Concert Under the Stars draws more than 800 people

A double hit of little-but-big-name music groups wowed an overflow crowd as two members of Little Feat and the entire LIttle River Band rocked Carson City Wednesday night.

Fred Tackett and Paul Barrere of the legendary fusion group Little Feat opened for the all American version of the Little River Band, which originally formed in Australia, at the sixth annual Concert Under the Stars. The fundraising event for the Greenhouse Project sold out, with 800 or more people jamming the street just north of Cafe at Adele’s, as well as the north side porch of the restaurant itself.

The entertainers feted a crowd enjoying food and libations along with the music outside the restaurant at 1112 N. Carson St,, which is owned by the couple behind the Greenhouse Project. Chef Charlie Abowd and city Supervisor Karen Abowd, the co-owners, promote the project growing food for the under served and to promote a generation of youth interested in FFA and considering careers in agriculture-related fields.

“This is why we’re here tonight,” Karen Abowd, project president, told the crowd not long before Tackett and Barrere took the stage. “To support a great cause that makes a difference.”

Later she said the hope was it would be a $50,000 night based on the ticket take, donations to FFA students circulating in the crowd, silent and live auctions, as well as corporate backing that helps keep the event going each year. She said the day started early with news the Hop and Mae Adams Foundation was kicking $2,000 into the pot.

Among the supporters on hand for the evening were Supervisor Abowd’s colleagues, Mayor Robert Crowell and Supervisor Brad Bonkowski, who along with family and friends were enjoying the music and a repast on the Adele’s porch just south and west of the stage.

“This is what a good community is all about,” said Crowell.

“Thank you Carson City,’ said Bonkowski, “for showing up and selling out the concert to benefit the Greenhouse Project.”

Tickets cost $65 for Gold Circle seating, $45 for general admission and $30 for bleacher seats or standing room, and a live auction was conducted between band sets. The silent auction went on behind Adele’s under a tent. Ben Contine, Carson City School District’s community engagement coordinator, served as auctioneer. He also helped with the silent auction, donating a painted rocking chair that was among 33 available for people who wanted to bid on them.

Michelle Lewis, the school district’s career technical education administrator, had supervised the painting project for the colorful chairs that were donated along with other items for the silent auction.

“This is raising a lot of money,” she said.