Sally Roberts/Nevada AppealBlues great and multi-Grammy winner Booker T. Jones, who is primarily known for his handiwork on the organ, picked up his guitar for a few licks during Wednesday evening's Concert Under the Stars at Adele's restaurant. The concert was a fundraiser for the Greenhouse Project.
Dancing and swaying plus wheeling and dealing at Wednesday evening's Concert Under the Stars garnered Carson City's Greenhouse Project $20,000.
Project president Karen Abowd said more than 400 tickets were sold to the third annual fundraiser at Adele's restaurant, which included live music, a silent auction and a live auction conducted by Nevada Department of Agriculture Director Jim Barbee, a former ag teacher himself.
"The whole atmosphere and vibe for the concert was fabulous, and people really enjoyed themselves," Abowd said.
Headlining the evening's music was blues legend and multi-Grammy winner Booker T. & Friends. Bay area funk-rock band Frobeck rocked the outdoor venue, preceded by Reno's The Mighty Surf Lords, who warmed up the stage while guests checked out the silent-auction items.
By the end of the concert, there were more people dancing in the aisles and on Adele's veranda than swaying in their seats.
The Greenhouse Project is raising funds and volunteer support to construct a greenhouse at Carson High School and for continued maintenance. Originally conceived as a place to teach horticulture while growing flowers used in the baskets that decorate downtown during the summer, the idea has grown to include a place to raise fresh produce for Carson City's food banks.
The Concert Under the Stars was produced by talent manager John Procaccini (former director of the Brewery Arts Center), and co-sponsored by Adele's (owned by Charlie and Karen Abowd), NV Energy and Brewery Arts Center.
"Plus, the plethora of wonderful volunteers that we had," Abowd said, "they were wonderful. We couldn't have done it without them."
Following the concert, the Abowds hosted all the band members for dinner.
"Booker T. was amazing, absolutely amazing," she said.
"We talked with Booker T. and his wife. The reason we were able to get them, besides John Procaccini's contacts, is what (the project) was about. They are about the same thing. They have kids in medical school. They are working on the obesity movement, all about health and wellness."
The greenhouse at the high school is now progressing a good clip. The bathrooms will be framed next week, Abowd said. The extensive groundwork is done, all the framing is up, and it's ready to have the protective shroud placed on the frame.
"The school acquired a grant, and one of the instructors is ag-certified," Abowd said. "They'll be ready to start the program in the fall."
