The Pearl Company

Sisyphus: The Myth Re-Imagined. March 1 – 3, 7 – 10, 14 – 17; Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged. Based on the writings of Albert Camus and other French existentialists. A journey of self discovery through the ages, from Greek Mythology to Modern Times.

“I see many people die because they judge that life is not worth living. I see others paradoxically getting killed for the very ideas and illusions that give them a reason for living. I therefore conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions.” Albert Camus

Written & Directed by Gary Santucci: The Myth is the third part of his trilogy, Theatre of the Awakening Mind;  ‘Democracy is Dead’, and ‘Train of Thought’ were parts 1 & 2. Sisyphus: The Myth Re-Imagined opens March 1 and runs to March 17. Cast: Tara Smith, Diane Hines, Jay Shand, Rod McTaggart, Gary Santucci.

JACKIE GLEASON AND FRIENDS: General Admission $25. “Jackie” has extended its run! Friday, Dec. 1 at 8:00 pm. Saturday, Dec 2 at 2:00 pm. Doors @ 7:30pm for shows starting @ 8:00.
Jackie Gleason and Friends is a two-act stage bio about the life of “The Great One,” Jackie Gleason. Born into poverty in Brooklyn and with little formal education, Gleason clawed his way to the top of the show-business world to become one of the most successful and wealthiest comedians of his time. Willard Boudreau plays Gleason with a magical touch that transports the complex entertainer’s life to the stage. Toots Shor, Gleason’s life-long best friend is played with comparable dexterity by Dan Penrose. Their outrageous relationship in the play lights up the theatre with laughter. Gleason’s close association with Audrey Meadows (Gail Edwards), Joyce Randolph (Elaine Hale), Art Carney (Dan Anderson), and June Taylor (Babe Schurter-Santi) is also presented with great sensitivity. Mike Durkacz (Gleason’s  manager) and Tom Mays (a CBS executive) help us to explore other important facets of Gleason’s life. Willard Boudreau directs Bob Knuckle’s script with remarkable imagination and sensitivity. This is a beautiful, serious drama about a complicated man that is presented with a lot of joy and laughter.
Tickets @ www.bruha.com

Lori Yates with Hey Stella: Saturday, November 11. Doors @ 7:30PM, Show Starts @ 8:30. Admission: $20. Alternative country “supergroup” Hey Stella formed in 1998, and quickly gained a reputation as one of the premiere “live” acts in the country. Thousands of patrons caught Hey Stella (David Baxter, Bazil Donovan, Michelle Josef, Lori Yates) in the cavernous back room of Ted’s Wrecking Yard and Ted’s Collision during their five year weekly residency. Their irreverent and charming approach to traditional country tunes and their originals included; humour, pathos, stellar musicianship. The night often ended with Lori standing on a table belting out Leonard Cohen’s “So Long Marianne” while everyone in the bar sang along with her, making them a crowd favourite.
The band took time off while babies were born, solo records made, careers were advanced. But when the call came for another weekly residency, this time at the venerable Cameron House, they jumped at the chance. So even in 2017, and from the opening note, it’s clear the Hey Stella mojo is still there, maybe even better, and indeed their sound has aged like a fine vintage wine or a smelly piece of cheese. With special guests: Melissa Marchese and Doug Smith.  Advance tickets available here:  https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/19537/

COLOUR FILM: New Songs + JUSTIN SAWICKI: Saturday, November 4, Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged. Music for your mind’s eye. With songs that play like home movies rich in imagery and characters, Colour Film is the stage name of Hamilton’s Matthew de Zoete. This concert will be an intimate ensemble performance of new songs – the raw material for a future album. These songs continue the cinematic approach of Super 8, Colour Film’s 2016 release that blends pop and folk in an atmospheric soundscape conjured with producer Les Cooper (Jill Barber, Good Lovelies).  Imagine Nick Drake cheering up a bit and meeting Beck. Colour Film – www.colourfilm.ca
Justin Sawicki: Sawicki has been active in the Hamilton Music Scene since 2003. In that time he has shared the stage with such acts as Dave Bidini (Rheostatics), Selina Martin, Tomi Swick, Tom Wilson, and Max Kerman (Arkells).  His 2011 album Nothing for No One was nominated for Independant Album of the Year at the Hamilton Music Awards.  In 2015, he released a self-titled album described by Dusty Organ as being “rooted in storytelling and rustic Canadian musicianship, (the album) shifts from western-style blues riffs, to dense, foot-stomping folk melodies”.  In 2018 Sawicki is set to release a new collection of songs collaborating with long time friends and bandmates Dan Rodrgues and Andrew Barbisan for the project. www.justinsawickimusic.com
Cash Bar available.

HERE’S JOHNNY: October 11-14 / 18-21/ 25-28. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $25 / $20 students/seniors/wage-challenged. HERE’S JOHNNY is a gritty tale drawn from the streets of an inner city neighbourhood, where questions are answered by more questions and choices often end badly. Inspired by true events, we follow the exploits and interactions of the five principal characters: Johnny, the Security Systems salesman, “I still gotta a heartbeat”; Bob, the neighbourhood guy, I’m so sick and tired of all the crap”; Ginger, the lifer on the streets; “C’mon it’s the oldest profession”; the new arrival, Candy, “I don’t want to think about tomorrow”; and Billy the punk. “Is that all you got?”  The audience will also be immersed in the 24/7 chatter and mayhem of the streets. Running the gamut from dark to humorous, touching to tragic, from the absurd to very real, HERE’S JOHNNY provokes a response in the audience from outrage to discomfort, rattling our cages as only street life can do. The characters may not be all likeable however they are human and deeply flawed in human ways. Adult Subject Matter. Coarse language and simulated sex.  Tickets: https://bruha.com/event/2028 (Oct 12) Further ticket links under  “Buy Tickets” tab.
Written & Directed: Gary Santucci.  Cast : Johnny: Mischa Aravena.  Candy: Jennifer Farrugia. Bob: Rod McTaggart. Ginger: Robin Zee. Billy: Carlos Jimenez. Supporting  Cast: Peter Bowen. Erica Sherwood. Frank Rocchi. Gerri Mc Manamy.

BROWNMAN Ali explores Michael Jackson’s “THRILLER”: Monday, October 30. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $15 at the door, $10 advance. Brownman’s HALLOWEEN THRILLER: Michael Jackson through the Lens of Electric-jazz. Acclaimed jazz / hip-hop trumpet player BROWNMAN ALI is leading an all-star quartet through his popular annual Halloween Thriller concert. The much lauded BROWNMAN ELECTRYC TRIO + 1 will perform the entire Michael Jackson “Thriller” recording, interpreted and re-worked in National Jazz Award winning improviser Brownman’s Miles Davis-esque fashion. In addition to performing Thriller top to bottom, other MJ classics will be featured during this unique Halloween jazz party. States Ali: “Michael birthed so many incredible tunes over the years, but his collaboration with Quincy Jones on Thriller has to be one of the most towering musical achievements in pop music ever. Using that brilliant material every year on Halloween, as jump-offs for what we do makes for a party that’s danceable, but still rooted in exploratory improvising and deep reaching solos. We approach it the way Miles might have.”
The BROWNMAN ELECTRYC TRIO has won a National Jazz Award, a Toronto Independent Music Award, a SOCAN award for composition, and recently won an International Independent Music Award for “2015 Jazz-Funk album of the year” for “Gravitation”. Costumes encouraged – it’s Halloween after all.
Brownman Ali – electric trumpet / Nick Maclean – keyboards / Brad Cheeseman – electric bass / Geoff Bruce – drums.  Brownman Electryc Trio live: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFECA3E452FE2BC0D  www.ElectrycTrio.Brownman.com
“One of the next great voices in the new generation of jazz improvisers” — Randy Brecker, legendary 14x Grammy winning trumpet icon.
TICKETS: https://bruha.com/event/2151

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Corin Raymond / Kim Beggs: Sunday, October 15. Doors: 7:00pm. Show: 7:30pm. $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged. Here are these two versatile, amazing folkies in the same place at the same time!  You can’t miss this.
Sincere and vulnerable, clear eyed and tough, Yukon singer songwriter Kim Beggs sings sweet, dark tales of northern life. And she is set to release her fifth solo album, Said Little Sparrow. With accompaniment from Marcel Desilets, they deliver the heartfelt darkness of Kim’s songs in a beautiful back woods, beat driven performance. Said Little Sparrow is an intimate, dark and soulful album. It’s an exploration of family, childhood, friendship, sacrifice, risk, death, broken hearts, vulnerability, survival, freedom, vampire love, and more. “A voice as cool and as refreshing as the Yukon river, delivers songwriting of the highest order” 5 STARS Maverick Magazine (UK)
Corin Raymond is a legendary Canadian songwriter and storyteller whose songs are covered by a far flung community of established roots musicians and campfire enthusiasts. Acoustic Guitar calls Raymond’s latest, JUNO award-nominated album Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams, “a hypnotic, literate collection of dark tall tales…. Romantic, immediate, and narcotic,” while The Globe and Mail calls Corin Raymond “a storyteller who by the end of the night you’ll have known your whole life.” On October 15th, Raymond will be freshly back from Winnipeg where he’s currently making his next album, Dirty Mansions, slated for a late 2018 release, and he’ll be featuring some as-yet-unheard songs from that project, and sharing stories new and old. https://kimbeggs.com   https://corinraymond.com  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNIKcyOsR_E

MOJO (Men OF Jazz Octet): Saturday October 7.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged. MOJO (men of Jazz Octet) is a Hamilton based combo playing Cool, Hardbop and beyond. MOJO covers hard bop to modern composers like Freddie Hubbard, Don Sickler (superblue), and Bill Fulton; a bit edgier, a bit more in your face than a traditional octet. Mojo was formed by Lindsay Paul in January of 2015 as a band that would bring together great players with the repertoire to challenge them. Most of the members have extensive experience in top Big Bands in the area. They were looking for an opportunity to play material at that same level in a different configuration. The band is also injecting fresh ideas in our performances by bringing in some of the great new and upcoming players in the area.
There are a few octets in the GTA and Golden Horseshoe area that mainly focus on the Cool jazz sound of great bands like Dave Pell, Dave Brubeck and Shorty Rogers. MOJO tips their hat to these great artists but leans more to the east coast sound of bands like; Superblue, Don Sickler, Freddie Hubbard, and The New Jazz composers octet.
Come out and get your mojo on with the band at an energy filled night of Jazz.

Peace and Love: Remembering Gary Depodesta, Christopher Clause & Friends: NEW DATE: Friday October 6; Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. An all ages show. Cost: Pay As You Can. 
When Gary DePodesta died suddenly at the end of July, the city lost one of its greatest live music supporters. In keeping with his love of live music and our city, we are going to host a special musical event celebrating Gary’s life. When he posed for a photo, Gary would often share a peace sign along with a great big smile. The event will feature many of Gary’s favourite musicians. It will be a pay-as-you-can affair, with the proceeds covering the rental of the venue as well as a donation to “Gracenotes” in Gary’s name. The money will help support local musicians who are completing recording projects. “I (Christopher) am currently organizing the musicians for this emotional send-off. If you are a performer and you would like to be a part of the evening, please private message me. Gary was one of my greatest supporters, and I miss him incredibly. I have confidence that I will see him again, which brings me a sense of peace. I look forward to seeing you all on September 15, as we celebrate the life of one audience member who changed everything for us.” https://www.facebook.com/events/264009207432915/?

Matthew Byrne: CD Release Tour: Friday, September 29. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged. Born into a family of Newfoundland music makers, Matthew’s repertoire is heavily influenced by that unique musical lineage – the weaving of a great story with a beautiful melody – and he supports this tradition with powerful vocals, polished guitar work, and a presence that fills the room. His repertoire transcends time and place and his live performance reminds us how satisfying traditional songs can be when stripped down to their basic elements. Touring as both a solo artist as well as singer with The Dardanelles, he has graced festival stages worldwide. His second album, Hearts & Heroes, received CFMA Traditional Recording of the Year, establishing Byrne as one of Canada’s most authentic and vital traditional voices. He released his highly-anticipated third album Horizon Lines in August. This new collection of traditional material explores a unique repertoire of songs from both sides of the Atlantic and continues Byrne’s journey through his own unique musical lineage. For more information, visit www.matthewbyrne.net
“His reverence and respect for his material, along with his unabashed exploration of new songs and his staggeringly beautiful voice, makes for the rarest and most vital type of folk performer.” – TOM POWER, CBC MUSIC

Kirk Starkey & Hanna Bech: Saturday, September 23. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $20 /students/seniors/wage-challenged PWYC (pay what you can). Kirk Starkey is “One of Canada’s most inventive Cellists today.” CBC Radio 2. Kirk has pursued a unique career as cellist, composer and sound artist. Kirk’s solo recordings Little Gidding (2011), Songs of Sudbury (2016) showcase his original style of integrating extended cello techniques and digital processing into a compelling and accessible medium. In the role of Producer, Kirk Starkey specializes in the capture and production of acoustic music. Recent clients include in the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Duo Gelato, and Valerie Tryon! Kirk performs on a newly restored Vogtland cello (c.1775) on generous loan from Hildegard Battista.
Hamilton native Hanna Bech is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, choral composer, conductor, and teacher(!)  Bech’s sound combines piano and playful vocals to create classically influenced folk-pop with swagger. She’s performed with the HPO’s Indie Series and been recognized as 2017’s emerging music artist by the Hamilton Arts Council. She uses her love of play to transform her feelings into music and fantasy-filled stories. Hanna is also cultivating Queens of Quirk, a celebration of (un)conventional coolness through music, silks, comedy, and crimps.  Hanna dreams of helping everyone find and embrace their unique voice. www.hannabechmusic.com  www.kirkstarkey.com  Tickets: https://www.bruha.com/event/1961

Scotty and the Barefoot Boys: Friday, September 22, Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $20.  Scotty and the Barefoot Boys is a four piece band born at the Hamilton Regional Songwriter’s Group. Scott Kernaghan is a psychologist, athlete and songwriter who does vocals too!  Taylor Jeffrey is a coffee master at Williams’ and a guitar player extraordinaire. Spencer Thomas is an exciting bass player, who will be replaced by a very accomplished bass player at the live event since Spencer is off for adventures in Europe. Jordan Jespersen is a drummer far beyond his years in his ability and he’s the engine that drives the bus known as Scotty and the Barefoot Boys.  This band is proud of its local roots.  Thus, the title of track of their debut CD is “Rock The Hammer”. Listen (Not from the CD): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnzqR_hKH8U

Low Country Hill: CD Release! Saturday, September 16. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged. Low Country Hill is the moniker for Hamilton-based singer- songwriter Paul Hogeterp.  Paul released his self-titled, critically-acclaimed debut in 2014. (Floorshime Zipper Boots). Touring has taken Paul down logging roads in northern Ontario and through traf?c jams on the Lionsgate Bridge in Vancouver – all for the joy of sharing the songs in intimate venues with music lovers. After nearly two years of performing, he burrowed in his basement studio for the last half of 2016 to write for his next record. The result of that effort is Guesthouse, a five-song EP recorded in May-July of this year. Dave King returns as producer and drummer while musical wizard Paul Linklater (Bidini Band, Colleen and Paul) plays bass and electric guitar for the project. Hogeterp is feeling blessed and lucky to have the (gentle giant) footprints of these creative and kindred spirits in his new work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM_4xHJlAxI  https://lowcountryhill.com   https://www.facebook.com/lowcountryhill

Harpdog Brown & The TRAVELIN’ BLUES SHOW with Sugar Brown: Saturday, September 9. Doors: 7:30. Show: 8:00. $25 –online or at door. Maple Blues award-winning Harpdog Brown is happily touring his authentic Travelin’ Blues Show in support of his new ground-breaking album Travelin’ WithThe Blues. Canada’s premier ‘old school’ harp wizard has never sounded better.  He arrives with Sugar Brown whose dark, sweet, and inconsolable blues has brought him much attention and many awards. Sugar Brown’s blues originated while at the University of Chicago. By day, he studied; by night he learned to play the blues on Chicago’s famed West Side.  And now, he’s an Associate Professor of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto by day and he’s still playing those blues by night.
This concert supports Hamilton FoodShare. A percentage of the proceeds and 100 percent from the raffle/silent auction will go directly to FoodShare. Long & Mcquade have donated a 7 Harmonica Kit. What a night; bring food; bring a donation! There will be a cash bar. www.harpdogbrown.com  www.SugarBrownMusic.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zvGO_NR_I&list=PLBxSRWqZlnm9Tim9f471UEyx88lq9L09s
“Harpdog’s got a smokin’ band playing and he’s singing the real deal, old school blues just like you want to hear it.” Charlie Musselwhite.  “Harpdog’s effortless vocal delivery is a rare and natural gift.” Holger Petersen.

POR LA VIDA…SIEMPRE!!! Opening: September 9 (11am-4pm)Two weeks only: 4 to 15 September. Opening: September 9 – 11:00am to 4:00pm. FOR LIFE ALWAYS!!! is the once aborted and now restored exhibition of the series of Antifascist Posters that were conceived in Santiago, Chile through the State Technical University. Exhibitions of the 18 posters were to take place in 500 simultaneous locations on September 11, 1973 the day the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet took place. Presidente Salvador Allende was scheduled to inaugurate the central exhibit at the university. The university´s main building was attacked, the organizers imprisoned and the exhibition destroyed. From those 500 sets of 18 posters, only one set of the original prints survived, and it has now been restored to the original set in remembrance of POR LA LA VIDA…SIEMPRE!!!, the exhibition intended to open over 44 years ago.
Violeta Parra‘s unpublished art work, titled CONTRA LA GUERRA (1963) accompanies this show as part of the commemoration of the centenary of Latin America’s greatest singer-songwriter and peace activist who took her life 50 years ago. Due to the historical importance of the messages and their current validity, this vital show is a must see.
Opening: A Tribute to Violeta Parra: Music. Art. Dance. Film: Appearances by: Marcelo Puente, Lil Medrano, Alec Dempster and Teresa Irene Barrera; the group Raices Latinoamericanas AFH, and the film: Cantar con Sentido, a biography of Violeta Parra.