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Summer's Hottest Lineup is Here: Newport Waterfront Events at the Newport Yachting Center Announces 2010 Dates

March 01, 2010

NEWPORT, RI, March 1, 2010 - Mark your calendars because for summer’s hottest lineup of entertainment happenings! The Newport Yachting Center, a special events venue and full service marina, announces its 2010 Newport Waterfront Events schedule featuring a variety of quality events and entertainment acts sure to satisfy the interests of all ages. Every event is held in the heart of beautiful, historic downtown Newport, right on the waterfront, where beach going, shopping, dining and enjoying the nightlife are often a part of the pre- or post-Newport Waterfront Events experience. Visit newportwaterfrontevents.com or call (401) 846-1600 for tickets and more information.

The 2010 Newport Waterfront Event line-up includes:

The 29^th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off

It’s the unofficial kick-off to summer in Newport! The legendary international chowder championships return in 2010, and the competition is thicker than ever! Enjoy all-you-can-eat samples of various exotic and traditional chowders from across the country and beyond, and vote for the best in three categories - Clam, Seafood, and Creative - not to mention “The Clam Shack” Clam Cake competition and other awards. The power is in your spoon to crown the new titans of chowder! With kids’ activities and three stages of live entertainment, this is one clam-tastic event not to be missed.

Date: Saturday - June 5, 2010

Time: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Adults $25 or $20 advance*, Children under 12 free with an adult

The 13^th Annual Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series

No matter what genre of music makes your heart sing, it will all be coming your way in the 2010 Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series! With intimate covered seating, on-site concessions and a full bar in our open-air courtyard, a night of live music under our waterfront tent is hard to beat. Slated to take the stage this year are Boz Scaggs, Cake, John Hiatt & The Combo, and George Thorogood & The Destroyers, with many more yet to be announced. Stay tuned!

Date: TBA concerts will be scheduled throughout the summer

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Prices vary depending on the musical performer.

All seats are reserved and within 100 feet of the stage.

The 10^th Annual Newport Summer Comedy Series

Comedy’s biggest stars shine on the Newport waterfront! Don’t miss some of the hottest comics in the country who will take to the Newport Yachting Center’s main stage in the 10th annual installment of this popular and uproarious summer-long series. Already slated to perform is the lovable “Queen of Mean,” Lisa Lampanelli, with many more yet to come! Visit newportcomedy.com for the full lineup, ticket information and to join the e-mail list to be among the first to hear which comedy stars are coming to Newport and exclusive pre-sale opportunities. Produced by RocJo Productions.

Date: TBA comedy shows will be scheduled throughout the summer

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Purchased through Ticketmaster. Prices vary depending on the

comedian. All seats are reserved and within 100 feet of the stage.

Newport WineFest

We’re proud to unveil the newest addition to our lineup: the largest outdoor wine and food festival in New England, the Newport WineFest! This one-of-a-kind event will offer an ultimate wine and food experience with tastings from hundreds of world-class wines, spirits, specialty beers and gourmet dishes prepared by the finest local and regional chefs. Swirl, swish, savor, and swoon against the stunning backdrop of Newport Harbor at this elegant new event. Produced by Life Marketing & Events.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, August 20-22, 2010

Times: Friday 6 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., with a Trade only hour from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and a Champagne Brunch from 9:3- a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Available at newportwinefest.com | Must be 21 or older to attend

The Newport Arts Festival
Art - Music - Food - Family Fun! Experience the excitement of this family-friendly event. Browse through a colorful marketplace of fine and functional art on Newport’s scenic waterfront. You’ll view the work of select regional and national artists, including wearable art, wood and glasswork, paintings, photography, pottery and more. Relax and enjoy a full line up of live music in a variety of styles, delicious food, and activities to inspire young imaginations. Produced by and to benefit Looking Upwards, a nonprofit agency supporting people with developmental disabilities in living fulfilling lives.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, August 28-29, 2010

Time: Saturday 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI 02840

Tickets: Adults $3 (Tickets available at gate only), Children under 12 free with an adult.

The 13^th Annual Newport Waterfront Irish Festival
Paint the town green as the Emerald Isle sends some of its most entertaining exports and expats to Newport in this three-day celebration of continuous Celtic shenanigans! Kick up your heels and let your Irish lilt ring loud with traditional Irish step-dance, comedy routines, and the spirited sounds of nonstop Irish music, including The Elders, Eileen Ivers, The Screaming Orphans and many more. From the “Rainbow’s End” kidStop to the creamy Guinness on tap, there’s something for everyone at this shamrockin’ festival!

Date: Labor Day Weekend, September 4-6, 2010

Time: Saturday 12 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 12 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday 12 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Advance Ticket Price*: Sat. $17; Sun. $17; Mon. $14

Ticket Price: Sat. $20; Sun $20; Mon. $17

NEW! Weekender 3-Day Pass: $35; available in advance only

Children under 12 free with an adult

The 40^th Annual Newport International Boat Show

If you harbor a passion for boating, there’s only one place to be! The fourth-largest in-water boat show in the country celebrates its 40th anniversary and features a full range of powerboats and sailboats from both domestic and international manufacturers. Visitors will also find an extensive selection of marine equipment, services and accessories in a venue that spans historic Newport Harbor. Exciting seminars and “first time” boat and product debuts can also be found at the Newport Show.

Date: Thursday, September 16 – Sunday, September 19, 2010

Time: Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Thursday VIP Day $27 / $24 Advance* Friday, Saturday, or Sunday $18 / $15 Advance* Children under 12 free with an adult

The 22^nd Annual Stop & Shop Tastes of Rhode Island

"Beats + bites on the waterfront" is our motto this summer! Groove along to live jams and sample favorite Rhody flavors for under $5 a pop in this harborfest, with an eclectic musical lineup lineup of homegrown bands to keep the party percolating. Add in a mix of contests, favorite Rhody flavors, lots of free stuff and an open dance floor, and you’ve got the perfect recipe to rock your Taste buds. Come celebrate a weekend of regional camaraderie!

Date: Saturday & Sunday, October 2-3, 2010

Time: Saturday 12 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 12 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Advance Ticket Price*: $8
with $1 donation going to “Feeding America”

Ticket Price: $10
with $1 donation going to “Feeding America”

NEW! Weekender 2-Day Pass: $14; available in advance and day of

Children under 12 free with an adult

The 18^th Annual International Oktoberfest!

It's no secret that aficionados of brews and ales of all types look forward to our International Oktoberfest! each year with high spirits. But beyond our diversity of drink, this bona fide Bavarian weekend is rounded out with juicy bratwurst, yodeling and folk dance performances, and a rousing entertainment lineup featuring die Schlauberger, SPITZE!, The Alex Meixner Band, The Austrian Boys Band and more. A kid-friendly Kindergarten area rounds out fall’s choice festival as a place for the whole family to sample Oktoberfest’s multitude of flavors.

Date: Columbus Day Weekend, October 9-11, 2010

Time: Saturday 12 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 12 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday 12 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, RI

Tickets: Advance Ticket Price*: Sat. $20; Sun. $20; Mon. $10

Ticket Price: Sat. $20; Sun. $20; Mon. $12

NEW! Weekender 3-Day Pass: $40; available in advance only

Children under 12 free with an adult

* Advance/discounted ticket prices end one week prior to the event.

For more information and tickets, please contact the Newport Yachting Center at (401) 846-1600 or visit newportwaterfrontevents.com. For advance tickets and special discounts please visit newportwaterfrontevents.com. Tickets can also be purchased as walk ups at the Newport Yachting Center Box Office, Monday through Friday, opening in late-May on 4 Commercial Wharf (off America’s Cup Avenue) in downtown Newport.

There’s something for everyone at the Newport Yachting Center’s Newport Waterfront Events. The 2010 line-up includes the 29^th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off (June 5), the 13^th Annual Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series and the 10^th Annual Newport Summer Comedy Series (both held throughout the summer), Newport WineFest (August 20-22), the Newport Arts Festival (August 28-29); the 13^th Annual Newport Waterfront Irish Festival (September 4 -6), the 40^th Annual Newport International Boat Show (September 16-19), the 22^nd Annual Stop & Shop Tastes of Rhode Island (October 2-3) and the 18^th Annual International Oktoberfest (October 9-11). All the events are held at the Newport Yachting Center where all events meet the waterfront and downtown Newport activities are often a part of the pre- or post-event. Visit us at newportwaterfrontevents.com, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/waterfrontevents, or follow NewportEvents on Twitter for the latest news, announcements, contests, and exclusive discounts and offers.