Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, newportFILM has curated Sundance Official Selections and a Leonardo DiCaprio Executive Produced documentary about a small, heroic team saving animals in a Ukrainian zoo for its spring film lineup. Launching the spring season is the 2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning A New Kind of Wilderness, which follows a family who must unexpectedly […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inArts & Culture
RISCA leaders to discuss arts funding at ‘Arts Around the Fire’ event
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County is gearing up for its “Arts Around the Fire” networking event, featuring key leaders from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA). Todd Trebour, RISCA’s Executive Director, and Sara Leonard, the newly appointed Deputy Director, will be on hand to share insights and answer questions. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Noir nights, Hollywood legends, and cult classics coming to The JPT
The JPT continues its tradition of immersive film experiences with a newly announced lineup of curated film series celebrating visionary directors, cult classics, and Hollywood’s golden age. Highlights include fan-favorite monthly David Lynch retrospectives, a year-long Film Noir series featuring Pinot Noir tastings, and a centennial tribute to Hollywood legend Jack Lemmon. “With special events […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Suzanne Vega to perform at The JPT in June
Get ready for a night of folk music magic as Suzanne Vega takes the stage at The JPT Film & Event Center on June 21. The concert, put on by Spectacle Live, will showcase Vega’s impressive career with a mix of her classic hits and new songs. Fans can look forward to hearing favorites like […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Legendary singer-songwriter Janis Ian, on new film ‘Breaking Silence’
Singer-Songwriter Janis Ian helped pave the way for modern songwriters. Where would today’s confessional singers be without ballads like “At Seventeen,” not to mention the groundbreaking classic “Society’s Child?” A compelling new documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, directed by Varda Bar-Kar, opens at the Jane Pickens Film and Event Center on April 3. The film […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music as Medicine: Sangita Sisters bringing Kirtan to Cranston
They call themselves the Sangita Sisters. Six women who met “divinely” to perform Kirtan. What’s Kirtan, you ask? “It’s a form of devotional music,” says Sarah Loomis, one of the six Sisters. “It’s the music of yoga.” On Saturday, March 22, the Sisters will be performing in a fundraising event at Raffa Life Yoga Studio […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
Jessica Pratt, Dan Reeder, Illiterate Light, and Sammy Rae & Friends added to Newport Folk lineup
Last week, the Newport Folk Festival continued rolling out its lineup for its 2025 event, announcing Jessica Pratt, Dan Reeder, Illiterate Light, and Sammy Rae & Friends. Set for July 25-27, the festival has already sold out but continues to reveal its performer list, with more names expected in the weeks ahead. So far, Friday’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day may be known for a boozy good time, but more are opting to forgo the buzz
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, LEAH WILLINGHAM and RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Tommy McCarthy’s Irish bar just outside Boston’s city limits pours more Guinness than almost anywhere in the U.S., yet come this St. Patrick’s Day, the longtime owner of The Burren is stocking up on plenty of nonalcoholic options too. “It’s come a long […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Columns
Gerry Goldstein: ‘Unsuitable’ insults on what a man wears
A European leader whose country is under horrific siege comes to the White House, and during his stay wears not a suit and tie, but informal garb reflecting the military struggle of his nation. You may have read that his manner of dress exposed him to criticism from our president. This is untrue – because […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Helen Hames: Palliative Care – A misunderstood piece to the life planning puzzle
It’s important to respect the natural aging process and recognize that oftentimes the medical system prioritizes treatment over true well-being, sometimes offering interventions that may not improve quality of life. While we all face the end of life eventually, educating ourselves now, allows us to focus on living well and making informed choices for a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
St. Patrick’s Day parade celebrates Boston heritage in America’s most Irish big city
By ROBERT BUKATY and RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Throngs of green-clad, shamrock-festooned revelers filled the streets of America’s most Irish big city on Sunday for the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade. Green, white and orange confetti — the national colors of the Emerald Isle — rained down along parts of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Photo Gallery: 2025 Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Thousands turned out for the 69th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15, 2025. What’sUpNewp photographer Justin Walker was on hand for the action and shared the following photo gallery of the festivities.
Posted inArts & Culture
Here’s what you need to know about St. Patrick’s Day
By DEEPTI HAJELA Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — If it’s March, and it’s green, it must be St. Patrick’s Day. The day honoring the patron saint of Ireland is a global celebration of Irish heritage. And nowhere is that more so than in the United States, where parades take place in cities around the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Music: We preview the statewide Spring concert scene
Better weather, longer days and longer nights mean music fans from around the region are awakening from their winter slumber. There’s lots going on at area concert venues – we’ve got all the highlights of the Spring Concert Season leading into early June at venues around the state. More concerts are expected to be added […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Fitz and the Tantrums to perform at International Tennis Hall of Fame
Get ready to clap your hands, Newport! The International Tennis Hall of Fame has announced that indie pop and neo-soul sensation Fitz and the Tantrums will headline the 2025 Induction Celebration, adding a vibrant musical finale to a weekend honoring tennis legends Maria Sharapova and the Bryan Brothers. The announcement, made today, reveals that the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM to screen ‘Champions Of The Golden Valley’ at Roger Williams Botanical Center
In partnership with the Roger Williams Botanical Center, newportFILM announces its final film of the Winter Warm Up series, CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY — winner of the Grand Prize and Audience Choice at Banff Mountain Film Festival – about young Afghan skiers from rival villages convening for a mountain race before many are displaced. In the remote mountains of Afghanistan, a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Renowned political scientist Robert D. Putnam to visit Newport
RENEWport will bring internationally-renowned political scientist and author Professor Robert D. Putnam to Newport in April. Putnam’s visit will feature his keynote address “What is the State of American Democracy Today?” on April 15, 2025 at 5:00PM at Salve Regina University. The event is free and open to the public, with online RSVP at https://renewport.org/event/the-state-of-american-democracy-today/ Deep and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum previews summer season
The Newport Art Museum (NAM) has announced its exhibition calendar for the summer 2025 season, featuring a dynamic selection of artists and exhibitions. The season will showcase treasured works from the Museum’s permanent collection as well as the work of contemporary artists. “Through this extraordinary summer season, the Newport Art Museum continues its commitment to presenting […]
Posted inThings To Do
Things to do this week in Newport County: March 10 – 16
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County, Rhode Island, this weekend, Monday, March 10 through Sunday, March 16. Check back often as we update this story throughout the week as more things pop up! Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Community Calendar Monday, March 10 Things […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Michele Gallagher: Women in business then & now – colonial-era quilt-making in Rhode Island
Petticoat Junction In 18th century Rhode Island, quilting served as a decoration for underskirt petticoats, in addition to bed coverings. The petticoats had the dual purpose of adding warmth as well as demonstrating exceptional stitching skills or intricate designs, often distinguishing social status. Some fabrics were imported from London and others were stitched by hand, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Charles L. Roberts: Let me introduce you to a few Black women trailblazers who helped shape the future of Rhode Island
The legacies of the Black men and women who shaped our nation, as well as our own cities and towns, should always be celebrated, and never forgotten. This is why I am thrilled to share the voices and legacies of these exceptional Rhode Island women this month. “The Hair Doctress” Christiana Carteaux Bannister, or Madame […]