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/

LUCID Live at the Pearl Company! Thursday, May 15. 8:00pm. $20 general admission/ $15 students, artists of all stripes, and seniors.  Been to England lately? If you have then you may have come across this fine group.  Lucid is a unique-sounding 6 piece folk/rock/pop band from the Isle of Wight, England, consisting of 2 females and 4 males, playing piano, guitars, violin, bass and drums. They have 5 amazing vocalists, producing breathtaking harmonies. Over the last 7 years they have built up a lengthy repertoire of original material, occasionally throwing in well-arranged select covers! They pride themselves on a high quality performance with a tight/well-honed live sound. Through tireless performing they have gained a large fan base in the UK and some parts of Europe and are keen to try and broaden their horizons further and believe what they have to offer will appeal! This will be their first tour to Canada.  How exciting that we have them here! www.lucidband.co.uk  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfWMRmACFCU

Dave Gould’s AUDIOTORIUM Sound/Art Show! OPENING CONCERT: MAY 10, 8:pm. $15 / $10 Students/ Seniors/ Artists. Dave Gould is creating an exhibition at the Pearl Company Gallery featuring his entire collection of musical inventions. Are they musical instruments or sound sculptures?  (Maybe a bit of both)  The Opening Concert will feature special guests including Orange McFarland, Gary Santucci and Chris Cracknell (Uncle Ghastly).  The Pearl Company stage is an acoustically amazing opportunity to experience these sound inventions.  The show will include Dave’s infamous toileteering where he performs a blistering solo on an antique toilet rigged with pickups, smoke, and lights. Chris Cracknell will play his Hubjo. (a hubcap, two strings and a stick)  Gary Santucci will create soundscapes with his multi pickup and stringed Hobittar.  These eclectic and versatile musicians will improvise their way around this array of cool sounding oddities.
Closing Party/Social: June 14th 8:pm (Pay What You Can)(Open invite to improvise with sound) This will be a fun open jam/social that will include refreshments and food where everyone will have a chance to explore the instruments and experience their sounds in a hands-on, collaborative live setting.
More information and videos are available at: www.reverbnation.com/davegould  Please email or call Dave for more information: 905-537-0463 daverobgould@gmail.com
“Voodoo- influenced, maritime country with hints of electro-acoustic experimentation.” .BROKEN PENCIL MAGAZINE – Toronto. “…….a high degree of musicianship. These aren’t “joke” songs but witty, sometimes strange, interesting, catchy numbers. The guitar and vocal work are superb. There’s even a bit of an edgy, alternative vibe at play here.” HAMILTON BLUES LOVERS.

Dave Gould’s AUDIOTORIUM Sound/Art Show! GALLERY SHOW: May 10 through June 2014. Are they musical instruments or sound sculptures?  (Maybe both.)  Dave Gould’s exhibition at the Pearl Company Gallery features his entire collection of musical inventions. In the Gallery: The electro/acoustic collection includes: Electric Caribou Antler Harp (giant antlers stringed and bowed); Stringed Bovine Tibia, Musical Toilet (with built in smoke and light show); Mobile Percussive Machine (a 50 gallon olive barrel on wheels filled to the brim with found sounds); Bowl-A-Tone (a mixing bowl, fence post and 4 strings); Texas Twister (an example of the earliest home-made electronic sound generation); and more of  Dave’s home-made musical/sound inventions.  Dave’s sound sculptures are constructed from a plethora of unconventional objects that challenge the way we hear and perceive the world around us. The Pearl’s own, Gary Santucci, will have his electric Hobittar (created for Village Theatre’s “The Hobbit”) on display as well. Come hear what each one sounds like through the interactive display.  Each sound sculpture will have a set of headphones playing a recording of it.  One set of headphones will feature all of the sound/art creations put together in a composition demonstrating Dave’s “AUDIOTORIUM” Orchestra..
Please email or call Dave for more information and interviews: 905-537-0463 daverobgould@gmail.com
Gallery Viewing Hours: By Appointment, by Chance, & when open to the public (before concerts etc.)

Poor Angus: Friday, May 9. 8:00pm. $20 door. $15 artists/students/seniors.  A Hamilton-based Celtic ensemble mixing the music of past and present with dynamic arrangements of traditional and original Scottish, Irish and East Coast pieces. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of Blue Rodeo, Kathleen Edwards, and The Proclaimers, Featuring Ross Griffiths’ masterful highland and uilleann piping and tin whistles, the virtuoso fiddling of Andrew Bryan, the warm voice and fingerstyle guitar of folk music veteran Scott Cameron Smith, the bodhran, guitar and mandolin of Brian LeBlanc, with bass and keyboard player DJ Moons.  Poor Angus is noted especially for their foot stomping vocal harmony. Their first album in 2007, won the Hamilton Music Award for Folk/Traditional Album of the Year; Their second album, “Prime Cuts”, also won the 2009 HMA for Folk/Traditional album of the Year! Greg Quill of the Toronto Star notes: ”Deftly executed instrumental ballads, jigs and reels…..” www.poorangus.com  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnKXQIOSIHA

DOORS OPEN Hamilton! Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4. 11 to 4pm
3^rd Annual Ladybird Spring Fair! The fine musicians and human beings who make up the Ladybird Sanctuary (Melissa McLelland, Lisa Winn, Janine Stoll) will fill the place with music, food, and fun. Come on out and enjoy. All to benefit Ladybird Animal Sanctuary and the rescued animals in their care!  The fair was great fun last year and absolutely packed with people, happenings, food, crafts, and entertainment. Bring your family to the fair and help Ladybird rescue animals in your community! Donations are: “Pay What You Wish”. www.ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com
Dave Gould will be presenting his unique and uniquely fashioned musical instruments.  Based on the fact that you can make music with just about anything, Dave lets his imagination and his musical skills run riot.  Seeing – and hearing – will be believing
Tours will be provided showing off the three floors of the exciting and distinctive building that is The Pearl Company. Comprising the Concert Hall that is considered one of the acoustically-finest rooms on the planet; the unique tiered black box theatre-in-the-round that is getting so much attention these days; the art that is hung in the three galleries; the ambiance which is so often called ‘New York’ and valued as almost impossible to find any more!  It’s here; in Hamilton.  Come visit.

Ladybird Fair Performances: 

• Saturday, at 1:00pm and 3:00pm, features the highly-touted ensemble, The DoneFors, showcasing an eclectic style they term ‘Canadiana vanguard’, which incorporates jazz, pop, rock, world and roots elements. Singer/songwriter, (and Ladybird) Janine Stoll with her expressive versatile voice, and her band pump out a brilliant sound. http://www.thedonefors.com/
• Sunday at 1:00pm and 3:00pm, local solo roots artist and singer/songwriter Mimi Shaw will entertain with The Highnote Ramblers. Deeply influenced by Canadian folk and Americana roots artists, Mimi creates a sound that evokes characteristics of both styles. Her band was voted one of CBC’s top 10 picks for Hamilton’s Supercrawl 2012. http://www.reverbnation.com/mimishaw

Gary Santucci: Original Compositions for Solo Guitar: Saturday, May 3. 8:00pm. $15 door/$10 students/arts workers.  Fans are complaining that Gary doesn’t play enough any more; he’s too busy running The Pearl…. Here’s the response; an intimate evening of guitar music: Classical guitar, World Music, Flamenco, and original compositions from Gary Santucci. Trained in Spain (and Canada) and playing his unique brand of flamenco and world music for over 30 years, he has become a consummate musician whose repertoire spans numerous genres. Among his awards is Best Classical Musician 1982 [Hamilton Wentworth Council of the Arts],  The City of Hamilton Arts Award for Music 2004, and together with Barbara Milne, The City of Hamilton Arts Award 2008 for Lifetime Achievement.  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKBk4LxbRU

Ambre McLean, Live at The Pearl: Friday, May 2. 8:00pm. $15 general admission/ $10 for artists of all stripes, students, and seniors. Doors at 7:30pm. We are excited to have singer/songwriter Ambre McLean (Busted Flat Records) back again for another amazing show. This will be Ambre’s 4^th show at The Pearl and with a voice and delivery like hers, she never misses, so don’t you miss out! “Ambre’s voice is an instrument itself: gorgeous, sometimes with a rich, bluesy feel, other times a sweet mellow sound, alternatively soft and ferocious, always carrying these tunes straight to your musical heart.” David Yazbeck, CKCU FM.  Ambre has been gifted with the ability of appearing small on stage, but once she’s up there it doesn’t take long for her powerful voice and talent for her to appear larger than life. She fills the room with the songs that will make you remember lost loves, abandoned dreams, and new hopes. She has performed on the CBC Music Searchlight Competition, and made it to round three, which surprised no one except that she did not finish by winning! http://ambremclean.com Listen: http://www.youtube.com/user/ambremclean

THE FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW: Saturday, April 26: 8:00pm. Admission: $25. ($20 for groups of 6 or more…).  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 another production of the edgy and irreverent THE FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW back to The Pearl Company. TFBCS is 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: Precious Chong, Rachelle Elie; Hamilton Music Award Winners: Ginger St James and Robin Benedict; Juno Award Winner Lori Yates and many more!  April 26th Line up: Shelley Marshall, Erin and Nara hosting, Musical Guest: Ginger St. James, Burlesque:  “The Lady Josephine from Montreal”; Stand Up: Lianne Mauladin (Appeared recently on The View!); Special Guest: Phil Luzi. Come with an open mind and you’ll leave with a Full Heart! Adult Content. www.shelleymarshall.com Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=omL9gW9h04g

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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Cara Luft: Sunday, April 13. 8:00pm. $15 / $10 for students, seniors, & artists of all stripes. The gifted Cara Luft performs! You may know of her as one of The Wailin’ Jenny’s. Cara is a Juno award winning singer-songwriter-guitarist extraordinaire and a rare musician who is steeped in folk and traditional roots music almost from birth. She is willing to alter the fabric, push boundaries and fearlessly shape, and blend genres and styles. Folk heroine Luft has definitely earned her solid reputation as one of Canada`s finest live performers whose engaging, down-home style comes wrapped in a warm and delicious sense of humor. Cara is one of those people who belongs on stage, so you really don`t want to miss this show! Cara`s website: http://caraluft.com Cara on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.luft.7?fref=ts Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/caraluft

Heritage and the Authentic City:  Conservation and Craftsmanship in Sustainable City Building: March 23, 30 & April 4, 11:  A Four-part Learning Series Presented by the Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects with support from the Ontario Association of Architects: Course Focus: Conservation and reuse are core principles of sustainability. The environmental movement has become a mainstream endeavour and efforts toward more sustainable lifestyle practices are commonplace, all reflective of the emerging attitude towards urban pride. Re-imagined historic buildings and places within our urban landscape are an integral part to creating and celebrating a dynamic and authentic sense of place. Equally important is the quality of contemporary architectural contributions which can also define how the public realm is valued. Socially-focused planning and ecologically thoughtful design, materials and construction methods all provide vibrant, relevant settings for urban life. When exceptional, forward-thinking projects are diligently promoted and carefully executed, they stand testament to an exceptional, forward-thinking and ultimately authentic city. http://hbsarchitects.com See course descriptions under “Read More”. 
Sunday March 23rd:  2-5pm Course #1: Sustainability, Conservation and the Emerging Cultural Shift
Sunday March 30th:    2-5pm Course #2: Traditional Craft and Sustainable Design
Friday April 4th :  2-5pm: Course #3: Historic Building Assessment and Reuse
Friday April 11th:   2-5pm. Course #4:  Built Heritage and Public Place-making
Cost for each course: $60.00/ HBSA member price, $40.00.  Payment at door – register by email: abell@ashleighbell.ca

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Carlos del Junco and The Blues Mongrels: Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 8pm Tickets: $20 advance/$25 at the door. Carlos is one of those players whose music is so advanced that when it comes to awards, it’s either retire the category or rephrase the question to “Best Harmonica Player Not Named Carlos”. (Eight time Harmonica Player of The Year at the Maple Leaf Blues Awards!). Simultaneously sophisticated and raw, the band’s playing blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz. The emphasis is on blues, but they are not afraid to merrily traipse off in other directions delivering a seamless fusion of New Orleans second line grooves, jazz swing, Latin, hip-hop or ska melodies, to swampy roots rock. The Blues Mongrels are: bassist Henry Heillig (founded the nine piece Latin band Manteca), and guitarist Eric St. Laurent. Get ready to trash all you thought you knew about the harmonica. The Blues Mongrels deliver a no-holds-barred display of fun and melodic virtuosity.  “…a model of focus and urgency..a true virtuoso.. Brad Wheeler – The Globe and Mail http://www.carlosdeljunco.com

FIN DE FIESTA FLAMENCO: Friday, March 28. 8:00pm. $20 /$15 students/seniors/arts workers. This esteemed flamenco collective brings Spanish inspiration to Canadian soil. They are four musicians and dancers, (guitarist and singer Dennis Duffin, singer and dancer Tamar Ilana, and dancers Lia Grainger and Alexandra Talbot) who divide their time between Canada and Seville, Spain. The name FIN DE FIESTA translates to “End of the Party”, a reference to the open jam session that occurs at the end of a traditional flamenco show in Spain when the true improvisational and spirited nature of flamenco shows itself.  It is this lively spirit – unpredictable and unrestrained – that inspires their work. FIN DE FIESTA FLAMENCO is currently touring their latest production, Mala Yerba Nunca Muere (“Wild Flowers Never Die”). The name is taken from an old Spanish idiom that describes the capacity to endure. At the core of this show is an exploration of flamenco’s capacity to invoke striking contrasts, from delicate beauty to a fierceness that borders on carnal. From refined to raw, Mala Yerba Nunca Muere incorporates the traditional and the contemporary to create an electrifying portrait of an art form that shatters traditional stereotypes of beauty. They will perform in Hamilton for one night only. “Simply Awesome!” – The Kitchener-Waterloo Record  Watch on YouTube: http://bit.ly/1ciqkLK   Read Gary Smith’s article about Lia and Fin de Fiesta: http://bit.ly/1636orM  www.findefiestaflamenco.com

Lori Yates w Buckshot Bebee & Duane Rutter: Saturday, March 22. Doors: 7:30 Show: 8:00. $20. “She’s pulling herself up by the bra straps, out of the honky-tonks and into the soft-seaters!” ONE NIGHT ONLY! Veteran singer/songwriter Yates brings her contagious spirit, her finely crafted songs, her glorious voice, and her charismatic stage presence to her first appearance at the Pearl Company. Having written with such legendary songwriters as Guy Clark, Colin Linden, and Don Schlitz (among others), award-winning Yates has completely won the hearts of Hamilton audiences since her move here in 2002. She is joined by stellar musicians: Duane Rutter – acoustic guitar, Steve Wood – pedal steel, Michael Hickey – stand up bass, Andrew Aldridge and Nick Burson on percussion. She is also the creator of the new & wildly popular Creative Genius Songwriting Workshops. www.loriyates.com Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wtwbAgRqbk&feature=em-share_video_user   (more…)