Rex ‘n’ Roll
Chicago is the proud homeland of one dinosaur that’s definitely not extinct—children’s musician Thaddeus Rex, who’s looking forward to a very busy spring. The singer/songwriter snagged a grand prize for his Alan Gershwin-inspired "I’ll Always Follow You" in the international John Lennon Songwriting Contest. "I’ve always strived to write songs that appeal not just to kids but to a family audience," Rex says. "I try to create mass appeal and make music that’s appropriate for kids but appeals to me, too." Rex’s quirky and clever style has been compared with Monty Python, Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, but he invites you to be the judge and hear his set live at his CD release show for his latest "Shakin’ in Chicago" on April 19 at Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest. There, Rex’s 2007 pick for the winner of his ongoing kids writing contest, "Write Like a Rock Star!," fourth-grader Nickie Cashdollar, will help perform the winning song. "Oh my gosh—I don’t think I’ve met a more excited fourth-grader," Rex says. "The coolest thing about the song is that the chorus of that song, melody and the lyrics, are written entirely by Nickie."

Old Style
There is nothing too superstitious for Cubs fans. The ESPN Zone’s Brian Hanover knows the pain of being a suffering Cubs fan in the centennial year without a World Series win, so in an effort to raise hopes, he’s asking all of Chicagoland’s centenarians to gather their spirits, their fondest Cubs memories and their walkers for a "Brunch and Watch" party for the Cubs game on April 13. "Ideally I would love to see generations of Cubs fans show up," Hanover says. "You could conceivably have five or six generations of fans here." The 100-year-old fans and their families will receive a free brunch and a forum to share their frustrations and adorations for the team. Hanover is not quite sure what to expect as far as attendance but he is looking forward to bringing fans of all ages and designs for an afternoon of mutual team spirit. "Who knows—we might find the oldest living Cubs fan here," he hopes.

(2008-03-25)

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