Update – Due to some technical difficulties on What’sUpNewp’s end we’ve been forced to have to postpone this chat. We will reschedule it as soon as we can. We’ll check in with Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano today (Wednesday) at noon for her monthly videocast, looking for updates on proposed school regionalization with Middletown, charter […]
People & Profiles
Posted inCity & Government
Congressional candidate Segal joins What’sUpNewp videocast today at 4
It’s a crowded field for the Democratic nomination for Rhode Island’s second district U.S. House of Representatives seat. Among the candidates is David Segal, a progressive Democrat who has received endorsements from leading progressive political groups, and leading progressive Democrats like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Update – 4:10 pm: This conversation has been canceled. We’ll […]
Posted inWhat's Up Newp Live Stream
How safe are Newport’s schools?
How safe are Newport’s schools? In the aftermath of the tragic massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Independent School District in Texas, parents and students across the nation are asking about the schools in their communities. We’ll ask that question of Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain when she joins us for her monthly […]
Posted inWhat's Up Newp Live Stream
Authors Series: Jan Brogan, author of ‘The Combat Zone’, joins What’sUpNewp live virtual video conversation
Jan Brogan’s latest book, The Combat Zone, has been shortlisted for a 2022 Anthony Award. An award-winning journalist and author of four other novels, one of which is under development for a television series, Jan joins What’sUpNewp at 12:30 p.m. today as we continue our Authors’ Series. Jan is a journalist, who is a contributor […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Bob Mould, playing the Greenwich Odeum Thursday, May 26
Bob Mould may not be an everyday name in popular music, however, he is frequently cited as a major influence on several well-known bands. In his case, acts like Nirvana, Soul Asylum, Foo Fighters and countless others have referenced Mould as a fundamental influence on their sound. We’ll call him a punk “influencer,” if there […]
Posted inNews, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Thursday
With school unification on the table, a city budget nearing approval, and reports nationally that students are still struggling to make up for lost learning as a result of the pandemic – well, we have a few things to talk about with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain when she joins WhatsUpNewp tomorrow (Thursday) at […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mayor Napolitano will join What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Tuesday
There’s no shortage of major issues facing the Newport City Council as it prepares for a busy tourism season, and perhaps a busier election year. Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon where we’ll explore many issues. Update – Mayor Napolitano wasn’t able to make […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Review: ‘Incomparable Grace’ succinct, absorbing look at JFK
By ANDREW DeMILLO Associated Press “Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency” by Mark K. Updegrove (Dutton) This cover image released by Dutton shows “Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency” by Mark K. Updegrove. (Dutton via AP) Nearly six decades after his assassination in Dallas, President John F. Kennedy and his legacy remain an obsession for […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Review: Actor Viola Davis bares soul on way to ‘Finding Me’
By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL Associated Press “Finding Me: A Memoir” by Viola Davis (HarperOne) Brutally honest and honestly brutal, actor Viola Davis looks back on her childhood like the victim of a disaster still dazed by the experience but remembering every terrible moment. Her alcoholic father routinely beat and bloodied her mother. Viola and her […]
Posted inNews
NPT HAUS diversifies Newport music scene with high-energy techno
Earlier this year, local cousins and house music enthusiasts Katie Marie Benisch-Egan (she/her) and Kelsey Morgan (she/her) launched NPT HAUS, an event production company focused on building an inclusive community grounded in a love of house and techno music. Their first dance parties at Bar and Board Bistro’s Leopard Lounge this winter were a smashing […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles, Sports
Opening Day at Fenway Park: Meet two MLB players born in Newport
With the baseball season underway, it’s a good time to look back at some of the ballplayers who hail from our area. There have been over 100 MLB players born in Rhode Island, including two born in Newport. In addition, eight managers, including Woonsocket native Rocco Baldelli who currently skippers the Minnesota Twins, were born […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Blues musician Selwyn Birchwood
Real music comes from the soul, believes singer-songwriter/guitarist Selwyn Birchwood. “The music that I enjoy is music that comes from people’s souls, it comes from people’s actual experiences rather than imitating what other people have experienced,” he told me in a recent interview. “Music is more authentic when people are putting themselves out there. You […]
Posted inCity & Government
VIDEO: A conversation with Seth Magaziner, Candidate for Congress
In a crowded Congressional race, Gen. Treasurer Seth Magaziner hopes to stand out from the crowd running on his record as Treasurer, and his advocacy for education and labor. He joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Tuesday. During our conversation, we ask Magaziner about his priorities if elected to Congress, how he […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Magaziner joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Tuesday
In a crowded Congressional race, Gen. Treasurer Seth Magaziner hopes to stand out from the crowd running on his record as Treasurer, and his advocacy for education and labor. He joins a What’sUpNewp videocast tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. Magaziner has been compiling an impressive list of union endorsements, with several labor leaders noting Magaziner’s support […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Concert Recap and Photos: The Winehouse Project at The Met
Good times were rolling at The Met in Pawtucket Friday, April 1 when The Winehouse Project took the stage. Known for great live shows, the Amy Winehouse tribute band has lately been tearing it up around New England and beyond. Led by vocalist Lisa Kay, the nine-piece band rocked hard through two sets of Winehouse […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mayor Napolitano will join What’sUpNewp to answer your questions on Thursday
When Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins WhatsUpNewp’s Thursday noontime videocast, we’ll explore all the questions you’ve sent to us, plus get her take on what appears to be renewed interest in merging Newport and Middletown Schools. We’ll also want to know all about her recent trip to Newport’s sister city in Ireland, and how these relationships […]
Posted inCity & Government
Merger talks on again? We’ll ask when Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins us Wednesday for her monthly videocast
It appears school merger talks are on again between Middletown and Newport officials, and now we’d like to learn more. Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WhatsUpNewp for her monthly videocast tomorrow (Wednesday) at 1:30 p.m. We’ll ask for particulars as the two systems move toward what is being called a merger of “organizational […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
What’s Up Interview: A Ukrainian native shares her story
Olga Fedorenko, a nurse practitioner at a primary care office in Warwick, came to Rhode Island from Ukraine in 1991 to be with her partner, who had been living here for a year and a half at the time. They married, became citizens, and raised two kids who are now 28 and 20. But Olga’s […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
One on WUN: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
With the state’s school masking mandate ending next week, will Newport’s public schools also lift the mandate? We’ll learn more today at 1:30 p.m. when School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WhatsUpNewp for her monthly videocast.We’ll also learn more about the school department’s effort to cover increasing costs for its school building project – additional […]
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Introducing Bellevue Boards, Broadway’s newest woman-owned business
Bellevue Boards, a new charcuterie board business owned by Newport resident Jackie Connor, opened its doors at 84 Broadway last weekend and is taking orders on bellevueboards.com. Each arrangement is handcrafted by Connor, who came to Newport as a college student at Salve Regina and just completed her MBA at the school in 2021. Jackie […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Jazz pianist Greg Murphy coming to the Narrows Center Saturday Feb. 19
When it comes to jazz music, Chicago native Greg Murphy isn’t too concerned about being constrained by genre. He’s perfectly comfortable leading his band on classics like the Coltrane-inspired “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” while also adept at jazz takes on popular hits from his youth, like Seals and Croft’s “Summer Breeze.” Murphy’s trio, including bassist Paul […]
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What’s Up Interview: Choreographer Patti Wilcox of “An Officer and a Gentleman” – at PPAC Feb 18-20
Patti Wilcox was pretty cheery when we chatted recently. “I’ve just arrived in Detroit and it’s great.” When I pointed out that “Detroit” and “great” don’t often appear in the same sentence, she laughed. “It’s a good tour city, and it is the home of Motown, so…” Wilcox is part of the creative team that […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
What’s Up Interview: Mike Reilly of Pure Prairie League
One of FM radio’s most iconic songs is one that was almost never a hit. “Amie” was first released in 1972 on Pure Prairie League’s second album Bustin’ Out. Other albums followed as the song became a favorite “album cut” on the radio, until it was finally released as a single in 1975. It became […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Stephane Wrembel Playing the Knickerbocker Friday Feb. 11
“Winter is when nature dreams, it’s like nature is asleep and dreaming,” muses guitarist Stephane Wrembel. “I always found that winter is very romantic in a very subconscious way. Everything is bare and we need to be reborn. I think dreams are fabricated then.” Deep thoughts from one of the world’s great guitarists, Stephane Wrembel, […]
Posted inWhat's Up Newp Live Stream
Watch – Finding Endeavour: A convo with Dr. James Hunter, Australian National Maritime Museum
Dr. James Hunter, Curator of Naval Heritage and Archaeology at the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM), joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at on Thursday, February 3. We discussed with Hunter the news out of ANMM this week that the shipwreck of James Cook’s famous vessel, His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour, has been positively […]