Family Stone has everyone dancing at Carson City concert

People from all over the region danced to the music Wednesday night – like everyday people – once The Family Stone hit the stage at the 2017 Concert Under the Stars.

As Café at Adele’s co-produced the concert – along with Carson Tahoe Health as the event’s first title sponsor – the crowds filled the Brewery Arts Center’s Minnesota Street Stage area as expected. Past concerts were held on West John Street near the restaurant.

BAC Executive Director Gina Lopez Hill said the infrastructure for the concert was already in place, in the midst of the Levitt AMP Carson City concert series.

“We hope our participation can help raise even more funds for the Greenhouse Project,” she said.

“Carson City is proving that we’re supporting this factor and continue to host great events for the community.”

Opening for The Family Stone was rock, soul, and R&B artist Lydia Pense with her band, Cold Blood. The artists have been touring together nationally since the beginning of the year.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Sly & The Family Stone, as they’re inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Although the iconic Sly Stone didn’t perform with the band, The Family Stone’s classic funk and psychedelic tunes lifted every soul in the crowd, with many reminiscing the old days in their thoughts and even newer generations in attendance.

Stone retired from the band 30 years ago after a battle with drug use.

The ninth annual concert benefits The Greenhouse Project, a Nevada non-profit that maintains a community-based greenhouse through Carson High School for the purpose of creating educational and vocational opportunities for students, youth groups and special needs individuals in a garden setting.

Michele Lewis, board member of The Greenhouse Project, is also an administrator at the high school.

She said the project itself is a great opportunity for students in Carson City to get involved with community outreach projects.

The Greenhouse is located behind the bus lot on campus.

“It’s a huge asset to both the school and the community,” she said.

“We grow fresh produce from there and 10 percent of it goes to the culinary class. Our special needs students also get involved; they helped grow the hanging flower baskets located downtown from the greenhouse.”

In addition to the fundraiser, a live auction was held during intermission of the show with area businesses offering gifts and cash prizes – from spa gift cards to a donated day of golf.

Other sponsors that were recognized included NV Energy, Gold Dust West, Dick Campagni’s Carson City Toyota, Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.