The Pearl Company

Ruth Moody: Friday, November 26. 8:00pm. Tickets $15, $10 students / artists.  Few singers lay it all out with the seductive grace of Ruth Moody, the Australian-born, Winnipeg-raised member of the Wailin’ Jennys, one of the most sought-after bands on the Canadian Folk scene. We are honoured to have Ruth here at The Pearl.  Her first, full-length solo album contains a dozen gorgeous musical excursions with strong, insightful songwriting,. Each pays some sort of homage to traditional country, with a discreet banjo lick here, some mandola or fiddle there, but these are highly personal, gently rendered ballads that transcend any one style. The discreet modulations in Moody’s silken vocals are seductive enough, but she also plays many of her own instruments, including guitar, piano and accordion.  Ruth Moody is one of the significant forces on the Canadian roots landscape. www.ruthmoody.com

“Performances in tribute to the memory of Kerry Schooley” Wednesday November 24. 7:30-10:30pm. Remembering the remarkable man who was so important to the writing and arts community in Hamilton. A tribute concert of various people performing (musical, written, etc.) tributes to Kerry, things he would have liked, some of his work.  Put together by Chris Pannell, Bob Megans and Gary Barwin. Contact: himself@garybarwin.com or 905-525-7545 for more information.

Social Planning and Research Council: Feasting for the United Way: Thursday, November 25, 7:00 – 10:00. Tickets: Regular $40, Student/Senior/Underemployed $30. Featuring ‘Mean Old Hammer’, 4 well-known and well-respected Hamilton Musicians – Linda Duemo, Carrie Ashworth, Gord Lewis, Jack Pedlar. “Punk and roots influences find the middle ground of rockabilly creating a unique new take on music in the Hammer.”  Food and Drink, Silent Auction, Fun and Entertainment, Door Prizes! For more information, 905 522-1148 X 308 or cwalters@sprc.hamilton.on.ca

Alexa Woodward & Annie Crane: Sunday, November 21. 8:00. Tickets $15, $10 students / artists. Two of New York City’s most revered singer/songwriters, Alexa and Annie, are touring Eastern Canada this November. Annie, who entices with her Urban Americana, and Alexa, who captures the imagination with her banjo storytelling, are touring together again after returning from their highly successful spring European tour. Both are promoting critically acclaimed albums: “Speck” (Woodward) and “Through the Farmlands and the Cities” (Crane). (more…)

Oscar Wilde’s Salome: “How Beautiful Is The Princess Salome Tonight….”
TICKETS: $15.00 cash at the door.
SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, Nov. 11 – Saturday, Nov. 13, 8:00pm
Sunday, November 14, 3:00pm
Friday, Nov. 19 – Saturday, Nov. 20, 8:00pm
Sunday, November 21, 3:00pm

A “Physical Theatre” adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s Salome. A Shvydkyy / Santucci production.  Reservations can be made by calling The Pearl at 905-524-0606.

A madly inventive presentation of Wilde’s 1891 play subtitled, “How Beautiful is the Princess Salome Tonight” by Ballet Master and Choreographer, Sergiy Shvydkyy. Shvydkyy, an internationally renowned avant-garde dancer, actor, choreographer and leading figure in contemporary performance arts in the Ukraine brings his unique choreographic vision, to The Pearl Company. He does this with a fresh imagining of the famous story of Salome unique in both its dance style and its interpretation of the story.    CAST ALSO INCLUDES LOCAL ACTORS;  John Wilbur, Tara Smith, and Marianne Kelly.

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Dean Hollin: MERCER 101: Thursday, November 18; 8:00pm. Tickets $15 advance or $20 at the door. $15 students / artists. Although the great Johnny Mercer’s impressive body of work includes songs crediting him for both “Words and Music”, his greatest achievements clearly came as lyricist, collaborating with some of the most regarded composers of a generation including Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, and Henry Mancini. Mercer, 101 journeys through a lifetime a brilliant songwriting including hits like: Too Marvelous for Words, One For My Baby, Come Rain or Come Shine, Autumn Leaves, Days of Wine and Roses, and Moon River to literally name just a few. In addition to the songs (and the stories behind them) this newest of Dean Hollin’s live “Musical Biographies” explores Mercer’s lifetime with wife, Ginger, his obsession with Judy Garland, his success as a personality and singer, and more — and with November 2010 marking the 101st anniversary of Johnny’s birth, Mercer, 101 becomes a rather timely musical affair!

EXCHANGE: Learning Together. Tuesday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. No charge. The Meeting House, in partnership with the Mennonite Central Committee, will bring five extraordinary individuals from Africa to Ontario. Friends from Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa will experience our community (and Canada) through a series of tours and events. They’re coming to The Pearl!

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear their personal stories of challenge, perseverance and hope. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion. For more information visit the Africa blog africa.themeetinghouse.ca or email Natalie Ott at natalie.ott@themeetinghouse.ca

Dean Hollin: WHOLE LOT O’ HOAGY: Friday, November 5 at 9:00 pm. $20 at the door. $15 students/artists.  Dean’s Hoagy gig in London this weekend fell through and he is bringing this fabulous show back to The Pearl. Hoagy Carmichael is regarded today as one of the finest, most inventive jazz composers of the twentieth century!  Responsible for an impressive string of classics including Georgia On My Mind, The Nearness of You, Lazybones, Ole Buttermilk Sky, In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Heart and Soul, Stardust, and so very many more, his is a genius deserving of celebration!  Accompanied by an eight-piece jazz orchestra led by Musical Director, Steve Thomas, entertainer Dean Hollin recalls the life, tells the stories, and performs the songs – all in a unique “Musical Biography” format.  Researching and presenting shows which pay homage to Porter, Kern, Mercer, Carmichael and the like has become something of a love-affair for Hollin – “Whole Lot o’ Hoagy” standing as his largest show to date, with its’ eight-piece band delivering a sound and style synonymous with early jazz of the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.  Don’t miss this exciting production, guaranteed to take you back to a time of musical magic and memories! http://www.myeyeproductions.ca

Dave Gunning: Saturday, October 30^th at 8 pm. Tickets $15 advance or $20 at the door. East Coast recording artist brings his warm voice and hot guitar to The Pearl Company. Call 905-524-0606 to reserve.
Gunning wowed an appreciative crowd on his last visit to Hamilton with a gig at the Studio at Hamilton Place. Since that time, Dave has continued to gather attention including three 2010 East Coast Music nominations for Songwriter Of The Year, Male Solo Recording and FACTOR Recording Of The Year for his album “We’re All Leaving”. These supplement prior East Coast Awards for 2008  and 2005.  All told, Gunning has released 8 albums.
Engaging and charismatic, Dave’s magnetic gift of captivating audiences by creating a bond through homespun humour and seasoned musicianship will be in full evidence at the Hamilton show. Dave is looking forward to his first gig in the warm confines of The Pearl Company.  http://www.davegunning.com

Carl Bernstein: Thursday, October 28 8:00 pm. $15 at the door, $10 students/artists. We are very excited to have secured Carl for a performance in Hamilton.  He has just returned to his home in New Mexico after a 6-month solo musical odyssey throughout India.   During his Hamilton performance he will present a broad selection of musical offerings including classical, original instrumental and vocal compositions, improvisations and arrangements of well know popular selections.   In recent solo performances he has noticed a profound creative influence from his India travels.   For further information on Carl and his music go to his website:  www.carlbernstein.net

Laura Smith with Ryan MacGrath: A NEW LEAF: October in Ontario: Saturday, October 23: 8:00. $15 advance, $20 at the door. Emerging musician, Ryan MacGrath, and Canadian songstress and icon, Laura Smith, team up to promote his debut full-length album, COOPER HATCH PARIS:  ‘The’ Laura Smith, a household name for many (especially with CBC listeners in the mid-90’s), inspired MacGrath with her captivating songwriting and haunting voice; MacGrath has also inspired his mentor- so much so, that she will be accompanying him on this important first celebration and tour of COOPER HATCH PARIS.

MacGrath and Smith take you on a journey through love and loss, performing both solo and with one another throughout the tour. They will be joined by their accompanists Mike Ritchie and Tony Quarrington.

MacGrath is receiving growing attention. Rising star singer songwriter Amelia Curran refers to MacGrath as a “young Roy Orbison. Perhaps, with more jazz flourishes, heavy-handed romanticism and dramatics akin to Parisian love stories.” www.ryanmacgrath.com www.laurasmith.ca

Jazz Connection Big Band: Friday, October 22.  Doors at 8:30, jazz at 9:00 $15 at the door: They’re back and are gaining a bigger audience every time they play here! Made up of talented musicians from all over southwestern Ontario, the Jazz Connection Big Band is a 20-piece band dedicated to playing great, straight-ahead jazz.  The JCBB carries us once again into the cool space of surround sound big band music! http://www.jazzconnection.ca

Allosaurus / Bruekke: Saturday, October 16, 8:00. $5 at the door. “The Allosaurus is a second-rate beast in the prehistoric animal kingdom. This Allosaurus, however, presents funky fresh beats and pop melodies blended to mix up your mind with existence and its folly. Chew hard into the music of a strange monster and down with the Tyrannus!” Bruekke describes their music as “Celtic Swamp Americana Canadiana Folk (ish)”.  Both these fresh new Hamilton bands are compelling in their approaches and we are delighted to have them debut at The Pearl.

Presenting Julia Veenstra’s “Colour Unleashed”!

At The Pearl Company Gallery.  Now on two floors! Friday, October 15, at 7:00

From One to Two Galleries and From One to Two Theatre Venues in 6 easy steps….

Come Celebrate These Newly Transformed Spaces. Opening with Julia Veenstra’s Spectacular Show! And finishing with music and dance…..

The can’t-keep-them-down owners of The Pearl don’t let anything stop them; even imminent closure. There are now two galleries (actually three if you factor in the Office Salon Gallery), and two theatre spaces at The Pearl.  We have transformed the first floor (with its super-high ceilings) into both a gallery and a theatre-in-the-round.  Because the superb acoustics on the second floor make it a perfect concert space, it will continue as such…. Ergo galleries on both floors, and, the potential of early theatre, late concert on either floor. Ah, the creativity….

What better way to celebrate this event than to have the deliciously colourful and creative, Julia Veenstra show her large works (yes, there will be small ones too…). And we plan to party. Opening at 7:00; dancing and music at 9:00 (gallery will be open throughout).  Be here!

P.S. Our first theatre piece on the former gallery floor will be an insanely inventive version of Oscar Wilde’s Salome, first two weeks of November.

Jayme Stone Quartet: Tuesday, October 12: 8:00. $20 at the door. $15 students / artists. Two-time Juno winning banjoist, Jayme Stone has a new album based on folk dances from around the world: reels, rachenitsas, morescas and sambas from Norway, Sweden, Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy, Tunisia and North America.   Influenced by Japanese poetry and Brazilian literature, his curiosity started early with the quirky physics of the banjo, and landed him long-lasting lessons with a series of maestros, from Béla Fleck to Bill Frisell. The show will feature fiddle pioneer Casey Driessen, (grammy nominee, plays with Béla Fleck) Ross Martin, guitar (plays with Matt Flinner, Darol Anger, Ron Miles), Joe Phillips, bass (principal bassist with Orchestra London, played The Pearl recently with Rita Chiarelli) http://jaymestone.com