Australian Lucas Hall has been living in Hell's Kitchen ever since he arrived in New York. A former theater actor, he is now a yoga/meditation teacher and visual artist. Here is Lucas' West Side Story.
So what's your New York story? Were you born here or are you a recent arrival?
I'm originally from Australia. My then boyfriend (now husband) and I moved to New York at the tender age of 25 and never looked back – we've been here ever since. Well, we've looked back a few times, but it's a tough city! At the time, I was an aspiring stage actor and musician and my husband Tim was determined to conquer radio. Visa after visa, debt after debt, we managed to get by. I left theater to become a yoga/meditation teacher and visual artist. It's great for your health and Tim has conquered radio! He's the VP of SiriusXM.
Two years ago we adopted our son and were able to buy a weekend home upstate – the American dream. We sub-rented on Theater Row, then moved to 43rd Street and 11th Avenue, but Hell's Kitchen is still our home. We love the convenience, the buzz, and the theaters.
What was your first job and what are you doing now?
Back when I was performing, I would take any job I could get, whether it was touring the world on a cruise (God help me), Evil I hosted a stage show for Cartoon Network across Asia for a year, a haphazard and exhausting job to say the least.
Here in New York, I go anywhere when I want to sing or write music. I played wherever I could find: seedy bars, back alley rooms, open mics, etc. At first, it was a lot of fun. There are so many opportunities for singer-songwriters in this city!
I've been teaching yoga and meditation for 10 years. I teach at NYLoves Yoga on the UWS. It's such a beautiful place. I love and give back to the community. I also do visual art and love mixed media. I often use acrylic and watercolor together. I often work with Archer watercolor paper and canvas. I love to paint abstracts with glimpses of landscapes and people.
What's your favorite moment in New York so far?
Ahh… we're finally moving into our own home! The keys to my first rat-infested apartment. Dirty but awesome!
Why do you like Hell's Kitchen?
It's an evolution and a rollercoaster of energy. So much has changed. It's always in flux. The crammed-in shops make the most of their space, and the maze of sidewalks make for an interesting walk. It's so convenient to get everywhere. The subway and buses are right there, so it's easy to go to your classes uptown or to the art stores downtown. And lots of new families with kids are moving into the neighborhood, and facilities are opening, playgrounds are being developed, and green space is growing.
What is your super power or hidden talent?
I help people sleep and relax. I teach meditation and yoga nidra (yoga sleep). People say I have a soothing voice. I think my Australian accent helps a lot.
Is there anything else we should know about you?
For me it's all about creativity.
Lucas' favorite Hell's Kitchen spot
Frisson Espresso 44 — 405 W44th Street (bordering 9th/10th Ave)
The quality of their staff and products. The owners work at the cafe so I guess it's high quality. They really go out of their way to make sure you're comfortable and well taken care of. They bake their own scones!! It's heaven. They also didn't hesitate to allow me to display some of my work. They really support the community. The coffee and matcha are great too.
Clinton Community Gardens — 434 W48th Street (bordering 9th/10th Ave)
It's very quiet. We used to live on 48th and 9th so we had a key and it was great. Now we live a little further down so we don't have a key but we are there when the gate is open to the public. It's a very private and leafy location.
Jadite Gallery Custom Photo Frames — 662 10th Avenue (between W46th and 47th Sts)
Not only are they super accommodating when it comes to framing, but they also accommodate any budget when it comes to framing my work, and they also have a really cute gallery space next door where they display artists' work.
Pier 84 — West 44th Street and 12th Avenue
I love being surrounded by greenery and people watching. On nice evenings, I walk the pier with my son and dog. There's always something fun going on: running, music, photography, people sunbathing, having a good time.
Fountain House Gallery — 702 9th Avenue (corner of W48th St)
Amazing artists and a supportive community doing amazing work for people living with mental illness. I taught yoga and meditation in this space when I was a new teacher and I still get involved in the community, attending openings and buying art from them as gifts for friends.
You can find Lucas on Instagram at @aussieyogadad If you know someone who would be perfect for West Side Story (or would like to nominate yourself), please fill out this form: w42st.info/WSSnominations
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