Soroptimist International of Scottsbluff County, in partnership with Platte Valley Companies and Kelley Bean, will present Grammy-nominated Blinddog Smokin’, live at Five Rocks Amphitheater on Thurs., Aug. 20, 2015.  Blinddog Smokin’ is a blues/funk band that was nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award for Best Blues Album. While they are based in Los Angeles now, the band originated in Laramie, Wyo., and members of the band have a strong following in the area. They have not played locally for five years. Information about the band can be found at www.blinddogsmokin.com.

The concert is a fundraiser for the Soroptimist grant program that funds local organizations that improve the lives of women and children in the Panhandle. Last year, Soroptimist International of Scottsbluff County gave $15,000 in grant monies to 13 organizations, including Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy, CAPstone, CAPWN Youth Programs, CASA of Scotts Bluff County, Delta Kappa Gamma – Cradle Catcher book project, Doves, Foster Grandparent Program, Friends of the Midwest Theater Performing Arts Series, Lifelink-Nebraska at WNCC, Volunteer Action Center (Meals on Wheels program), WNCC GED Program, Special Olympics of NE Scotts Bluff County – Unified Sports Program, Theatre West – Theater Opportunity for Youth Camp.

Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. Tickets go on sale beginning Fri., Aug. 7, at the following locations:  Platte Valley Companies, KNEB Radio, Star-Herald, Gateway Realty, ABC Nursery, Gering Citizen and Valley Bank Gering locations and from individual Soroptimist members.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Food vendors will be onsite, and adult beverages will be available from Kelley’s Liquor Cabinet. There will be a 50/50 raffle with tickets available at the door. A custom-made Husker acoustic guitar and two free guitar lessons provided by Thrasher Music will be auctioned at the concert.

The concert is sponsored by Platte Valley Companies, Kelley Bean Company, and Thrasher Music, with media sponsors KNEB, Star-Herald, and Gering Citizen.

For information, call Soroptimist concert committee co-chair Lisa Betz 308-672-1114.