Booker T. headlining Concert Under the Stars

Now in it's third year, a Concert Under the Stars, a fundraiser for the Greenhouse Project takes place 5-8 p.m. July 13.

Headlining the show is Grammy award-winner Booker T. Jones & Friends, featuring Frobeck and local band Mighty Surf Lords.

The show is being produced by John Procaccini in conjunction with Adele's Restaurant and is co-sponsored by NV Energy and Brewery Arts Center.

Procaccini recently relocated to Sonoma, Calif., where he and former Journey road manager John Toomey have formed a talent management company.

Although he is busy managing and also promoting several big-talent events on both coasts, Procaccini has committed to continuing his work with A Concert Under the Stars.

"I will come back and do this each year because it is an awesome project," said Procaccini, adding the goal is to raise more than $20,000 with this event.

Groundbreaking for the Greenhouse Project took place in January, and the ground pumps are in, said Karen Abowd, project president.

"Contractor Mark Lopiccolo has approached the Builders of Western Nevada for its assistance and depending on weather, work should be underway in the next week or so," she said. "Western Nevada Supply has donated all the plumbing supplies and at this point, the less showy stuff is in."

The Greenhouse Project located on the campus of Carson High School, will operate on the premise of project-based learning and sustainability, Abowd said, while providing vocational training and cross-generational participation.

"(The process) engages students in the outdoors, shows them where their food comes from and it's a big deal for us," she said. "The schools are all on board and it has been a great public-private partnership and to my knowledge is the only project of its kind in Northern Nevada."

Initially, the idea was to grow flowers for the baskets in Carson City's downtown business district, but grew beyond that when Abowd was mentoring a religious education class at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church and became aware of a mother who had no food. She began to think there was a way to remedy the problem.

"That's the thing that is so disturbing," Abowd said. "(Most who need help) are people who are not chronically homeless. It is the nature of the economy now."

The broader goal of the Greenhouse Project is that it will provide at least one-third of the fresh vegetables needed for distribution by the local food bank as well as produce for school lunch and culinary programs.

Even after construction is complete there will be ongoing costs associated with the Greenhouse Project, at which time the foundation will focus solely on fundraising. Also in its infancy is a cooperative partnership between the Greenhouse Project and Circles Initiative.

In addition to an evening of music, Adele's will host a backyard barbecue featuring High Sierra Brewing Co. beer. A no-host bar will be available. A live auction also will take place and this year, Planters on Parade - flower boxes painted by local dignitaries - will be sold.

"We're very excited to bring Booker T. and a vintage Hammond B3 organ, to Carson City for such a great cause," Procaccini said. "Booker and his wife are both so gracious and humble and they have that consciousness."

Donations can be made to Greenhouse Project any time at carsoncitygreenhouse.org where "the Pay-Pal button is ready and waiting," Abowd said.

Tickets for Concerts Under the Stars cost $37 for general admission and $52 for VIP seats, available at breweryarts.org or by calling (775) 883-1976. Veranda seating tickets cost $75, available at Adele's Restaurant, 1112 N. Carson St. For more information about the Greenhouse Project or to make donations for the auction, call Karen Abowd at (775) 232-8626.