The Pearl Company

Shari Vandermolen & David Brideau: Saturday May 5.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Shari Vandermolen is a renowned vocalist and award-winning performer in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area who has been entertaining audiences for 15 years with her Quartet, Trio or 5-piece band Quarter to Nine.  She is also the lead vocalist for the 10-piece jazz combo SwingLine.  On May 5th Shari brings her powerful and impressive vocal stylings back to the Pearl Company for a more intimate evening of song with jazz guitarist David Brideau, James Gannett on bass and Vince Waters on drums.  “…hear Vandermolen make jelly of your emotions with her voice and her art… one example is Stormy Weather… I barely weathered that storm intact.”  – View Magazine
David Brideau is a Canadian jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher who has been an active musician for over 15 years. A Hamilton native, and honours graduate from the Mohawk Jazz program, David has played all around the GTA with his own group, the David Brideau Trio and Quartet, as well as being prominently featured in groups with Michael Morobito, Amber-Leigh Palka, and Lauren Perreira among others. He studied under jazz greats Bob Shields, Pat Collins, Kim Ratcliffe, and Mark Ucci and is currently continuing his studies at McMaster University. David often composes his own standards, and released the sold-out EP “Addicted To You” in 2016. He is a recipient of the Dave McMurdo Music Bursary, the Antony Roberts Music Bursary, and the Richard Newell Memorial Scholarship.
Ticets: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/21098/

HELD OVER! Shelley Marshall Presents: The Award Winning Production “Hold Mommy’s Cigarette”: April 18 & 19. All One Woman’s story of an unfiltered life, written and performed by Shelley Marshall, directed by Linda Kash. It seems appropriate that world renowned Comedienne, Marshall would open her autobiographical One Woman Show in the city where the story and star were born. It took 10 years for Marshall to create this Play and it is the rewarding result of resilience, recovery, and reflection while exploring many genres of performance including elements of clown, stand up, improv, buffoon, and play. Shelley Marshall takes her audience many places; “I take them on an adventure, both emotionally and visually. There is no denying that my story is tragic, but it’s my story and time and writing without shame has been my comedic relief. ‘Hold Mommy’s Cigarette’ is not an exploitation of what has happened in my life, but rather, an acceptance of where it may lead. It is a dark comedy, a vulnerable piece about life, mental illness and survival.” Marshall reveals with a smile. She invites you to come to her show with an open mind and promises you’ll leave with a full heart. *Mature Content* http://www.holdmommyscigarette.com Tickets available at http://www.thepearlcompany.ca or 524-0606. Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1451939231706392/

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CHECK THE REVIEW FOR DEATH AND THE MAIDEN:
http://fringefestivalcommunityreviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/death-and-the-maiden/

Death and the Maiden: Written by Laurence Olivier Prize Winning playwright Ariel Dorfman. This is the fourth production that Nortesur has developed for the stage; chosen because it speaks passionately about current international events, it asks tough questions about forgiveness and the role of victims and perpetrators in transitory societies, and it is a local opportunity to see a truly amazing piece of theatre written by one of Latin America’s best contemporary playwrights.  It is raw, provocative, and driven by a cast of characters that are all-too-human. Performed, and designed by emerging professional artists from across the golden horseshoe and the GTA, it is an entertaining, insightful, and extraordinarily powerful piece that delivers an evening of truly engaging theatre.  Thurs.July 18@ 8:00pm, Fri.19@8:00pm, Sat.20@7:00pm, Tues.23@8:00pm, Wed.24@7:00pm, Thurs.25@8:00pm,  Fri.26@7:00pm, Sat.27@8:00pm

AND HERE’S  RIDERGIRL’S REVIEW :
http://fringefestivalcommunityreviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/ridergirl-second-review/

RiderGirl: Written and performed by Ottawa based actor and Saskatchewan native Colleen Sutton. Professional sports and
independent theatre meet head on in Tiger Town! This is the story of a young woman whose prairie roots and home team inspire her to get off the sidelines and get in the game of her life.  With the end zone in sight, she fights for every down, but fumbles when she tries to go it alone.  Her team is about to make it – can she do the same?  Come in your colours, GAME TIME is here!  Two?time Rideau award nominee Colleen Sutton will energize your inner fan!  “ **** ½ “The only reason I’ve withheld that last half?star is because I cannot in good conscience give 5 stars to a Rider fan. Other than that, the show was superb.” CBC Manitoba.   Note: Fri. 19 – 2 for 1.  Friday, July 19, 6:30; Saturday,  20, 9:00; Sunday,  21, 2:00; Tuesday,  6:30; Wednesday, 24, 9:00; Thursday,  25, 6:30; Friday,  26, 9:00; Saturday, 27, 2:00

Times, dates, and tickets are  on the Fringe website – www.hamiltonfringe.ca 

The Art Bus is Sponsored by Judy Marsales Real Estate Brokerage:

Last Art Bus for the Summer! Check out Hamilton’s unique and constantly evolving art scene! Call Barbara (905.524.0606) or email (info@thepearlcompany.ca) to reserve your seat. Next dates: Sept 6 & 20. Cost: $15/$10 students/artists. Group rates available.  Start: 6:30 from The Pearl.

• July 5: (L’Arche Gallery, Workers Arts & Heritage, Nathaniel Hughson, Book Club Gallery, Manta Gallery) This will be another varied and interesting trip with specially-opened galleries, and tours of places you have never been before!

FOR THE LOVE O’ NAT – CHRONICLING THE LIFE, TIMES & MUSIC OF NAT KING COLE: Dean Hollin presents another of his popular “Musical Biographies”.  Saturday, May 28th,  8 pm.  $18 advance / $22 door.  An evening of memories and melodies, all tied together by one man — that tremendous crooner of the twentieth century, Nat King Cole. The songs: “A Blossom Fell”, “Route 66, “Mona Lisa”, “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, “Paper Moon”, “When I Fall In Love” and, the timeless “Stardust”! In direct keeping with the instrumentation of the original Nat King Cole Trio piano, rhythm guitar, and upright bass — Dean will be accompanied by a live jazz trio.  http://www.deanhollin.com

Miss Emily Brown: Tuesday, April 13.  Doors at 7:30, Concert 8:00. $10.  Emily opened for one of our shows a few months ago.  We had no idea what to expect but she totally charmed us with her presence, her voice, and her music. Check out these quotes: “Miss Emily Brown has managed the difficult task of marrying history and plain old-fashioned storytelling into a compelling and delicately assembled package of distinctive folk-pop ear candies.  In Technicolor (her new cd)is a genuinely impressive achievement.” – Amanda Putz, CBC Radio. “Awash with simple phrases and a gorgeous tapestry of music, her arraignments are usually superficially simple with undertones of something much deeper. It is as if she touches on a deep-rooted nerve that most of us did not know we had”. North by East West.  www.myspace.com/missemilybrown

Jenny Whiteley: Saturday, April 10. Doors open 7:30, Concert at 8:00 $15. Those who have heard Jenny sing as she’s crisscrossed the country over the past dozen or so years know that an evening spent listening to her songs is like a long delayed meeting with an old dear friend. Laughter and sorrow are shared, barriers dissolve, and life’s burdens suddenly don’t seem so heavy anymore. A new CD from Jenny Whiteley is always something to celebrate, but for her growing number of fans the release of ‘Forgive and Forget’ will prove more than worth the wait, featuring ten original new songs that sound not so much written as torn from the cloth of hard won experience.  Whiteley’s integrity and commitment emanate from every syllable she sings as she shares her tales of life on the road less traveled. Her voice has taken on a deeper resonance than ever before as she takes her time to share what may be the best collection of songs she’s ever offered. And in 2000 Jenny won the Juno roots album of the year award! www.jennywhiteley.com

The Marigolds: Friday, April 9. Doors open 8:00, Concert at 8:30, $18 advance / $20 door. The Marigolds are three great solo artists who share a love of good songs, beautiful harmonies and great grooves. Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick (both of Quartette) and Suzie Vinnick (of Betty & the Bobs, Suzie and Rick Fines) are as impressive as their combined years in the business. Each member of The Marigolds has performed in concert from coast to coast, at folk festivals, on radio and television. A gold mine of talent oozing with sticky-sweet harmonies, they deliver heart-warming songs that are enough to brighten anyone’s day. www.myspace.com/marigoldsmusic

April 2: We will start with the Lincoln Alexander Centre, then to the Anastasia Gallery, and then head out to the beautiful Sunrise Gallery on the Beach Strip, finishing up with Gallery 435. I will throw in an extra or two; stay tuned.

April 9: This second Friday we will be catching the action on both Ottawa Street (Earls Court Gallery and Under the Moon) and the James North Crawl, finishing up with the Tiger Group Studio Gallery.

Starting at 6:30 from The Pearl Company at 16 Steven Street and King William.
Please reserve a spot beforehand via email or phone, and purchase your trip ($15.00) when you arrive.
Finishing up at The Pearl for an après-tour wind-down which includes a tour of the building often with music from Gary Santucci or whatever event is happening on the theatre floor.

The Budos Band: Friday, April 2nd, Doors open 9pm. Showtime: 10pm.  Advance Tickets: $25 available at Dr. Disc in Hamilton. http://www.drdisc.ca With it’s twenty-two legs, three horns, and hallucinogenic venom, The Budos Band, the un-heralded emperors of Instrumental Staten Island Afro-Soul, continue to rule. The band commands their listeners to follow them on their second journey into the depths of their vision. While their debut album was itself heralded as a groundbreaking exploration of funk, afro-beat and soul music, few could predict that their second effort would not only match but surpass the realm of mind-expansion embodied on their first sessions. Through ten exciting new instrumentals recorded live at Daptone’s House of Soul in Bushwick, Brookyln, The Budos Band pours themes at once resonant and ethereal over Herculean rhythms. www.thebudos.com

Maggie Szabo: Thursday, April 1 at 8:00 PM. $10 at the door. Maggie is a gifted young pop artist hailing from Dundas.  Now living in Nashville, where she is already garnering critical acclaim, Maggie is excited to be coming home for her first Canadian appearance to promote her new EP.  Maggie has been working with Tanya Leah, an established songwriter / producer in Nashville who hired some of Nashville’s top studio and live musicians to record Maggie’s songs (also written with other top writers in the business).  The music that resulted from those sessions crosses the boundaries between pop and neo-soul, and creates a new sound all its own.  Maggie’s songs are deeply musical, intelligent and catchy.  Her voice is simply a force of nature; it is young and fresh, but still evokes the smoke and grit of someone who has lived long and hard. www.myspace.com/maggieszabo

Jazz Connection Big Band: Friday, March 26.  Doors at 7:30, jazz at 8:00 $15 at the door: 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 are gaining a bigger audience every time they play here and have put together a spectacular new program.  Carrying us once again into the cool space of surround sound big band music! http://www.jazzconnection.ca

Tom Savage Duo: Thursday, March 25: 7:30pm. $10 at the door.  This Kingston, Ontario songwriter, has quietly become one of the more productive songwriters in Canada. With the release of his third album in four years, Savage continues to think outside-the-box.  He powers his way through a selection of bluegrass inflected foot-stompers, melancholy ballads, and traditional-style country twangers. The new release, The County Line, is a continuation of the defiant, individualistic road-weary music that he made with his last album,. With this release, Savage replicates the live bar-room feel that lends itself well to his music, which is somewhere between Bruce Springsteen and Guitar Town-era Steve Earle. Tom is currently on tour to promote this new album.   www.tomsavage.ca

Fields of Gold:  Callie Archer: The Pearl Gallery at the Lincoln Alexander Centre.  Opening Thursday, March 18. 5:30 to 9:00pm. No charge.  Callie travels the world for adventure and inspiration. Painting with watercolour and acrylic, Archer says she is attracted to landscape because it is magic. A colourist with a loosely representational style, she is particularly sensitive to the shapes and textures of mountains and bodies of water, capturing the light, the calm and the ambiance.

The Lincoln Alexander Centre at 150 King St E., between Catherine and Mary Streets,  is the former Odeon Hyland, beautifully renovated and attached to the Crowne Plaza.  While visiting the gallery, you are also offered a tour of the Centre.

“The Storyteller’s Tale”: Saturday March 20. 7:30 pm. $15 at the door. Freefall Writing Workshops (www.freefallwriting.com) and The Pearl Company present British storyteller Geoff Mead with Canadian musician Jaron Freeman-Fox (violinist and Indian music aficionado) one week prior to their featured performance at the Toronto Storytelling Festival.  Join us to celebrate World Storytelling Day with this never-to-be-forgotten evening of enchantment. The Storyteller’s Tale is a stirring tale of banditry, betrayal, unlikely friendship, storytelling and dangerous love set in 18th century India. A storyteller and the beautiful young wife of a cruel and powerful warlord exchange stories as they meet, fall in love and part.  Based on the novella The Storyteller’s Tale by Omair Ahmad.  This 2-hour performance marks the story’s Canadian Premiere.  All proceeds donated to Indian charities, by arrangement with the author.   Celebrated in the UK as a master storyteller, Geoff Mead performs traditional stories, runs story-based workshops and teaches storytelling in the UK, Spain, Canada and Japan.  Reserve your seat.  Reception to follow.