Newport’s own John Cowsill will be in town this week, singing lead in a concert with New Jersey rockers The Smithereens. The band returns to the Greenwich Odeum on Thursday, December 12, with founding members Jim Babjak (guitar), Dennis Diken (drums), and Mike Mesaros (bass), with Cowsill joining the band on the East Greenwich stage. […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
‘Polarization’ is Merriam-Webster’s 2024 word of the year
By ANNA FURMAN Associated Press The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election rattled the country and sent shockwaves across the world — or were cause for celebration, depending on who you ask. Is it any surprise then that the Merriam-Webster word of the year is “polarization”? “Polarization means division, but it’s a very specific kind of division,” said […]
The Great Gatsby: A special 50th anniversary screening that was filmed right here in Newport
The Jane Pickens Theater (JPT) Film and Event Center is a beloved gem rich in culture and history, right in the heart of downtown Newport, R.I. In what has become an annual tradition, the venue will be presenting a special screening of the 1974 “The Great Gatsby,” starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, on Dec. […]
‘Holidays at The JPT’ series features film classics, festive events, and live music
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) has announced its Holidays at The JPT series, which features a variety of holiday classic films, community businesses and organizations, and live musical performances to help guests prepare for the holiday season. “At The JPT, we strive to make every visit an extraordinary experience, and the Holidays at The […]
Concert Photos: Mannheim Steamroller brings holiday spirit to PPAC
A holiday tradition returned to Providence on Friday, December 6, when Mannheim Steamroller stopped by the Providence Performing Arts Center. The award-winning 15-piece ensemble presented their Christmas show, featuring popular hits along with dazzling effects, before a near-sell-out crowd. Percussionist/composer Chip Davis founded the American neoclassical collaborative in 1974. They’re known for blending classical music […]
What’s Up Interview: Nefesh Mountain, playing Newport Live show at Greenvale Vineyards December 13
You may not have heard of the band, but I assure you, you’ll love their sound! A one-of-a-kind concert promises to bring good vibes to Newport this holiday season when Nefesh Mountain, a New Jersey-based Americana band, stops by Greenvale Vineyards for a show on Friday, December 13 as part of their “Love and Light” […]
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 […]
Newport Historical Society to showcase Newport Fire Department’s rich history
A new exhibition at the Newport Historical Society is set to shine a light on the Newport Fire Department’s nearly 300-year journey. Opening December 17 at the Richard I. Burnham Resource Center in Newport, “Raise the Alarm: Newport Fire Department through the Decades” offers a free, in-depth look at the department’s evolution. The exhibit starts […]
Christmas Vacation Party grows in Newport, adds second night
Get ready for a festive movie night in Newport! What’s Up Newp and The JPT Film & Events Center are bringing back their annual screening of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on December 18 and 19 at The JPT. The fun kicks off each evening with a pre-movie concert by David Tessier’s All Star Stars from […]
What’s Up in Newport today: Tuesday, December 3
Good Morning! 🌅 It’s Tuesday, December 3rd. 🗓️ In 1777, a Philadelphia midwife overheard British plans to attack General Washington’s army and relayed the information, helping to thwart the attack. 📜 Closer to home, Gilbert Stuart, an American portrait painter, was born in Saunderstown on this day in 1755, and the First US mutual fire insurance […]
Chris D’Elia bringing “Straight Outta The Multiverse” to Historic Park Theatre
Chris D’Elia is bringing his “Straight Outta The Multiverse” comedy show to The Historic Park Theatre & Event Center in Cranston. The performance is set for April 11 at 8 p.m. As a stand-up comedian, D’Elia has toured the US and Canada. D’Elia has three comedy specials available on Netflix, NO PAIN (2020), MAN ON […]
Rogers High School to host 3rd Annual Holiday Craft Fair
The Rogers High School Holiday Craft & Artisan Fair is set to return for its third year on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The event, sponsored by the RHS Class of 2026, will take place at Rogers High School from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This seasonal celebration of creativity and craftsmanship aims to showcase a […]
What’s Up Interview: Jersey rock legend Southside Johnny, playing Park Theatre Saturday, December 7
Pay attention rock fans, get ready to be “havin’ a party” this weekend in Cranston with Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. The legendary band will bring their high-energy show to the Park Theatre on Saturday, December 7. The band from the Jersey shore, which got its start in the dive bars and beach clubs […]
What’s Up in Newport: December 2 – 9
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island, this week/weekend, Monday, December 2 through Monday, December 9, 2024. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Community Calendar Monday, December 2 Things To Do Christmas In Newport throughout Newport Holidays at the Newport Mansions 2 pm: Bike Newport’s Open […]
What’s Up in Newport today: Monday, December 2
Good Morning! 🌅 It’s Monday, December 2nd. 🗓️ Members of the Jewish community of Newport witnessed the dedication of the Touro Synagogue in 1763.🎉 Today we celebrate Special Education Day, dedicated to recognizing the achievements of individuals with disabilities and advocating for their educational rights. 🧑🏫 We also celebrate National Mutt Day 🐶, a day to appreciate mixed […]
Sparkling boats and a fishing Santa Claus: The 2024 Newport Illuminated Boat Parade draws a merry crowd
The waterfront was packed Friday evening with what seemed like thousands of holiday merrymakers squeezing onto docks and wharves, on roofs and balconies, and into bars and restaurants that overlook the harbor to get a decent vantage point of the 2024 Newport Illuminated Boat Parade. The parade started at 6 p.m., and for the merrymakers […]
What’s Up in Newport today: Saturday, November 30
Good Morning! 🌅 It’s Saturday, November 30. 🗓️ Today is Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate and support small businesses in your community. Other holidays today include National Computer Security Day 💻, Barbados Independence Day 🇧🇧, Bonifacio Day 🇵🇭, Cities for Life Day 🕊️, Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 🎗️, Guru Nanak […]
What’s Up Interview: Newport native Nora Eschenheimer, starring in Trinity’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
NOTE: The 2024 production of Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol at the Providence Performing Arts Center runs through December 4, and again from December 26-29. The show is on hiatus from December 5-25 when the theater hosts HAMILTON. Click here for details. A Rhode Island tradition for theater lovers is back – Trinity Rep’s production […]
What’s Up in Newport today: Friday, November 29
Good Morning! It’s Friday, November 29th. On this day in history, November 29th marked the 329th anniversary of the death of pilgrim leader and Plymouth Colony Governor William Bradford in 1695. Today is Black Friday, Buy Nothing Day, National Lemon Cream Pie Day, and Chadwick Boseman Day. Did you know that 61% of shoppers start their holiday shopping before Thanksgiving?! […]
Newport Folk Festival releases 2024 ‘Thank You’ video
In its Thanksgiving week tradition, the Newport Folk Festival today released its 2024 “Thank You” video, an effort to thank its community for helping it create moments of hope through music. “We want to thank our Folk community for helping us create moments of hope through music this year. We need it now more than […]
Battle of Rhode Island to be recounted at Tiverton Library
Local historian Fred Zilian will give a talk on the Rhode Island Campaign and Battle of Rhode Island (1778) at the Tiverton Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. The library is located at 34 Roosevelt Ave. in Tiverton. During the Revolutionary War, Newport […]
What’s Up Interview: Fuzek-Rossoni, playing reunion show Saturday, Nov. 30 at Stone Soup Coffeehouse
This Saturday night, a legendary Rhode Island duo, Fuzek-Rossoni, will play a special 35th-anniversary reunion concert at Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Providence. Known for their tight harmonies and acoustic blends, Fuzek-Rossoni were a leading musical force in the 1990s, earning multiple awards in The Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll. John Fuzek and Mary Ann Rossoni […]
Comic – Sour Grapes: Veggie
Check out this week’s Sour Grapes comic strip by Tim Jones! Tim Jones is the creator of the popular comic strip, Sour Grapes. The comic features Aesop, a flying dog who is grumpy, and his family and pet cloud, Ominous, as they navigate the challenges of a strange and troubled world. Jones is a cartoonist, […]
What’s Up in Newport: November 25 – December 2
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island, this week/weekend, Monday, November 25 through Monday, December 2, 2024. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Community Calendar Monday, November 25 Things To Do Holidays at the Newport Mansions 10 am: Holidays by the Sea Press Conference 4 […]
