SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On a lively spring evening, Wasted Grain in Scottsdale was filled with the sounds of celebration, resilience, and rock ‘n’ roll as BlindSided, the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s (ACBVI) house band, took the stage.

Fresh off their feature on ABC15, the band — made up of talented musicians who are blind or visually impaired — delivered a performance that was as powerful as it was inspiring. Their appearance headlined the ACBVI Tour de Scottsdale Kick-off Party, presented by Arizona Bank & Trust, turning an ordinary Saturday into a night few will forget.

For the band members, the music is about much more than melodies and rhythms. Every note, every beat, every cheer from the crowd tells a story — one of resilience, joy, and fierce determination in the face of vision loss.

“Music gives me a way to express everything I still have to say,” said the band’s lead guitarist. “Losing my sight didn’t take away my voice — it just changed the way I share it.”

Throughout the night, BlindSided played an eclectic set that moved seamlessly from classic rock anthems to modern hits, weaving in original songs that spoke to overcoming adversity and finding strength in unexpected places. Audience members danced, cheered, and sang along, creating an atmosphere that felt less like a concert and more like a community celebration.

“It’s easy to focus on what you lose when you lose your sight,” said Michelle H., an ACBVI staff member who helped organize the event. “But tonight is about what you gain — the community, the passion, the reminder that nothing can dim someone’s inner light.”

The kick-off party also served as a rallying point for ACBVI’s broader mission: promoting independence, vocational success, and whole-person health for adults who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind. Founded in 1947, the organization has spent decades helping individuals not just adapt to vision loss, but thrive beyond it.

“Events like this show the heart of what ACBVI is all about,” said Steve T., CEO of ACBVI. “It’s about breaking down barriers — whether on a bike at the Tour de Scottsdale or on a stage with a guitar. It’s about challenging perceptions and rewriting the story of what’s possible.”

As the night came to a close, BlindSided finished their set with a crowd favorite — a soaring anthem of hope and perseverance. Glasses were raised, arms waved, and a collective spirit filled the room: a belief that obstacles are meant to be overcome, and that life after sight loss can be louder, prouder, and more beautiful than ever imagined.

For BlindSided, and for ACBVI, it was a night not just of music, but of connection, courage, and celebration — a night that proved that sometimes, the brightest lights shine from within.

For more information about ACBVI’s programs, services, and upcoming events, visit acbvi.org.