Ali & Callie Artcast Ali Shute

About 8 years ago, Adam Schluter found himself alone in Coeur d'Alene knowing no one. He put himself out there and invited people to his home for dinner as a way of getting to know each other. The first dinner, to his surprise, eleven people showed up. That first dinner paved the way for the Monday Night Dinners outdoors in Adam's back yard every other Monday in the good months of the year. It has grown to include dinner, music, drink and a great sense of community.
This past Monday, May 13, 2024, Adam did a huge kick off dinner in McEuen Park as a way to promote more commaraderie as well as host a fundraiser and awareness campaign for the Coeur d'Alene Library Foundation. Adam knows well the great value of our local libraries, and he got together with the Foundation to organize the event in the park, which included many local businesses - a winery, breweries, sweet shops, and more - to come together to provide a free night of commonality for all. Everyone brings a dish to share, so there is plenty of food... and what better way to commune with people than over food.
Our conversation includes Adam and his videographer from his project, Hello from a Stranger. We also had Jimmy, Joy, and Sarah join us to tell of their experiences with the dinners.
This was filmed outdoors in the park, so please excuse the occasional quality bumps.
For more information about the Monday Night Dinners visit the website at Monday Night Dinners, and while you are there, check out the Hello from a Stranger project (hellofromastranger.com)! You can also check out his story in season 1, episode 8 on the Ali & Callie website alicallieartcast.com

At only 25 years old, Elaina DeJong has already accomplished so much. She has written and recorded several of her original songs, and she has put together her own concert with openers and a full band to showcase her music. She learned to play the violin at four years old, caught the musical bug at age 15, and now holds a BA in Theatre from Eastern Washington University. She has appeared in many Coeur d’Alene and Spokane plays, musicals, commercials, films, and concerts. Since August 2023, she’s been one-half of the music duo The Kindreds who can be found playing around the Inland NW.
Elaina’s first song release, “City Park”, comes out in mid-May. The single anticipates her original concert debut, Montage Season, which will play on the Kroc Center stage in Coeur d’Alene on May 31.
Elaina is also one of five individuals who received the Jack Bannon Memorial Fund for the Arts for this year. A formal presentation of the checks will be made by Ellen Travolta on May 15 at the CDA Chamber Visitors Center in a nice reception for the awardees, family and friends.
For more information about Elaina, or tickets to her upcoming show, visit elainadejong.com/.
For more information about the Jack Bannon Memorial Fund for the Arts (managed by the CDA Arts & Culture Alliance) visit artsandculturecda.org/jack-bannon-fund-for-the-arts

Such a treat talking to Kathy Colton who has been playing around the area since the 80s. We hear about her music, her influences, and her band. And we really enjoyed the private concert featuring a couple of songs, one an original. You can find Kathy and the Reluctants around town during ArtWalk, at some of the local hangouts, and more. 
Check out where she will be and come see her. On Facebook you can find her at Kathy Colton and the Reluctants, or at Kathy Colton.

This week we focus on Aspire Community Theater's upcoming show "Gypsy", a musical fable based on the real life memoirs of high-class stripper Gypsy Rose Lee that focuses on her mother, Rose, who was the ultimate show business mother. This episode features the girls who play Rose's daughters, Louise and Rose, played by Bridget Erb and Ashley Cleveland, Director Mark Jacobs, and on piano, Presley Dupuis. 
We are excited because Callie plays the lead role in this epic show with loads of memorable music ("Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Let Me Entertain You,") and a well written script that is bound to capture everyone.
For more information on the show and tickets, visit aspirecda.com. Use promo code "Callie" for discounts.

Beth Rich is an amazing photographer. She says "Photography is the perfect way to carry "the beautiful" with us after we leave a place." And she carries the beautiful, having traveled all over the world. She was even invited to exhibit in China as one of many photographers in the Photo Beijing exhibit.
Beth also owns Mix It Up Home and Mix It Up Gift, two separate stores just a couple of blocks from each other in downtown Coeur d'Alene. 
To find out more about Beth's photography visit her Facebook page at Thrublueiisphotograpy
And for information about Mix It Up, visit mixituphomeandgift.com

What a delight to speak to the very talented and creative Ali Koski about her design business, her unique t-shirt business, her experience acting in the fun production of the Vagina Monologues earlier this spring, and her creative outlets, not to mention her conversations with Debbie, her new name for her brain.
ahacda.com and travelingt.com