Boston Rock Benefit Comes to Arlington

Boston rock fanboys and girls: get ready. The Vivs are coming to the Regent Theatre on Saturday to raise money for charity. The all-ages show will benefit the Children's Room, a nonprofit organization that provides support services for grieving children and their families.

The Vivs are a Boston-based modern rock band featuring Karen Harris on vocals, Terri Brosius on keys and vocals, Matt Magee on guitar, Pete Sutton on bass, and Brett Campbell on drums.

They've been compared to Patti Smith and The Breeders and they say they also take inspiration from bands like the B52's and the Kinks.

Front woman Karen Harris calls the group a "townie band." All but one of its members (Sutton) live in Arlington.

Tickets to the show cost 10 dollars, plus a five-dollar suggested donation to the Children's Room.

The Children's Room helps children, teens, and families cope after they have lost close family members. It also educates the community about issues of grief and loss. The organization currently serves over 180 children and has about 20 families on a waitlist.

Between sets, a former Children's Room participant from the University of Vermont will speak about what the program meant to him.

Children's Room Executive Director Donna Sharff says she hopes the fundraiser will inspire people to donate and to volunteer so the program can accept families.

Sharff says she, the organization, and its 100 volunteers are grateful for the help.

"It's really wonderful that we have so many supporters in the community who understand the importance of our work," Sharff says. "Doing a concert that benefits us financially raises awareness about our work and what we're trying to do, what our challenges are."

Karen Harris, who is also an English teacher at Brookline High School, says tomorrow night's concert is a way to enjoy local music while helping the community.

"The Children's Room does a lot of work that's kind of unsung," Harris said. "It's a really great cause."

Harris added that the 7 p.m. show time makes it easy for parents and grandparents to attend.

Tomorrow's concert will also feature Bill Goffrier, singer-guitarist of Big Dipper, Carrie Bradley of Ed's Redeeming Qualities and the Breeders, Franc Graham, and the 90s alt-pop rock band Scatterfield, which is only reuniting for this show.

Local music historian Brett Milano will host.

The show will be sponsored by Bodega Pirineos Winery and Narragansett Beer.