Theo Epstein returns for Hot Stove, Cool Music

Singer-songwriter Tanya Donelly, the Parkington Sisters, Chicago Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper, actor and funny guy Mike O’Malley, and Buffalo Tom’s Bill Janovitz were some of the VIPs who joined Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, his Foundation to Be Named Later cofounder Paul Epstein, and baseball aficionado Peter Gammons at the Hot Stove Cool Music concert and auction at the Paradise Rock Club on Saturday night. The event raised about $200,000 for the organization, which benefits children and families in need. Local rocker Kay Hanley, who’s usually a Hot Stove staple, told fans on Twitter that she couldn’t leave Los Angeles for the show, but promised, “I shall not be absent again.” Guests included the city’s chief of Human Services, Daphne Griffin, and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor Keith Motley. . . . One night before the big event, Hot Stove organizers held a private party at the House of Blues, where Janovitz, Mike Gent, Ed Valauskas, Phil Aiken, Tom Arey, and assorted stand-ins played an all-Rolling Stones set, including the whole “Some Girls” LP. At one point, when Theo Epstein joined the group, Janovitz said, “This is where we announce that Theo’s coming back!” He’s not, of course, but it was funny, as was the good-natured ribbing the guys gave Epstein’s successor as Red Sox GM, Ben Cherington, for being absent.