Regent Theatre to Present an Evening of Comedy, Magic & Music for Krystle M. Campbell Memorial Fund

May 04, 2013

On Monday, May 13 at 7pm, the Regent Theatre in Arlington Massachusetts will present a special evening of performances to benefit the Krystle M. Campbell Memorial Fund. The variety show—“Laughs, Licks & Awesome Tricks”—will feature musicians Vance Gilbert, Jesse Dee, Erin Harpe & Richard Rosenblatt, Franc Graham, Patrick Coman and Serge Clivio, along with comedian Mike Prior and Jenny the Juggler. The evening’s emcee will be magician Matt Roberts.

“After the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, we were approached by several performers who suggested the Regent host some type of fundraiser for the victims,” says Regent co-owner Leland Stein. “Learning that Krystle recently lived and worked in Arlington, we decided to put together a vibrant show to celebrate her life, and give 100% of the ticket proceeds to the fund her family has set up in her memory.”

Two of the featured performers were moved to write about the tragedy: Vance Gilbert noting in his Blog, “…The horror fazes me, hurts me, but doesn’t daunt me…” and Patrick Coman who was compelled to write a song called “Last Week” after experiencing the profound minute of silence one week after the bombings. He introduced his new song on his site with these words:

“…Today I felt overwhelming proud to call Boston my home. I came home and wrote this song straight down on paper pulled out my phone and recorded it. I don’t know if it will bring you comfort or catharsis. I know it hasn’t for me, but it has started the healing process. I’m going to leave it here for you to listen if you’d like. I’d encourage you to give money and support to those who need it and I’d encourage you to fight fear and to let love carry the day.”

The “Laughs, Licks & Awesome Tricks” benefit variety show for the Krystle M. Campbell Memorial Fund will be presented at the historic Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street (off Mass. Ave.) in Arlington. General Admission tickets are $20 ($25 day of show) and $10 for students ($15 day of show). There will be a limited number of Reserved VIP seats available in the first two rows of the center orchestra for $100 per ticket. The Regent is MBTA and handicap accessible with free parking in the municipal lot across the street. For tickets and more information call the box office 781-646-4849 or visit http://www.regenttheatre.com

ABOUT THE CONFIRMED PERFORMERS

Magician & Emcee…  Matt Roberts

Frequently recognized as “that guy from the Wal-Mart commercials!” (The retailer cast him as the host of their current major TV ad-campaign), Matt Roberts is an award-winning magician who is a regular favorite at corporate events, theaters and at Boston’s Symphony Hall, where he has performed his annual “Music & Magic” concert series since 2010.  A long-time friend of the Regent, where he also performs his one-of-a-kind brand of laughs and illusions during the Regent’s annual “Magic Month.” 
“... proves that magic is not just for kids.”—MIT

Comedian… Mike Prior

Cutting his teeth in the fiercely competitive Boston scene over 15 years ago, Mike Prior has been featured at literally hundreds of comedy clubs and colleges across this country. Mike has an amazing ability to turn life’s most frustrating moments into hilarious stories to which everyone can relate. He was one of the featured performers on a Comedy Central special in 2004, and has toured with several national recording artists such as Weird Al Yankovick, and Randy Travis.

Singer/Songwriter… Vance Gilbert

Vance Gilbert burst onto the singer/songwriter scene in the early 90’s when the buzz spread through the folk clubs of the Northeast about an ex-multicultural arts teacher who was knocking them dead at open mics. Word got out about this Philadelphia-area born and raised performer, and Shawn Colvin invited Gilbert to be a special guest on her 1992 Fat City tour. Gilbert took audiences across North America by storm, and has been performing relentlessly in the two decades since, now with 10 albums under his belt… Artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, and the late George Carlin have in recent years requested Vance to be added to their evenings.
”... the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god.”—Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Singer/Songwriter… Jesse Dee

Boston’s Jesse Dee is a singing, songwriting, guitar-playing soul man-a modern day trailblazer inspired by the old school. Dee’s passion is exploring and updating soul music for contemporary audiences. With his warm and honest sound, his instantly memorable melodies and positive, slice-of-life lyrics (evoking the heyday of the Brill Building songwriters), he accomplishes just that. His inventive, hook-filled songs are delivered with buoyant, youthful exuberance. Live, he always brings down the house, and keeps his ever-growing fan base coming back for more. His band lays down driving, infectious grooves while Dee’s expressive vocals put him in a class by himself. On the strength of his fervent live shows, Dee plays to packed clubs in New England and has toured across Europe, earning new fans at every gig.
“Dee has an explosive voice. He possesses a powerful, raspy tenor and an uncanny phrasing ability that can’t be taught.”—Boston Herald


Blues Duo… Erin Harpe and Richard Rosenblatt

Erin Harpe and Richard Rosenblatt have just won a Boston Music Award for “Blues Artist of the Year” with their band Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, and recently returned from Memphis where they were Semi-Finalists at the 2013 International Blues Challenge for their duo. Their acoustic country blues is rooted in vintage 1930’s Mississippi delta blues, featuring finger-picking guitar by singer Erin Harpe and harmonica by Richard Rosenblatt. Erin is recognized along with Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland, Rory Block and Ana Popovic in 2013’s “30 Women Burning Up the Blues” in The Alternate Route Magazine!
“Erin Harpe has it all. The looks, the chops, the voice, the presence and the band all add to an aura that mesmerized the crowd…” –The Alternate Route

Singer/Songwriter… Patrick Coman

Patrick Coman plays the soundtrack for Saturday night sinning and Sunday morning redemption. Merging the rootsy barroom shuffle of Coman’s Oklahoma birthplace with the poetic intensity of traditional New England folk, he has steadily become a force for the Americana scene in his adopted hometown of Boston and beyond.
“Might have just become one of our favorites”—Dig Boston

Singer/Songwriter… Franc Graham

Fronting a low-rock Boston band since the ‘90s, Graham delivers a signature grit and groove: turntables and guitars snake around a voice intimate and commanding… swamp rock, alt-Americana, and hillbilly hip.
“I’m a Franc Graham convert.” - Lucinda Williams   “Immensely Underrated… cool and commanding… an unusually rich blend of singer-songwriter rock…” - The Boston Globe

Vocalist… Serge Clivio

Grand Prize Winner: Disney World’s “American Idol Experience” 2010

Jenny the Juggler

Boston’s Best (and only!) Professional Female Juggler since 1997!

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