Newport’s beloved Umbrella Sky installation is set to make its colorful return this summer, bringing a fresh psychedelic twist to the city’s artistic landscape with its new “Tie Dye Sky” theme. The popular public art installation, organized by nonprofit ArtScape, will transform Brick Market pedestrian street into a vibrant outdoor gallery featuring over 450 custom […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inArts & Culture
Middletown gears up for Summer Concert Series
Get ready for some free outdoor tunes in Middletown this summer. The town is rolling out its “Music In Middletown” series, with concerts every Monday in July at Paradise Valley Park and in August at Second Beach. Here’s what’s on tap for July at Paradise Valley Park (19 Prospect Ave.): July 7: Lois Vaughan Trio […]
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Fort Adams Trust opens historic underground listening tunnels to self-guided tours
Fort Adams Trust has opened its mysterious underground listening tunnels to the public for the first time, marking a significant expansion of the self-guided tour experience at the National Historic Landmark. The narrow, brick-lined passageways were originally constructed in the 19th century as a covert military feature, allowing soldiers to detect approaching enemy intruders. These […]
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‘Antiques Roadshow’ expert to share stories of hidden treasures at Rosecliff
Stories of priceless artwork lying unrecognized for decades will take center stage when one of America’s leading antiquities experts visits Newport next week. Lark E. Mason Jr., a regular appraiser on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” since the show began in 1996, will present “Discovering America’s Treasures” on July 17 at 6 p.m. at Rosecliff. The talk […]
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Colony House to host Independence Day Celebration with Declaration Reading, 21-gun salute
The Newport Historical Society will open the doors of the Colony House on July 4th as part of the city’s Independence Day celebrations, offering residents and visitors a chance to experience history at one of America’s oldest government buildings. The Colony House, which stands as the fourth oldest statehouse still operating in the United States, […]
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What’s Up in Newport County this week and weekend: June 30 – July 6
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County, Rhode Island, this weekend, Monday, June 30 through Sunday, July 6. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Monday, June 30 Things To Do 10 am: Free self-guided tours at Eisenhower House 3 pm: Jamestown Farmers Market at Jamestown Recreation Center 5 pm: ECO Fundraiser at […]
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Princess June and Newport Classical artists to kick off 2025 NIMFest concert series on July 6
Mystic folk trio Princess June and Newport Classical Festival Artists will open the eight-week NIMFest summer concert series at King Park Gazebo on Sunday, July 6, from 3–6 p.m. The free, family-friendly event is presented thanks to a generous donation from the Hamilton Family Foundation, and produced by the New England Music Organization and North End Entertainment. The Newport-based […]
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Rhode Island State Archives to display Declaration of Independence during special holiday hours
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the Rhode Island State Archives today announced that the State Archives will be open for special Independence Day hours on July 4 so that the public can view Rhode Island’s three copies of the Declaration of Independence. “The State Archives are the keepers of three beautifully-preserved pieces of […]
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Newport Dance Festival returns with global flair this July
Dance enthusiasts are in for a treat this July as the Newport Dance Festival showcases performances from international and local artists in the picturesque setting of Newport. Newport Contemporary Ballet (NCB) is hosting the event on the lawn of The Great Friends Meeting House from July 16-20, 2025. Each night, performances kick off at 7:30 […]
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Marking The Landscape: Saluting Newport’s Black & Indigenous history one century at a time
Sharing Rhode Island’s Untold History at the Newport Public Library We’re incredibly fortunate to have the Newport Public Library at the heart of our city – a vibrant and accessible space for learning for all ages and interests. In honor of Juneteenth two weeks ago, the Newport Library staff invited me to speak about the […]
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newportFILM Outdoors opens 15th season with award-winning ‘The Last Dive’
The Great Friends Meeting House lawn transformed into an outdoor cinema on Thursday evening as newportFILM Outdoors launched its milestone 15th season with a captivating screening of “The Last Dive,” drawing film enthusiasts and community members together for an evening of compelling storytelling under the summer sky. The 2025 season opened on June 26 with […]
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What’s new in Newport this Summer: HBO’s “The Gilded Age” returns, French cuisine flourishes, sporting history is made, and more
By Discover Newport Newport is turning up the heat this summer with a bold blend of historic grandeur, culinary creativity, and must-see events. From exclusive tours inside the mansions featured in HBO’s The Gilded Age to the return of a groundbreaking women’s tennis tournament, Newport promises a season unlike any other. Whether you’re drawn to […]
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Discover the world of “Ham” Radio: We’ll get you on the air
By Newport County Radio Club Join the Newport County Radio Club for an exciting weekend of exploring local, regional, and global communication at the annual Field Day event! Taking place Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th at Glen Park, Gilbert Barker Road, in Portsmouth, this event is a good opportunity to experience the world […]
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Preservation Society kicks off the Newport social calendar with “fairyland” Flower Show
Preservation Society’s Flower Show officially launched Newport’s fashionable social scene last weekend with a kaleidoscope of color and creativity that took over Rosecliff mansion on Bellevue Ave. The Newport Flower Show: “A Floral Fair” was blessed with glorious weather all weekend and crowds flocked to view the creative selections that represented a joie de vivre […]
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On This Day In History: June 27, 1966 – Dark Shadows premieres on ABC, Carey Mansion used as Collinwood Mansion
Dark Shadows, an American Gothic soap opera, premiered on ABC on June 27, 1966. Throughout the shows run from 1966 – 1971, The Collinwood stand-in mansion used for the TV series was Newport’s Seaview Terrace, also known as the Carey Mansion. The show, which ran for 7 seasons and 1,225 episodes, depicted the lives, loves, […]
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More Than Bunnies: Hunt Slonem on faith, preservation, and his two Newport shows
Hunt Slonem is constantly on the move. A prolific artist, the septuagenarian is always working, has tons of projects going on, and continues to find creative wonder in nature. One of the most iconic contemporary painters of our time, Slonem’s signature bunny artworks are seriously sought-after pieces in the art world. His colorfully featured butterflies, […]
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Grammy winner Karen Slack to perform ‘African Queens’ at Newport Classical Festival
This summer, the Newport Classical Music Festival welcomes soprano Karen Slack for a performance of “African Queens,” a new work that’s generating buzz in the classical music world. Set for July 12, 2025, at 8 p.m., Slack will take the stage at The Breakers mansion. It’s one of the highlights of the festival’s 56th season, […]
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Newport Folk Festival announces All-Star Softball Game Fundraiser
Newport Folk Festival is spicing things up for 2025 with a new all-star softball game featuring festival artists. Set for July 24 at Cardines Field, the game will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This isn’t just about fun and games – the softball match aims to raise funds for Newport Festivals Foundation’s local […]
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Interactive murder mystery “Death Is a Cabernet, Ol’ Chum” coming to Sakonnet Vineyard
Sakonnet Vineyard will host the Little Compton Community Center’s interactive murder mystery event, “Death Is a Cabernet, Ol’ Chum” presented by the WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company on Saturday, July 12th. Guests will play the role of detective and try to crack the case of Malcolm Melee, an acclaimed winemaker and vineyard owner whose body was found […]
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Winners announced for 29th Annual Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff
The Preservation Society of Newport County has announced the winners of the 29th annual Newport Flower Show, which took place this past weekend at Rosecliff mansion. The prestigious event, which benefits The Preservation Society of Newport County, recognized excellence across four main divisions: Botanical Arts, Floral Design, Horticulture Design, and Photography. Top Honors In the […]
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Newport’s Gilded Age elegance featured in Saks Fifth Avenue’s luxury window displays
The opulent mansions and picturesque waterfronts that have made Newport a destination for sophisticated travelers are now gracing the windows of luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue’s most prestigious locations. Rhode Island Commerce announced Tuesday (June 24) that a new collaboration with Saks will showcase Newport’s Gilded Age elegance and coastal beauty through elaborate window displays […]
Posted inHistory
On This Day In History – June 24, 1953: Jacqueline Bouvier and JFK Announce Engagement
Jacqueline Bouvier and Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) announced their engagement on this day in 1953. After she accepted his proposal, Kennedy presented her with a 2.88-carat diamond-and-emerald engagement ring from Van Cleef & Arpels. Kennedy went on to become the nation’s 35th president in 1961. Jackie, as she was widely known, soon emerged as […]
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Newport Art Museum to present ‘Howard Gardiner Cushing: A Harmony of Line and Color’
The Newport Art Museum on Monday (June 23) announced that it will present Howard Gardiner Cushing: A Harmony of Line and Color, the first major retrospective in decades of one of the Gilded Age’s most visionary—and overlooked—American artists. On view in the Museum’s Cushing Gallery from July 12 through December 31, 2025, this exhibition brings together […]