lucas paul (right)
Five-hour team dance is Jan. 26 at Progress Nightclub, starting at 5 p.m.
Lucas Paul was an attendee, advocate and promotor for the I Am Living monthly tea dances, but now has a more formal role as the events have shifted the Boystown.
The 31-year-old Lakeview resident is now responsible for supervising the door for I Am Living events, such as this Sunday, Jan. 26, when Tea Time is served at Progress Bar (3359 N. Halsted St.) with two DJs: Cenk Atacan aka DJ Janky, and Michelle M Blu aka BLU9!
The five-hour set begins at 5 p.m., and the event is sponsored by Men's Room Chicago.
"I Am Living events bring incredible DJ's who provide uplifting dance music, with vocals and party anthem favorites. This provides a vibrant, high-energy environment to socialize, dance, and share in the love," Paul said. "The parties are a wonderful opportunity to create memories with your chosen family, and/or meet new people in our community.
"I am incredibly excited for the January Tea Time. Chicago favorites Janky and Blu 9 will be performing a back-to-back set that is going to be epic. It will be an amazing opportunity to start with a bang."
Paul said I Am Living events continue to grow, improve and expand.
"It's important to know that diversity is welcome. With some events and parties, an environment of exclusion can be tolerated and welcomed. I Am Living events are welcoming to all," Paul said.
In addition to arts and entertainment producing and writing, his passion, Paul has been working as a server with Sancerre Hospitality for almost a year. "My work life is split between my artistic career and the hospitality industry, which provides financial stability and flexibility," he said. "Most of my volunteer work has been with organizations within the LGBT community. I love to support these organizations and volunteer when my time is available."
Paul was born in New York, but primarily grew up in West Virginia. He has living in Chicago for almost six years.
"My background and degree is in theatre performance and dance," Paul said. "After graduating and spending some time abroad in London, my career and passions shifted to production and writing. I moved to Chicago and became involved with a local theatre company, where I worked on several productions as a member of their production team.
"After leaving the theatre, I became involved in the Chicago hospitality industry. I have worked as a server and bartender in several restaurants and hotels throughout the city. Hospitality provides the flexibility to create time to focus on my artistic endeavors and projects that I am truly passionate about."
Paul worked on the production team of a play that transferred to Broadway and won a 2016 Tony Award for Best Play. "It was an extra special moment because the artistic director who oversaw our production team had recently passed in (a) tragic accident," Paul said. "I was honored to have had the opportunity to work under him and be a small part in the success of the production.
"Though the hospitality industry can be grueling and unforgiving at times, you also can have the opportunity to witness and be a part of monumental moments in the lives of others. Getting to meet so many people and share in these moments is (a) special opportunity."
Paul also volunteers for various area non-profits, such as Center on Halsted, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, The Dancers Fund - Dance For Life, and Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.
"When I'm not busy with work or volunteering, I love to travel," he said.
Cocktails With ... Lucas Paul
Freetime: "If I am not traveling, I love to socialize with friends while exploring different restaurants (and) bars throughout the city. I enjoy any opportunity that will allow me to engage with others, laugh, and meet new people."
Best Part of Living in Chicago: "It's an incredibly beautiful and diverse city."
Worst Part of Living in Chicago: "That wind chill, baby."
Career Goal: "Start my own non-profit organization and production company."
Favorite Chicago Bar: "Splash to start. Elixir to relax. Hydrate to end."
Drinking: "I enjoy a pretty stiff drink. In general, I'll order a vodka martini or tequila on the rocks."
Favorite Chicago Restaurant: MFK – "It's an intimate space, with authentic Spanish cuisine. It doesn't hurt that I can walk there in five minutes."
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
One Celebrity You'd Like To Meet: Dame Maggie Smith
Favorite Vacation Destination: Spain
Ingredients On Pizza: Meat Lovers – "I recently started eating meat again for the first time in 10 years, and I can't get enough. I also love spicy peppers for some kick."
I'm Better Than Most ... "at entertaining others by making a fool of myself. "
Boxers or Briefs: "Either or neither."
The 31-year-old Lakeview resident is now responsible for supervising the door for I Am Living events, such as this Sunday, Jan. 26, when Tea Time is served at Progress Bar (3359 N. Halsted St.) with two DJs: Cenk Atacan aka DJ Janky, and Michelle M Blu aka BLU9!
The five-hour set begins at 5 p.m., and the event is sponsored by Men's Room Chicago.
"I Am Living events bring incredible DJ's who provide uplifting dance music, with vocals and party anthem favorites. This provides a vibrant, high-energy environment to socialize, dance, and share in the love," Paul said. "The parties are a wonderful opportunity to create memories with your chosen family, and/or meet new people in our community.
"I am incredibly excited for the January Tea Time. Chicago favorites Janky and Blu 9 will be performing a back-to-back set that is going to be epic. It will be an amazing opportunity to start with a bang."
Paul said I Am Living events continue to grow, improve and expand.
"It's important to know that diversity is welcome. With some events and parties, an environment of exclusion can be tolerated and welcomed. I Am Living events are welcoming to all," Paul said.
In addition to arts and entertainment producing and writing, his passion, Paul has been working as a server with Sancerre Hospitality for almost a year. "My work life is split between my artistic career and the hospitality industry, which provides financial stability and flexibility," he said. "Most of my volunteer work has been with organizations within the LGBT community. I love to support these organizations and volunteer when my time is available."
Paul was born in New York, but primarily grew up in West Virginia. He has living in Chicago for almost six years.
"My background and degree is in theatre performance and dance," Paul said. "After graduating and spending some time abroad in London, my career and passions shifted to production and writing. I moved to Chicago and became involved with a local theatre company, where I worked on several productions as a member of their production team.
"After leaving the theatre, I became involved in the Chicago hospitality industry. I have worked as a server and bartender in several restaurants and hotels throughout the city. Hospitality provides the flexibility to create time to focus on my artistic endeavors and projects that I am truly passionate about."
Paul worked on the production team of a play that transferred to Broadway and won a 2016 Tony Award for Best Play. "It was an extra special moment because the artistic director who oversaw our production team had recently passed in (a) tragic accident," Paul said. "I was honored to have had the opportunity to work under him and be a small part in the success of the production.
"Though the hospitality industry can be grueling and unforgiving at times, you also can have the opportunity to witness and be a part of monumental moments in the lives of others. Getting to meet so many people and share in these moments is (a) special opportunity."
Paul also volunteers for various area non-profits, such as Center on Halsted, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, The Dancers Fund - Dance For Life, and Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.
"When I'm not busy with work or volunteering, I love to travel," he said.
Cocktails With ... Lucas Paul
Freetime: "If I am not traveling, I love to socialize with friends while exploring different restaurants (and) bars throughout the city. I enjoy any opportunity that will allow me to engage with others, laugh, and meet new people."
Best Part of Living in Chicago: "It's an incredibly beautiful and diverse city."
Worst Part of Living in Chicago: "That wind chill, baby."
Career Goal: "Start my own non-profit organization and production company."
Favorite Chicago Bar: "Splash to start. Elixir to relax. Hydrate to end."
Drinking: "I enjoy a pretty stiff drink. In general, I'll order a vodka martini or tequila on the rocks."
Favorite Chicago Restaurant: MFK – "It's an intimate space, with authentic Spanish cuisine. It doesn't hurt that I can walk there in five minutes."
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
One Celebrity You'd Like To Meet: Dame Maggie Smith
Favorite Vacation Destination: Spain
Ingredients On Pizza: Meat Lovers – "I recently started eating meat again for the first time in 10 years, and I can't get enough. I also love spicy peppers for some kick."
I'm Better Than Most ... "at entertaining others by making a fool of myself. "
Boxers or Briefs: "Either or neither."
