The Pearl Company

Defining Moments in Development – Presentation and discussion with Dr. Susan Smith, Saturday, March 22. 10:30 am until 12 noon. No Charge. Presented by The Pearl Company, Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, and the OPIRG McMaster Guatemalan Solidarity Working Group. Dr. Susan Smith is the Founder and Director of Atzin in Mexico. While development work has taken her across the globe, Susan Smith is the founder and director of Atzin Community Development, a non-profit working collaboratively with the Indigenous community of Tlamacazapa, Guerrero, Mexico for the past 17 years.  Atzin is a Nahuatl word meaning ‘Sacred Waters’. Susan was chosen as the University of Calgary’s top alumnus in 2008; and CBC The National produced “Walking Together” in 2006 as special report on her work in Tlamacazapa. For more info:  shelley.opirg@gmail.com

The Jazz Connection Big Band: Friday, March 21. Doors at 7:30, Jazz at 8:00. $15 /$10 students/all artists. With special guests Adrean Farrugia on keyboard and  Ian Macgillivary on trumpet. Catch the powerful sound of this fabulous big band in our relaxed and atmospheric venue. The JCBB is a well-established 17-piece jazz ensemble comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians from the Hamilton/Toronto area, performing only the best modern big band charts from the books of Goodwin, Martin, Menza, Rich, Basie, and many other great contemporary composers. Jazz Connection delivers 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. The incredible acoustics at The Pearl easily accommodate their very cool (also hot!) surround-sound. “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 –Mohawk College, Faculty of Music www.jazzconnection.ca Listen: http://epresskitz.com/index.php?u=2691

Erin and Nara: First Show: Saturday, March 15. 8:00pm. $20 at the door. Shelley Marshall presents… A Vaudevillian show about firsts in their very first show!   Partners in love and laughter, Erin and Nara are pleased to announce their VERY OWN SHOW! This couple is best known for their original song “Sexy Cuz We’re Lesbians” and for being the over-the-top hysterical hosts of Shelley Marshall’s The Full Bawdy Comedy Show at The Pearl Company. This Vaudeville inspired show of “Firsts” comprised of Comedy Skits, Song, and Dance will have you lol-ing and possibly even rofl-ing. With SPECIAL GUEST~ Drag Superstar~ Ms Xtacy Love!! Winner of Crews and Tango’s Next Drag Superstar Competition 2013, Ms Xtacy Love is taking the Toronto Drag scene to a new level with her plus size fashions and outrageous song choices.  A winner of many competitions even though fairly new to the scene.
ADULTS ONLY (Nara excluded) Limited Seating, Tickets $20, Reservations recommended.  Check them out!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_jiv6N2SCE&feature=youtu.be

Rant Maggie Rant: A Celtic Celebration for St Paddy’s Day! Friday, March 14. 8:00 pm. $20 advance/$25 at the door. Rant Maggie Rant, one of Canada’s most exciting Celtic fusion ensembles, hits the road again. Since their formation in 2008, this Stratford-based band has been wowing audiences at festivals, concert halls and symphonic stages across Canada and the U.S. with their outstanding artistry and on-stage vibe. Rant Maggie Rant brings together four superbly talented musicians who like to colour outside the lines. During their concerts, they will deliver a beautiful traditional ballad, chase it up with an Appalachian-style groove and end with a killer jig or reel. Traditionalists love their time-honoured style, while new Celtic music listeners are drawn to the band’s fusion of World influences. “Rant Maggie Rant exudes a style and brand of Celtic entertainment that is both new and old. Their showmanship, and delivery combined with their diversity of traditional sound coupled with upbeat and unexpected blends, makes them a welcome addition to any musical line up….”  Maggie Durocher, Windsor Celtic Festival. More info: www.RantMaggieRant.com Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH_bD3Ojt5M

Michael Williams Dance Party! Saturday March 8. 8:00pm. $15/$10 students/artists/seniors. Michael Williams (whom you may know from his days as a VJ on Much Music) has been our go-to DJ, with his sidekick Paul Chin, for many an event at The Pearl.  If you’ve been here, you know that they get us moving! We are hoping to make this a regular thing, happening every few months, since there are lots of people out there who love to dance (who me?).  Michael and Paul are very open to musical requests and they are such fun to have around.  Let’s Party!

An Evening with Shirley Temple: Saturday, March 1. 8:00 pm. $15/$10 students/artists/seniors. Shirley is easily the most popular and famous child star of all time. She got her start in the movies at the age of three and soon progressed to super stardom. Shirley could do it all: act, sing and dance and all by the age of five! Fans loved her for the bright, bouncy and cheerful depression era tonic she was. You’ve probably seen some films on TV but have you ever caught her on the large screen? We’ll present Little Miss Marker and Curly Top on our screen (we may not be Silver City but we can do the job)! We’ll provide the popcorn and Cracker Jacks (can you still get them?)  Wouldn’t it be fun to show up in thirties garb or even as Shirley?  Let’s make an evening of it and celebrate an icon that may no longer be with us but will also never leave us!