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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Ryan Van Sickle: Saturday, January 11; 8:00pm. $20 at the door: Born and raised in Dundas, now living in New York, Van Sickle comes home to rock The Pearl with his annual show! The man is an excellent singer/songwriter whose yearly visit we enjoy enormously.  Writing songs of character and integrity that resound with the timeless and universal, Ryan Van Sickle uniquely translates the themes of love, war, life and death and the epic and mundane struggles within. Following in the steps of the masters from his native Canada, Ryan draws on the influences of Neil Young, Daniel Lanois, and Leonard Cohen alongside American greats Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger and Lucinda Williams. With the release of his latest album Ghosts Of The Brokenhearted, Ryan emerges as a powerful songwriter; asserting his prowess in building a lyrical highway with a strong voice to carry listeners on the journey. http://ryanvansicklemusic.com/  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBiU67-2q8

Paul Reddick: Saturday, January 4: 8:00pm. $15 /$10 students/arts workers. Back by popular demand (and ours), Paul Reddick calls Toronto home, but his reputation is spreading internationally. The award-winning (phenomenal!) harmonica player, bandleader and songwriter described his most recent CD, Wishbone, as “a soundtrack for dancing and sex.” (!) The January ‘12 issue of Mojo, listed the CD in the #3 spot on its annual list of the Top 10 blues records of 2012. And if those accolades weren’t enough, here’s Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, a long-time Reddick fan, “Wishbone is terrific!”  When Reddick, nominated for no less than five Maple Blues Awards, was asked “What is the blues?” the answer: “The Blues will always provide a soundtrack, a language, an endless landscape. It offers an unlimited means to express, explore and experience everything and every question that matters most.  It can be the heart singing its deepest song.” http://www.paulreddick.ca Listen:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dcae11Tx0w

Hot Jazzy New Years at The Pearl! Tuesday, December 31, 8:00 ‘til ?  $50 per person.  We’re changing it up this year with more entertainment and an even better buffet (Is that possible?). The entertainment is an astounding collection of super-talented jazz musicians. We promise fun, great conversations, musical magic, and definitely dancing

      To welcome in the New Year:

• Chef Gary Santucci will outdo himself (again) with a pan-global buffet throughout the night.
• There will be two sets from the incredible collection of jazz artists assembled for the evening and
• Michael Williams (whom you may know from his days as a VJ on Much Music) will get us dancing between sets. (Do you have any musical requests?)
• We need you to RSVP: Buy tickets online, via email, or phone.  We are expecting a crowd so let us know as soon as you do!

In our warm, welcoming ‘lofty’ atmosphere!
Featuring: The Spanjazz ensemble: Mike Malone on trumpet, Mike Filice on sax, James Gannet on bass, Jordan Abraham on keyboards, Gary Santucci on guitar and Steve Wilson on drums.

Cash Grab: Friday, December 27. 8:00pm $15 /$10 students/arts workers/seniors. Having performed on the stages of Toronto’s Yuk-Yuks, The Second City, and Comedy Bar, Cash Grab represents a new generation of Canadian comedy – comedians that actually studied comedy in college (the troupe met while enrolled in Humber College’s Comedy: Writing and Performance program). Nominated for the prestigious Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award, selected to compete in the Fresh Meat competition at The Second City, their biggest highlight to date was writing and performing with former Kids in the Hall star, Dave Foley, at the Humber Fresh Faces Show 2012. A Cash Grab show isn’t just sketch – it’s sketch, stand-up, music and dramatic physical comedy all packed into an hour and a half show of non-stop laughter. “…awesome and memorable… uproarious… mind-bending… Eloquent writers, strong performers, and great at accents, this seven-member troupe ….deliver a fast-paced, high-energy and consistently hilarious set.” Victoria Laberge, Bloody Underrated  http://cashgrabcomedy.com

Danny Michel Trio: SOLD OUT! Saturday, December 21. Doors: 7:15. Concert: 8:00pm. $25 Admission. “With two Juno nominations and six solo albums to his credit, Danny Michel is one of the finest and most charming songwriters to grace the stage. His honest and straightforward lyrics, earnest live performances, and engaging stage banter, have earned him a devoted global fan base. As his fans will attest, he is a spontaneous & fearless performer.  If you’ve seen Danny live in concert, you’re probably already a fan. If you haven’t, you are missing out on “one of this country’s …..musical treasures” (Toronto Star). Like a chameleon, he slips into any genre with ease, playing off the energy of the crowd. Danny is an innovator, demonstrating that creative artists in the digital age can build a rich, successful and intimate relationship with their fans. He gained publicity in 2008 for making the tracks of his hit single “Feather, Fur & Fin” available for his fans to remix and then posting their submissions on his website. For his birthday this past year, Danny “showed the love” to his grateful fans by offering his entire catalogue of music free for download for the day.  www.dannymichel.com   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkeNwU-0Ew&list=PL1DC4BB9370A1BE60

Dawn and Marra´s Second Annual Christmas Show: Friday, December 20. 7:00pm. $10 or $8 with a canned good or monetary donation. The night will consist of many top local acts, collaborations between artists and lots of Christmas cheer! There will be caroling, snacks, Kim Koren, Lori Yates, Hachey the MouthPEACE, Quails In The Nest, Special Guest Magician, Gazer The Amazer, and more. Proceeds will go to the Hamilton food bank. A night to put you in the mood for the holidays! Come celebrate with us! Dawn and Marra keep adding to the evening so expect some surprises! Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSialCiYxxU  www.dawnandmarra.com

Santa’s Big Sleep: Sunday, December 15, 1 pm.  Reserved Tickets: $10 Adults, $6 children, $26 Family Pass for 4 (Max 2 adults) At the Door: Pay What You Can. Start your Christmas season with this magical story about children’s love for Santa and the true spirit of Christmas that has entertained Hamilton for 10 years. There is a worldwide mail strike and no letters are coming to the North Pole. Santa falls into a deep sleep and we discover that it is the children’s love contained in the letters that keeps Santa alive. Can the Elves solve the problem and wake Santa before Christmas Eve, or will the Spirit of Christmas be lost forever? They will definitely need help. Will the children of Hamilton have enough love to wake up Santa and save Christmas? Come to the show and find out! This 11th Anniversary Production is presented by Northern Lights Theatre & The Pearl Company. Written by Lee Fairbanks. Directed by Patti Cannon. Starring Tyler Brent, Luis Arrojo, Liz Buchanan & Krista McNaughton. For tickets: 289.778.1508 or nltc@bell.net

Ron Hynes: CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW! Saturday, December 14. Doors 7:30 / Concert 8:00pm. $20 advance / $25 at the door. Living legend, musical icon, recent throat cancer survivor… just a few of his tags…. Hynes’ 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 Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV6QlEL46Bs

Christmas Connections: Jazz Connection Big Band w Sophia Perlman: Friday, December 13. Doors at 7:30, Jazz at 8:00. Cover of $15 / $25 for couples. $10 for artists/students/seniors. Performing a mix of standards, Christmas charts, and selected pieces from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. All guests are asked to bring a non perishable food item, a monetary donation to FoodShare, or a new unwrapped toy. The JCBB is a well-established 17-piece jazz ensemble delivering high energy, uncompromising and straight ahead jazz, funk, and Latin combining the highest level of musicianship and great charts in an entertaining show that equally engages both the jazz enthusiast and the casual listener. Sophia Perlman has become a fixture of the Ontario jazz and blues scene. Her musicality, old-soul voice, and skill as an improviser have made her a first-call featured singer with some of the top ensembles and musicians in the country. In addition to performing and touring with her own quartet, she performs regularly with numerous artists and ensembles, including Adrean Farrugia, The Toronto Jazz Orchestra, and The Darcy Hepner Jazz Orchestra. “Perlman’s approach is all at once soulful, gut-wrenching, funky and provocative” WholeNote Magazine “This is one of the most exciting, entertaining and musically interesting jazz ensembles to come along in many years – the musicianship, the repertoire and the energy are all of the highest level!!” Nick Deutsch – Co-ordinator, Mohawk College, Faculty of Music www.jazzconnection.ca  Listen: http://epresskitz.com/index.php?u=2691  Listen to Sophia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjzKseuIpa4

THE FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW: Saturday, December 7: 8:00. $25 General Admission.  Shelley Marshall world renowned Comedienne and the  winner of  Hamilton’s 2013 Best Local Theatre Production View Magazine for her One Woman Show “Hold Mommy’s Cigarette brings her production of the edgy and irreverent, THE FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW. It’s an always SOLD OUT vaudevillian variety show that celebrates the diversity of comedy through Music, Burlesque, Stand-up, Circus and more! Featuring original material from the funniest-and raciest-Stars this country (and beyond) has to offer The show has featured some of the creamiest of the Canadian funny crop such as; Nikki Payne and Debra Digiovanni both Canadian Comedy Award and  Gemini Winners, Canadian Comedy Award Winner’s, Sandra Battaglini and Christele Bartalese, Fringe Festival Winners Evelyn Reese, Precious Chong, Rachelle Elie, Hamilton Music Award Winners Ginger St James and Robin Benedict ,  Juno Award Winner Lori Yates  and many more!  December 7th Line up: Shelley Marshall, Ginger St James, St Stella, Erin Keaney, Chelsea Manders, The Vagetarians. Come with an open mind and you’ll leave with a Full Heart. Adult Content. www.shelleymarshall.com  Check this out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embeddedv=omL9gW9h04 g FaceBook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1425984960963077/1426702160891357

December 6: Grand Opening of Art in “The Pearl District”! 7:00 pm. to ? No Charge. Gerardo Mansang, has set up Casa Mansang featuring art and artisans from South and Central America in one of our storefronts at Steven and King. Art on the walls includes Gerardo, Dora Restepo and Zunayme Romero.  Great gift ideas and just in time for Christmas!
St. Jacques Photography: will be open. Joanna St. Jacques is a welcome addition to the arts scene creating itself here in “The Pearl District”.
Members of the Hamilton Sculpture Guild will be here with their winter show in the main gallery in The Pearl showing us their work and how they put it together….
Our regular Pearl Company artists will be hanging in our other gallery spaces too. Snacks, beverages, fun!
More information to come….

Modern Times; Almost a Musical: November 28 to 30: 8:00 pm. Tickets: $20 General Admission. Lost souls, smart phones, unattended 
packages. Saints, sinners, and an angel on call. Original music performed by Charly Chiarelli and Venesio De Salvo. Drama provided by Ray Rivers, Mike Queripel, John Darling, and Kaime Woody Sherman. Written and directed by David Laing Dawson. Produced by Gallery on the Bay. A play that asks the question, “Is it possible to love Rob Ford and Mike Duffy at the same time, and, if not, well, who wants that last piece of pumpkin pie?”

Little Miss Higgins & the Winnipeg Five: Saturday, November 23, 8:00pm $15 /$10 students/arts workers/seniors From the Great Northern Plains of Western Canada, The award-winning Little Miss Higgins struts and serenades her way, guitar in hand, lips blazoned red, onto any stage. As if she just drove in off the back-road of another time with gravel dust and a sunset trailing behind her, this pocket-sized powerhouse plays music brewed up in old-time country blues sprinkled with a little jazz and maybe a hint of folk. Whether it’s songs about passion or songs about panties, she writes about real things in a rooted and poetic way. Guitar and voice are her main instruments and her theatre background brings a “refreshing sound and story to the stage.” As a songwriter, she has been influenced by a range of artists from Memphis Minnie, Billie Holiday, Big Bill Broonzy to Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and Bob Dylan. For her newest release, Bison Ranch Recording Sessions, Little Miss Higgins teamed up with a very talented quintet of musicians from Manitoba. We know them as the f-Holes (they’ve played here 3 or 4 times); she calls them the Winnipeg Five.  As they play music in a similar vein as Higgins, it was a fitting alliance both onstage and in the studio…well, not quite a typical recording studio – the six of them decided to record in a barn, a barn on a bison ranch in rural Manitoba…. www.littlemisshiggins.com  Listen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcPas_B_CwA