Capitol Concert Series Opens

What: Concerts on the Capitol

When: Every Sunday, July 9-August 13, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Legislative Mall Plaza, 100 N. Carson St.

Wine, picnic baskets and lots of soulful country tunes were the order of the day as the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association kicked off this season's first Concert on the Capitol on Sunday night. Older folks settled into their lawn chairs as toddlers danced in front of the stage, and the older kids tossed footballs on the back lawn to the tune of "Blue Ridge Hills of Virginia." A sprinkling of bikes and dogs completed the mix.

"We came last year, and I think it's great for a Sunday evening. It brings people out," Douglas County resident Marilyn Foster said, noting she thinks it's important for Carson City. "They need to have more of these."

The event, sponsored by the Carson City Redevelopment Authority, is in its fourth year. The Authority originally funded the project but the event now has two other sponsors: Nevada Bell and Carson-Tahoe Hospital.

"We have a good combination of really talented musicians for this year's concerts," organizer Shirley Adshade-Sponsler said, noting the concerts offer a variety of music that will appeal to all ages. This performance will be followed next week by the jazz tunes of the Erika Paul Trio.

Crowds averaged 300 per concert last year, but Adshade-Sponsler hopes that number to climbs to between 500 and 600. She has a good start, as the head count early Sunday evening already stood at about 350.

"It's nice to get out in the fresh air, have a treat and listen to good music," Mrs. Marty Martinez said. "I'm sorry we haven't done it sooner. Hopefully, they'll keep it up."

Concerts are free. For more information, call 746-5024.