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 […]
People & Profiles
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 […]
Posted inCity & Government, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins What’s Up Newp for a live conversation on Wednesday
How are Newport Schools addressing a shortfall of reportedly $12 million needed for the Rogers High School re-construction? We’ll learn that and more when School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins What’s Up Newp for her monthly live virtual video conversation on Wednesday at 1:30 pm. We’ll also ask about progress on the elementary school project, […]
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Gubernatorial Candidate Helena Foulkes joins What’s Up Newp for a live conversation on Wednesday
In the crowded Democratic race for governor, Helena Foulkes hopes that her business background, and political pedigree, propel her to become the next governor of Rhode Island. We’ll learn more about Foulkes at 12:30 pm on Wednesday when she joins a What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation. Helena Foulkes Foulkes is a […]
Posted inCity & Government, COVID-19, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Friday
Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at noon on Friday, January 14. We’ll speak to Mayor Napolitano about how COVID is impacting city services, expectations for popular events, including the cherished St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We’ll also speak to the Mayor about budget talks with the school department, progress […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles
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, What's Up Newp Live Stream
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 […]
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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 […]
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WUN-On-One: Newport School Superintendent joins WUN on Wednesday for a virtual conversation
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WUN for her monthly videocast at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Among the issues we’ll discuss: We’ll talk about the lingering impact of the pandemic and how the school system is trying to make up for lost learning. School construction projects – progress, timing, funding, and any changes to the […]
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 […]
Posted inNews, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Newport Mayor Napolitano discusses city’s issues with What’s Up Newp on Monday at noon
Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano joins WhatsUpNewp on Monday at noon for what will become a monthly videocast. We’ll be exploring numerous issues confronting the city, new programs, and important ongoing projects. On Monday, we’ll be asking the mayor about the former casino property and other north end projects, and the city’s vision for economic […]
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Tom Rush joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation
For 60 years Tom Rush, folk and blues icon, has had a profound impact on the American music scene, helping shape the folk revival of the ‘60s and the renaissance of the ‘80s and ‘90s. He joins What’s Up Newp on Thursday, October 28 at 10 am for a live virtual video conversation. He performs […]
Posted inNews, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Newport School Superintendent joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins What’s Up Newp for her regularly scheduled monthly live virtual video interview on Wednesday, November 3 at 1:30 pm. Note – This conversation was originally scheduled for October 27 but has been rescheduled due to power outages. We’ll discuss the latest with COVID, her expectations with the prospect […]
Posted inNews, What's Up Newp Live Stream
What’s Up Newp videocast explores Rhode Island Housing Crisis
There remains a housing crisis in Rhode Island, with nearly 30 percent of homeowners and nearly 50 percent of renters unable to afford the homes in which they live. That means that families and individuals are struggling to pay their mortgage or rent, to pay for food or utilities, and foregoing on necessary medicines. Those […]
Posted inWhat's Up Newp Live Stream
Newport’s Lucas O’Reilly appears on ‘The Voice’, joins What’s Up Newp to discuss his experience
Lucas O’Reilly, a Newport resident, performed during the blind auditions on The Voice on Monday night. Unfortunately, no judges chairs turned during his performance of James Taylor’s “Carolina in My Mind”. O’Reilly will join What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation on Wednesday at 5 pm to discuss his journey and his experience […]
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Gubernatorial candidate Treasurer Seth Magaziner joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual conversation on Wednesday
With Rhode Island’s primary election less than a year away, the field for the race for the Democratic nomination is taking shape with the announcement last week by General Treasurer Seth Magaziner that he is a candidate for governor. Magaziner joins us on Wednesday at 2 p.m. on a What’sUpNewp videocast. The Democratic gubernatorial primary […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Olympic Swimmer Elizabeth Beisel will make a record-breaking swim to Block Island (Updated)
Three-time Olympian, silver medalist, and 2016 Team USA Captain, Elizabeth Beisel is poised to make history on Wednesday, September 22, when she swims from mainland Rhode Island (Matunuck Beach) to Block Island in her BLOCK CANCER SWIM. Update: 12 pm on September 21 Elizabeth Beisel’s safety team just moved her swim due to increasing surf and […]
Posted inNews, What's Up Newp Live Stream
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burn Jermain joins WUN for a videocast Tuesday at 1 pm
For teachers, students, parents, and probably most of all, superintendents, the start of the 2021-22 school year is filled with promise and high expectations, but also with uncertainty as COVID continues to spread, with more young people becoming infected and a vaccine yet to be available to most of those in elementary schools. Newport School […]
Posted inWhat's Up Newp Live Stream
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Shane Joseph Hopkins, author and Newport firefighter
Our author series continues with a videocast on Thursday, August 12 at 2:30 p.m. with Shane Joseph Hopkins, a Newport Firefighter who has written what he hopes is “Great American Novel.” Shane has been writing for years, and when left alone for a few weeks in a log cabin he built in the woods of […]
Posted inWhat's Up Newp Live Stream
VIDEO: Keith Stokes discusses new Black Heritage and history curriculum
Recently, Gov. McKee signed into law a bill that requires Rhode Island’s public schools to teach Black Heritage and history curriculum that was developed over seven years by the Black Heritage Society, Rhode Island College, and the Rhode Island Historical Society. Keith Stokes Keith Stokes, vice president of the Black Heritage Society, and a key […]
Posted inCity & Government
Secretary of State joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation on Wednesday
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, who announced her candidacy for governor earlier this year, will join WhatsUpNewp for a videocast at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). Gorbea is expected to be part of a crowded field seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Besides Gorbea, current Gov. Dan McKee has said he would run for reelection. McKee […]
Posted inCity & Government
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner joins WUN for a live virtual conversation on July 14
Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner joins WUN for a videocast on Wednesday, July 14, at 12:30 p.m. to talk about school and green infrastructure initiatives, the passage of important legislation that expands financial literacy in schools, and for adults. He will also talk about the Treasurer’s office’s unclaimed property program, which recently announced It […]
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“Homicide at Rough Point” author joins What’s Up Newp for a live virtual video conversation on Thursday
Did she do it? Did Doris Duke, the country’s wealthiest woman, a philanthropist … did Doris Duke, owner of Newport’s Rough Point mansion … did Doris Duke murder one of her closest confidants? Peter Lance thinks so, and he’s written a book about it, “Homicide at Rough Point.” Peter, who is author in residence at […]
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WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Chuck Wentworth, Producer of Rhythm and Roots Festival (July 1 at 7 pm)
Chuck Wentworth, the longtime Producer of the Rhythm and Roots Festival happening Labor Day weekend in Charlestown, will join What’s Up Newp’s Ryan Belmore and Ken Abrams for a live virtual video interview at 7 pm on Thursday, July 1. We’ll chat about the Festival, how it was impacted by the pandemic, this year’s line […]
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WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with PJ Finn, Executive Director of MVY Radio (June 30 at 1 pm)
What’s Up Newp’s Ryan Belmore and Ken Abrams will be joined by PJ Finn, Executive Director of WMVY radio based on Martha’s Vineyard, for a live virtual video interview on Wednesday, June 30 at 1 pm. Finn will be talking about the history of the station, the station’s recent move to new studios, and the […]