The Pearl Company

Gary Santucci’s Spanjazz: Thursday, May 17. 8:00pm. $15 /$10 students/all artists.  A collection of musical compositions inspired by world music rhythms performed in a jazz context. Featuring Jordan Abraham, keyboard, Sal Rosselli, saxophone, Rich Moore, bass, Steve Wilson, drums and Gary Santucci, Guitar. All musicians in this newly-formed quintet are highly respected performers in their own fields; the juxtaposition of their different styles and approaches will create that unique sound and experience that is Spanjazz.

Amelia Curran with Anthony Damiao: Wednesday, May 16. 8:00pm. $15 /$10 students/all artists. The National Post describes her music as “a bit like Leonard Cohen being channeled in a dusty saloon by Patsy Cline.”  With a number of East Coast Music Awards and an extensive discography, she’s a songwriter by trade, and a writer at heart, Curran describes the craft of song-writing as an act of “expressing the inexpressible, …. describing the indescribable.” “.  In addition to being a musician, Curran is also a playwright and actor, and has had her plays performed in fringe festivals.  “One of this country’s finest singer-songwriters.” Montreal Gazette.  www.ameliacurran.com
Amelia plays to a sold out hometown crowd. Listen to the podcast at Radio 3 CBC. http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/concerts/Amelia-Curran-2009-09-03
Anthony Damiao plays a mean fingerpicking guitar while  focusing on lyrics and character to bring out the soul of his music.  His introspective songs easily maintain the energy and joy he puts into them.  He also writes articles for such online magazines as The Cord, Spill Magazine, Blueprint, CanadaOrganic.com and for Toronto’s Static Zine. He Greyhounds around Eastern Canada playing songs for people while living in Waterloo, finishing an arts degree, and living on sandwiches and radio. www.myspace.com/anthonydamiao

Ladybird Animal Sanctuary Spring Fair: Sunday, May 13^th. Time: 1pm – 5pm. Admission: Pay What You Can!  A fundraiser to help Ladybird Animal Sanctuary help homeless pets.  What started as the dream of three talented Canadian singers to rescue forgotten animals from high kill shelters and find them loving ‘forever’ homes is now a two year old reality as The Ladybird Animal Sanctuary celebrates their 2nd Anniversary with a Spring Fair.  The event, hosted by ‘Ladybirds’ Melissa McClelland, Lisa Winn, and Janine Stoll takes place at The Pearl Company. ‘We chose Mother’s Day to honour all the Mom’s out there both two legged and four legged!’ said Melissa. ‘There will be free massages for Mom’s, yummy baked goods and beautiful crafts to buy, face painting, crafts and activities for kids…and much more’.
Live Bluegrass from ‘Houndstooth’, Baked Goods, Crafts and Art for sale. Free Massages and Tarot Card Readings for Moms. Face Painting, Crafts, Drum Circle and Yoga for Kids.  100% of proceeds to help homeless animals find ‘forever’ homes. Contact:  ladybirdanimalsanctuary@gmail.com

Alignment: Saturday, May 12, 7:00pm start! $15 at the door: A multi-disciplinary event brought to you by PENTA (People Engaging and Networking Through the Arts), Nationless Minds, and the Burlington Slam Project: Hosted by the dynamic Greg “Ritallin” Frankson, Alignment  converges on 2 floors of The Pearl Company and brings you a stellar line-up of performers and artists exploring where various artistic expressions intersect and align with spoken word.  Spoken word is getting more attention all the time. Performers like Ian Keteku are at the forefront of this movement and PENTA is happy to have him join their first installation piece “Alignment”. The night will be filled with inspiring talents like Truth Is…, Prufrock, Shadowrunner, Hyf, Brad Morden, Electric Jon, The Burlington 2011 Slam Team, and Komi Olafimihan.  Being a PENTA show, these poets will be surrounded by photography, music, film, movement… What better way to experience a painting than to see it made from beginning to end while hearing the influences around it?  PENTA fills beautiful spaces with all the senses. Tickets: Available in advance at various spoken word events throughout April in southern Ontario, or contact PENTA at: we.are.PENTA@gmail.com for online purchase. http://www.wearepenta.com

Impact Africa – Benefit Concert & Art Auction: Friday, May 11 – 7:30pm to 11pm, $20 admission
– kids 12 and under are free.  All proceeds go to the Mennonite Central Committee’s ‘Generations at Risk’ – which sends desperately needed medical supplies and money benefiting those living with the realities of  HIV/AIDS in Africa. Remember to bring cash or cheques! www.mcc.org
Featuring Music by: Darin Martin and Eclectislav
Featuring Art by: Dave Hind, Karyn Black, Heather Vollans, Scott Ireland, Sara Sears, Bryce Huffman, Harry Gils, Dana Cowie, Christina Vandermark, Crystal Sanderson, Sylvia Nickelson, Chris Cuthill, Matt McInnes, Andrew Hunter, Reid Flock

TREASA LEVASSEUR: THIS WOMAN MEANS BUSINESS: Thursday, May 10. 8:00pm. $15 /$10 students/all artists.  This self-proclaimed “classy broad” is smart, sassy and takes no prisoners. Brand new Juno-nominated, blues-based old-school soul, hook-laden songs of lost-and-found love, pride, and affirmation, all delivered by a powerful singer who means every word she sings. She’s on an Ontario tour reprising her new CD, Broad. (All the songs on Broad were written by Levasseur, with the exception of three covers, by Randy Newman, Neil Young and fellow independent artist Mike Evin.) Born in Winnipeg and raised in North Bay, Levasseur is major participant in Toronto’s roots music scene; she plays and records with Corin Raymond, Justin Rutledge and many others. An indication of her versatility and the way she crosses different genres is her list of major appearances at the Toronto’s Downtown Jazz Festival (on a bill with George Benson), the Mariposa Folk Festival, the Beaches Jazz Festival and the Kitchener Blues Festival. www.treasalevasseur.com
Quote: “If I were a Hepburn, I’d be Katherine, not Audrey… I’m a lot more interested in being smart than I am in being cute.”

Ron Hynes: Wednesday, May 9, Doors 7:30 / Concert 8:00pm. $25 at the door. His songs are woven into the fabric of Atlantic Canada, he’s won countless awards and his work has been covered by some of the biggest names in music.  For Ron Hynes, it’s all about the songs-and the soul-baring stories… and he has a few left to tell. With a songwriting career that spans more than 30 years, Ron is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner, a Genie Award winner and a past Juno, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee. Frequently referred to as the “man of a thousand songs”, Ron Hynes’ songs have been covered by dozens of artists worldwide, including Emmylou Harris, Murray McLauchlan, Valdy, John McDermott, and Prairie Oyster. His song “Sonny’s Dream” has become a folk classic, performed and recorded by artists all over the world.  He’s an actor, a songwriter/composer.  The feature film about Ron’s life “The Man of a Thousand Songs” debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival to sold-out audiences and critical praise.  “He touches people… it’s a rare gift for songwriters to be able to distill a song until only its essence remains. He’s a treasure.” Fan.   For more, visit: www.hynesite.org

Matthew de Zoete with Lisa Winn: Colour Film CD Release Concert: Saturday, May 5. Doors at 8pm, concert at 8.30. $10 at the door.  A special full band concert celebrating the release of his third album!  Fresh from playing a three month European tour, Matthew de Zoete is back home in Hamilton to celebrate the release of his third album Colour Film with his full band. Colour Film is produced by Les Cooper (Jill Barber, Good Lovelies) and features gorgeous harmonies by Julie Fader (Great Lake Swimmers, Sarah Harmer); the CD is a big step in a new direction for Matthew. His classic songwriting aesthetic of strong melodies and honest lyrics has found a spacious and modern home. “Think of Nick Drake cheering up a bit and living long enough to work with Beck.” Have a listen online at www.matthewdezoete.com Opening the concert will be Lisa Winn, the very talented singer, songwriter, and pillar of the Hamilton music community. www.facebook.com/lisawinnmusic

BeetleBarrow Bookbinding Workshops: May 5 – June 12
Saturday May 5 – Japanese Stab Hardcover Workshop, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 8 – Single and Two-Sewn-As One Workshop, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday May 12 – Japanese Stab Hardcover Workshop, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 15 – Japanese Stab Softcover Workshop, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday June 9 – Western Hardcover, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 12 – Japanese Stab Softcover, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Saturday May 5 – Japanese Stab Hardcover –  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join artists Chandra Rice and Lindsay E. Wood Slavin for the day to learn how to bind books! The Japanese Stab Hardcover binding comes from Japan, and makes an elegant alternative to traditional western forms.  This type is particularly useful for binding together pages that already have something on them.  Poets can bind their writing for loved ones.  Moms can bind together their child’s artwork.  Or blank paper can be inspiration.
In this workshop, bind your own hardcover book using ancient Japanese techniques and modern tricks of the trade. Choose papers, threads, and book cloth to create your cover.  Choose paper for your text block and any ornamentation.  Then bring it all together using a hemp or noble or tortoise shell stitch!  Walk away with a beautiful book with a touch of the east.
The all day workshop costs $70 and includes use of tools, all materials, and even a home made lunch. All skill levels are made too look good! Visit www.beetlebarrow.ca to learn more. Email makers@beetlebarrow.ca to register for the workshop. www.beetlebarrow.ca

Tuesday May 8 – Single and Two-Sewn-As One – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Join Chandra and Lindsay for the evening to learn how to bind books! Are you a scrapbooker, or card maker, or paper artist looking to expand your craft?  Have you always loved paper and are looking for a way to make beautiful objects from paper?  This playful workshop explores a variety of simple fun bindings.  Single, accordion, two-sewn-as-one, and other simple bindings will be taught in this workshop.  Go home with a variety of books and a whole lot of ideas.
The evening workshop costs $40 and includes use of tools, all materials, and even tea and biscuits. All skill levels are made too look good! Visit www.beetlebarrow.ca to learn more. Email makers@beetlebarrow.ca to register for the workshop.

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