Cubs News: Liz Phair to headline Theo Epstein's charity concert |
CHICAGO (May 3, 2016) – Music and baseball share the stage at Wrigleyville’s Metro Friday, June 17, when Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons and Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper join an All-Star lineup of musicians and personalities for the Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago benefit concert. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Liz Phair will headline the show, which will be emceed by “Mad Men” actor Joel Murray and WXRT-FM’s Lin Brehmer. The fifth annual event is presented by Chicago Trading Company with proceeds benefiting youth and families from disadvantaged neighborhoods through Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL).
The fundraiser also will feature musical acts JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Avid Dancer, and ensemble performances by Chicago and Boston rockers, Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo), Jennifer Hall, Max Crawford (Poi Dog Pondering), Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering), Gerald Dowd (Robbie Fulks), Scott Stevenson (Robbie Fulks), Gail Greenwood (Belly, L7), Freda Love Smith (Blake Babies, Mysteries of Life), Hilken Mancini (Fuzzy), Liam Davis (Justin Roberts), Steve Frisbie (Frisbie), Curt Morrison (Tributosaurus), Matt Spiegel (Tributosaurus), Will Dailey, Chris Cote (Upper Crust), Jen D'Angora (Downbeat Five, Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents), Ed Valauskas (Gravel Pit), Paul Ahlstrand, Phil Aiken, Gerald Dowd, Jen Trynin and more. Gammons and Kasper will perform with the bands. “It’s been gratifying to see Hot Stove Cool Music take root in Chicago and this year’s line-up of talented musicians will ensure we continue the tradition with another great night of music, baseball and giving back," said Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations/FTBNL Co-founder Theo Epstein. “We’re humbled by the generosity of all the musicians, sponsors, fans and volunteers who come together to help us raise funds to support Chicago youth and families." General admission tickets go on sale Friday, May 6, at noon CDT and can be purchased online at www.metrochicago.com, etix.com, or in person at the Metro Box Office located at 3730 N. Clark St. VIP tickets, which include entry to a pre-concert reception, are on sale now at www.ftbnl.org. The evening also will include several special guests, along with live and silent auctions featuring signed sports memorabilia and priceless entertainment experiences. As part of the weekend’s Hot Stove Cool Music events, Foundation To Be Named Later will host The Summer City Urban Baseball Classic June 18 at 11 a.m. at Jackie Robinson Park located at 10540 S. Morgan St. The event, which shines a light on the importance of youth baseball and the role it plays in the development of successful young leaders, features urban youth playing exciting baseball as Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West, Garfield Park Baseball and The Boston Astros face-off. The event is free and open to the public. Hot Stove Cool Music was founded in 2000 by Gammons and former Boston Herald sports writer Jeff Horrigan. The biannual event has raised more than $8 million for the Foundation To Be Named Later, the Jimmy Fund and other causes. FTBNL was founded in 2005 by Epstein and his brother, Paul Epstein, as a means to create positive opportunities for disadvantaged youth and families. Hot Stove Cool Music, Chicago is presented by Chicago Trading Co. and sponsored by CBRE, Atlantis Cars & Limos, Cars.com, Chicago Cubs, Citi, elevate, Ella & Scott Goldstein, Rebecca & Craig Huffman, Freedom Boat Club, Grosvenor Capital Mgmt., KPMG, Metro, The Alter Group, Victory Park Capital, Walmart, Etix, WGN-TV and WXRT-FM and Lettuce Entertain You, Stanley’s Tap & Restaurant, Vienna Beef, Hope Family Wines & Budweiser. Foundation To Be Named Later’s nonprofit beneficiaries in Chicago include Chicago Children's Choir, Intonation Music, Marwen, Wapiti Youth, City Year Chicago, Garfield Park Little League, Girls in the Game, SkyART, Family Reach at Lurie Children Hospital, Special Olympics IL, Jackie Robinson West, Flying Kites, Cubs Charities and more.
