Friday - Joan Jett

The Taste of Newport appeals to all your senses, not just your taste buds! Your ears will be in for a treat as some of the biggest names in entertainment jam on the Taste of Newport Sound Stage. And best of all, live entertainment will be featured continuously throughout the weekend and is included with your admission! While you're enjoying some of the best food around, we'll keep the finger-snappin', toe-tappin', foot-stompin tunes going all weekend.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 16, 2011 will feature
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.
A complete lineup and schedule, including opening bands, is available by downloading the PDF at right. 

JOAN JETT and the blackhearts

Joan Jett is an originator, an innovator, and a visionary. As the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, she's had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics "Bad Reputation," "I Love Rock 'N' Roll," "I Hate Myself For Loving You," and "Crimson and Clover." She sits at the head of her own independent label, Blackheart Records. Jett has acted in movies, including 1987's Light Of Day, and in a Tony-nominated Broadway musical, The Rocky Horror Show. Jett was one of only two women named to Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitar players of all time.

As a producer, she has overseen albums by Bikini Kill, Circus Lupus, as well as the Germs' LA punk masterpiece, GI.

Her music has become a permanent force in mainstream culture. Faith Hill sings "I Hate Myself for Loving You" as the theme for NBC's Sunday Night Football, and "Bad Reputation" was the theme song for the heroine of this past year's hit film, Kick Ass, "Hit-Girl".

Since co-founding the Runaways, the pioneering all-girl punk quintet, at age 15, Jett's determination and drive have kept her in the public eye. This year, however, her profile skyrocketed yet again, with the release of both a long-awaited feature film telling the story of the Runaways and a new, two-disc Greatest Hits collection. The Runaways, based on lead singer Cherie Currie's book Neon Angel stars Kristen Stewart as Jett, and her fellow A-lister Dakota Fanning portrays Currie. Jett was close to the project: She served as an executive producer on the film.

The two discs of the Greatest Hits set, meanwhile, present twenty blazing tracks from Jett's three-decade-plus career. It's a comprehensive look at one of rock's most iconic figures. Of course, the hits collection was released through Jett's own Blackheart Records, a label she founded with long time songwriting partner and producer Kenny Laguna, in 1980 - which made her the first female artist to own and operate an independent record company.

Blackheart Records is currently home to such up-and-coming groups as San Antonio-based female threesome Girl in A Coma (Both Before I'm Gone, Trio B.C., Adventures in Coverland) and Los Angeles' pop-punk trio the Dollyrots (Because I'm Awesome, A Little Messed Up). The label continues to add new artists to its roster.

Jett and the Blackhearts continuously tour across the globe, including stints alongside such bands as Aerosmith and Green Day this year.

Joan Jett has spent her lifetime breaking barriers and challenging expectations - this is, after all, a woman who is both a spokesperson for PETA and a devoted supporter of the US Military. She's fought hard for all of her historic accomplishments, yet she remains humble and appreciative.

"I've had a blessed career," she says. "I consider myself so lucky to have been able to do things my own way."

Also Appearing on friday...

 strangelove: the ultimate tribute to depeche mode

Truly evocative of a Depeche Mode arena/stadium stage show; the scale of STRANGELOVE's theatrical stage production is unparalleled, save for the real article. Multiple projection visual programs assault the euphoric concertgoer's senses and further the illusion that they're witnessing an actual Depeche Mode concert.

Los Angeles based STRANGELOVE delivers a career spanning, pitch perfect "best of" concert that transports the listener through time and touches on several key points in Depeche Mode's illustrious career. Songs from throughout the Depeche canon are lovingly recreated; from favorites on DM's debut Speak and Spell to the newest fare from Mode's latest- 2009's Sounds of the Universe. No detail of STRANGELOVE's presentation has been overlooked. The visual presentation and in-show costume changes reflect different eras of Depeche Mode's three decade long story.

These men have a reverence and devotion to Depeche Mode and their body of work that has driven them to recreate every possible detail and bring the "Music To The Masses" in a concert setting that often feels more like a shared communal glorious fan club celebration of yesteryear, and a reliving of youth. Accuracy and authenticity is a hallmark of the group, with the band employing as many authentic vintage synthesizers and archaic samplers as possible.
With over 120 million records sold and a rabid international fan base, Depeche Mode's career shows no signs of slowing down. Their enormous fan base encompasses all ages and crosses every demographic. STRANGELOVE brings a fun and staggeringly authentic Depeche Mode experience to concertgoers wherever they perform.
MODE ON!

• Freddie Morales as "Devotional Dave"- lead vocals, visuals, lighting design, sequencing
• Brent Meyer as "Counterfeit Martin"- music director, keyboards, vocals, guitar, melodica, sequencing, percussion
• David Sepe as "Alan Wildest" - keyboards, sequencing, percussion, backing vocals
• Brian Johnson as " InTheFletch" - keyboards, backing vocals, percussion

>More info about STRANGELOVE 

Kate Crash 

A fusion of glam, punk and incredible dance beats, LA-based Kate Crash is a one of a kind, multi-faceted artist. With a DIY recycled fashion line she's dubbed Crashion; a fierce musical streak that saw its beginnings on the streets of Japan; and, her passion for civil and environmental causes, Kate's persona is a rambunctious combination of crazy energy and feel good fun. From a wild stage show that combines dance, performance art, and dirty guitars, to her collaborations alongside famed guitarist, Mo Matatquín, Blackheart's newest artist is a tastemaker at every level.

Kate Crash's EP, My Zombie Nation, will be released digitally on Blackheart Records August 2, 2011. All tracks were written by Kate, and were produced by Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds). Songs from the EP will be featured on MTV's new season of Jersey Shore, which premieres August 4th.

>More info about KATE CRASH

If you have any question regarding the
Taste of Newport please contact the
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
at (949) 729-4400 or
eMail the Information Desk

Admission includes all musical entertainment. Due to the size of the event, advance ticket orders may cease at any time prior to the event. Children 8 years and under will be admitted free. However, the promoters of this event stress that due to the high volume of people at the event, parents are discouraged from bringing children in strollers on Friday or Saturday night. No refunds for Taste admission tickets or eScrip purchases (although eScrip value can be refunded at the event during event hours only). Due to the nature of reserved section seating, VIP tickets are also not eligible for refunds. Beach chairs, coolers and personal beverages are strictly prohibited at the Taste of Newport. Bags are subject to search. Health code requirements prohibit animals at the event (special assistance animals are permitted). Failure to comply will result in denial of admission to the event.