The Pearl Company

Kate Reid and evalyn parry: Friday, May 6. 8:00pm. $15 / $10 artists/students. Are teaming up and hitting the road together to wow audiences with their dynamic and innovative approach to writing. With a penchant for penning quick-witted and entertaining pieces from song to spoken word, Parry and Reid are a pair not to be missed.
evalyn parry, an award-winning songwriter, poet and ironic social commentator, is gifted with a sharp pen, a quirky musical sensibility and a wicked sense of humour. Parry shoots from the hip and aims for the heart. “Fierce, funny, poignant and provocative.” www.evalynparry.com
Kate Reid is one of Canada’s funniest, sharpest new talents – a whipsmart wordsmith with a stage presence cited for her originality, topical songwriting and laugh-aloud humour. Her socio-political musings about identity, love and queer life are matched with an irreverent, often self-deprecating sense of humour Season these songs with one of Kate’s warm, disarming laughs and you’ll understand why listeners of all persuasions have taken such a shine to her. “One woman. One guitar. Lots of attitude”. “Edgy, fun and brilliant” www.katereid.net

Roxanne Potvin: Wednesday May 4: 8:00 pm $15 / $10 students/artists: With her new album “Play” Roxanne Potvin has achieved something that few artists ever succeed in doing – she’s expanded her style and grown as an artist while still keeping the grit and authenticity that is so appealing about her music.

Her past three albums have been wailing the blues with luminaries such as Colin Linden, John Hiatt and Bruce Cockburn.  Steve Dawson who runs the Black Hen label out of Vancouver (and just wowed an audience at The Pearl) encouraged her in her decision to shift direction and helped her keep the songs on “Play” ambitious, while never losing the loose limbed joyful feeling that inspired them.  On the funky keyboard driven “Pretty Girls”, Potvin snarls her way through one of the most biting songs ever written about our culture’s fascination with beauty.  Clearly Roxanne can rock with the best of them when she wants to….  www.roxannepotvin.com

Gerardo Mansang:  “44 Moons” Art Opening May 1, 4:00pm. No charge.  This Colombian artist understands colour, warmth, and symbolism. Very large to small canvases, all in brilliant acrylics.

Latin Film Night; 7:00pm. $10 at the door. Presentation of the Mexican movie,  “Amores Perros” and a musical performance of the Cuban group called “ de Suerte”.  The movie, “Amores Perros”, tells three separate stories interconnected by one tragic event, a fatal car accident. In one, a young man falls in love with his brother’s pregnant wife, while in another a vagrant finds work as a hitman.  Lastly, a perfume saleswoman conducts an affair with a married man in this complex, controversial film which rewards multiple viewings.

The Ali Bros featuring Brownman and Marcus Ali: Friday, April 29: 8:00pm. $15 at the door. Embodying the essence of jazz improvisational ideology erupting against a backdrop of powerful urban grooves.  Funk, hip-hop, drum’n’bass, R’n’B all colliding with modern jazz textures.  http://alibros.brownman.com

Their uncanny musical relationship enhanced by blood, Brownman and Marcus Ali together form an incredibly synergistic, almost telepathic bond making them two of the most called upon horn men around. They have appeared side by side in countless horn sections in the Canadian professional music scene …. (more…)

Prom at The Pearl: A Fundraiser for Colin Macdonald Community School: Saturday, April 30 at 8:00pm. Pricing: $30 single / $50 couple / $80 for four.  Music by Voodoo Chicken with DJ Andrea Redhill.  Come out, support this unique, friendly, child-centred school, and enjoy a fun evening with lots of entertainment, dancing, and great conversation. 50/50 draw; silent auction; finger foods and appetizers; prom photo booth.  It would be great if you can still wear your prom dress but if you can’t, (for whatever reason) do dress for a fab evening out!  www.colinmacdonald.ca

SIX SHOOTER CONCERT SERIES IN HAMILTON @ the Pearl Company

Christine Fellows + Shotgun Jimmie: Wednesday, April 27
Justin Rutledge + New Country Rehab: Thursday, May 12
Jenn Grant + Jim Bryson: Friday, June 17

Series price: Individual Shows: $18 advance/ $25 at door OR 3 shows for $50 + a free CD from participating artist of your choice. Tickets are available at www.sixshooterrecords.com.  Or you can call The Pearl, we have tickets.

Christine Fellows / Shotgun Jimmie: Wednesday, April 27 8:00. See pricing above. Christine Fellows’ skewed perspective on the possibilities of the three-minute pop song has charmed critics and audiences alike since the release of her debut CD “2 little birds” (2000). Backed by an ever-changing array of instruments – cello, viola, piano, guitar and drums – her songs are alternately tender and terrifying. Described by some as avant-folk, by others as chamber-pop, her music is distinctive. http://www.christinefellows.com/
Shotgun Jimmie: Jimmie Kilpatrick is a previous member and founder of the defunct but legendary Canadian band Shotgun & Jaybird. Shotgun Jimmie is a one-man band that includes both the talent of a vocalist and a songwriter. He successfully launched his first solo album last year. http://shotgunjimmie.net/

Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers: Wednesday, April 20, 8:00 pm $15 / $10 students/artists:  Indie / Jazz / Pop: Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers are a sextet of classically trained musicians that have crafted their own musical niche of operatic indie jazz. Complex song writing and “Winnipeg’s strongest horn section” (The Manitoban) give Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers a stylistic diversity that appeals to indie popsters, big-band lovers and folksters alike. Their diverse repertoire ranges from sing-along pop songs to adventurous theatrical compositions. “This outfit effortlessly blends jazz, pop, rock and folk to create a bombastic sound that has no shortage of swagger.” (Uptown)

“[Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers] takes hundreds of years of musical history from diverse genres and presents it in a way that packs dance floors and makes any musician in the audience run back to their teacher in tears.” (The Uniter) http://www.headinthesand.ca/flyingfoxandthehuntergatherers/

Steve Dawson with Oh Susanna: Sunday, April 17, 8:00 pm. $18 advance/$20 at door: If you are a Canadian musician/music lover,  Steve Dawson is a huge name.  He is an accomplished guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, specializing in slide and fingerstyle guitar, pedal steel, lap steel, banjo and other stringed instruments.  He is also in-demand as a live performer, session musician, and producer. Over the last decade, Steve has risen to prominence in the Canadian music scene with his work on dozens of acclaimed recordings and tours that have taken him around the world and across North America countless times  “lays it down with charisma and personality…” Vancouver Province “…a bottomless pit of classy licks…” Georgia Straight.  http://stevedawson.ca
Oh Susanna has garnered critical acclaim and loyal audiences around the world. She grew up a Canadian with an American passport.  Along the way she found inspiration in the music of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, as well as peers Sarah Harmer, Neko Case, Ron Sexsmith,and Fred Eaglesmith. Her current CD, Short Stories, a dramatic and compelling collection of songs, reunites Suzie with long time band-mates as well as the explosive talents of Luke Doucet and Justin Rutledge. http://www.ohsusannamusic.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.

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

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.

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