The Pearl Company

Perspective: Monday, April 22 to Wednesday 24. 7:00 pm. $8 at the door. Four students are being interrogated one week after a school shooting. The second shooting suspect has gone missing and they are the only ones who know where he is. They each take turns telling their stories and in the process discover the shooter’s motive, and one shocking revelation. This play, written and directed by student Jamie Kasiama, an aspiring writer, spoken-word artist, and former co-op student at The Pearl, is a labour of love and determination against some unexpected odds. She has overcome, and is proudly presenting a work that will, you can be sure, cause us to rethink a few attitudes toward the multinational, multiply-challenged students of today. ” Jamie blew me away with her spoken-word presentations; I expect to have the same reaction to her play.” Barbara

Jon Brooks: Saturday, April 20; 8:00pm, $15 door/$10 artists/students. A songwriter dedicated to uniting folk song tradition with today’s stories, with an honest, gritty delivery and straight-shooting songwriting which honours the tradition of folk music. “I expect I owe today’s listener some hopeful argument – some legitimate reason – as to why we should believe our present world could be improved, or healed. The highest aim of song is to invoke empathy – to offer that rare sight of ourselves in others. In this sense, the folk singer is simply trying to politicize love, hence, my contention that today’s songwriter should be a lobbyist for compassion to be our principle representative in government office.” [Amen, says Barbara!]  Brooks’ songs are underscored throughout by his gently weather-beaten voice, the singularly beautiful sound of hand on guitar, and his uncanny ability to press his ear against the heartbeat and the soul of the times we live in. http://www.jonbrooks.ca

Stephen Fearing with Erin Costelo: Friday, April 19. 8:00pm. $20 at the door. 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, he has experienced commercial and critical success, both in his solo career and with roots/rock supergroup Blackie and The Rodeo Kings. Fearing is touring to promote his latest album, Between Hurricanes, appearing seven years after his Juno Award-winning tour de force Yellowjacket. Much like John Hiatt before him, Fearing can get away with wearing many musical hats and come out sounding like a winner. His newest record leans heavily upon the folk music realm, every song anchored by his earthy, baritone vocals. Fearing proudly wears his influences while still maintaining a truly original voice. http://www.stephenfearing.com Erin Costelo overthrows genre on her latest album, We Can Get Over, and her unmistakable vocals take centre stage. Inspired by her love of old soul, 60s vocal groups and classic arranging, Costelo takes listeners on a journey of heart, soul, and transcendence. Based in Halifax, the accomplished musician and arranger has toured North America, scored performances with Symphony Nova Scotia and the Blue Engine String Quartet. www.erincostelo.com Here’s a tantalizing taste of Erin and Stephen in concert:  http://music.cbc.ca/#/concerts/Erin-Costelo-and-Stephen-Fearing-2012-03-30