Meet Marc Cleary from Dublin who moved to LA eight years ago to pursue a career in choreography and quickly detoured into writing and directing
(Photo © Brian Parillo)
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
Actually I was based in Encinitas, San Diego for the first year and it was by contract and not necessarily by choice. I was training the U.S. Varsity teams for the Hip Hop World Championships but as beautiful as San Diego is, the whole laid-back surfer mentality was too slow moving for me. I’ve always been a big city boy. I’ve lived in London, Dublin and Paris so LA seems like a better fit for me. I haven’t regretted it yet.
What one thing do you miss from home?
Aside from family and friends (people that can actually drink me under the table) I think I miss the food most. I’ve given up on the curry search in LA after eight years and there’s still no full Irish Breakfast like my mother’s. I also miss the architecture in some parts. Dublin is steeped in awesome history and America seems a little too ‘new’ for me.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus the UK?
You mean apart from the food portions?? Probably the general behavior of people. LA people tend to be more open to just walk up to any stranger and strike up a conversation. That never happens in Dublin unless you’re five drinks in. I kind of love that about LA actually and I’m trying to be more like that but you’ll often see me at a function waiting for someone else to introduce themselves and start yapping.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
I’m actually a big fan of Sayer’s Club. They have live singers on a Thursday night and it’s great fun. The jazz/burlesque show at the W on Sundays is awesome and of course I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t say Gold Coast Bar in West Hollywood. It’s the dirtiest little dive bar with the worst rep but we’ve had some of the best nights ever there. Bar staff are amazing, best juke box ever (even the UK 90’s hits) and the drinks are dirt cheap.
Food-wise I like to hit up Fat Sal’s at Highland and Fountain for their HUGE sandwiches, and Mofongo’s in Noho, which serves the best Puerto Rican food if you fancy something different.
I love the Melrose flea market on Sundays too.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Don’t just see a beach and say: “that’s where I want to live”. It’s a mistake a lot of my friends make. Do your research and really ask yourself why you’re here. There’s an area for everything you could want or need and you could save yourself sitting in hours of traffic every day.
Also, give it time…. so many people come, expect things to take off immediately and then leave when they don’t. LA is an investment and if you put the time and effort into her she’ll deliver.
You can follow Marc on Twitter here https://twitter.com/marc_cleary
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