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!

Kaleidoscope Brown: ARECIBO: featuring: Brownman Ali – trumpet (Trinidad): With Paul Morrison – piano (Canada) Amhed Mitchel – drums (Cuba): Ben Miller – 6-string electric bass. Saturday, November 12. 8:00pm. $15 door. $10 artists/students. A brand new latin-jazz outfit delving deeply into both Cuban and Brazilian modern jazz traditions in the New York latin-jazz spirit of Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band featuring some of Toronto’s most acclaimed jazz and latin music specialists. The group is named after the Arecibo radio telescope housed in Puerto Rico – the largest radio telescope in the world, responsible for the deepest exploration of space mankind has achieved to date.  http://arecibo.brownman.com Jazz writer Conrad Gayle writes: “Brownman Ali does it again being the great mastermind creating bands as vehicles for his creative output.   His unbridled versatility always pays huge dividends when he adapts and integrates his own unique jazz voice to straight ahead jazz, funk, hip-hop and Latin sounds, and ARECIBO is yet another example of his chameleon like abilities to fit into any mode of music.  In Arecibo he has assembled a great band that brings all 4 of those elements together into a sound that – like the trumpet player himself – is one-of-a-kind with it’s own special identity. “

The Art Bus is Sponsored by Judy Marsales Real Estate:

Next Tours: December 2 and 9

November 11: Off first to Ottawa Street to take in the multitude of galleries, antique stores and excitement now making this street one of the “best streets in Canada”.  Then for something completely different, we will stop at the Sheraton to catch the vibrant and transcendent artwork of Hamilton-born Toller Cranston who’s presenting his art as the ‘Artcracker’ part of the upcoming Nutcracker.   Then we’ll head for the James North Art Crawl for more excitement and blocks and blocks of artists studios and galleries!

•    Starting at 6:30 from ‘The Pearl Company’, 16 Steven Street @ 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

Rakish Angles: Thursday, November 10, 8:00pm. $15 door. $10 Artists/Students: The boundary crossing, genre-blending stringband, The Rakish Angles, weave an intricate tapestry of Newgrass, Latin, Gypsy-Jazz and Oldtime music.  The quartet’s members come from musical backgrounds as diverse as Classical, Bluegrass, Jazz, and Heavy Metal.  The Rakish Angles common influences include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, Bela Fleck, and fellow Canadians The Creaking Tree String Quartet and Jayme Stone.  What makes the Rakish Angles unique is the collaborative spirit in which they put their pieces together –they recognize and encourage each other’s different strengths and backgrounds, which is heard both in the compositions and in the way each musician is given space to shine.  The quartet has been nominated for numerous prestigeous awards  and are beginning to garner Nation-wide attention and airplay and have even had music used for film.  They are: Boyd Norman (Bass), Serena Eades (Violin), Dan Richter (Guitar) and Simon Hocking (Mandolin)
“The Rakish Angles are pushing acoustic music into new directions. With impeccable taste, tone, timing and an all original repertoire, they are sure to be at the forefront of the Canadian Acoustic scene for a long time to come. Check ’em out!” – Andrew Collins www.rakishangles.com

Emm Gryner with Colleen Brown: Wednesday, November 9, 8:00pm. $15 door.$10 Artists/Students: Emm Gryner’s ferocious self- sufficiency has been recognized and rewarded by a broad spectrum of fellow musicians from David Bowie to Bono; in fact she sang and played keyboards in David Bowie’s band. She appears on Bowie at the Beeb, a live album. She has toured with Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright and Royal Wood.  She’s stuck it out as an independent artist for more than a decade, releasing records on both sides of the Atlantic (Ireland, in particular, likes its Emm) on her own ‘Dead Daisy’ label and delighting in the freedom to follow whatever musical whim strikes her fancy.  She has played Lilith Fair, playing either of the festival’s accepted roles — snarling rock chick or vulnerable piano diarist.  “I kind of pride myself on….that I’m the person who can open for Burton Cummings and then tour with Ohbijou….” www.emmgryner.com Colleen Brown has picked up support from the CBC, particularly DJ Rich Terfry (Buck 65), along with high profile fans such as Emm, Kathleen Edwards and Hawksley Workman. Brown was a finalist in last year’s Song Quest contest, and won the Alberta Emerging Artist Award for the song Western Fire, co-written with Edwards’ guitarist, Colin Cripps. Last summer, she grabbed the New Music West 2011 Songwriting Award. For the past few years, Brown has been at one moment jamming with members of Blue Rodeo the next, playing the folk festival circuit.  “As an artist I’m striving for the idea of a community, and that a performance, for me, is about give-and-take between the audience and the musicians. It’s not me up here and you down there.” www.myspace.com/colleenbrownmusic Both Emm and Colleen fit right in at The Pearl!

The Ernesto Cervini Quartet: Tuesday, November 8, 8:00pm. $15 door.$10 Artists/Students: Innovative and electrifying Toronto jazz drummer Ernesto Cervini featuring Joel Frahm (saxophones), Adrean Farrugia (piano) and Dan Loomis (bass).  Ernesto who has shared the stage with many legendary musicians such as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Cleo Laine, Pat LaBarbera, Buddy DeFranco, and many others, has energy to burn, whether radiating it from behind his drums or working on any number of musical and educational projects.  Cervini’s diversity as a musician (he is also an excellent pianist and clarinetist) has allowed him to travel throughout the world, performing in some of the world’s greatest jazz venues such as, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, The Montreal Bistro, The Rex Jazz and Blues Club, and also many of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, such as Massey Hall, The Glen Gould Theatre, The St. Lawrence Center for the Arts and the Sugita Theatre in Yokohama, Japan.  www.Ernestocervini.com

Gary Santucci: Saturday, November 5, 8:00. $15 door.$10 Artists/Students.  Gary will put on another of his guitar seminars; a kind of show-and-tell involving guitar history, guitar-making, and guitar playing. There will be, of course, demonstrations of guitar technique from flamenco to classical and beyond. Gary may be joined by his long-time guitar and bouzouki partner, Dimitrios Doumas if he is able to be here.  Expect a guitar banquet.

The Andy Middleton Group: Friday, November 4, 8:00. $15 door.$10 Artists/Students: Jazz saxophonist and composer Andy Middleton with Canadian guitar legend Lorne Lofsky and the superb bass/drums team of Kieran Overs and Barry Romberg, with special guest Darcy Hepner on reeds.  Andy Middleton has long been considered by critics and his peers to be one of the world’s top-tier jazz saxophonists. While a technically masterful player, Middleton’s solos have rather been noted for their power of inspired imagination, rhythmic drive, lyricism and adventurous energy.  Likewise, his compositions are both harmonically modern and lyrical with a clear sense of the tradition.   Middleton’s unique voice as both a player and a composer/arranger has led jazz icons such as Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler and Ralph Towner to record and perform with him.  He has also performed/ recorded with Renee Rosnes, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, Lionel Hampton.  After nearly 20 years in the New York jazz scene, he now lives and teaches in Vienna, Austria.  Catch him in a rare return to North America! andy.middleton@chello.at
“A musician’s musician, just like it says in books.  This American living in Vienna spins fascinating webs of improvisation with long, drawn-out and intense melodies on the tenor saxophone that place him at the top of the international saxophone scene. Great music!”   Jazzthing (Germany)

Bill Bourne and The Free Radio Band: Saturday October 29. 8:00pm. $20 at the door. Multiple Canadian Juno Award winner, Bill Bourne 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… His latest release, Bluesland, is an intense collection of rock, folk and country, soaked with an electric blues sound that gets deep into your pores. In addition to Bill’s acoustic guitar and vocals, and his son’s lead, The Free Radio Band features Pa Joe on electric smooth jazz guitar (African Guitar Summit), Moses Gregg on bass (The Swiftys) and Miguel Ferrer on drums (Santiago, Chile).
“Bourne flows with this almost indescribable soul infused with a lonesome strain of blues… This man was put on this earth to play music.” Crossroads Magazine. “Canadian Folk Shaman – Magical Mystery Bourne’ – Kitchener/Waterloo Echo  www.billbourne.com

Kate Reid w Amy Campbell: Friday, October 28. 8:00pm. $12 advance / $15 at the door. Kate Reid has a stack of press clippings that invariably cite her originality, topical songwriting and laugh-aloud humour. She 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 Amy Campbell brings together classical training and folk sensibilities to create music that reaches into human experience and comes back with stories written from the soul. Devoted equally to lyrical craft, innovative musicianship, and engaging performances, Amy’s dozen years of writing, composing, and touring have cemented her position in hearts and playlists across the world. www.amycampbell.ca

The Jazz Connection Big Band with Christian Overton on lead trombone: Thursday, October 27. Doors at 7:30, jazz at 8:00 $15 at the door:  The JCBB is a well established 17-piece jazz ensemble comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians from the Hamilton/Toronto area. They perform only the best modern big band charts from the books of Goodwin, Martin, Menza, Rich, Basie, and many other great contemporary composers. Jazz Connection’s approach is high energy, uncompromising, straight ahead jazz. They combine the highest level of musicianship with great charts in an entertaining show that engages both the jazz enthusiast and the casual listener equally. Carrying us once again into the cool space of surround sound big band music, we are always delighted to have them back! http://www.jazzconnection.ca Christian Overton is one of the best trombone players in the business working regularly with Peter Appleyard, Jane Bunnett, Don Thompson, numerous major musicals, TV shows and movie scores.

Glenn Chatten: Wednesday, October 26. 8:00pm. $15 at the door. $10 All Artists/Students.  After abandoning Ontario (and Hamilton) for BC, Glenn is back! He took his Masters at McMaster and played regularly at the Festival of Friends and The Gown and Gavel.  He’s a veteran guitarist (with a harmonica always close at hand), mastering his custom built Larivee and Breedlove acoustic guitars like sculpturing tools, Glenn carves deep into his soulful life’s journey to reflect, create and perform eclectic original music that blurs boundaries between Jazz, Blues, Folk, Rock, and Celtic styles. He has developed a very unique and fast finger picking style that incorporates both standard and various open tunings of the guitar, producing intense rhythms with strong vibrant melodic overtones. It will be a pleasure to hear that mellow voice again! www.soaringeaglemusic.com