Ice cream makers offer free reggae concert

A free, live, family-oriented reggae concert will be held at Sierra Glen Restaurant & Tahoe Creamery Saturday.

The bands Ishence (the Jamaican word for incense) and Soul Medic will play from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Greg Hoch, who runs the creamery with his wife, Cindy, said Ishence agreed to play because it's an ice cream shop, and kids will be there.

"Then a couple of days later, Soul Medic called and asked to play, too, because they also wanted to play a family ice cream bar, instead of their usual crowd," Hoch said.

"My wife and I wanted to have a party in the parking lot to say thank you to all our regular customers and hopefully to draw some new ones," he said.

The couple ran two popular Shady Glen restaurants in Manchester, Conn., for many years before moving out West four years ago. They started the Tahoe Creamery two years later. The Shady Glen restaurants - which sat 76 - served 1,200 daily, Greg said. His Carson City establishment is only slowly drawing the crowds.

"The Shady Glen restaurants had been going since 1948," he said. "We've only been here two years. It takes time."

He hopes the reggae concert will attract people who have never tried his ice cream, sherbet, sorbet or gelato.

"We are Northern Nevada's only producers of premium ice creams," he said. "We make it all right here. It's a pretty nifty process"

The concert is the start of a new series at the restaurant which will continue on alternating Fridays. The next concert is scheduled with two local bands playing July 29.

The Hochs plan to start offering drive-in style movies projected on the side of their building at 1480 N. Carson St.

"People should bring lawn chairs so we can fit more in the parking lot," he said.

Saturday's reggae concert and the upcoming concerts and movies will be family-friendly.

"It's definitely a family show," Hoch said. "There'll be no alcohol, no pets and no coolers. And that was part of the reason the bands were we so excited to come. They want to see all the kids down here dancing."

For details, call 882-7666.

If you go:

What: Reggae concert with bands Ishence and Soul Medic

Where: Sierra Glen Creamery, 1480 N. Carson St.

When: 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Free

Call: 882-7666

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.