Drink, Speak & Spell

Few elementary-school competitions were as thrilling as the spelling bee. Far more glamorous than long-division board races, far more urbane than a game of Red Rover, the spelling bee separated the wheat from the chaff via the almighty power of words. Relive the e-x-c-i-t-e-m-e-n-t tonight at the KidSmart Celebrity Spelling Bee. This star-studded spellfest, held at the Pageant (6161 Delmar Boulevard), is emceed by the buzz-worthy Joe Buck and features celebrity contestants including Ozzie Smith, Karen Foss and Charlie Brennan. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. The live auction gets under way at 7 p.m.; you’ll have the chance to bid on such stellar packages as “The Party Bee” (tickets to a Cards-Cubs game at Wrigley Field, plus Chicago hotel accommodations). The spelling bee starts at 8 p.m. Cheer on your favorite team of spellers, and celebrate the fact that all proceeds go to KidSmart, a local nonprofit that provides free school supplies to more than 40,000 needy children. For more information or to purchase your $50 ticket, visit www.kidsmartspellingbee.com or call 314-291-6211.
Thu., May 10