Abbie Hullinger

Michael McQuary

The often mysterious and always entertaining Michael McQuary came by the studio to give us a sneak peak at his upcoming Monsters of Hollywood performance (October 23rd at Englewood Arts) as well as some of his favorite impersonations; from Bela Lugosi, to Betty Davis and from Boris Karloff to Lon Chaney (The Phantom of the Opera). He shared stories about meeting The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, working at a Antique Boutique in New York in the 80's and many more celebrity encounters from that era. Michael invited pianist and musical director Daniel Rangel to accompany him on a very special song, Alone: Together. Afterward, Michael did his famous "Essence in Seconds" with Abbey who was participating at a Lavender event for the very first time! If you would like to follow Michael around town you can follow him on his social media below. We've also provided a link to his IMDB so you can bare witness to all that is McQuary! Instagram Click here [https://www.instagram.com/mmcquary/] Facebook Click here [https://www.facebook.com/michael.mcquary.5] IMDB Click here [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2919512/]

Kadesh Flow

Kadesh stopped by the studio to share his story and his trombone swagger. From RnB singing, to hip hop rapping, to lead trombone, he does it all. Not only does he possess all of these amazing skills, but he does them live in front of tens of thousands and in our case, almost tens of people in a living room! We are grateful he was able to take time out of his busy schedule doing international touring, playing the FIFA Fan Fest, writing, producing, and educating the next generation of hip-hop trombonists to share his story with us. Kadesh Flow is a rapper with an MBA, a trombone Super Saiyan, and a Billboard Charting recording/ performing artist. He brings all of the above together, both on tracks and on stage, in riveting form as he actively blends his jazz and hip hop backgrounds, blending personal, candid lyrical moments and storytelling with call-outs to history, social issues, anime, video games, and anything else that may inspire him at the time. At age 11, 'Desh, as many of his listeners call him, began rapping and playing trombone within two weeks of one another. Now, his playing can be heard on records with hip hop stars like Jidenna and underground stalwarts like Ubiquitous and JL. He also boasts performances supporting artists such as Rakim, Janelle Monae, Dave East, The Revivalists, Tech N9ne, and numerous other prolific acts. Kadesh is a member of the NPC (Nerdy People of Color) Collective, through which he is working with Founding Member Mega Ran and fellow NPCs such as EyeQ and Creative Mind Frame to both collaborate on fun, relevant content and foster a community for underrepresented nerd enthusiasts. He can be found lighting up stages around the U.S., gracing such events as Official SXSW Showcases, MAGFest, PAX, Momocon & Otakon, as well as various other music festivals and venues. Kadesh's Website Click here [https://www.kadeshflow.com/] Instagram Click here [https://www.instagram.com/kadeshflow/]

Micael Elrod

The amazingly creative Micael Elrod swung by the studio and shared her whimsy and her depth of knowledge in art, history, religion, sci-fi, ecology, quantum mechanics and so much more! We dive into this amazing body of work that spans textiles, painting, sculpture, an homage to motherhood and amazing women of the world. We were fascinated with her attention to detail, her ability to add subliminal layers and metaphors, and all the roads that ADHD can take us down. Micael is an artist resident at Overland Park's InterUrban ArtHouse and has had her artwork in many galleries across the city. Check out her new exhibit coming up on Juneteenth and then check out her amazing book recommendations! We think she should host our book club! Enjoy Micael's Website Click here [https://www.micaelelrod.com/] Instagram Click here [https://www.instagram.com/micael_elrod] InterUrban Arthouse Click here [https://www.interurbanarthouse.org/] Some of the amazing authors recommended during this artist talk. NK Jemisin - Broken Earth Robin Wall Kimmerer - Braiding Sweetgrass Angela Davis - Women, Race and Class Monica Sjoo - The Great Cosmic Mother

Christian Dixon

All the way from Maryville, Missouri, singer-songwriter Christian Dixon stopped by the studio to share his music and the stories behind it; including his experiences with grief and why he believes the best songs are often the saddest ones. We first met Christian a while back and immediately connected with his songwriting. The way he tells a story reveals someone who has lived through profound, life-changing experiences, especially at such a young age. His songs are honest and vulnerable, reflecting both heartbreak and resilience. Though he's faced his share of hardships, he continues to lead with grace and gratitude, carrying those experiences forward through his music. Christian has become a familiar face in the Kansas City music community, regularly appearing at writers' circles, open mics, coffee shops, and venues throughout the heartland. We've also had the pleasure of featuring him at our House Arty series, where his thoughtful songwriting and heartfelt performances left a lasting impression on friends and fans alike. If you'd like to follow Christian on his musical journey you can find links to his social media and website below. Instagram Click here [https://www.instagram.com/christiandixonmusic/] Website Click here [https://christiandixon.bandzoogle.com/home]

ODD ART BY ODESSA DOOLITTLE

Meet Skyler Walton AKA Odessa Doolittle. Skyler is a multi-disciplined artist that embodies painting, drawing, sketching, illustration ceramics, film making and so much more! In this session we learn about Skyler's mormon upbringing, his travels of growing up in a military family, and his desire to connect with like-minded artists who share his enthusiasm for character work and anti-capitalism! Skyler is currently touring the Con scene with his new graphic novel and comics and doing caricature art at fairs and festivals. We hope to incorporate some of his amazing art in our venue as well. If you would like to follow Skyler on his journey please click the link below. Enjoy! Instagram Click here [https://www.instagram.com/odd_caricatures/]