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

Lauren Best “Sticker Collection” with Dawn and Marra: Saturday, April 16th, 8:00PM show, tickets $15 at the door, $10 students. Self-producing her first album Sticker Collection, Lauren wrote all 12 songs by the time she was 17 years of age. She is backed on the recording by such acclaimed players as pianist/organist Michael Fonfara (Downchild Blues Band, Lou Reed), saxophonist Colleen Allen (Ani Di Franco, Anne Murray, Holly Cole) and award-winning jazz drummer Archie Alleyne. Accompanying herself on piano as well, Lauren’s alt-pop reveals a quirky and remarkably self-assured singer-songwriter, who skillfully draws from a wealth of diverse influences.  This concert at The Pearl will showcase her new horn section!  www.laurenbest.com
Dawn and Marra: From Dundas, Dawn and Marra won the 2010 Hamilton Music Awards Rising Star competition. With the upcoming release of their debut album in fall of 2011, “Never Ask Me Why”, Dawn and Marra’s incredible song writing is showcased with beautiful harmonies and exceptional musicality. With standout tracks like “Maybe” and “Lovin’ You” already creating a buzz, these two young women are on their way.

Big City Life Presents: City Slickers / Social Lite Night: Thursday, April 14, 8:00pm. $20 (no tickets available at the door; see below).  City Slickers is kicking off spring right, gathering fashion gurus, artists, performers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and more.  This is a fun way of net-working so leave your Twitter at home.  This is up close and personal.  Music: DJ Engrish and The Human Race. Artist: Bryce Huffman. Dance Performance: DMD Dancers. Designer: Josette Cacnio. Contact bclhamilton@gmail.com for tickets for this private/public event.

Special Event at The Pearl!

Last Minute Concert Added!
Be part of a Jazz Super-Concert featuring five of Canada’s leading jazz artists!
Saturday, April 9. Doors open 8:30 Start 9:00. $15 at the door

Sophia Perlman – voice  www.myspace.com/sophiaperlmanmusic
John Sherwood – piano  www.johnsherwood.ca
Pat Collins – bass  www.patcollinsbass.com
Joel Haynes – drums www.myspace.com/joelhaynes
Darcy Hepner – saxophone  www.darcyhepner.com

A rare opportunity to see a concert with these top-flight jazz musicians in a unique configuration pulled together by Hamilton’s Jazz Star, Darcy Hepner.

The Laws: John & Michele Law’s CD Release Tour: Friday, April 15.  8pm start. $20/$15 door. Celebrating “10 years and 1 million miles” performing together, and the release of their 6th CD, “Try Love”.  Known for their tight-as-a-glove harmony singing and heartfelt lyrics, The Laws have been touring full-time since 2001, have performed at folk, bluegrass and country festivals, theaters and listening rooms throughout North America and Australia. The Laws are the FIRST Canadians to win the prestigious Chris Austin Song Writing Contest at MerleFest in North Carolina and have been called the best duo out of Canada since Ian and Sylvia.  www.thelaws.ca

“These days it seems the music news brings word of another husband-wife duo making its mark on the contemporary roots scene.   But any such list would be suspect without the addition of Canada’s The Laws.  Their voices blend beautifully–John’s reedy, gritty tenor and Michele’s plaintive, alto drawl (you’ll hear some Emmylou lurking in there) are one of the most beautiful harmonic convergences in contemporary music.”  The Bluegrass Special, New York, NY

Gary Santucci with Randal Hill and Friends: Friday, April 8, 8:30. Doors at 8:00. $15 at the door. $10 Artists & Students. No plastic…  Experimental world beat music.  Anything could happen!  Gary will showcase his oud (bet you haven’t heard him – or maybe anyone else – play it before) and the incomparable Randal Hill will play his fretless tenor banjo; we’ll see what the two of them can bounce off each other.  Be prepared for them to find unusual accompaniment….

Fearing & White: A collaboration between Stephen Fearing and Andy White, CD Release Tour: Wednesday, April 6, 8:00. $22 at the door. The album, also a first for the two individually talented and acclaimed singer / songwriters (who boast nineteen solo albums between them), offers up a unique listening experience. This debut duo album ‘Fearing & White’ is the happy result of a long friendship that has survived both the tyranny of distance and the travails of the road. White now calls Melbourne, Australia, home, while Fearing has recently moved to Halifax on Canada’s east coast. www.fearingandwhite.com
Fearing is well known within the international folk and roots music community as one of its most accomplished songsmiths, storytellers and guitarists. A double Juno award winner in his native Canada, he has experienced commercial and critical success, both in his solo career and with roots/rock supergroup Blackie and The Rodeo Kings. Northern Ireland born and raised Andy White has earned a global following for blending folk and pop stylings with a poet’s sensibility. Working with the great names of Irish music – Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison – and writing with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Neil and Tim Finn, Andy has won Ireland’s top songwriting awards.  (more…)

Gaslight Alley: CD Release Show: Sunday April 3. 8:00pm, $10 at the door.  Gaslight Alley is a collection of seasoned musicians brought together by Hamilton singer/songwriter Allen Helsdon.  Al has been entertaining audiences for 2 decades with his passionate performances and humorous musings between songs.
The show is in support of their self-titled, debut CD and the airing of their first video.
Gaslight Alley plays a unique blend of rock, blues and fold filled with hypnotizing rhythms and haunting melodies.  Al’s distinctive vocal style, takes the listener on one soulful, groove-laden journey.   http://www.gaslightalley.net

Impact Africa – Benefit Concert & Art Auction: Saturday, April 2 – 730pm to 11pm, $15 admission – kids 12 and under are free.  Remember to bring cash or cheques! All proceeds go to the Mennonite Central Committee’s Generations at Risk – benefiting those living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. www.mcc.org
Featuring Music by: Melissa Burke & Friends, Michelle Willis with The Girls are Back in Town, The Great Wooden Trio
Featuring Art by: Dave Hind, David White, Tony DiLorenza, Scott Ireland, Colleen O”Reilly, Jim Chambers, Karyn Black, Heather Vollans, Gary Rjinsburger, Judy Taylore, Christina Vandermark, Amber Edgar, Crystal Sanderson, Tricia Bos

Dala in Concert: Friday, April 1. 8:00pm. $22 in advance, $25 at the door. Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala have come a long way in a short time. The two best friends, who met in their high school music class and wrote their first song together in 2002, have since performed at Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall a total of seven times. Darlings of the Canadian music scene, Dala are now poised to bring their fresh brand of acoustic pop music back to The Pearl Company for their third visit.
Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Amanda’s ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Sheila’s velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark.  The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans. http://dalagirls.com
Dala’s new album “Everyone Is Someone” was released to critical acclaim.  They’re even nominated for a Juno this week!
“Dala seem bound for a loftier place where substance stands equal to style.” – The Irish Times

Cinema Insieme Presents: Lamerica (1994): Monday March 28 at 7pm. $10 at the door.

Two Italian racketeers come to Albania just after the fall of the communists to set up a fictive firm and pocket the grants. They need a stooge. They choose an old one in a jail : Spiro. But the youngest Italian, Gino, once alone with Spiro, encounters a few problems. Far from his roots, losing his identity in deep Albania, he begins to change.

This award-winning film takes the audience through the devastation of post-communist Albania as it follows the odyssey of a young Italian man who has come to make some easy money but finds himself caught up in the same curious mix of hopeful despair etched into the faces of people he’s come to swindle.

Directed by:    Gianni Amelio ( Le chiavi di casa )  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110299/