The Pearl Company

Tia McGraff: Saturday, April 24 at 8:00. $20 at the door. With a special guest appearance from Six Nations Musicians, Sakoieta Wildrick and Tewentahawiht Dawn Antone.
Writing and recording since the age of 19, Tia McGraff’s uplifting, heart-warming songs have been garnering her strong fan acclaim from the start. The Port Dover native headed to Nashville, where she and Tommy Parham quickly became a musical force to be reckoned with. Writing, performing and producing, they have captured the attention and respect of artists, producers and industry insiders.
“Tia McGraff is a fantastic singer with her own vocal personality which reminds me of an early Linda Ronstadt. She is a very intuitive songwriter who knows what a song needs to make it tick. A joy to work with.” – Randy Bachman
” I have seldom run into someone with a gift that needs to be heard as much as Tia. She colors outside the lines, and stands outside of the circle of tuned perfection. Tia McGraff is real and is really needed in today’s marketplace of music.” – Devon O’Day   www.TiaMcGraff.com

Cinema Insieme presents Open City [Roma, Citta Aperta] dir. Roberto Rossellini (1945)  Monday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m.- WWII during the 9 month Nazi occupation of Rome in 1943 – The Fascist dictatorship has begun its fall, although many sympathizers still remain. The Nazis have occupied several Italian cities and areas. The Italian Resistance movement is carrying out a clandestine battle against the Nazis, as they did against the Fascist dictatorship. Based on real life events, this landmark film focuses on the hardships and struggles of ordinary people and their fight for freedom. Rome, Open City, considered the mother of the Neo-realist film movement, ushered in a new film style that influenced audiences and directors throughout the world.

Four Films Celebrating Black History: Wednesday, February 24. 7:00pm. $10 at the door. Michael Williams (Radio / TV Personality) will be hosting a unique show of film and music. 1) 24 ONE MINUTE MOVIES ON “OUTSTANDING CANADIANS” 2) “THE OBAMA EFFECT ON BLACK CANADA” 3) “STILL BILL” A DOCUMENTARY about Bill Withers, the unexpected superstar. The songs “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Lean on Me”, “Lovely Day” and “Just the Two of Us”, are only part of the life of a complex and fascinating character, an icon who left the industry behind but never gave up his soul. Featuring a tribute concert, a soundtrack with previously unreleased tracks, and a rare live performance. http://stillbillthemovie.com/ 4) SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music – the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Harry Belafonte and Julian Bond. The freedom songs evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church. The music enabled blacks to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. Produced by Danny Glover.

Italian Film Night: Monday, January 25, 7:00 p.m. $10 at the door. Cinema Insieme presents “THE LAST KISS” “L’ultimo bacio” directed by Gabriele Muccino. Film is in Italian with English subtitles. The Last Kiss (2001) focuses on relationships in today’s society, from the 29 year-olds who fear commitment and responsibility, to the 50 year-olds who fear aging. With its multiple storylines and some amazing performances, the film creates a vivid and colourful fresco of modern Italian life.

“Discover what can happen when we have courage to do, and lead by example.”

Hamilton Arts & Heritage from Elizabeth Konca on Vimeo.

The video Hamilton Arts and Heritage by Elizabeth Kronca was prepared for the Hamilton Economic Summit, facilitated by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Jobs Prosperity Collaborative and the City of Hamilton. (more…)

Part of Opus Mundi Festival, the Pearl Company’s annual Multi-Disciplinary Artistic Convergence, with events through May, with performers from many cultures in both the gallery and the theatre.  May 8: A screening of two films about life in Guatemala and Nicaragua. Sponsored by the Guatemalan Working Group of OPIRG McMaster, Companer@s North South, and The Pearl Company.
OFF THE RADAR: A documentary by Terry Asma
RECYCLED LIFE: A documentary by Leslie Iwerks
7:30 pm at The Pearl Company, 16 Steven Street @ King William. Free and all welcome. Music by classical/flamenco guitarist Gary Santucci. For more information: opirg@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 ext. 27289  Recycled-life-and-Off-the-radar pdf poster   (more…)

The Hamilton Eco Film and Arts Festival kicks off with a screening of “Manufactured Landscapes”, a film by  Jennifer Baichwal, with photographer Edward Burtynsky, who travels the world observing changes in landscapes due to industrial work and manufacturing. Kim and Frank Koren will provide the music for the evening. Doors open at 6:30, screening at 7:30, music at 9:15; admission $15.00. At The Pearl Company, 16 Steven Street, Hamilton

Net proceeds from the festival will establish a fund through Arts Hamilton that will assist local film makers and artists in creating environmentally inspired works.

Highlights from the 2008-2009 season of Artword @ The Pearl
the new performance space at The Pearl Company, 16 Steven Street, Hamilton

Cabaret and Concert Nights, programed by Artword and The Pearl Company:
Fridays – The Pearl Coffee House at 8:30 pm (a feature and guest artists, ranging from acoustic musicians to dancers, poets, spoken word artists),
Saturdays – Concert Night and Special Events at 8:30 pm (new and established musicians, ranging from folk, world, and country to jazz and classical)
Sunday once a month – Film Night, Host’s Choice, at 7 pm, films chosen and introduced by each night’s host. beginning November 2.

Artword Theatre productions of original theatre:

Highlights include:
You Are What You Do, Artword’s musical play about real people and their jobs, written and directed by Ronald Weihs, October 16 to 26, 2008 
Rascals and Numskulls: The Robert Land Project, a family show based on the thrilling adventures of Robert Land, Hamilton’s first settler (and Landsdale neighbourhood’s namesake), a secret agent for the British during the American Revolution, and close ally of the famous Mohawk leader Joseph Brant. Music direction by Gary Santucci, for early December 2008
Sunamabeach, a new play by Charly Chiarelli about Hamilton, for March 2009. (Artword Theatre developed Charly’s two previous hits Cu’Fu? and Mangiacake, directed by Ronald Weihs.)
Tobacco Troubadour, a new work with songs by Hamilton songwriter and musician J.P. Riemens and script by Ronald Weihs, about growing up as a musician in tobacco country, for April 2009. (more…)

Opus Mundi Festival opens with two events commemorating: Guatemala: Never Again

Thursday April 24th at 7 pm: an evening of Guatemalan films: When Mountains Tremble and A Haunted Land.

Saturday, April 26 at 7 pm: a commemoration of the memory and work of Guatemalan Bishop Gerardi & the official presentation of the REMHI report, Guatemala: Never Again, candle light vigil and readings.
Saturday, April 26 at 8:30 pm: concert by Guatemalan guitarist, Pedro Montejo
[Photo by: Daniel Hernandes. “So that all will know / Para que todos lo sepan” Cover of “Guatemala: Never Again”]

FREE! Donations accepted, Refreshments available. (more…)

A banquet with award-winning Mohawk filmmaker Shelley Niro will be held March 9 at The Pearl as part of The 2008 John Douglas Taylor Conference held at McMaster University, Displacements: Borders, Mobility, and Statelessness.

Dinner begins at 7:15, catered by Basilique. The evening includes a live interview with Shelley Niro and the screening of her film “Suite: Indian.” The cost for the evening is $20 a person. In order to reserve a place, please email tayconf@mcmaster.ca with “Banquet” in the subject line.

More information about the conference can be found at www.displacements.ca. Anyone who is interested is also welcome to register for the full conference which starts Thursday, March 6 at the university.