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

Jonathan Byrd with Corin Raymond and the Sundowners: Saturday, May 14. 7:30pm doors/8pm show, $20/$10 artists and students. Cackalack is Jonathan Byrd’s first release since joining Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell on the Chicago Tribune’s list of the 50 most significant singer-songwriters of the last 50 years. His 7th album title comes from Cackalacky a strictly-fun word which Carolinians have used to describe their state for hundreds of years. For an American release by an American artist celebrating his home state, this record has many Canadian connections. www.jonathanbyrd.com
The Sundowners are an all-star line up: Corin Raymond is the Toronto-based troubadour who is also half of the Undesirables; John Prine comparisons often come his way. David Baxter is a coveted guitar player a fine songwriter in his own right. Treasa Levasseur has her own powerful voice and unstoppable band, Brian Kobayakawa on upright bass has a couple Juno awards under his own belt  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corin-Raymond

“Jonathan Byrd doesn’t sing songs; he sings truth.” – Performing Songwriter. “Maybe the most buzzed-about new songwriter in folkdom.” – The Boston Globe (more…)

Bill Bourne with String Bone: Friday May 13. 8:00 $15 at at the door multiple Canadian Juno Award winner, Bill has received international acclaim for his recordings and live performances. A mainstay on the international roots scene, life on the road is reflected in Bill’s music – powerful rhythms and soulful songs, steeped in World Beat, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Folk, Flamenco, Funk, Poetry and more… Bill loves to collaborate with (musician) friends and on this tour, it is with Barry Payne pulling together ‘Stringbone’.   Canadian Folk Shaman – Magical Mystery Bourne’ – Kitchener/Waterloo Echo. “This man was put on this earth to play music.” – Crossroads Magazine

Justin Rutledge + New Country Rehab – Thursday, May 12. 8:00pm: (Series price: includes Jenn Grant + Jim Bryson – June 17:  2 shows for $30). OR: $18 adv/$22 door individual shows. Rutledge’s powerful new album, ‘The Early Widows’, includes songs co-written with literary giant Michael Ondaatje http://justinrutledge.com New Country Rehab: The band’s unique Outlaw/Indie/Country sound channels Hank Williams Sr. as much as Arcade Fire to create exciting new music. Their debut, self-titled album highlights the group’s original compositions and deep musical palette. www.newcountryrehab.com (more…)

Royal Wood: Wednesday, May 11, 8:00pm $15 advance. $18 door. Singer-songwriter Royal Wood has spent years perfecting his craft of balladry and pop music. His new album is “The Waiting” and with each new release Royal Wood delivers another collection of heartrending and honest tales of love, loss and life more impressive than the last. It seems Wood has found his voice and these songs are his “most personal and introspective to date.” confirming his position amongst the cream of Canada’s songwriting crop. The thoroughly contemporary multi-instrumentalist has a gift for layered, prismatic arrangements. http://www.royalwood.ca (more…)

Fish & Bird with Earth, Wind & Choir: Tuesday, May 10. 8:00. $10 at the door. Fish & Bird are a five-piece indie-folk powerhouse. They do vocal improv, they rock out in 11/8; sometimes it seems like they’re playing bluegrass, and sometimes they might make you cry. Their new album ‘Every Whisper is a Shout across the Void” has all the band’s influences and musical ideas woven tight into a cohesive sound.  Every Whisper explores the relationship between reality and perception exploring the fragility of human interactions, and the fictions we all weave about our own worlds whether we acknowledge them or not. www.fishandbird.ca Earth, Wind & Choir are a newly-formed Hamilton group who love to play with sound. The choir includes Sarah Good,  Melinda Richter and more…

Cinema Insieme Presents: La Febbre (2005): Monday May 9 at 7pm. $10 at the door. Mario is a young geometer of Cremona, a splendid medieval city to the south of Milano, taking courses at the faculty of Architecture, He spends his days performing jobs for a famous architect and he is also in business with 3 friends turning a mechanic shop into a pub. The discovery that he has won a contest for a municipal employee thanks to an application sent by his father four years before and the consequent possibilities of fixed employment will transform his existence. Splendidly shot by Alessandro D’Alatri, played with a lot of passion by a great Fabio Volo, the movie represents an interesting fresco of the contemporary Italian society. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452778/

Charly Chiarelli Returns with the Sunnamabeeches on Sunday, May 8 at 8:00. $10 (Again $20 for any two performances/ $30 for the 3. See below) One performance only for both these unique “Charly” events. Charly’s close friends Venesio (aka Dennis) De Salvo, Ron Weihs and Gary Santucci will join him as a musical ensemble. They will play everything from Frank Sinatra croon tunes to down and dirty Sicilian blues.  You can also expect some far-out stories about ‘mothers’.  (Charly says, ’You know who you are!’) Perfect for Mothers Day….

Melwood Cutlery with Jenny Whiteley: Saturday, May 7. Doors open 8:30, Concert at 9:00pm. $15. On the Road Again: Rare opportunity to see one of Canada’s best live at The Pearl Company! Singer songwriter, Melwood Cutlery is kicking up the dust again, performing songs from his award winning album, CAMPFIRE, and previewing tunes from his upcoming release, LIVE AT THE BLACK SHEEP INN. Melwood will be joined by superb instrumentalists Fred Guignion (Howe Gelb) and Dan Whiteley (Amy Millan). Guinon and Dan Whiteley add energy and virtuosity to this trio’s performances.  Unified by Melwood Cutlery’s gorgeous and intelligent songs, emotive and expert vocals, guitar, harmonica, and piano, audiences can expect a riveting three piece volley of sound and substance. “The hippest songwriter around.” David Francey. “A musical monster.” Joey Wright  www.melwoodcutlery.com

Special guest appearances by renowned singer songwriter, Jenny Whiteley at select shows and we are one of them!  Winner of a Juno roots album award, Whiteley’s integrity and commitment emanate from every syllable she sings as she shares her tales of life on the road less traveled. www.jennywhiteley.com

Charly Chiarelli and The Pearl Company Present: Sex and the City, 1300. Saturday, May 7. 7:00pm. $15 at the door. Erotic tales from Boccaccio’s Decameron, told by the storytelling company Raccontamiunastoria (in association with the Italian Federation of Storytelling)  www.raccontamiunastoria.com.  Sexy, deliriously funny, touching and personal, these tales are delivered in English (no subtitles…).  The performances are created and performed by Paola Balbi, Mariella Bertelli, Davide Bardi, and Charly Chiarelli.  The music is arranged and performed live by Charly and Davide Bardi.  A totally engaging experience taking place before a very special concert: see directly above….  Special offer: Both events (Charly / Melwood & Jenny) for $20. Add Charly’s Sunday event=3 events for $30 or any 2 for $20!

• May 6: We will visit Gallery on the Bay first, then Anastasia Gallery, Sunrise Gallery out on the Beach Strip, the new Image Gallery 205 on Cannon and the always surprising Gallery 435.
• May 13: Off first to Ottawa Street where we visit Earls Court Gallery, Under the Moon, and Allsorts Gallery . Then to the James North Art Crawl with its blocks and blocks of artists studios and galleries.  We’ll finish the tour at Hamilton’s original Studio Gallery with the long-standing and talented Tiger Group

•    Starting at 6:30 from ‘The Pearl Company’, 16 Steven Street and King William.
•    Please reserve a spot via email or phone, and purchase your trip ($15.00 / $10 students/artists) when you arrive.
•    We finish up at The Pearl for an après-tour wind-down which includes a tour of the building or whatever event is happening on the theatre floor