Interviewing strangers over a meal since 2008 (as featured in the Washington Post)
British actor/comedian/writer Matt Lucas is singing his way toward raising £1 million for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and to provide 6,000 meals every day into London hospitals for critical care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s doing so with his quirky song “Thank You Baked Potato,” in which…
The 61st Throwback Thursday is my July 2014 dinner in New York with Matt Bauman, a man with many pursuits. He’s a busy actor, a realtor, and launched his own website that connects people in the theater industry with coaches and teachers, such as vocal trainers. We talked about all…
Ukulele-playing singer-songwriter Louisa Hall (the 57th stranger interviewed over dinner) has developed a stellar reputation for her solo career performing unique and funny songs like “Barista Boyfriend” and “Internet Love Song,” among many others. But she’s also writing and singing similarly amusing and heartfelt songs for Griefcat, a duo with…
New interview tomorrow (done prior to social distancing)! For today, here’s the 60th Throwback Thursday: dinner in June 2014 with Brendan Kelleher, who talked about his website Behind The Craft. Brendan, a beer enthusiast, used the site to interviews owners of craft breweries and learn about the process of making…
Frank Brigtsen, chef and owner of New Orleans restaurant Brigtsen’s, is currently social distancing at home during the coronavirus pandemic. But that hasn’t kept him out of the kitchen, and he’s just released a “Stay-At-Home” spring cookbook with 19 recipes. It costs $25 and can be bought directly from Brigtsen’s…
The 59th Throwback Thursday is my May 2014 lunch with classical cellist Daniel Lelchuk at New Orleans’ Tujague’s Restaurant. We talked about his life in music, including his current role as assistant principal cellist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and much more.
The phrase “one-of-a-kind” is used far too often to describe people, but it’s a precise way to describe the outgoing, creative, joyful and thoughtful Adrian (he goes by only his first name). He’s a 26-year-old content creator based in Atlanta who makes a living through podcasts, YouTube videos, online writing,…
For the 58th Throwback Thursday, here’s my two-part interview with lifelong New Orleans resident Mary Burns. Over a long lunch at the fantastic Deanie’s Seafood in May 2014 she shared her colorful life story. Part one of the interview dealt with growing up in the Crescent City and her teaching…
If you’re looking for some entertainment while social distancing, singer-songwriter Lorraine Bowen is here to help. Every day at 11am (UK time, so 6am Eastern in the United States), Lorraine takes to Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for her show “Elevenses With Lorraine” that features a mix of fun exercises and…
Here’s the 57th Throwback Thursday: Dinner with DC-based ukulele-playing singer-songwriter Louisa Hall, talking about what inspired her to play the instrument and where she gets the inspiration for writing quirky songs like “Barista Boyfriend,” “Missed Connections,” and “Awkward.” The article includes a couple of Louisa’s music videos, including her impromptu…