We’re celebrating some extraordinary women during March, National Women’s History Month, individuals who have made their mark from the sports field to politics and government, from the courtroom to the board room. We’ll be introducing our readers to some individuals they may not know, and others they do. What they all have in common is […]
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Posted inArts & Culture
Women’s History Month: Meet Miss Johnson and Miss Wales
Many women have played prominent roles in Rhode Island education, from teaching to founding what has now become a prominent university with campuses in Providence and North Carolina. As WUN celebrates National Women’s History Month, we’ll introduce several women who have played significant roles in our area, from the sports field to politics and government, […]
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 […]
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What’s up in Newport this week: Aug. 6 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island, this week/weekend, Tuesday, August 6 – Sunday, August 11, 2024. This story will be updated throughout the week as we learn of events, meetings, and listings, so please check back often. Do you have something to add to this list or […]
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What Sold: A look at 35 home sales across Newport County (July 29 – August 2)
As we move into the second week of August, we are starting to feel a slight shift in the local real estate market. Overpriced inventory is resulting in longer days on market average and an increasing number of homes are experiencing price adjustments. Pairing that with an optimistic forecast on interest rates, a tough week […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Middletown’s DeBlois Gallery celebrated 40 years: Fortyssimo
Situated in a prime location right at the entrance into Newport, on Aquidneck Avenue near Easton’s Beach, the DeBlois Gallery just celebrated 40 years with champagne toasts and lots of great conversation among Aquidneck Island’s and Southern New England’s artists. Previously located on Bellevue Avenue, DeBlois weathered the move to the accessible location next to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Gubernatorial race on – at least at the cash register
The calendar may say Rhode Island’s gubernatorial election is two years away – but make no mistake it is gearing up, and the cash register is ringing. Gov. Dan McKee and his Democratic rival, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, both had very productive second quarters, each raising about a quarter of a million dollars from hundreds of […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Jazz Festival 2024: Jazz is alive, well, and thriving – Day 3 recap and photos
Jazz music as a popular art form has been declared dead more than once. But America’s original art form has endured, resurrected on several occasions, each time characterized by a slight change in direction. The core essence of the genre – improvisational music played collaboratively among a group of well-trained musicians – remains at the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
Thousands brave the heat for 70th anniversary of Newport Jazz Festival
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — A capacity crowd of about 10,000 people braved heat and humidity to witness the 70th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, one of the largest music festivals in New England. The festival, which ends Sunday, is also one of the biggest multi-day jazz festivals in the world. It has brought legions […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
From Weekly Gig to Newport Jazz: Sunday Jazz’s remarkable journey
Leland Baker and his Sunday Jazz ensemble performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, featuring musicians he met through various configurations in the New England area. All members of the ensemble have played with Baker at the Courtland Club, a Providence cocktail bar. “We’re definitely so honored and grateful to be here on this sacred ground,” […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Trumpeter Riley Mulherkar talks about Newport experience and debut album
Riley Mulherkar is a trumpeter, community activist, and 2020 recipient of Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist Award who played Newport Jazz on Saturday, August 3. His debut album, Riley, has been described by DownBeat Magazine as “über hip, modern yet timeless.” What’sUpNewp spoke with Mulherkar after his set on the Harbor Stage. “This place is really […]
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Newport Jazz Festival 2024: Classic jazz and new beats – Day 2 recap and photos
Day two at the 2024 Newport Jazz Festival saw a continuation of a trend that began on Day one. That trend saw both new and veteran acts bringing their A-game to the historic happening at Fort Adams State Park. The 70th annual festival saw another banner day, with rising stars blending in brilliantly alongside several […]
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Bike Newport founder highlights growth in Newport Folk & Jazz Festival cycling
Bike Newport is experiencing a steady flow of cyclists at the Newport Jazz Festival, with 350 bikes counted on Friday, according to Bari Freeman, Executive Director and Founder of the organization. While the numbers are lower compared to the Newport Folk Festival held last week, which saw up to 1,800 bikes per day, Freeman says […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport’s Drift Cafe rides wave of success into Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals
Drift Cafe, a Newport eatery, is participating in the 2024 Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals with a pop-up booth, offering festival-goers a taste of its menu options. Rob DePaula, owner of Drift Cafe, spoke with What’sUpNewp about the cafe’s involvement in the event. “We’ve known about this festival forever, obviously, because it’s one of the […]
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New protected Bike Lane improves safety during Newport Folk Festival
A new protected bike lane on Harrison Avenue significantly improved safety for cyclists attending the Newport Folk Festival, with organizers considering making it a permanent feature for future events. The dedicated two-way bike lane, implemented through collaboration between Bike Newport and local police, addressed safety concerns on a steep section of the road where cyclists […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Jazz Festival 2024: This is not your grandfather’s festival – Day 1 recap and photos
The 70th Anniversary of the historic Newport Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday August 2 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. A sellout crowd saw a warm summer day usher in cool vibes that rained down on musicians and attendees. Good feels were abundant. There was great jazz of course, but there was […]
Posted inReal Estate
On the Market: A look at 41 listings in Newport County hosting Open Houses this weekend (August 3 – 4)
Welcome to this week’s edition of On the Market, where we spotlight the best opportunities for homebuyers in Newport County. Open houses are invaluable for those looking to explore the market and see what’s available firsthand. In today’s competitive real estate climate, where options can often be limited, open houses offer a unique chance to […]
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Newport Jazz Festival opens doors to Newport’s youth
The Newport Jazz Festival is expanding its student outreach program, offering free tickets to Rogers High School seniors for the second consecutive year. Dan Swain, Director of Development and Programs for Newport Festivals Foundation, says the initiative aims to cultivate lifelong jazz fans among the younger generation. “We started last year offering any senior student […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Folk & Jazz Festival’s Family Tent evolves with local nonprofit partnerships
The Newport Festivals Foundation is enhancing the family experience at its Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals with a revamped Family Tent featuring local nonprofits and hands-on activities for children. Dan Swain, Director of Development and Programs for the Newport Festivals Foundation, says the idea for the new format emerged about two or three years ago […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Aquidneck Land Trust to host a wild bee walk and talk at Spruce Acres on August 3
The Aquidneck Land Trust is hosting a walk and talk event at Spruce Acres Farm all about wild, native bees and other pollinators. The walk, which takes place on Saturday, August 3 at 10 a.m., will be led by Casey Johnson, a research associate at the University of Rhode Island Bee Lab. George Christie from […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Street Project: Film screening and panel to address safer streets in Newport
A film screening and panel discussion aimed at promoting safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists is coming to Newport on Aug. 13. The event, organized by Ride Island, will feature “The Street Project,” a documentary examining unsafe street designs across the United States. The screening will take place at 6 p.m. at the JPT Film […]
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Playful Husky pup seeks experienced owner for new adventures
Meet your new best friend, Uce – this week’s adoptable dog of the week. Uce, an 8-month-old Siberian Husky, is currently available for adoption at the Potter League for Animals Animal Care and Adoption Center in Middletown. “Meet Uce, a young, playful, and curious dog who is full of life and energy. His smart and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Legendary folk hero Joan Baez made several stops in Newport recently
Joan Baez made several appearances in Newport as of late. The folk icon touched down among familiar ground at the Newport Folk Festival over the weekend, starting out with a lowkey poetry reading of her newly released debut poetry book, When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance, which had released this past April. […]
Posted inCity & Government
No agreement in Newport school dispute
A mediation session, the third, between Newport teachers and the administration over the layoff and displacement of 20 percent of the school faculty, ended without agreement on Tuesday. It had been characterized as perhaps the final mediation session in an effort to resolve the dispute. “We were unable to reach agreement yesterday (Tuesday),” said Jennifer […]
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 […]