Evan Smith, the President and CEO of Discover Newport, will join What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one live video conversation on Thursday, September 26, at 10:30 am. During this conversation, we’ll discuss the 2024 summer travel and tourism season, what’s ahead for the fall and winter, travel and tourism trends, the impacts of tourism and traffic, and […]
People & Profiles
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Manager addresses infrastructure, $98 million bond, and residents’ concerns during What’sUpNewp conversation
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy addressed residents’ concerns about utility bills and infrastructure needs during What’sUpNewp’s Wednesday monthly “Ask the City Manager” session. What’sUpNewp’s newsletter allows supporters to listen to this conversation as a podcast. Become A What’sUpNewp Supporter Kennedy acknowledged the city “missed the mark” in rolling out recent changes to sewer and stormwater […]
Posted inBusiness
Aquidneck Community Table names Tuni Schartner as its first Chief Innovation and Development Officer
Today, the Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) announced Tuni Schartner’s appointment as its first Chief Innovation and Development Officer. The nonprofit said in a press release, “ACT is laser focused on building a local food system and economy in Newport County that is fair, resilient, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves. ” Schartner is […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
Ask The City Manager: Colin Kennedy joins What’sUpNewp for a one-on-one interview on Sept. 18
Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy will spend thirty minutes with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, September 18, at 10 am, answering our and your questions about what’s happening in the City. What questions do you have for the City Manager? Post them below or here. Loading… Watch the interview live or anytime afterward below. Ask The City […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Comedian Tom Cotter on ‘No Apologies’ tour, coming to Jane Pickens Sept. 26 with comics Jim Florentine and Tammy Pescatelli
Comedian Tom Cotter makes no apologies … except for the time he had to apologize for a joke about the Pope. More on that later… The Providence native shared a few laughs earlier this week when I spoke to him on a call from his home in New York. With a career going back to […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
What’s Up Interview: ‘Prescription for Pain’ author Philip Eil, appearing at Charter Books on September 10
The opioid epidemic in the United States continues to destroy American lives and families. Over the past 25 years, more Americans have died from opioid abuse (over 750,000) than American soldiers killed in combat since World War I. It’s no longer a dirty little secret – the epidemic has been chronicled in books, articles, and […]
Posted inNews
Concert recap and photos: 2024 Rhode Island Folk Festival a big hit down by the river
The Rhode Island Folk Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday, August 26, with over 40 performers, dozens of vendors and food trucks, and a guitar giveaway at Crescent Park in East Providence. The free festival enjoyed its largest crowd yet, with an estimated 2,500 fans in attendance. Fans young and old filled the sprawling […]
Posted inBusiness
Stories From The Garden: How the Maher Garden Center is reblooming into success
The roots Residents of Aquidneck Island may be familiar with the Maher Garden Center from their hand-made wreaths and Christmas trees. But the roots of the center run much deeper than the Christmas season. “The Maher Center itself started 76 years ago as a resource for parents with special needs kids,” Lynn Maher, the executive […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Interview: Meet Mark Stickney, Founder of Historic Music of Newport
Newport’s contemporary summer music scene is dominated by three internationally known festivals: Newport Folk, Newport Jazz, and Newport Classical. But the city’s musical heritage runs deep. Live music on the island is a tradition going back almost two hundred years, when classical musicians and military bands entertained summer visitors and year-round residents. One organization working […]
Posted inColumns
What’s in Season: Sweet corn and tomatoes from Fales Farm are classic end-of-summer staples
Crunchy, juicy, sweet, and acidic, corn and tomatoes are must-haves for a stocked summer pantry. Barbeque might come to mind first with this combination – thick slices of tomatoes stacked on a juicy burger, corn on the cob on the side. Corn cobs might be used in Cajun-style seafood boils, or, for those who have […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, People & Profiles
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain provided updates on teacher contract negotiations, school construction, and plans for the upcoming academic year during her monthly virtual conversation with What’sUpNewp on July 31. Newport Schools Near Full Teacher Placement After Layoffs The Newport School District is close to fully placing teachers following recent layoffs, with only six […]
Posted inCity & Government
Exploring 2024-25 vision with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain on Wednesday videocast
This may be the dog days of summer, but for school administrators they are days filled with planning for a new school year, which in Newport begins September 6. Superintendent of Schools Colleen Burns Jermain joins WhatsUpNewp for her monthly videocast tomorrow (July 31) at 1:30 p.m. And there’s no shortage of subjects to address. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Folk Festival artists Steve Poltz and John Craigie reflect on their Newport Folk Festival experience
John Craigie is an L.A.-born singer-songwriter who infuses comedic storytelling into his performances. He’s been compared to Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and he has collaborated with artists like Jack Johnson, Gregory Alan Isakov, and the Shook Twins. Seattle Newspaper The Stranger has called Craigie “…the lovechild of John Prine and Mitch Hedberg with a […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
From Bike Stage to Harbor Stage: Palmyra’s Newport Folk Festival journey
Palmyra, a folk band, performed at the Newport Folk Festival on Sunday, marking their third appearance at the event. The trio has played approximately 150 shows and recorded a new album in the past year. “We’ve been keeping busy, for sure,” said one of the band members during an interview with What’sUpNewp on Saturday. After […]
Posted inNews
StoryCorps launches “One Small Step” to bridge political divide
Since 2003, when David Isay founded StoryCorps, he has been on a mission of finding hope, even at the darkest times. Now, more than two decades later, StoryCorps has just launched One Small Step, a project meant to bridge the political divide. The intent is to produce thousands, perhaps millions, of one-on-one conversations between political […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Chef Peter Carvelli reflects on culinary honor, celebrating Foglia’s second anniversary
Four of Rhode Island’s top chefs brought a taste of the state’s “Classic Coast” to New York City on Thursday, showcasing the region’s evolving culinary scene at a sold-out dinner. The “Cooking on the Classic Coast” event, presented by Discover Newport, took place at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation. More than […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Giusto Chef William Reitzel reflects on Newport’s culinary evolution
Chef William Reitzel of Giusto restaurant in Newport sees the city’s culinary scene evolving beyond its traditional seafood fare. “It’s definitely evolving,” Reitzel said. “I started in Newport about 15 years ago and to the point of where it is today is completely different. It’s not just this tourist destination for clam cakes and chowder […]
Posted inNews
Newport Vineyards Chef Andy Teixeira aims to revolutionize farm-to-table dining
Newport Vineyards Executive Chef Andy Teixeira is growing more than just grapes at the 120-acre farm in Middletown, Rhode Island. Teixeira, a James Beard Award semifinalist, is cultivating a sustainable culinary program that includes housing for culinary students, four kitchens, and plans to grow bananas and figs. “We’re trying to be sustainable. We’re trying to […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Yagi Noodles’ Chef Basil Yu: From pop-up to James Beard finalist
Chef Basil Yu of Yagi Noodles in Newport is still processing his recent James Beard Award semifinalist nomination. “It’s still kind of a shock,” Yu told What’sUpNewp at a New York City event on Thursday night featuring four of Rhode Island’s James Beard Award semifinalists. “The list was something that I have looked up to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Watch: A conversation with Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain
Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain faces challenges as the district grapples with funding issues and staffing changes ahead of the upcoming school year. A resolution before the Newport City Council proposes awarding the school building committee approximately $4 million for the Rogers High School construction project, with contingencies. The school district had initially […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Local artist Patrick Murphy unveils ‘House of Waves’ on Broadway
Patrick Murphy, a celebrated artist and photographer from Newport, is set to launch his latest venture, “House of Waves,” this Saturday at 154 Broadway. The new space promises to be a dynamic hub for creativity and community, embracing a spirit of innovation and flexibility. The Genesis of House of Waves The idea for House of […]
Posted inBusiness
Rachael Burns promoted to Assistant General Manager at Brenton Hotel
The Brenton Hotel announces Rachael Burns’s promotion to assistant general manager. Burns has served as the hotel’s director of sales and marketing since its opening in 2020. In her new position, Burns will oversee daily hotel operations, support the general manager with administrative tasks, handle all revenue, sales, and marketing efforts, and assist with staff training. “Rachael […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jake Shimabukuro may not be a household name, but he should be
Jake Shimabukuro, the ukulele virtuoso and composer from Hawaii, made an appearance through Spectacle Live before a sold-out crowd at Jane Pickens Theater on Saturday night. His abilities know no bounds and his stylings are unparalleled for any instrument but become even more remarkable when performed on a ukulele. He dazzled the audience with two […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: RI music legend John Cafferty, playing PPAC on July 13
In a little over a week, the Providence Performing Arts Center will come alive with the sounds of “Cool Summer Nights,” a series of concerts at the downtown theater featuring ticket prices as low as $10. Kicking off the series on June 22 is the world’s #1 Bruce Springsteen tribute band, Bruce in the USA. […]
Posted inBusiness
New small business, Newport Sailing Lessons, opens this summer
Aquidneck Islanders and Newport summer visitors alike will be delighted to discover new sailing opportunities out of Newport Harbor. Kate Richardson, a native Rhode Islander and U.S. Navy veteran, is now the proud small business owner of Newport Sailing Lessons. She runs the lessons out of her 1978 Pearson 30 sailboat, Hope, in Newport Harbor. […]