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/

(more…)

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

CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS!!!Tia McGraff: Friday, December 17 at 8:00. $12 / $10 artists/students at the door. Writing and recording since the age of 19, Tia McGraff’s uplifting, heart-warming songs have been garnering her strong fan acclaim from her strong beginnings. 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 (more…)

Rant Maggie Rant: Frost and Fire; A Seasonal Celtic Celebration: Saturday, December 11. Concert at 800pm. $20 advance/$22 at the door. This brilliant band combines traditional elements with a contemporary approach to deliver an exotic blend of new and old; that’s what Celtic music is built on, this exciting evolution of the genre. Don’t miss “Rant Maggie Rant” as they prepare you for the coming cold winter with a hot show you won’t soon forget!  Traditional tunes played straight up or yielding to the influences of world rhythms; reels with a touch of Appalachian Swing, jigs driven by Latin hand percussion, slow ballads as they’ve been played for centuries; they will take you on a journey charted through the past, to new compositions of the present, passing by the shores of the seven Celtic nations on their way.
“Rant Maggie Rant exudes a style and brand of Celtic Entertainment that is both new and old. Their showmanship, and delivery combined with their diversity of traditional sound coupled with upbeat and unexpected blends, makes them a welcome addition to any musical line up….”  Maggie Durocher.    www.myspace.com/rantmaggierant Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketscene.ca or call The Pearl: 905 524-0606

The Good Lovelies: Wednesday, December 8. 8:00pm. $22 advance/$24 at the door. . We are delighted to present this group again as they reprise their Christmas CD! Sharp, sassy, funny and building a following across Canada, the Good Lovelies are not your run-of-the-mill “all girl” band. At a time when too many of us are affected by gloom, doom and advancing recession these three women are the perfect antidote.  Armed with a pile of instruments, a repertoire of sassy and sophisticated songs, and an effervescent sense of humour they never fail to charm even the toughest audiences. The aptly named Good Lovelies are Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore. Described as “flirty-bluegrass” and “the mischievous Andrews Sisters” the Toronto-based trio relies on unerring three-part vocal harmonies, clever songs and, onstage, convulsively funny repartee.     www.myspace.com/goodlovelies

Steve Brockley Band: With local musician, Annie Shaw. Sunday November 28. 8pm. $10 tickets at the door/ $8 for Artists & Students.  “These are songs that other songwriters talk about, and musicians that other musicians talk about.”  Leon Power’s beats combined with Kevin Bertram’s double bass swagger make a low-down groove while Steve Brockley’s finger-picked electric guitar tactics and whiskey-blend vocals deliver some honest songs from the heart and guts.  While Brockley’s knowledge and repertoire of traditional folk music is apparent, he’s able to take the style in new directions without making the audience feel up-rooted.   Put them in a wood-paneled station wagon touring across Canada in continual support of their latest album and you have the truly infectious Steve Brockley experience. “His album, crafted in the riff-filled, storytelling tradition of legends like Johnny Cash, is beyond his years.” www.myspace.com/stevebrockley

Ladies of the Canyon: Saturday, November 27. 8:00pm. Tickets $15, $10 students / artists. Ladies of the Canyon are four friends who got together in their living rooms to write and sing. Musicians and songwriters Maia Davies (vocals, guitars, mandolin, keyboards), Senja Sargeant (vocals, guitars, mandolin), Jasmine Bleile (vocals, guitars) and Anna Ruddick (electric and upright bass, vocals) have their distinct tone and personality, but when they come together for harmonies, it’s a gorgeous, soaring blend. Their debut full-length album, Haunted Woman was produced by Hamilton’s Colin Cripps (One of Canada’s premiere guitarists, Cripps previously produced critically acclaimed albums by Kathleen Edwards and Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy.) Cripps has deftly showcased the wide range Ladies of the Canyon confidently explore; both as songwriters and vocalists. But when they get on stage, these four women make one wonderful sound. www.ladiesofthecanyon.com

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.

(more…)