Niko Merritt of Newport is one of just 31 people statewide selected to participate in the Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative. The goal is to help build a pipeline of leaders of color for positions of influence throughout the state. Merritt is the founder and Executive Director of Sankofa Community Connection. Besides having worked for […]
People & Profiles
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Interview: Seth Rudetsky, coming to Theatre by the Sea Monday July 11
Sirius Radio’s Seth Rudetsky, one of the hosts on the Broadway Channel, brings his “Big Fat Broadway Show” to Theatre by the Sea on Monday, July 11. If you’ve heard him on Sirius, you know how quick-witted and talented he is. If you haven’t heard him, tune in. He’s a wealth of behind-the-scenes stories about […]
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 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 […]
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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 […]
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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 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
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 […]
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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 inFood & Drink, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Lisa McCurdy of RI Brew Fest – Coming to Waterfire Arts Center Saturday Feb. 5
Where can you find over 50 local and regional breweries sharing their bounty this weekend? At the Rhode Island Brew Fest, of course, returning to the Waterfire Arts Center in Providence after skipping last year due to the pandemic. We learned more about the 2022 Festival from Lisa McCurdy of Gray Matter Marketing, one of […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Shawnn Monteiro playing Chan’s Saturday, Feb. 5
Jazz singer Shawnn Monteiro is returning to Chan’s Saturday night after a 20-year absence from the legendary venue famous for “egg rolls, jazz and blues.” The show comes on the heels of her new release You Are There, an album of jazz standards featuring Monteiro on vocals fronting two stellar studio bands. I spoke to […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, People & Profiles
Local surfer’s One Last Wave Project helps thousands cope with grief
When he posted this TikTok video on January 4th in hopes of connecting with others experiencing profound grief, local surfer Dan Fischer didn’t know he was starting a worldwide movement to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. In less than four weeks, Fischer’s viral invitation to share the names and stories […]
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What’s Up Interview: Doug Woolverton, playing Miles Davis tribute Valentines shows Feb. 12 -13
Among the many great musicians who call Rhode Island home, Doug Woolverton stands out from the crowd. The trumpeter has played with nationally known artists like Aretha Franklin, Warren Haynes, Roomful of Blues, and most recently, blues keyboardist Victor Wainwright. Woolverton and his band will be playing a special Valentine’s show at the Updike Room […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Will tourism rebound in 2022; Discover Newport’s Evan Smith joins WUN for a live interview on Wednesday
No industry has suffered more than tourism during the pandemic, and no community in Rhode Island is more reliant upon tourism than Newport. Evan Smith, executive director of Discover Newport, joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video interview at 2 pm tomorrow (Wednesday) to look back at 2021 and to look ahead to next […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: Councilor Ceglie joins WUN for monthly live interview on Wednesday
Update – Since publishing this, the Mayor’s office has made us aware that Lynn Underwood Ceglie, Vice-Chair and At-Large Councilor, will be filling in for Mayor Napolitano. Newport Vice-Chair, At-Large Councilor Lynn Underwood Ceglie, on the heels of a divisive City Council meeting over North End zoning, joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles
Community rallies behind Philip Easton Landers, a beloved local artist and coach, as he fights spinal cancer
Cancer is a disease that has touched the lives of many. Unfortunately, it has recently affected a young adult in the local community. Last June, I wrote an article about the HOPE mural that local artist Philip Easton Landers painted at the Fifth Element on Broadway. This design has become synonymous with the positive and […]