A 5K race on Sunday, April 28, called "Villains Vs. Heroes," aims to support the Arlington Enrichment Collaborative, the Ottoson after-school program.

The event starts and ends at the Senior Center at 10 a.m.

For more, click here >>

From the moment training wheels are cast aside, riding a bicycle is a universal symbol of free-spirited adventure. On Monday, May 20, at the Regent Theatre, the fourth annual Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival will celebrate adventure in all its forms.

The festival, a benefit for Massbike, presents 12 short films that explore countries across the globe -- or the wilds of the North Shore. One film, "The Cycle Bug," was submitted to the festival by a wandering cyclist still exploring India.

Closer to home, "The Broken Necklace" is a hysterical chronicle of an epic journey from Marblehead to Swampscott gone horribly awry.

"One goal of the festival is to show viewers that adventure is a state of mind," festival director Karin Turer said in a news release.

“Yes, you can quit your job, sell your belongings and ride across continents -- and we have several films of this type, because everyone loves seeing that fantasy come to life. But we also feature ‘microadventures,’ short escapes of a few days that are a fantastic antidote to the daily grind.  If these films inspire attendees to start planning just a cycling weekend away, then we’ve done our job."

This year’s festival also features the winning entries of the first-ever Bike Travel Video Contest, a worldwide competition sponsored by the Montana nonprofit Adventure Cycling Association.

Highlight of festival

The centerpiece of the festival is Grand Jury Award winner "The New Woman: Annie 'Londonderry' Kopchovsky," a fascinating view of a 23-year old Boston mother of three who endeavored to cycle the globe in just 15 months – in 1894! A trailer to the film is available here >>

In addition to the films, a festive atmosphere is on tap at this Bike Month event. A social hour begins at 6 p.m. and features a cookie showcase highlighting the delicious offering of local bakeries.

Between the films is the “Great Jersey Giveaway” raffle, which will outfit winning guests with bike clothing for their next adventure. One lucky attendee will win a free Ciclismo Classico bicycle vacation valued at more than $2,500.

The festival is a production of Ciclismo Classico, a community-minded Arlington company that has been a leader in active bicycle vacations since 1988.  Lauren Hefferon, Ciclismo Classico chief executive biker, says, "Since our start 25 years ago, we’ve always been very involved with the local community. From our annual holiday 'Jingle Ride' to the Bike Travel Film Festival, we welcome the opportunity to promote active lifestyles and get people dreaming about their next adventure."

Through the proceeds from these events, Ciclismo Classico has donated thousands of dollars to Massbike and other local charities.

The festival’s mission is to celebrate Bike Month 2013 and to inspire attendees to explore by bicycle. The festival will increase awareness and appreciation for bicycle travel by showcasing independent films that depict the adventure, humor, and growth inherent in two-wheeled journeys.

The Ciclismo Classico mission is to offer high-quality, educational, and dreamy itineraries that celebrate the diversity of native peoples and their landscapes.

By combining legendary service and rare cultural experiences, the Ciclismo Classico philosophy continues to energize and transform each and every guest.

This story was published Wesdnesday, May 8, 2013.

Here's something to sample -- a poetry sampler, which includes a book launch and dessert -- set for Thursday, May 2, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Senior Center, 27 Maple St.

Come celebrate! Local poets from the workshop with author Jessie Brown will read from their new chapbook, "The New Country."

Copes will be available.

Join us for sample poems followed by dessert, with baked goods by local bakeries.

The event is free, and all are welcome.

A variety show held Monday, May 13, at the Regent Theatre benefited the foundation supporting Krystle M. Campbell, the Arlington resident who grew up in Medford and was a victim of a bomb blast at the Boston Marathon last month.

The variety show — "Laughs, Licks & Awesome Tricks" — featured musicians Vance Gilbert of Arlington, 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.

Boston Globe, May 3: Feinberg outlines compensation

Background, quotes

All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Krystle M. Campbell Foundation, set up by her Family, a Regent news release says.

"After the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, we were approached by several performers who suggested the Regent host some type of fund-raiser for the victims," Regent co-owner Leland Stein said in the release. "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: Gilbert noted in his blog, "…The horror fazes me, hurts me, but doesn’t daunt me…" and Coman wrote 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."

ABOUT THE CONFIRMED PERFORMERS

Magician and emcee Matt Roberts

Matt’s website
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." 

Comedian Mike Prior

Mike’s website
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’s website

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.

Singer/songwriter Jesse Dee

Jesse’s website

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.

Blues duo Erin Harpe and Richard Rosenblatt

Erin’s website

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!

Singer/songwriter Patrick Coman

Patrick’s website

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.

Singer/songwriter Franc Graham

Franc’s Web Site
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.

Vocalist Serge Clivio

Serge Clivio’s YouTube page

Grand prize winner: DisneyWorld’s "American Idol Experience" 2010

Jenny the Juggler

Jenny’s website

Boston’s Best (and only) professional female juggler since 1997.

The Regent is MBTA- and handicap-accessible with access to free parking in the municipal lot across the street.

For tickets and more information call the box office 781-646-4849 or visit www.RegentTheatre.com.

This story was published Thursday, May 2, and updated May 6.