Shawbrook presents
Hothouse Flowers
Join us at Shawbrook Forest Stage for a very intimate fusion of music and dance that is Hothouse Flowers and our dance artists Vivian Luk, Nathan Bartman, Ciara Baldwin, Christopher Radford & Sara MacQueen!
June 15th @7.30pm
Hothouse Flowers in collaboration with five acclaimed international dancers come together for the first time in the unique setting of Shawbrook, Co.Longford for two weeks. Here they will immerse themselves in the environment of magical creativity, culminating into a unique, rare one off showcase on Saturday 15th June 7.30pm at Shawbrook Forest Stage.
Hothouse Flowers
Something amazing happens when Hothouse Flowers step onto the stage – something that has been shaped by almost forty years of singing and playing all over the world, yet no two shows have ever been the same! There is a sense of musical adventure, an impulse to reach new heights and depths in music where the unspoken aim is that the band and the audience become one and the world becomes a different place for a while.
There is an unpredictable energy in the band that harkens back to the “Risk” days. They call upon their grand repertoire to create a show that is unique to the time and place. Improvisation can come at any point and allow the men express their brightest and their darkest influences. “Rock and Roll is not about safety or politeness, it is not about perfection either. It is expression and it is spirit.” Humour is also never far from a Hothouse Flowers night. They do not take themselves seriously however there is no mistaking the musical integrity among them as they open up to each other in musical dialogue.
Meet the Dance Artists
Christopher Radford
Ciara Baldwin
Vivian Luk
Sara Macqueen
Nathan Bartman
Nathan Bartman - Nathan was born in Eersterivier, Cape Town, South Africa. He started dancing Hip Hop at the late age of 17 but it was his ticket to move forward in his life. He studied for three years at the cape academy of performing arts after which he traveled to the UK to work with many different renowned Companies and Choreographers. He and his partner Ciara Baldwin started their dance Company called MANACAN in 2017 and they have been touring and choreographing all over the world ever since. Their company has won the Next@Martha Graham Choreographic award in 2019, and the Woordfees best performance award in South Africa 2022.
Ciara Baldwin - Ciara, was brought up in Cape Town, South Africa. Her dance journey started at the young age of 6 with Irish Dancing. Ciara studied at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts and afterwards travelled to the UK and worked with different companies and choreographers throughout her dance career. In 2017 Ciara and her partner, Nathan Bartman started their dance Company MANACAN. Since then they have been touring and choreographing all over the world. Their company won the Next@Martha Graham Choreographic award in 2019, and the Woordfees best performance award in South Africa 2022.
Christopher Radford - originally from Birmingham, is an Afro-fusion specialist with a passion for performing and youth development. He is a director and collaborator of Linden Dance Company. An innovative professional dance company based in Birmingham, creating passionate and exciting new works. The company champions positivity, individuality and free expression and blends positive physical and mental wellbeing training throughout all areas of its work.
Sara Macqueen - originally from Wiltshire, is a Contemporary dancer who loves challenging athleticism and spreading mental wellness through dance. She is a director and collaborator of Linden Dance Company. An innovative professional dance company based in Birmingham, creating passionate and exciting new works. The company champions positivity, individuality and free expression and blends positive physical and mental wellbeing training throughout all areas of its work.
Wai Shan Vivian Luk - Vivian graduated from Honk Kong Academy for Performing Arts, majoring in Contemporary Dance. She worked with various independent artists , and as dance tutor and choreographer in Hong Kong. She is currently dancing for Gecko.
Music & Dance 2023
A little peak into our Music & Dance residency through the eyes of videograher Fiona MacGinty!!
Musicians: KILA - Rossa Ó Snodaigh, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Colm Ó Snodaigh, Dee Armstrong, Brian Hogan, Seanán Brennan, Dave Hingerty & James Mahon
Dance Artists: Vanessa Guevara, Nate D Bartman, Ciara Baldwin, Rosie Stebbing, Vivian Luk
Supported by Irish Arts Council & Creative Ireland Longford