The Pearl Company

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