ARTS DIARY
Ciaran McQuillan and Karen Sufferin.
Janet McIlvenna and Danella Goodman.
Liam Ó Maonlaí and the Hothouse Flow
ers.
Tura Arutura and Eamonn Twomey.
Rachel Davidson, East Belfast partnership Chairman Andrew Hassard and Janice Hill.
Hothouse Flowers This year the EastSide Arts Festival celebrated its milestone 10th birthday. And what better way to kick-start the celebrations than with a performance from the magnificent Hothouse Flowers. Guests, such as East Belfast Partnership’s Michelle Bryans, EastSide Festival Director Rachel Kennedy, Arts Council NI’s Karly Greene, East Belfast partnership Chairman Andrew Hassard, and Walkway Community’s Janice Hill, were welcomed to Banana Block - an innovative museum and events space in East Belfast - with an open bar brimming with local concoctions from such places as Boundary Brewery. The audience were wonderfully warmed up by rising talent, Sasha Samara. Already
Michelle Bryans, Eastside Festival Director Rachel Kennedy and Karly Greene.
Sasha Samara.
every inch an indie pop star, Samara’s distinct voice and eclectic and honest songs filled Banana Block with a joyful energy that had everyone on their feet. With the atmosphere already buzzing, the main act took to the stage. With four decades in the music industry under their belts, the Hothouse Flowers know how to work the crowd. This traditional band which is bursting with soul first came to prominence with the release of their debut album, ‘People’, thirty years ago. As well as building a legion of fans, ‘People’ remains one of the most successful debut album releases in Ireland to date. With hits like ‘I Can See Clearly Now’, and ‘Love Don’t Work This Way’, charismatic
frontman Liam Ó Maonlaí and the rest of Hothouse Flowers were absolutely electric. Whilst mesmerising from start to finish, the set came to a phenomenal close with the climatic ‘Don’t Go’ which had the audience singing at the top of their lungs. This was my first time having the opportunity to see the Hothouse Flowers live, and it was an emotive experience that I will not forget. Hats off to EastSide Arts Festival who definitely know how to throw an epic birthday party. The Hothouse Flowers at EastSide Arts Festival took place on 4 August.
“This was my first time having the opportunity to see the Hothouse Flowers live, and it was an emotive experience that I will not forget.” 166
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