, and pure rock & roll euphoria of a prime Led Zeppelin concert. Resplendent in satin and denim, LZ2 delivers […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
The Jane Pickens Theater brings ‘Barbie’ back for one night only
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is bringing back one of the most popular movies of the year, Barbie, for one night on Thursday, February 8 at 7:30 PM. The Barbie screening, dubbed the “Barbie Pink Party,” will feature three specialty pink cocktails at The JPT bar, allowing guests to enjoy a themed drink as they […]
Posted inNews
Best films turning 50 in 2024
The 1970s is a decade to be remembered both politically and cinematically. 1974, in particular, gave the world iconic slashers, pop samurai films, and psychedelic rock musicals, but also playful hangout comedies, unlikely buddy movies, and classic whodunits. This dazzling spectrum of cinematic choices shouldn’t be a surprise for a decade often characterized as a […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Lois Vaughan Trio to perform at St. Columba’s Chapel
The Lois Vaughan Trio, featuring Pianist Lois Vaughan, Art Manchester on sax and flute, and Donnie Aikins on string bass, will perform at St. Columba’s Chapel in Middletown on Sunday, March 10. The concert will be the fourth in the St. Columba’s Concert Series. The trio has been performing professionally for many years. Vaughan has […]
Posted inNews
Andy Summers, former Police guitarist, to perform solo at Jane Pickens Film & Event Center
Andy Summers, who rose to fame in the early 1980s as the guitarist with the multi-million record-selling rock band The Police, will be playing at the Jane Pickens Film & Event Center on Thursday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Summers’ contribution to the Police is often praised as his atmospheric depth of sound. He created […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center appoints new executive director
The Jamestown Arts Center has appointed Christine Cocca as its new executive director, effective immediately. A resident of North Scituate, R.I., Cocca has served in leadership roles at cultural institutions in Providence, R.I., and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Cocoa’s career in the arts spans more than two decades. She has served as director of Black Goat Studios, […]
Posted inNews
A decade after receiving a $4.2 million state grant, Opera House project still needs millions to complete restoration
It has been nearly a decade since Rhode Island voters approved a creative and cultural economic bond that provided the Newport Performing Arts Center $4.2 million, and it has been more than 22 years since the opera house renovation was first envisioned. When NPAC received the state grant, it was welcomed by then Board Chairwoman […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Comedian Kathy Griffin on her career, women in comedy, and ‘Life on the PTSD List’
Kathy Griffin’s career has been a never-ending story of resistance, determination, and resilience. One might think that almost losing her career after a spat with the former President would be enough – but overcoming cancer and addiction in the past couple of years was perhaps a more significant challenge. The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comic […]
Posted inNews
Pell Elementary School students perform original dances
One hundred fifty 3rd graders from Pell Elementary School recently presented concluding performances from their weeklong Multicultural Movement residency with Newport Contemporary Ballet (NCB). NCB provides arts-integrated learning curricula to schools across Newport County. Six NCB dancers collaborated with Pell students to create original movement works inspired by the art and music of six different […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Folk Festival announces Gillian Welch and David Rawlings’ return to Newport
The Newport Folk Festival kicked off lineup announcements for its 2024 event on Friday, February 2, with the news that Gillian Welch and David Rawlings would return to Newport. Welch and Rawlings, who was born in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, are a Grammy Award-winning American folk duo known for their distinctive blend of traditional folk, […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
The JPT kicks off February with a trio of Oscar-nominated films
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is showing more Oscar-nominated films throughout February. Starting February 2, a new group of critically acclaimed films will be at The JPT. “The JPT strives to bring the best films to Newport while also providing our guests with an unforgettable experience. Poor Things, Past Lives, and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: Feb. 2- 4
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this weekend. Friday, February 2 Things To Do in Newport County 9:30 am: Baby Playtime at Newport Public Library 3 pm: Aloha Couples Retreat Tasting at Recharge Newport 6 pm: Newport Winter Foodies Stroll 6 pm: Community Fiber Arts Show – Opening Reception at Portsmouth Free Public Library […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton Public Library to host program on ‘Colonial Superhighway and the Black Laborers who lived there’
The Tiverton Public Library has announced a new program that will tell the story of the Colonial Superhighway that once connected the first colonial subdivision of land that eventually became the town of Tiverton with Fall River. The program is free and open to all ages. The presentation, titled “Eight Rod Way: The Story of […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Rhode Island Wind Ensemble to perform at Newport Winter Festival in benefit for MLK Center
The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble will perform at the Newport Winter Festival on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the Newport Marriott. The concert will benefit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport. The “New England State of Mind” concert will feature a wide range of musical styles from classical to patriotic to […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame announces Class of 2024
The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame (RIMHOF) has announced its 2024 inductees. The four new members will be Harry Allen, Dr. George Kent, Shawnn Monteiro, and Daryl Sherman. It was also announced that this year’s induction ceremonies and concert events will take place on two days – April 28 and May 19 – as […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Live will present Reverend Robert Jones, Sr. at the Jamestown Arts Center on Feb 10
Newport Live presents Reverend Robert B. Jones, Sr. at the Jamestown Arts Center on Saturday, February 10th at 7 pm to celebrate Blues and Black History Month through enchanting storytelling. The evening will be filled with soul-stirring music and compelling narratives of Rev. Robert Jones Sr. He has been heralded by the Detroit Free Press […]
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What’s Up Interview: We speak with Billy May, Starchild in KISSNATION tribute band
KISS fans, here’s your opportunity to “rock and roll all night” … with KISSNATION, a leading KISS tribute band coming to The Strand Ballroom & Theatre in Providence on Saturday, February 3. The show, originally scheduled for the Park Theatre, was moved to Providence when the Cranston venue closed. Tickets to the show are available […]
Posted inFood & Drink
G. Love and Special Sauce to headline the inaugural Ragged Island Music Festival
The Ragged Island Brewing Company is hosting its inaugural Ragged Island Music Festival on June 9, 2024. The event will feature three live music acts, a culinary performance by Chef Kevin D, a family-friendly atmosphere, and plenty of food, beer, and wine to be enjoyed. The festival occurs in the Meadows at Ragged Island Brewing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton Library’s February Events: Creativity, Tech, and More
The Tiverton Public Library has announced a series of events for adults in February, featuring a variety of topics and activities for all ages. One-on-one tech help is available to everyone regardless of skill level, and can be scheduled by calling 401-625-6796 ext. 8 or through the online website. The library also offers weekly watercolor […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Secret Garden Tours returns to Newport in June
The Secret Garden Tour will return in 2024 for a three-day walking tour through Newport’s Point section. The event, presented by the Benefactors of the Arts, will occur daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 28-30, 2024. The Secret Garden Tour was first named one of the best walking cities in the U.S. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Providence Performing Arts Center offering Arts Scholarships to Middle School Students
The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) has announced that 60 to 80 middle school students will have the opportunity to receive $600 scholarships to enroll in summer arts classes. Donations from the Textron Charitable Trust, the Ocean State Charities Trust, PPAC’s Annual Fund donors, and WPRI 12 made the Arts Scholarships program possible. The program […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island PBS invites Jamestown residents to participate in creating ‘Our Town: Jamestown’
Today, Rhode Island PBS announced Jamestown as the next stop for its Our Town documentary series and community project. Residents, business owners, organizations, and schools with stories to share about Jamestown are invited to volunteer as filmmakers and storytellers for the documentary. Part documentary film, community-building initiative, and fundraising effort, each edition of the Our […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jimmy Carr’s “Terribly Funny” Tour will roll into Providence
Get ready to laugh aloud at the quips and ruses of comedian Jimmy Carr as he brings his “Terribly Funny” stand-up show to The Vets in Providence on Friday, April 26. Tickets go on presale on Wednesday, January 31, at 10 a.m. local and general on sale on Friday, February 2, at 10 a.m. local […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
The Mystique of Newport Folk
Music fans, it’s that time of year again. Newport Folk Festival tickets go on sale Thursday, February 1 at 1:00 PM. For those not in the know, the 10,000 or so tickets available daily will sell out in seconds even though no performer has yet to be announced for the festival. This has been the […]
Posted inNews
Charter Books to welcome Author Laird Hunt February 6 at 6PM
Story by Ruthie Wood Newport’s indie bookstore, Charter Books, is celebrating the release of Float Up, Sing Down, the new collection of short stories from Laird Hunt, in an evening with the author on February 6 at 6PM. Set in the same rural Indiana town as his 2021 novel Zorrie (a National Book Award Finalist), […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: Jan. 26 – 28
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this week and weekend! Organizing an event? Submit events to What’sUpNewp! Friday, January 26 Things To Do 10 am: Sled Into a Movie at Newport Public Library 10 am: MLK Week’24: Day of Service – End Hunger New England at Ochre Court 10:30 am: Make & Take Craft at […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Jane Pickens Theater to screen Oscar-nominated ‘Oppenheimer’
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is bringing back five-time Golden Globe winner and Oscar nomination leader Oppenheimer for three screenings beginning this Saturday, January 27, at 6:30 PM. The JPT will also screen Oppenheimer on Tuesday, January 30, at 6:30 PM and Thursday, February 1, at 7:00 PM. Oppenheimer is one of the most acclaimed cinematic […]
Posted inArts & Culture
DeBlois Gallery celebrates Island High School Art with memorial show
The DeBlois Gallery will host the 2024 Annual Aquidneck Island High School Art Show in Memory of Rosemary Day on February 9, 2024. This annual event, which opens on February 9 and runs through February 16, honors the late Rosemary Day, a devoted Middletown High School art teacher and member of DeBlois Gallery. The show, […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport String Project will bring Latin American music to the Jamestown Arts Center
The Jamestown Arts Center and the Newport String Project warm the Winter months with a concert performance on February 3 from 3-4:30 pm. The resident ensemble, Newport String Quartet, will feature vibrant chamber music from Spanish-speaking regions of the globe. From a musical homage to Don Quixote to a rarely heard Mexican masterpiece, to dances […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Friends of Newport Skatepark fundraiser to feature local artists’ work
A fundraiser for the Friends of Newport Skatepark will be held at the DeBlois Gallery and Rejects Beer Company in Middletown on Friday, January 26 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The event, titled “Art for the Park”, will showcase hand-painted skateboard decks by more than thirty local artists. The artwork will be on display and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
Andris Nelsons agrees to rolling contract as Boston Symphony Orchestra music director
BOSTON (AP) — Andris Nelsons has agreed to a rolling contract as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The 45-year-old Latvian has been the BSO’s music director since the 2014-15 season, when he began a five-year contract. That was replaced by an eight-year deal through 2021-22 and in October 2020 a three-year extension through the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Salve Regina’s Dance Program explores cultures With ‘Rhythms & Sounds’
The Salve Regina University Dance Program is gearing up for a new production, Rhythms & Sounds, this February. The production is a collaboration with guest artists Kimberley Cooper and Maurice Watson, and features choreography by faculty members Haley Andrews, Carlos R. A. Jones, Ashley Omisore, and Mekbul Tahir. The show is described as a journey […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Ben Folds will play The Vets in Providence on April 24
Ben Folds has recently announced a series of new solo piano tour dates scheduled for April 2024. The tour will start on April 18 in Tarrytown, New York, and conclude on April 24 at The Vets in Providence, Rhode Island. Ben Folds April 2024 Dates April 18, 2024 – Tarrytown, NY, Tarrytown Music Hall April […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
Beach Road Weekend, MV Concert Series will not be returning to Martha’s Vineyard
The Vineyard Arts and Culture Foundation announced today that the Beach Road Weekend music festival and MV Concert Series will not return to Martha’s Vineyard. The following announcement was shared by organizers; Beach Road Weekend and MV Concert Series Come to a Close on Martha’s Vineyard Iconic Festival To Find New Home on Mainland (Vineyard […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: A.J. Croce on ‘Croce Plays Croce’ concert coming to The Vets February 17
If you grew up in the 1970s, you’ll certainly recall how Jim Croce’s songs ruled the AM radio airwaves. Folk-rock tunes like “Operator,” “Time in a Bottle,” and “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown” are timeless classics, and remain in regular rotation on classic rock radio. Croce’s career was just beginning when he was tragically killed in […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Carbon Leaf returning to The JPT on June 22
Following up on a sold out show in 2023, Spectacle Live today announced that they will once again present Carbon Leaf at The JPT Film & Event Center. The show will take place on Saturday, June 22 at 8 pm. Founded at Randolph-Macon College in 1992, the group evolved from a house party cover band […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Portsmouth Library to host Take Your Child to the Library Day
The Portsmouth Free Public Library’s Children’s Library will host a Take Your Child to the Library Day on Saturday, February 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be filled with scavenger hunts, bookmarks and Valentine’s crafts for kids. For more information, visit takeyourchildtothelibraryday.portsmouthlibrary.org or call John, children’s librarian at 401-683-9457.
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
2024 Newport Folk Festival tickets go on sale on Feb. 1
Newport Festivals Foundation, producer of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival, today announced that tickets for the 2024 Newport Folk Festival will go on sale on Thursday, February 1, 2024. The Announcement This summer the Newport Folk Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island to celebrate a major milestone – the […]
Posted inNews
10 popular '90s artists going on tour in 2024
Every era seems to make a comeback decades later, and as of the late 2010s, the 1990s revival has officially been in full swing. In the past several years, we’ve seen fashion trends like Adidas slides and bucket hats become stylish again, while studios have rebooted popular ’90s movies, like the “Scream” franchise, and TV […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
John Hiatt’s Solo Acoustic Show hits Jane Pickens on June 9
A master lyricist and guitarist, John Hiatt, is coming to the Jane Pickens Film & Event Center on June 9, 2024, at 7 pm. The show is a solo acoustic performance featuring Hiatt on guitar and vocals. Hiatt is best known for his classic 1987 album, Bring the Family, which won numerous awards, including the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport County artists can apply for $1,000 Artist Award from Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County (ACA) is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Artist Award. This annual award provides $1,000 in funding to support artistic endeavors throughout Newport County. ACA is seeking submissions from artists of all backgrounds, identities, and artistic disciplines. The award is open to residents and those who offer […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Monday, January 15
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Join the 17,000+ who wake up to our newsletter in their inbox every weekday morning by signing up below. Good Morning! Today is Monday, January 15, 2024. A day of celebration is planned in Newport County today in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2024
“The time is always right to do what is right.” I entered kindergarten in the Fall of 1968 at what was then the newly rechristened Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, a school that continues to educate a diverse population in the Mount Hope neighborhood in Providence. King was assassinated the previous Spring, and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport: Friday, January 12
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Join the 17,000+ who wake up to our newsletter in their inbox every weekday morning by signing up below. Good Morning! Today is Friday, January 12, 2024. ⚓ In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: Jan. 12 – 14
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island this week and weekend! Organizing an event? Submit events to What’sUpNewp! Friday, January 12 Things To Do 11:30 am to 1 pm: MLK Friends Lunch at St. Paul’s United Methodist 3 pm: Aloha Couples Retreat Tasting at Recharge Newport 6 pm: Portsmouth Arts […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Patriots’ ‘partnership’ with Bill Belichick comes to an end after 24 seasons, 6 Super Bowl titles
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill Belichick had a vision of building the kind of sustained championship football team that had rarely been seen before in the NFL when he was hired by the New England Patriots. He walks away feeling like it was a job well done. The six-time NFL champion agreed to part ways […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Meet cast members of Wilbury Theatre’s HIR, opening January 18
It’s been a busy holiday season packed with rehearsals for the cast of the latest production at Providence’s Wilbury Theatre Group. Later this month, the Company begins the new year with a performance of Taylor Mac’s HIR, a play the New York Times declared “a remarkable, audacious, uproarious black comedy with a daring combination of […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Sings offering singing opportunities for youth and adults in Newport County
Do you enjoy singing? Newport Sings (formerly known as the Choral Collective of Newport County) provides singing programs for people of all ages living across Aquidneck Island. All the programs are either free or have a very low cost, and the fee is calculated on a sliding scale basis, without requiring any auditions to participate. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Free talk at Tiverton Library offers ‘A Day in the Life of a Whaler’
Two local organizations have announced a public presentation that will offer attendees a day in the life of a whaler. The free event is titled “A Day in the Life of a Whaler” and will be presented by Nancy Gentile and Captain Michael Taylor from the New Bedford Whaling Museum and Tiverton Public Library. The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
URI Professor to discuss ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Tiverton Public Library
The University of Rhode Island Professor Travis Williams will visit the Tiverton Public Library to discuss William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream. ’ The event is free and open to all ages. It is part of the URI English Department’s ‘A Moveable Feast of Ideas,’ a series of events led by faculty members, which will […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Puddingstone Music Series will present its next concert, ‘Celli for Two’, on Jan. 28
German pianist and Newport resident Clemens Teufel continues his new music series this month with another live concert, Celli for Two, on Sunday, January 28 at 3:00 pm at Old Colony House in Newport. Like the previous three concerts, this performance will combine performing and non-performing arts in an approachable 19th-century-style salon. An inspiring afternoon […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Monday, January 8
Good Morning! Today is Monday, January 8, 2024. 🏡 Embarking on the new year has brought a baker’s dozen of real estate transactions in Newport County. WUN’s Tyler Bernadyn with the roundup – What Sold? A look at 13 Recent Real Estate Transactions in Newport County. ☕ As the dead of winter sets in, we all […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2 colonists had similar identities – but one felt compelled to remain loyal, the other to rebel
Abby Chandler, UMass Lowell Through the early 1750s, two men in the British colony of Rhode Island – Martin Howard and Stephen Hopkins – had similar backgrounds and led strikingly similar lives. They knew each other, were both supporters of libraries with successful legal careers, and were politically active. Their writings in the 1760s demonstrate […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport String Quartet celebrates Latin America at concerts
The Newport County Concert Series will present the Newport String Quartet at the Jamestown Arts Center on Saturday, February 3, and Trinity Church on Sunday, February 4. The concert series celebrates the third installment of the Newport County Concert Series, featuring the Newport String Quartet performing works by Still, Frank, De Elías, and D’Rivera. The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Curtis Speer to speak about Arts Collective at Arts Around the Fire
At their upcoming Arts Around the Fire, Curtis Speer will speak about the nonprofit collective he’s helping to build in Newport County, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County announced Friday. Speer, photographer and owner of CUSP Gallery, will share his work with the community at Arts Around the Fire, a free event at […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
RI State House Visitor’s Center and Gift Shop to host book signing with author of ‘Secret Rhode Island: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure’
The RI State House Visitor’s Center and Gift Shop, a division of the Rhode Island Department of State, will host local author Bob Curley for a signing of his new book, Secret Rhode Island: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, on January 9, 2024. A connoisseur of odd and interesting facts, Rhode Island resident Robert Curley is […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Friday, January 5
Good Morning! Today is Friday, January 5, 2024. ⚠️ A winter storm watch has been issued for parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, the National Weather Service said Friday morning. The watch goes into effect at noon on Saturday, runs through late Sunday night, and may bring 6 to 12 inches of snow, with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island PBS to debut ‘The Risk of Giving Birth’ series
Rhode Island PBS will launch a new series focusing on the maternal health crisis in the United States and Rhode Island’s efforts to address it. The series, titled “The Risk of Giving Birth,” will consist of three half-hour episodes and is set to premiere on January 12 at 8 p.m. The series is one of […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Thursday, January 4
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Join the 17,000+ who wake up to our newsletter in their inbox every weekday morning by signing up below. Good Morning! Today is Thursday, January 4, 2024. 💰 When Gov. Dan McKee presents his state budget proposal to the General Assembly in about three weeks, he […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Choral Collective of Newport County rebrands as Newport Sings
The Choral Collective of Newport County has relaunched as “Newport Sings”. “Our mission and programs are the same; we just changed the name to better reflect us and the work we are doing,” the organization said in a press release. The change follows a successful marketing grant through Skills for Rhode Island’s Future program that […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Blues-rock veterans Big Head Todd and the Monsters, known for their passionate fanbase, return to Rhode Island next month for a nearly sold-out show at the Greenwich Odeum on February 7. The Colorado quartet, who began as a trio in high school, includes Todd Park Mohr on vocals, guitar, keys, sax, and harmonica, Brian Nevin […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton Library debuts Art House Movie Nights
The Tiverton Public Library and Arts Council have announced a new series of Art House Movie Nights featuring a selection of contemporary films and documentaries. This free, open event will take place on the third Tuesday of every month, starting January 16, at 6 pm, at the library located at 34 Roosevelt Avenue in Tiverton. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Discovering the history of Newport: A guide to the city’s street names and landmarks
Photo: Boston Public Library, Norman B. Leventhal Map Center The streets and landmarks of Newport are filled with stories from over 300 years of history. From the founders and heroes to the early settlers, the names of these streets and landmarks pay tribute to the rich history of this city. While this is just a small […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s Up in Newport: Tuesday, January 2
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Join the 17,000+ who wake up to our newsletter in their inbox every weekday morning by signing up below. Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, January 2, 2024. ⚓ Rhode Island’s House and Senate members will return to the State House today to begin the 2024 legislative […]
Posted inArts & Culture
WUN Concert Photography: A Look back at 2023
2023 was an outstanding year for live music in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. As the number of concerts returned to pre-pandemic levels, WUN photographers were there to capture many special moments. We hope you enjoy the photos below from Rick Farrell, Jack Casey, Gary Alpert, and Ken Abrams. Look for more great regional concert […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Friday, December 29
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Join the 17,000+ who wake up to our newsletter in their inbox every weekday morning by signing up below. Good Morning! Today is Friday, December 29, 2023. ⚓ With the start of Rhode Island’s legislative session just a few days away, we reached out, as we […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport this weekend: Dec. 29 – Jan. 1
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do on this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in and around Newport, Rhode Island. Friday, December 29 THINGS TO DO Christmas in Newport throughout Newport Holidays at the Newport Mansions 10 am to 4 pm: A Rough Point Holiday at Rough Point Museum 10:30 am to 12 […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Six Picks’ New Year’s Eve: Music around RI to ring in the New Year
Not interested in spending a car payment on a night out this New Year’s Eve? Then check out some affordable options for celebrating NYE with some of the best bar bands around. Here’s a sampling of some great music happening in bars and music venues on Sunday night. Have fun, designate a driver, and welcome […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport: Thursday, December 28
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Join the 17,000+ who wake up to our newsletter in their inbox every weekday morning by signing up below. Good Morning! Today is Thursday, December 28, 2023. 👉 With the start of Rhode Island’s legislative session just a few days away, we reached out, as we […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theatre Review: ‘Moulin Rouge: The Musical’ at PPAC
“Moulin Rouge: The Musical” starts before the first big song medley begins. Scantily clad women and men interact in slow motion on a fully lit stage behind a hanging neon-lettered “Moulin Rouge.” The set is done up in red – heavy on the “rouge” – with ever-smaller heart-shaped arches. The performers exit slowly, and the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Gamm opens the new year with ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) opens the new year with Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, a landmark of the American stage. Edward Albee’s masterful 3-act play is considered by many to be the playwright’s best work for its unbridled dialogue and stark message that people must learn to live without illusion. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? runs January 25-February 18 at […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up in Newport: Wednesday, December 27
This story was originally published as a What’sUpNewp newsletter. Join the 17,000+ who wake up to our newsletter in their inbox every weekday morning by signing up below. Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, December 27, 2023. 👉 More than two decades ago, with the dream of re-opening the historic Newport Opera House, a group of […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Performing Arts Center – waiting for the “fat lady” to sing
More than two decades ago, with the dream of re-opening the historic Newport Opera House, a group of individuals began a sometimes-troubled journey to raise the funds needed to bring the more than 150-year-old building back to life as a significant performing arts center. Some renovations have been done, with much more ahead, and a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Family fun awaits at the Providence Children’s Museum on “Noon Year’s Eve”
Looking for something special to do with the kids on New Year’s Eve day? Look no further than “Noon Year’s Eve,” an annual celebration at the Providence Children’s Museum happening on Sunday, December 31. We learned more about the exciting program in a recent chat with Victoria Picinich, the Museum’s Director of Development and External […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Newport on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do on this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in and around Newport, Rhode Island. Sunday, December 31 Things To Do Christmas in Newport throughout Newport Holidays at the Newport Mansions 9 am to 12 pm: Bellevue Ball Drop at Hotel Viking at Hotel Viking 10 am to […]
Posted inNews
The highest-grossing Christmas weekend movies from the last 40 years
Going to the movies over the Christmas holiday can be a great way to bond with your loved ones and escape chaos. It’s no wonder Christmas weekend is one of the busiest times of the year to catch a new film and one of the most crucial times of the year for Hollywood. It also […]