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

The Art of Paul Richard James (Main Gallery) and Claudette Losier (Side Gallery): Opening Saturday June 5, 2pm – 5pm. No charge.

Paul Richard James is a Welsh born painter living in Hamilton.   This man has a wildly unique array of approaches. His artwork is both traditional and radical in style and content. He works mostly with oil on canvas, including representational and abstract, figurative work, portraiture, political art, installation and some environmental art.   His goal is to create images that please the eye, the soul, and the conscience.  www.paulrichardjames.com

Claudette Losier has several different bodies of work: floral, the active life, transfer art.  Her paintings lean towards capturing strong contrast between lights and darks and complimentary colours while she abandons herself to patterns in nature. This show focuses on her use of various transfer art techniques. claudettelosier.artshamilton.ca

Pearl Company Gallery hours: 1 to 4, Wednesday through Sunday; 6 to 8 Thursday and Friday evenings. (Also by chance or appointment.)

THE DRAKE EQUATION: Waiting for the Go. A play by Joe Vermeulen.  $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
When you’re alone in the universe… who do you talk to? And who talks back?

This is a powerful and deeply moving play about what could happen to you if you had nothing left…  Victoria is at the end of her life, sitting on train tracks, wanting to die. That’s where the story begins. Her mind makes a last ditch effort to fight for life, taking her on a journey into her past and into the minds of her boyfriend, who has just committed suicide, and her best friends.

This play is by youth, for youth, but the real message is for the rest of us who want to gain insight into what teenagers today struggle with; want to hear what they’re dying to tell us. It is also a moving, intimate story about love; how someone can love another enough to die for them. How it’s possible to love another so much that we can’t let them go, how we deal with the loss, what it means for life?

8 PERFORMANCES ONLY
Thur, Fri, Sat: May 27-29 at 8pm
Matinee: Sun May 30 at 2:30 pm
Thur, Fri, Sat: June 3-5 at 8 pm
Matinee: Sun June 6th at 2:30 pm
Call 905 524 0606 for reservations

Jazz Connection Big Band: Friday, May 21.  Doors at 8:30, jazz at 9:00 $15 at the door:  They’re back!  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

The Acoustics with special guest Steve Bick in concert at The Pearl Company: Thursday, May 20, 8:00. $15 at the door. The Acoustics are a happening local band. They are an instrumental world/roots musical ensemble and for the past ten years, they have been cultivating their own unique world/roots music for local fans and venues. Their CD Forever and a Day came in 2nd place for World Album of the year at the 2009, JPF Music Awards, in Nashville TN. They had two major category Nomination for the 2009 Hamilton Music Awards. Folk/Traditional Recording of the year and Instrumental Recording of the year – The Acoustics – ‘Forever and a Day’. Hamilton homegrown Steve Bick, writes and performs music with his friends around the world. Join us to hear Steve’s original music.  The songs have a road-weary, bass heavy backbeat. His 7 song EP has more hooks than Velcro, and you’ll be humming Steve’s melodies non-stop after listening. That’s why The Acoustics invited Steve to perform with them.

Wednesday Night Showcase: May 19., 8:00pm, $15 at the door. The Wednesday Night Showcase is a venue for talented singer songwriters in Hamilton and surrounding areas. Hamilton is a hotbed of talent that has a hard time highlighting their works; The Pearl Company is happy to provide the opportunity to turn up the volume and let these artists show what they can do. We are hoping to help develop new talent and to have more established musicians work with them while displaying their own talents. Some of the showcased artists will be headlined at the Pearl Company in a future date. Whether you are jazz, rock, folk, blues or whatever, contact John Crawford or Mike Dufour through the Pearl Company and they will see about getting you on a show.   The showcase will start as a once-a-month feature.  This  Showcase will feature: Gordon Odegaard, Sherry Dunn and Johnny Kerr, Kilian Bamberg and Ted Gibbons,  and John Crawford.

Ethan Collister and The Elastic Band: Tuesday, May 18, 8:oopm. $15 at the door.  Singer songwriter Ethan Collister is a direct, honest and outspoken lyricist as well as an accomplished guitar player winning over audiences across North America with his charismatic performances. His music has been featured on CBC Radio One and has won favor with campus and community stations across Canada. He has toured Canada twice and performed at an impressive array of venues. Meg Iredale from Hamilton will also be performing with a small ensemble.

Ethan’s third full-length album “Wishing Well”  is self produced and features a collection of songs written over the past two years. The songs are reflective of his eclectic experiences and showcase Collister’s undeniable talent as a songwriter. Ethan Collister is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is currently touring across Canada in support of his new album.

Fred Magie CD Release: Saturday, May 15, 8:00 pm, $10 advance $12 at the door – children free. Dundas songwriter Fred Magie will be celebrating the release of his new album entitled “Window To The World” with this performance.  Joining Fred on stage will be Lisa Winn (backing vocals), Andrew Aldridge (guitar), and Tone Valcic (drums) all of whom also played on the recording.  Fred’s musical influences range from Sarah Harmer to Steve Earle and he has truly found his voice in this new CD.  He actually recorded it twice, once with layers of electric guitars which he rejected as just not “him”, the second time he stayed with a mainly acoustic sound which proved to be the “real” Fred.

Lyrically, “Window To The World” explores loss, coping with change and finding hope to overcome challenges.  Fred has been writing and performing his songs for ten years.  A previous release entitled “Vote For Orb” was under the band name, Molten Blue.

To order tickets, email Fred at info@fredmagie.com or call  905 977 7082   http://www.fredmagie.com

Discover your Clown: with Workshop Leader, Helen Donnelly: Sat. May 15, 10:30 – 6:00. Ever been curious about clown training? What does a clown workshop involve? Find out more about this amazing personalized art form. This intro workshop explores the approach of theatrical clowning and makes use of the world’s smallest mask – the clown nose. Warning: highly addictive!  Helen is an actor, instructor and theatrical, therapeutic and circus clown. She performed with Cirque to Soleil before founding her own theatrical clown company, Foo Productions. She has been teaching clown and movement workshops in the US and Canada for over 8 years at high schools, colleges and art institutions.

Workshop fee $95. Reservations required.
*Wear comfortable, flexible clothing and running shoes or equivalent.
*Bring water, and a notebook if you wish
To reserve your spot, contact: The Pearl Company 905-524-0606

The Jessica Stuart Few: Friday, May 14. 8:00, $15.  Opening Set: Samarkand and the Silk Road Suite – Gary Santucci with a ” Pearl of a Quartet”  (Oud, Violin, Double Bass, Drum Kit)
Toronto’s ‘Jessica Stuart Few’ embodies the essence of pop and jazz, creating a dynamic sound, and merging outstanding creativity with traditional roots to produce a unique and distinct sound that folk, blues, jazz and world music lovers can all relate. The band has just released a new album, Kid Dream (Do Right Music).  Jessica is a uniquely gifted guitarist equally adept on koto (a 13-string traditional Japanese floor harp) and she has hit her groove. While the surging rhythms are clearly rooted in the improvisational give-and-take of modern jazz and progressive folk, suffice it to say, you’ve never heard anything quite like The Jessica Stuart Few.

With their innovative and catchy songs, the band consists of Jessica (vocals, guitar, koto), Dan Fortin (bass) and Nico Dann (drums), bringing their signature blend to life with a creative, alluring and soulful sound.  The underlying theme in all of Stuart’s uplifting music on Kid Dream is that it’s important to make the most of every moment.

“The Jessica Stuart Few…full of catchy hooks, hip grooves, and up front soulful vocals.”  Shawn Hebb, Indie Round-up  http://www.myspace.com/jessicastuartfew

The Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada: In The Pearl Company Gallery. This is the first fine art exhibition in Hamilton for this vibrant group. Paintings, sculptures, photography, woodcarvings and enamels.  The show will be on display from Friday April 30 to Tuesday June 1, 2010.
The association consists of a group of artists who have joined together to promote their work, interest and participation in contemporary visual arts, to encourage each other and to hold exhibitions in Canada and abroad. Their members include painters, sculptors and photographers who work in various media.  They believe that art builds bridges between people, generations, and nationalities; it serves as a common denominator among economic groups. Art opens people’s minds to new possibilities, provides a foundation for shared experience.

Pearl Company Gallery hours: 1 to 4, Wednesday through Sunday; 6 to 8 Thursday and Friday evenings. (Also by chance or appointment.)