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: featuring: Brownman Ali with GRUVASYLUM: Saturday, December 10. $15 door. $10 artists/students.  Jazz & hip-hop have long been cross-pollinated by geniuses from both genres.  From the appearance of rappers on the legendary Miles Davis’ “DooBop” recording, to jazz superstars like Herbie Hancock and Donald Byrd guesting in hip-hop legend GURU’s JAZZMATAZZ (now recognized as the 1st successful amalgamation of jazz & hip-hop). And then Brownman, Canada’s own nationally acclaimed trumpet playing jazz icon, replaced Donald Byrd in Guru’s Jazzmatazz and did 4 world tours catapulting him to international acclaim in the hip-hop community.  Now Brownman continues the late Guru’s legacy in the exploration of jazz-hip-hop in his own group GRUVASYLUM.  This 5-man ensemble features Brownman with his now famous electric trumpet effects rig; Mad Dukes – a berserker freestyle rapper from NY; DJ Cutler – turntablist for Jeru The Damaja; Ben Miller, from God Made Me Funky, on electric bass & Chris Lamont, touring drummer from the Brownman Electryc Trio.  This all-star quintet, with Guru alumni and multiple National Jazz Award Winner Brownman at the helm, reminds us that the essence of the jazz solo is not so different from the essence of freestyle — in that improvisation and spontaneous creation is at the heart of both idioms.  Gruvasylum is about modern, thoughtful, conscious hip-hop that tells tales of the world we live in – yet rooted in the jazz lineage.   Brownman & GRUVASYLUM — hip-hop with a jazz ideology.  You do NOT want to miss this. http://gruvasylum.brownman.com (more…)

Nadje Noordhuis Quartet: Wednesday, December 7. 8:00pm. $15 door/$10 artists/students. Australian born trumpet/flugelhorn player and composer, Nadje Noordhuis, produces a unique sound characterized by a warm, rich tone and a lyrical approach to improvisation.  With a gift for unique melody and a lush, hauntingly dark sound, Nadje (pronounced “NA-dia NORD-house”) has been based in New York for the past four years. She has been a featured soloist with symphony orchestras, Afro-Cuban big bands, large and small jazz ensembles, and has appeared on many recordings across a variety of musical genres. Nadje has performed at numerous jazz festivals world-wide and has shared the stage with a number of acclaimed jazz artists. Nadje was also a semi-finalist in last year’s Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition and was selected as a Carnegie Hall Young Artist in 2010. She is playing with her quartet featuring Adrian Farrugia (piano), Mark Cashion (bass) and Ernesto Cervini (drums)  www.nadjenoordhuis.com

Meaghan Smith: Tuesday, December 6. 8:00pm. $15 at the door. Hot off her ‘best new artist of the year’ Juno win, London, ON, born, Meaghan Smith wasn’t content to rest on her laurels. She began production of her new album IT SNOWED soon afterwards. This album was inspired by Meaghan’s love of the holidays. In her own words, “It’s the traditions, the food, the friends, the family, the lights and the music that I love. I want to be a part of the joy in people’s holidays.”  IT SNOWED is an eclectic holiday collection of songs, some original and some standard favourites. The album carries on with Meaghan’s unique modern/vintage vibe featuring antique-sounding samples under Meaghan’s pop melody. There’s a simply haunting vocal rendition of the closing track “Silent Night” that ensures that IT SNOWED is sure to be a crowd pleaser for seasons to come.  Smith’s warm and winning voice and personality will make you an instant fan!  She’s wonderfully accompanied on guitar by her husband Jason Mingo.  www.meaghansmith.com

Drumhand with Marcus Ali: Saturday, December 3: 8:00pm, $15 door/$10 artists/students. Propelled by a steamroller of drums and energized by jazz horns, DRUMHAND draws inspiration from the circuitous rhythms of hot climates to enforce a high-energy, interactive performance. The group has introduced audiences of all ages to instruments and sounds from around the globe through concerts at festivals, schools and concert events. DRUMHAND, was not born out of any particular tradition but has been informed by the many that have been willing to share. Founded in 2008 by percussionists David Chan (Shoot the Cameraman) and Larry Graves (Mr. Something Something), DRUMHAND features the horn work of Marcus Ali (Cruzao/Jason Wilson) and Rebecca Hennessy (Hobson?s Choice/Broken Social Scene). www.reverbnation.com/drumhandmusic

C.R. Avery: Friday, December 2: 8:00pm, $15 door/$10 artists/students. Outlaw Hip-Hop Harmonica Player; Beatbox Poet; Punk Piano Player; String Quartet Raconteur; Rock & Roll Matador; Playwright.  He is a Canadian music sensation. His lyrics, vocal delivery, energy, and artistry have won him international acclaim. C.R. Avery is a unique, raw and dynamic performer. His genius lies in many genres – blues, hip-hop, spoken word and rock & roll. He is a one-man band, but one for this generation; with the rare ability to sing poetic verse while beatboxing simultaneously, pounding the piano, and adding harmonica like a plot twist. He has toured throughout Canada (including almost every major folk festival) the USA and Europe and garnered the attention of music peers the likes of Tom Waits (“…he’s blowin’ my mind”); blues harp trail blazer Charlie Musselwhite (“…no one plays harmonica like him… no one…”); and folk legend Utah Phillips (“…raw talent”).
His incredible live performances have been described as Bob Dylan in the body of Iggy Pop; colliding with Little Walter, the Beastie Boys and Allen Ginsberg.  Every show is all or nothing and his fearless approach to all genres of music both on stage and in the studio proves the longevity of this talented, astonishing creator has so much more to come. www.cravery.com

In the Pearl Company Gallery: The Waterfall Show. Opening November 18. 7:00 – 10:00. Our unique
geography surrounds us with waterfalls; Artists find them irresistible! Paintings, sketches and photographs: The Tiger Group, Michael Babyn, John Davies, Rob Laffier. Also showing: Private Collection Sale: Prints, lithographs, some originals, featuring such well-known names as Benjamin Chee Chee, Ken Danby, James Fraser.  No charge. Through December.