Growing up in England, one tradition was going to pantomimes, or pantos, around Christmas. These shows take fairy tales and similar stories, throw in a hundred and one puns and jokes even my dad would be embarrassed to tell and all with deliberately over-the-top acting and outfits. And a recent…

Radio presenter, actor, writer and all-around charming man Zeb Soanes (the 28th dinner stranger) has a new gig. He was recently selected as the University of Suffolk’s new chancellor. In a post on his website, Zeb said taking over the role from former Chancellor Dr Helen Pankhurst CBE is “a…

Joe Himali, the 133rd dinner stranger, is hosting the next of his regular History Salon lunches in Washington, D.C., later this month. It’s at Hill Center; a local landmark built in 1864 and originally designed under the orders of President Abraham Lincoln to be the city’s first Naval Hospital. For…

Personal trainer Raine Storm McKeython, the 134th dinner interviewee, is launching “Raine’s Strength Club” later this month. The event, in Washington, D.C., will feature him leading a group training, followed by guided meditation and then a cookout with a DJ to celebrate at the end (and make sure you eat…

Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, featured together as the 116th dinner interview, are getting back on the road for another of their cabaret shows. This time, it’s “The Trouble With Angels” and described as “An evening of mischief and music from two very familiar faces. It’s like the Rat Pack…

The first Bee Lady Day took place in Hull, East Yorkshire, last week to honor the life of fundraiser Jean Bishop. Jean, featured as the 69th dinner stranger in December 2014, was renowned in the region for her work. For decades, she’d dress in an eye-catching bumblebee costume to raise…

Emmy-nominated writer and standup comedian Alex English — recently a writer on “Saturday Night Live” and several years ago the 112th stranger featured on this site (I’ll let you decide which honor is most prestigious) — is performing in Austin, Texas, this coming weekend. He’ll be at the Cap City…

In the interests of expanding the readership of this site beyond just my mum and dad (though I’m grateful for them), a couple of friends suggested that I start posting my articles to Substack. And I do as told, so the Dining With Strangers Substack is now up. Feel free…

Following on from yesterday’s Throwback Thursday article highlighting my dinner with the 97th stranger Jim Obergefell, there’s a related event coming up next month at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. David Danzmayr, music director of the Oregon Symphony, will conduct a concert by the National Orchestral Institute and Festival…

Author Monika Pickett, the 128th stranger featured on this site, is hosting a talk and book signing, “If Only For One Night,” in Atlanta on Thursday May 22. It’s hosted by Mimi Faust, who was featured on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” and in addition to Monika’s reading there will…