We had the good fortune of connecting with John Lubbers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what makes you happy? Why?
I’m most happy when I’m creative and self-expressed. I think creativity is my soul’s desire to be expressed and shine outward with excitement. When I design something, whether it’s a logo or an icon, there is this moment when it looks beautiful, professional, clean, or when an idea comes to me and I’m able to execute it well. That makes me happy, and proud. When looking at my own work makes me feel good.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My main form of artistic expression the past 20 years has been dance. With my art, as with my life, it’s all about freedom, balance and flow. My main and favorite form of movement has been house dance. House was influenced by a number of other styles, including tap, African, Latin, and breaking. It’s a very free style, anything goes. I practiced Aikido for 7 years, which is a Japanese martial art that seeks to “harmonize energy” as self-defense rather than striking. I think that training influenced my style of dance to be very fluid, lofty. I also pride myself on my musicality when I dance, hitting sounds or rhythms in the music as if the music was dancing me. I worked in the commercial dance industry for 5 years, then danced at music festivals for another 6 years, but dance will always remain a form of personal self- and creative expression for me. The more I can express myself and the music through movement, the more successful I feel.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently live in the Arts District downtown, so I always start right here in my neighborhood. I would take them to my favorite art gallery – Corey Helford, have the BEST chicken tacos at Loqui, then walk over to Little Tokyo. We would have to hit up my favorite shop Popkiller, full of vintage clothes and quirky items from Japan. I’d pick up some sweet buns and matcha in the Japanese Village, then sit down enjoy at the Kyoto Gardens atop the DoubleTree Hotel. At night, I’d take them to grab a cocktail at Death & Co., then eat dinner at Manuela.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give my shoutout to my friend Anthony Greenz. We met as work-studies at Millennium Dance Complex over 10 years ago. He has been a big creative inspiration to me in dance, fashion, and self-expression. I thank him for introducing me to the music festival scene, booking me on countless gigs, and generally showing me how to enjoy life. Just by being around him my playful spirit is activated and has unlocked large parts of my badass self.

Instagram: @jlubbz

Facebook: Facebook.com/jlubbz

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/justpoppin08

Image Credits
Anthonie Gonzalez

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