Sugar Ray signs on

Newport’s homegrown rock band, Sugar Ray, is on tap to take the

spotlight at the inaugural Orange County New Year’s Eve bash.

“Sugar Ray is a mainstream band that has very strong Orange County

appeal,” event executive producer Matthew Everitt said.

A partial entertainment lineup for the event was announced

Tuesday. Everitt said Sugar Ray is the only act so far that has been

signed to perform on the main stage. In addition to the main stage,

there will be four live music venues at the party.

The Orange County Fair board approved plans to hold the New Year’s

Eve event at the fairgrounds last month. Everitt works for Richard

Goodwin Presents, the company promoting the event.

In addition to Sugar Ray, event promoters announced the signings

of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Violent Femmes, Berlin, the

Psychedelic Furs, the English Beat, Bow Wow Wow, Reel Big Fish and

Lit.

“The event is appealing to mainstream Orange County,” Everitt

said. “The 1980s music in particular appeals to not only people who

grew up in the ‘80s but people here in high school.”

Berlin, the Psychedelic Furs and the English Beat are expected to

play at a venue dedicated to performers who had their heyday in the

1980s, Everitt said. Reel Big Fish and Lit are slated to play on a

stage for more contemporary acts. Event organizers have not yet

decided where Joan Jett and the Violent Femmes will play.

Music is only part of the plan. The party is scheduled to conclude

with the dropping of a large orange.

Richard Goodwin Presents also announced Tuesday that event tickets

are scheduled to go on sale Saturday. General admission tickets are

priced at $65, with a $20 discount available for tickets purchased by

the end of October. The price for VIP tickets is $125.

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at

[email protected].