The Academy Awards turn 94 in 2023, making the show a little more than a year older than Clint Eastwood (if you can believe it). Like Eastwood, the prestigious awards ceremony has seen it all by now. Over decades, the Oscar has been handed out to an X-rated movie (“Midnight Cowboy”), four actors who didn’t […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Chibueze Ihuoma, starring in HADESTOWN at PPAC March 21-26
The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical HADESTOWN opens at the Providence Performing Arts Center next Tuesday, March 21. The musical, the brainchild of acclaimed musician Anais Mitchell, was the most honored show of the 2019 Broadway season winning four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Comic – Sour Grapes: Interview
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” about “Aesop”, a miserable-flying dog, living in a strange, problematic and troubled world along with his odd family and pet cloud, ‘Ominous’. Originally from Attleboro, Massachusetts, Tim lives with his wife and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Mdou Moctar to perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival today announced that Mdou Moctar has been added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup. The Tuareg rock band from Agadez, Niger will perform on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Fort Adams State Park. More about the band from their website; Prodigious Tuareg guitarist and songwriter Mdou Moctar boldly reforges contemporary Saharan music […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Illness sidelines Springsteen tour as 3 concerts postponed
By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. (AP) — Bruce Springsteen’s planned performance Tuesday in Albany has become the third concert in a week postponed by the New Jersey rocker, who cited illness as the reason in a tweet Sunday but did not give specifics. The postponements come a month into Springsteen’s first major […]
Posted inNews
Oscar Best Picture winners from worst to first
Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences votes on the best and most influential films of the year. The Oscars are a reflection of excellence within all aspects of filmmaking in a given year, with an Academy Award for Best Picture being the crowning achievement that every film aspires to win. With […]
Posted inNews
The 2023 Best Picture Oscar nominees are less critically acclaimed, but do they reflect moviegoer tastes?
Debating the Academy Awards is a pastime that dates back to at least the discovery of the Africus monolith in “2001: A Space Odyssey.” One need look no further than when “Crash” beat out “Brokeback Mountain” for Best Picture in 2006—in a shocking upset—as a common example of controversial Oscar wins. Then there’s Rami Malek […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 10-12)
Some local rising stars join a pair of music legends in town this weekend for concerts around the state. Get out there and support live music! Friday: Don’t miss the indie-rock sounds of Youngest Sun, a rising local band playing a free show at the Galactic Theatre in Warren. Check out the band’s cool vibe […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Festivals Foundation is giving free Newport Jazz Festival tickets to Rogers High School seniors
The Rogers High School Winter Music Concert on Thursday night was cause for more than just one celebration. Not only was it Rogers’ first concert since the pandemic, but Newport Festivals Foundation also made a surprise announcement that every Senior at RHS would be receiving a free ticket to the Sunday of the 2023 Newport […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Danielle Ponder will perform at 2023 Newport Folk Festival
Newport Folk Festival today announced that Danielle Ponder has joined its 2023 festival lineup. Ponder, who is making her return to Newport, is scheduled to perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. More about Danielle Ponder from her bio on her website; Bravery can take many forms. For Danielle Ponder it […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Bloom Flower & Home Market returning to Waterfire Arts Center April 1 – 2
Bloom Flower & Home will take place on April 1st and 2nd, 2023, at WaterFire Arts Center in Providence. This event gathers 85+ small and independent purveyors of flowers, indoor and outdoor plants, home décor, art, apothecary products, jewelry, and more from New England and beyond. Bloom also includes Rhode Island restaurant pop-ups JA Patty […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Choir School of Newport County to host open rehearsals
On Tuesdays, March 21 and 28, 2023, the Professional Choristers of The Choir School of Newport County welcome new prospective students ages 8-14 (boys with unchanged voices) for an unauditioned OPEN REHEARSAL, 4:15 to 5:45 pm held at Seaman’s Church Institute, 18 Market Square, New port. Sign up at www.choirschoolri.org or call 401 239 9713. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Springing forward into daylight saving time is a step back for health – a neurologist explains the medical evidence, and why this shift is worse than the fall time change
Beth Ann Malow, Vanderbilt University As people in the U.S. prepare to set their clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 12, 2023, I find myself bracing for the annual ritual of media stories about the disruptions to daily routines caused by switching from standard time to daylight saving time. About one-third of Americans say […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up This Weekend: March 8 – 12
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do this week and weekend in and around Newport, Thursday, March 8 through Sunday, March 12. Weather Thursday, March 9 Things To Do Newport Irish Heritage Month RI Craft Beer Week 11 am to 8 pm: Blind Beer Tasting at Newport Vineyards 2:30 pm: PC Friars Watch Party […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Cemetery Weeks will celebrate historic cemeteries and promote preservation efforts
(Providence, R.I.) – Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Awareness and Preservation Weeks (Rhode Island Cemetery Weeks) will feature dozens of free programs in April and May. The public is invited to participate in tours, clean-ups, gravestone conservation demonstrations, talks, and other programs at and about historic cemeteries throughout the state. Rhode Island Cemetery Weeks is organized by the Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries (RIACHC) and Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) in collaboration with many individual and organizational partners.
Rhode Island Cemetery Weeks will include walking tours of historically significant cemeteries like North Kingstown’s Elm Grove Cemetery and Moshassuck Cemetery in Central Falls. Another tour will visit God’s Little Acre in Newport, America’s oldest documented and extant burying ground for people of African heritage. There will be many opportunities to visit small burying grounds like the Gardiner-Hopkins Lot at Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown and the Governors’ Burial Ground in Newport, as well as other lesser known but just as significant sites throughout the state.
For those interested in hands-on projects, there will be dozens of clean-up events throughout the state, including Earth Day activities in Providence and Warren. Since 2015 the R.I. Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries has promoted volunteer projects that clean up, maintain, and improve historic cemeteries. They welcome volunteers who can help with raking, trash pick-up, light brush cutting, weed trimming, and other activities. At some sites, gloves, bags, and some tools are provided. Volunteers should bring their own tools if available.
Several Cemetery Weeks events will feature demonstrations led by experts. These include stone conservation workshops, gravestone cleanings, and a ground-penetrating radar demonstration. Other programs will offer unexpected ways to explore historic cemeteries, including data collecting at Locust Grove Cemetery in Providence, a drone photography demonstration at Elder Ballou Meeting House Cemetery in Cumberland, a music themed tour at Fort Adams in Newport, a scavenger hunt at Brayton Cemetery in Warwick, as well as several encounters with cemetery geology and wildlife. Archaeologists and historians will offer presentations on Rhode Island cemeteries and the laws that govern them.
RIHPHC Executive Director Jeffrey Emidy said, “Rhode Island’s nearly three thousand cemeteries are among our most unique and often overlooked cultural resources. Historic cemeteries tell the stories of individuals and families, landscape design, artistry and technology, religious beliefs, traditional cultural practices, and community development.”
RIACHC Chair Pegee Malcolm added, “The Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries is very happy to be working with the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission this year on Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Awareness and Preservation Weeks. We strive to protect all the historical cemeteries in Rhode Island. This year we will be leading clean-ups, tours, and demonstrations to give the public a chance to see the beauty, history, and nature found in historic cemeteries.”
Visit www.preservation.ri.gov/ricw for more information and a calendar of events. Listings will be updated throughout the spring. The online listings will have information about times, locations, tour size limits, registration (if required), and other key details.
EVENT DIGEST
(full descriptions at www.preservation.ri.gov/ricw-calendar and more events to come)
APRIL
• 4/1 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 4/4 Tour | Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown
• 4/5 Talk | Portsmouth Free Library, Portsmouth
• 4/5 Moon hike | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 4/8 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 4/8 Clean-up/data collection | Locust Grove Cemetery, Providence
• 4/8 Tour/clean-up | Lippitt-Spywood Lot, Warwick
• 4/15 Drone photo workshop | Elder Ballou Meeting House Cemetery, Cumberland
• 4/15 Tour | God’s Little Acre, Newport
• 4/15 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 4/15 Tour | Lawton Valley Cemeteries, Portsmouth
• 4/16 Walk | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 4/19 Talk | online
• 4/20 Tour | Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown
• 4/22 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 4/22 Earth Day | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 4/22 Tour | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 4/22 Clean-up | North Burial Ground and Kickemuit Cemetery, Warren
• 4/23 Hike/Clean-up | Fisherville Brook Wildlife Reserve, Exeter
• 4/23 Tour | River Bend Cemetery, Westerly
• 4/29 Tour | God’s Little Acre, Newport
• 4/29 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 4/29 (or 5/6) Tour | Elm Grove Cemetery
• 4/29 Talk/Tour/demonstration | North Smithfield-Woonsocket
• 4/29 Tour | Oak Grove Cemetery, Pawtucket
• 4/29 Clean-up | Brayton Cemetery, Warwick
MAY
• 5/5 or 6 Walk | St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Providence
• 5/6 Tours | Fort Adams Cemetery, Newport
• 5/6 Conservation workshop/Clean-up | Cumberland
• 5/6 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 5/7 Tour | Moshassuck Cemetery, Central Falls
• 5/7 Tour | George Sears Greene Cemetery, Warwick
• 5/10 Clean-up/data collection | Locust Grove Cemetery, Providence
• 5/12 Clean-up/data collection | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 5/13 Clean-up | Cumberland
• 5/13 Tour | Coddington Burial Ground, Newport
• 5/13 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 5/13 Tour | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 5/13 Tour | Burr’s Hill Park, Warren
• 5/17 Discussion | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 5/20 Clean-up | Cumberland
• 5/20 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 5/20 Tour | Casey Farm, North Kingstown
• 5/20 Tour | North Burial Ground, Providence
• 5/20 scavenger hunt | Brayton Cemetery, Warwick
• 5/25 Tour | Roger Williams National Memorial, Providence
• 5/27 Clean-up | Cumberland
• 5/27 Tour | Trinity Church Graveyard, Newport
• 5/27 Tour | Casey Farm, North Kingstown
ONGOING (APRIL – MAY)
• Online video about North Burial Ground + Swan Point Cemetery, Providence
• Walking challenge | North Burial Ground, Providence
IN PLANNING
• Tour | Elder Ballou Meeting House Cemetery, Cumberland
• Talk | East Greenwich
• Clean-up/demonstration/Tour | East Providence
• Clean-up | North Smithfield
• Tour | St. John’s Cemetery, Providence
• TBD | Glocester, Richmond, Scituate, Smithfield, Tiverton
-end-
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: The Wood Brothers rock the United Theatre
The Wood Brothers descended on the United Theatre in Westerly on Monday night March 6 for a super show before a near sell-out audience of around 600 fans. The theater which opened in 1926 as a vaudeville venue, has morphed over the years into a movie theatre and now a unified complex to unite the community through […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Women’s History Month: Greatest women musicians in the RI Music Hall of Fame
Rhode Island female musicians have contributed significantly to the national music scene over the years. This Women’s History Month, we’re introducing you to a few RI artists who’ve stood out among their peers. For more, check out the videos below and visit the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame website here. Eileen Farrell Eileen Farrell (1920-2002) […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Abraham Alexander added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
Newport Folk Festival today announced that Abraham Alexander has joined its 2023 festival lineup. Abraham is scheduled to perform at Fort Adams State Park on Sunday, July 30, 2023. Born in Greece to parents of Nigerian descent, Abraham Alexander moved to Texas with his family at age 11, determined to escape the racial tensions they […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News, Things To Do
The Lone Bellow, Stephen Wilson, Jr. will perform at The JPT on May 13
Spectacle Live today announced that they will present The Lone Bellow featuring Stephen Wilson Jr. on Saturday, May 13 at 8pm at the JPT Film & Event Center. Tickets are on sale Friday at 10 am at JanePickens.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. Throughout their lifespan as a band, The Lone Bellow have cast an indelible spell with their […]
Posted inArts & Culture
PPAC announces shows for the 2023/2024 Season
Today, J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, President and CEO of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), announced the shows that comprise PPAC’s 2023/2024 season at a season announcement event held in the Theatre’s Grand Lobby. The event was live streamed, courtesy of PPAC’s Broadway Season media sponsor WPRI 12. PPAC provided all of the details regarding their upcoming […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Poetry Takes Center Stage: 12 Rhode Island high school students to compete in statewide contest
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) announced today that 12 high school students from Rhode Island will compete in the 18th Poetry Out Loud state finals on Sunday, March 12, at The Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich. The Poetry Out Loud Rhode Island Finals is a family-friendly event that is free and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Dar Williams coming to Jane Pickens March 24
Aspiring songwriters, this show’s for you. Dar Williams, known as a “songwriter’s songwriter,” is coming to Newport’s Jane Pickens Film and Events Center for a show on March 24 at 8PM. Williams is out on tour in support of her latest album I’ll Meet You There as well as her new book How to Write […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Just my Opinion: Freedom of Expression? I think so
Outside the Gamm Theater on Sunday afternoon, a group of protestors from what they said is the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel were objecting to a billboard promoting the theater’s current production, “Bad Jews.” Literature the group distributed said the theater in 2018 had canceled a production because an impersonation show raised “concerns about blackface…Double […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Trudeau Center to hold CD release party for Donald Torres new album March 31
The J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center in Warwick is holding a free record release and dance party on March 31 to celebrate client Donald Torres’s recently-released CD “The Man, The Myth, The Legend.” Trudeau welcomes the Rhode Island music and disability community to attend the party on March 31 from 6-9 p.m. at Trudeau’s 3445 Post Road Warwick location’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Touro Synagogue opens for the 2023 Tour Season on March 5
Touro Synagogue, a National Historic Site, opens for the 2023 Season on Sunday, March 5. Visit the oldest synagogue in the United States and learn why Touro Synagogue is an architectural masterpiece of the colonial era and why it stands as a symbol of religious freedom for all Americans. photo by Lew Keen During March […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 3 – 5)
“Six Picks Music” is our weekly region-wide listing of some of the best in local music. We’ve got it all covered this week with music from Hip-Hop to classical guitar. Check out some of our favorites below. Friday: Motif Music Award-winning band The Copacetics bring their high-energy blend of “ska, rocksteady, reggae with dashes of […]
Posted inHistory
Women’s History Month: Opera Singer Maria Spacagna
She is among Rhode Island’s most celebrated performers, a soprano who made Madame Butterfly her signature role, acclaimed by the La Scala Encyclopedia of the Opera “as one of the great singers of her generation.” Maria Spacagna, born in Providence, and a guest artist at the world’s most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Here’s what iconic concert took place the year you graduated high school
The last six decades of Western culture are synonymous with rapid changes in both music and the concert industry. Certain performances have managed to elevate, and become much more than mere slices of entertainment. As a result, they have taken on historical and contextual significance alike. One can thereby glean relevant information about a given […]
Posted inArts & Culture
30 famous slang terms and phrases popularized by movies and TV shows
When it comes to popular slang terms, there’s no denying that TV and film phrases are baked into our culture. Our habit of incorporating fictional terms into real life can be traced back decades—take the term “gaslighting,” for example, which originated in Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play, “Gas Light,” and spawned a 1940 film by Thorold […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Mark Erelli to perform at Jamestown Arts Center on March 23
On Thursday, March 23, at 7 pm, the Jamestown Arts Center will host the Newport Live event: Mark Erelli’s concert and record release party, with opener, Americana singer/songwriter, Jobi Riccio. “Newport Live’s summer concert with Mark Erelli was sold out and was met with such enthusiasm that we had to bring him back. We recommend […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Nanna added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
Newport Folk Festival today announced that Nanna has joined its 2023 festival lineup. Nanna is scheduled to perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Nanna Hilmarsdóttir is an Icelandic singer-songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the indie folk-pop band Of Monsters and Men. Born on May 6, […]
Posted inNews
Milestones in women’s history from the year you were born
The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s reminded the world that women have always played important historical roles, despite often being overlooked. But even in the 21st century, many popular history books are written by and about men—usually covering war heroes, generals, and the country’s founding fathers. Studies of U.S. history and social studies […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade: Here’s what’s happening at bars and restaurants
The 67th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, March 11, 2023. The Parade will begin promptly at 11:00 am in front of Newport City Hall and will proceed to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church. The parade this year is estimated to last 2 hours and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: We speak with children’s musician Laurie Berkner on the ‘kindie rock’ movement and more
Award-winning recording artist Laurie Berkner, widely recognized as the queen of children’s music, is bringing her show to the Greenwich Odeum Saturday, March 4 at 3PM. With over 22 million monthly streams, and millions of CDs and DVDs sold, Laurie’s songs have become much loved classics for children worldwide. It’s her first major tour since […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County is now accepting applications for the Tinney Scholarship
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County (“ACA”) is accepting applications for the Tinny Family Art Scholarship, a $2,000 award given each May to a high school senior who lives in Newport County and who has demonstrated artistic talent and the ambition to strive for excellence. All areas of the arts will be considered, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
4Qs with Deanna J. Conheeny: President of the Board of Directors for the Museum of Newport Irish History on 46th Annual Newport Irish Heritage Month
March is Irish Heritage Month, and Newport is gearing up to celebrate its rich Irish heritage and culture. The Museum of Newport Irish History, a non-profit organization established in 1996, is leading the effort to compile and sponsor the March calendar of community-wide events on its website. In a recent interview with What’sUpNewp, Deanna J. […]
Posted inNews
How women’s rights in the US have been eroded since the last time we celebrated women’s history month
As the United States enters into a month-long celebration and observance of women’s history, it is just as important to assess the future women in the U.S. face as it is to reflect on the achievements of the past. Within the last year, the mental and physical health and well-being of women in the U.S. […]
Posted inNews
50 albums by Black artists we’re looking forward to in 2023
From Kendrick Lamar to FKA Twigs, last year saw Black art being pushed to new limits, solidifying many artists as ahead of the times. With that in mind, 2023 is fairing to be even more exciting. You’ll find albums from underground artists who you may not have heard of as well as some long-awaited releases […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Volunteers needed for Newport’s July Secret Garden Tour
Imagine yourself sitting in a very stunning colorful garden with a variety of trees and flowers, the sun shining down, a cool breeze grazing your face, and the sound of birds happily chirping away. Sounds delightful, right? The Newport Secret Garden Tour is looking for volunteers for the upcoming July Tours which will take place […]
Posted inNews
20 photos of shipwrecks from WWI and WWII
Beneath the vast surface of the world’s oceans lie an estimated 3 million shipwrecks, of which just an estimated 1% have been explored. From “Robinson Crusoe” to the “Pirates of the Caribbean,” shipwrecks have permeated popular culture via books and films and been a source of morbid fascination for generations. Indeed, with the resurgent popularity […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Kingston Chamber Music Festival to present ‘Bridge, Brahms and Beyond’ at Jamestown Arts Center
Two award-winning classical musicians will present a seldom-performed repertoire for viola and piano in “Bridge, Brahms and Beyond” presented by the Kingston Chamber Music Festival on Friday, March 17, 7-9 pm at the Jamestown Arts Center. Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt and Natalie Zhu will perform a “kaleidoscope of sound” through dynamic pieces curated to highlight […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Bartees Strange will perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival
Newport Folk Festival today announced that Bartees Strange has joined its 2023 festival lineup. Peck is scheduled to perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Bartees Strange is a rising musician and songwriter hailing from Mustang, Oklahoma, who has been making waves in the music industry with his unique blend of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Irish Heritage Month will once again celebrate ‘All Things Irish’ throughout March
The 46th Annual Newport Irish Heritage Month is just around the corner, and the excitement is building in Newport. Throughout March, a wide variety of events will be taking place to celebrate Irish heritage, culture, and history, thanks to the efforts of local organizations such as the Museum of Newport Irish History, the Ancient Order […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Review: ‘The Exceptions’ an inspiring and infuriating story
By ANDREW DeMILLO Associated Press “The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science,” by Kate Zernike (Scribner) Kate Zernike had been covering higher education at The Boston Globe for about six months when she was tipped off to a major story: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was about to admit to […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport String Project to present free community concert at Ochre Court on March 12
On Sunday, March 12th at 2 pm, the Newport String Project will present a free community concert featuring its resident ensemble the Newport String Quartet, alongside the internationally acclaimed Apple Hill String Quartet in the stunning setting of Ochre Court at Salve Regina University. The concert will feature performances of works for strings that incorporate […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Award-Winning Celtic Folk musicians to perform in Newport in support of Veterans and Gold Star Families at The Casino Theatre
A spectacular evening of Celtic folk music with award-winning musicians will be held Friday, April 28, 2023, at 7:00 pm at The Casino Theatre to support Veterans and Gold Star families. Mary Pierce. Contributed photo. Mary Pierce, an award-winning singer/songwriter of the band Women Folk and Narragansett resident, will be performing some of her original […]
Posted inArts & Culture
8 ways to get the most out of a walk with your dog
Walks invigorate dogs mentally and physically. Veterinarians suggest dogs should go around the block daily, if not multiple times a day. It’s estimated that 4 out of 10 people do not walk their dogs regularly, opting instead to let them out in the yard or take them outside solely for bathroom breaks. Dog parents who […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: Teddy Thompson at La Farge Arts Center
Singer-Songwriter Teddy Thompson made an appearance at the LaFarge Arts Center, also known as the Newport Congregational Church, in a show sponsored by Newport Live, formerly Common Fence Music on February 24. As is known to happen in churches that are approaching 275 years, the heating system acted up before the program but was functioning […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, People & Profiles
Director of Marketing for Spectacle Live discusses the success of shows at The JPT and future plans
In a recent interview as part of the “4Qs with” series, Dan Berube, the Director of Marketing for Spectacle Live, discussed the success of the company’s shows at The Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center (The JPT) and its plans for the future. When asked about the decision to bring shows to Newport, Berube emphasized […]
Posted inArts & Culture
15 of the best movies about wine and winemaking
From harvesting grapes to choosing the right barrels, bottles, and labels, the wine you drink takes a particularly long journey before being poured into your glass. Winemaking has a rich history of stories to tell about the complex, global industry—and these films uncork all of the fine details of winemaking across the world. The best […]
Posted inNews
Best movies of 2023 so far
2023 is shaping up to be a big year in film. More than 4,000 titles are slated for release worldwide, according to IMDb. With this many new movies on the horizon, there’s sure to be a little something for everyone. Franchise fans are excited about sequels like “Creed III,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Overrated at the Oscars: Best Picture winners most out of step with critical opinion
The glitz and glamour of the Oscars is not enough to mask the controversies surrounding the coveted awards ceremony. Conceptualized in 1927 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the first Academy Awards ceremony was held in 1929 to honor exceptional work in film. Since then, an Oscar has become one of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Feb. 24-26)
The local music scene is hopping this weekend with great live music around Rhode Island. With an emphasis on the roots, we invite you to check out a few top picks below. Friday: Local arts organization Newport Live presents singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson at the La Farge Arts Center at the Newport Congregational Church. Thompson’s work […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb. 24-26)
Lots going on around the region this weekend .. let’s get right to it! Friday: One of the highlights of the Newport Winter Festival is the Fire at the Fort, a family-friendly, Cajun-themed indoor-outdoor event at Fort Adams with live music this year from Keith Munslow & The Ubiquitones. S’mores and more will be provided […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
Newport Folk Festival named Music Festival of the Year at Pollstar Awards
The 34th Annual Pollstar Awards were held on Wednesday evening in Beverly Hills California, and Newport Folk Festival had a big night – once being named Music Festival of the Year. According to Pollstar, the Pollstar Awards, presented by Live Nation, is the only peer-voted live entertainment industry awards and the most relevant and coveted recognition […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Orville Peck will perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival
Newport Folk Festival today announced that Orville Peck has joined its 2023 festival lineup. Peck is scheduled to perform on Sunday, July 30. Orville Peck is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, known for his distinctive style that blends classic country and western with dark, cinematic elements. He first gained attention in 2017 when he released […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dr. Seuss’ ‘How the Grinch stole Christmas!’ gets a sequel
BOSTON (AP) — Dr. Seuss fans might find their hearts growing three sizes this coming holiday season with the release of a sequel to the 1957 classic children’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” The new book picks up one year after the original, and like the first, teaches a valuable lesson about the true […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Comedian Kevin Hart coming to the Amica Mutual Pavilion April 22
Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated comedian and box office sensation Kevin Hart is headed to Providence’s Amica Mutual Pavilion on April 22. He’s presenting the “Reality Check Tour” to Providence, awarded the highest-grossing Comedy Tour of 2022 by Billboard magazine. Hart was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Comedy Act of 2022. Hart is known for […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Experience The Blues: James Cotton documentary, live performance by James Montgomery Blues Band coming to the Casino Theater
On Sunday, February 26th, the Casino Theater in Newport will host a screening of the award-winning documentary film “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton’s Life in the Blues,” as part of Black History Month celebrations. Directed by Bestor Cram, the film examines the life and legacy of James Cotton, a legendary harmonica player and singer who overcame […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: Feb. 23 – 26
Newport Winter Festival and Newport Burger Bender continue this week and weekend, making it a very busy weekend in and around Newport. Here’s our look at all that’s happening, new, and to do out there, enjoy! Thursday, February 23 Things To Do 35th Annual Newport Winter Festival Newport Burger Bender 9 am: Coffee with the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
John Fogerty bringing ‘The Celebration Tour’ to Mohegan Sun Arena on April 17
Legendary Rock musician and songwriter John Fogerty is celebrating his music with “The Celebration Tour”. Fogerty returns to Mohegan Sun Arena at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 27th. Tickets are $99.50, $59.50, $49.50, and $39.50, and go on sale Friday, February 24th at 10:00am via ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
Rhythm and Roots Festival will celebrate 25th Anniversary this Labor Day Weekend
The Rhythm and Roots Festival organizers announced today that the 25th Annual Rhythm & Roots Festival will take place this Labor Day Weekend (September 1 – 3, 2023) at Ninigret Park in Charlestown, Rhode Island. The festival shared in a Facebook post that the lineup announcement is coming soon. The 2022 lineup included performances by […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Chart-topping blues/rock band GA-20 to play The Met Saturday Feb. 25
Ready for some high-energy rock and blues? Then don’t miss GA-20, the Providence/Boston-based trio playing this weekend at The Met in Pawtucket. We interviewed co-founder Matt Stubbs last summer and since then, the band’s popularity has continued to explode. They’ve graced the cover of two national magazines, Vintage Guitar and Guitar Player, while getting frequent […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Guns N’ Roses will perform at Fenway Park on August 21
Guns N’ Roses return to the road on a massive 2023 World Tour produced by Live Nation, headlining stadiums, festivals, and arenas throughout the summer and fall, including Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on August 21. The powerhouse rock band launch this jaunt on June 5 in Tel Aviv, Israel at Park Hayarkon and will continue across […]
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100 best TV shows from the ’90s
Before the era of streaming services, TGIF and Must-See TV reigned supreme. In the 1990s, networks like ABC and NBC stocked up on comedies and realistic dramas, while relative newcomer Fox had its own arsenal of groundbreaking shows. Even cable networks like HBO and Cartoon Network started upping the ante with quality programming, marking a […]
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The Irish Snug returning to The Edward King House Senior Center
The Edward King House Senior Center is proud to announce the return of the Irish Snug in celebration of Irish Heritage Month. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 22nd at 5:30pm at the Senior Center on 35 King Street in Newport. Registration for this event is required with a $5 suggested donation. Registration is […]
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40 films that provoked national controversy
Controversial films tend to have one of two effects: Potential moviegoers steer clear of the big screen, heeding critics’ warnings to beware, or the promise of something contentious makes viewers want to see the movie even more. In fact, some argue generating controversy is the point of certain films. Views on film content can change […]
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IYRS Summer Gala on July 8 will feature a performance by UB40
The IYRS Summer Gala is just a few months away, and anticipation is high for the popular summer fundraiser. Scheduled for Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 6 pm, this year’s event promises to be another unforgettable evening because British reggae band UB40 will be taking the stage! Some of UB40’s most famous hits include “Red […]
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30 great anti-war movies
War is an unfortunate subject that continues to be relevant throughout history. When the dust settles and the bloody aftermath is tallied, and sometimes even before then, creatives give their views on the situation through outlets like music, literature, and film. Because, like war, human connection is also a practice as old as time. Stacker […]
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Ticket Giveaway: We interview Teddy Thompson, playing Newport Live show Friday, Feb. 24
Singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson is coming to Newport’s La Farge Arts Center (at the Newport Congregational Church) on Friday, February 24. Thanks to sponsor Newport Live, we’ve got a pair of tickets to the concert to give away. To enter, just e-mail Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 22 at 5PM with “Thompson Tickets” in […]
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The Backseat Lovers added to 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
Newport Folk Festival today announced that The Backseat Lovers will return to Newport for its 2023 festival, performing on Saturday, July 29. The Backseat Lovers is an indie rock band from Salt Lake City, Utah. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Joshua Harmon, drummer Juice Welch, bassist and backing vocalist Jonas Swanson, and […]
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Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust announce new artist residency program
A new 5-night artist residency on Rose Island is now open for application. The Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust–a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to preserve the historical and environmental integrity of Rose Island and maintain and operate the lighthouse for public access–is offering the opportunity for Rhode Island-based artists to stay on […]
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Middletown Senior to produce “Cabaret” at Newport Playhouse this weekend
“What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play.” Inspiring lines from an inspiring show… A Middletown High School senior has a major task ahead this weekend. Like most seniors in RI, Aleksandr Kobrynich was tasked with designing a unique project for his graduation requirement. That project will be shared with […]
Posted inColumns
Sour Grapes: Dustin
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” about “Aesop”, a miserable-flying dog, living in a strange, problematic and troubled world along with his odd family and pet cloud, ‘Ominous’. Originally from Attleboro, Massachusetts, Tim lives with his wife and […]
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What’s Up Interview: Julie Knitel of ‘Come From Away,’ playing PPAC this week
When we chatted, Julia Knitel and the cast of “Come From Away” was in Philadelphia. It was Super Bowl weekend, and the Philadelphia Eagles were in the big game. She laughed about that. “I’m not a sports fan by any stretch. I didn’t even know they were in the Super Bowl.” Knitel’s been with “Come […]
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Leading New England musicians playing David Crosby tribute at City Winery in Boston Feb 27
Some of New England’s favorite folk/rock/blues musicians will be on stage for a musical celebration of David Crosby at City Winery Boston on Monday, February 27. Tickets are on sale now for the 7:30pm show at citywinery.com/boston. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame. The iconoclastic Crosby, who died last month was “A […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
12 teams and a packed house at Portsmouth History Trivia Night
The Portsmouth Historical Society hosted its Fifth Annual Portsmouth History Trivia Night on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at The Gulf Stream Bar & Grille. Twelve teams participated with the “North Enders” (with teammates Jerry and Donna Macomber, Bob Hamilton, Lois Ryan, Anna Jones, and Dave Duggan) coming out on top closely followed by the “Quonset Hut […]
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Double Trouble: Newport Playhouse to host auditions for ‘Run For Your Wife’
Exciting news for theatre enthusiasts in Newport, as the Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant, announced their upcoming auditions for the show “Run For Your Wife”. The play is a British farce that originally debuted in 1982 and will run from April 12 to May 24, 2023. The auditions will be held on Monday, February 27, […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ February school vacation week ideas for families
Here’s our roundup of some fun family activities to do over the upcoming February vacation week. Keep the kids busy… and parents from going crazy … with these ideas for winter break. Go Speed Racer. Take the kids go-karting at RI Indoor Karting in Lincoln which features a 1/3 mile track and speeds up to 45MPH. (No worries […]
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Best TV shows of the last year, according to TV critics’ top 10 lists
Over the past year, TV lovers have had no shortage of new content to enjoy. Acclaimed series like “Derry Girls” and “Better Call Saul” aired their eagerly anticipated final seasons. Meanwhile, streaming juggernauts such as HBO’s “Euphoria” and Netflix’s “Stranger Things” returned after long, pandemic-induced hiatuses, plunging their characters into the life-or-death perils of high […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
With ‘Air,’ Affleck tells lesser-known Michael Jordan story
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Ben Affleck was 12 years old in 1984 and growing up in the Boston area. The Celtics were NBA champions. The Red Sox and Patriots were respectable. The Bruins got swept in the first round of the playoffs. And that also was when Nike […]
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50 songs you won’t believe are turning 50 this year
The 1970s was a tumultuous time, full of upheaval on many fronts, from the end of the Vietnam War to the dawn of personal computers. It makes sense that its music had a similar helter-skelter feel. The early ’70s were a musical melting pot where genres like rock, reggae, funk, and pop could coexist. Ingenuity […]
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‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Feb. 17-19)
Another busy winter weekend on the local music scene… check out our weekly column “Six Picks Music” for the deets. Friday: Canadian rockers The Guess Who were at the top of the charts in the late 1960s behind such FM radio staples as “American Woman,” “No Time” and “These Eyes.” A few tickets remain for […]
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Race Committee approves replacement of 11th Hour Racing Team’s seriously damaged foils
By T!1th Hour Racing 11th Hour Racing Team’s request to replace its foils in Cape Town due to serious damage sustained in the first two legs of the Race, has been approved by the organization’s Race Committee. The team’s spare foils will be put into the boat over the weekend, and the 60-foot race boat […]
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50 best space movies of all time
Space has always captured the imagination of artists with all of its potential and unknowability. The sheer number of space-themed and set-in-space movies released over the years is a prime example of this. From silly takes like “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” to more serious stories like “First Man” to blockbusters like “Star Wars,” […]
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50 best movies from the 1970s
The 1970s were a magical time for movies, with a whole new crop of stars and directors becoming household names, from Robert Redford and Al Pacino to Steven Spielberg and Woody Allen. After the tumultuous ’60s that included the civil rights movement, the sexual revolution, and the Vietnam War, America was a different place, and […]
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Jupiter & Okwess joins the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
Newport Folk Festival has just announced the inclusion of Jupiter & Okwess in its lineup for the 2023 festival, set to take place from July 28-30 at Fort Adams State Park. The festival’s organizers have also revealed that on behalf of the Congolese band, a donation has been made to the Guitars not Guns Music […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb. 17-20)
President’s Day Weekend is upon us and the continued warmer-than-normal weather means it’s time to get out and enjoy! Here are a few of the best events happening around the region this weekend. All Weekend: Newport Winter Festival has dozens of events for kids, adults, families, and more. There’s music including the Jimmy Buffet tribute […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up This Weekend: Feb. 16 – 19
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do this weekend in and around Newport. Thursday, February 16 Things To Do 12 pm: Museum Reads – “Romare Bearden in the Homeland of His Imagination: An Artist’s Reckoning with the South” at Newport Art Museum 3 pm to 8 pm: Taproot Taco Thursdays at Newport Vineyards 6 pm to […]
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Most popular boy names in the ’00s in Rhode Island
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 00s in Rhode Island using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born in Rhode Island from 2000 to 2009. Note: The Social Security Administration collects data on baby names with a binary understanding of […]
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WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Dave Rosenberg, Newport Winter Festival
After taking a couple of years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Newport Winter Festival returns for its 35th edition from February 17-26, 2023. Dave Rosenberg, organizer of the Newport Winter Festival, will join What’sUpNewp for a WUN-ON-ONE conversation at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. During our discussion, Dave will chat with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance is accepting applications for its 2023 Spring Artist Award
Submissions for the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County’s (ACA) Artist Award are due by midnight on Monday, May 15, 2023. The award is given twice yearly in support of local artists and art projects that benefit the community. Awardee notifications will be made on May 29, 2023. Now in its sixth year, ACA’s […]
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Nearly 119 million watched Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show—here’s how that really compares to past performances
Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show Sunday dazzled in more ways than one. For starters, the Barbados-born singer became the first performer to take the Super Bowl halftime stage pregnant—a fact she hinted at in an interview before the show. Next up are the viewership numbers. Rihanna’s performance, which included plenty of her most popular bops […]
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From St. Practice Day to Green Eggs & Ham: Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities kick off this weekend
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has planned an array of events to raise funds and celebrate the festive occasion. The events are set to take place from February 19 to March 11, 2023, and the committee promises to provide loads of entertainment and fun. The first event on […]
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What’s Up Interview: Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse – duo coming to United Theatre in Westerly March 2
Roots/folk music fans should be looking west these days, at least as far as Westerly, RI. First up, keep an eye out for Watchhouse, coming to the United Theatre on March 2. (We’ll have previews of other shows scheduled there soon too!) The band consists of husband-wife team Andrew Marlin (vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo) and […]
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Most commonly seen birds in Rhode Island
Stacker compiled a list of the most common birds seen near feeders in Rhode Island using data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch. Birds are ranked by the percent of sites visited from Jan 21-Feb 3. Ties are broken by the average group size when seen, any further ties were not broken. Data […]
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Rejects Beer Co. to host ‘Stouts & Snouts’ on March 4
Join Rejects Beer Co. and the Potter League for Animals at Rejects Beer Co. on Saturday, March 4, from 2 pm to 5 pm for some beers and belly scratches as they host “Stouts & Snouts,” a pet-friendly friend-raiser event! There will be tacos, music, a dog talent contest, photos, and $1 of every beer […]
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Jonathan Richman added to 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup
The Newport Folk Festival continued its 2023 lineup announcements today, announcing that Jonathan Richman will perform at Fort Adams State Park on Sunday, July 30. Jonathan Richman is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for his minimalist, acoustic sound and quirky, often humorous lyrics. He first gained popularity as the frontman of the proto-punk […]