The Pearl Company

Leonard, Burns, & Dell: The Perfect Strangers. Friday, March 27. 8:00pm. Doors 7:30. Sue Leonard, Brennagh Burns, and Cindy Dell are Leonard, Burns, & Dell: The Perfect Strangers. They will be celebrating the release of their CD and performing songs from it with phenomenal (!) band members Andrew Aldridge, Sean O’Grady, Michael Hickey, and Michael J. Birthelmer. The Perfect Strangers, are no strangers to the music world. Solo artists all, in their own right, they have come together as good friends who love to make music, write songs, and sing harmonies. And they’re good at what they do.
Singer/songwriter Sue Leonard: Two world tours with kd Lang; recorded background vocals on “Constant Craving” and Bon Jovi’s “Lay Your Hands On Me”; has an endless list of recording credits; released two independent CDs; has made numerous appearances on television, -The David Letterman Show, Jay Leno, and Saturday Night Live. Now, she has returned to her Hamilton roots and teamed up with Brennagh and Cindy to write, sing lead, and harmonize.
All her life and throughout North America, Cindy Dell has been writing songs and making music: Picked up the bass as a founding member of the band Tin Angel (signed to Atlantic Records with a self-titled album released worldwide); has four independent CDs; currently sings, co-writes, plays guitar and fiddle.
Brennagh Burns, Baby of the group: Found her passion for music at an early age pounding out tunes on the family piano and a battered old guitar; started writing her own songs when she was 14 years old; released a number of CDs of her compositions working with Nick Blagona and Rob Lamothe; shared the stage with artists like The Dharlings, Run for the Hills. Derek Miller, and The Donefors.
www.reverbnation.com/leonardburnsanddell  Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jKwJofWfqE

THEY CAME FROM AWAY: One Night Only. Saturday, March 21. 8:00pm. $20/$15 income-challenged (Srs/Stdts/etc.).  A one-man play written and performed by Trevor McKinven. How did a young man from North Hatley, Quebec make a name for himself by writing a one-man play and performing as… a Newfoundlander…? When all air traffic was ordered to land on 9/11, the small town of Gander Newfoundland absorbed and embraced over 6500 stranded passengers. They had the airport facilities to accommodate the influx but not the hotels/restaurants, so the townsfolk took the displaced into their homes giving them a place to rest a weary head, have a good home-cooked meal, and a dose of old fashioned Nfld hospitality. Of the “come-from-aways” who became part of the Gander family during that memorable week, many left as life-long friends with their host families. Join four of these ‘plane people’ as they reunite and reflect on that week long international slumber/kitchen party. Trevor McKinven imagines their reunion as they remember their forced and extended stay in a place they’d never heard of. With heart-warming humour, McKinven’s play takes a close look at the bonds that were formed in the midst of those tragic circumstances. https://www.facebook.com/trevor.mckinven  Wee glimpse:  http://youtu.be/vF8e4IUHx-o

Gary Santucci: New Works for Solo Guitar: Friday, March 20. 8:00pm. $20 door/$15 income-challenged(Srs/Stdts/etc.)  To all who complain that Gary doesn’t play enough any more (he’s way too busy running The Pearl District and the rest of the world….). Here’s his response; an intimate evening of guitar music: Selected Classical guitar, World Music, Flamenco, combined with new works from El Santucci. Check out the photo – circa 1995 – he was intense back then too. Trained in Spain (and Canada) and playing his unique brand of flamenco and world music for over 35 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

ALAN REID & ROB VAN SANTE: Thursday, March 19. 8:00pm. Doors 7:30 a remarkable pairing of two seminal members of Scotland’s renowned Battlefield Band. Right here in Hamilton! What more can you ask?  With Alan’s faultless pedigree as musician and songwriter and Rob’s unshakeable reputation as a sympathetic musical partner and excellent engineer, any music they produce will stimulate any listener’s sensitivities.
Alan Reid was nominated as composer of the year at the 2009 Scots Tradition Awards, and was a vital member of Battlefield Band from its inception in 1969. They won awards world-wide and throughout, Alan was at the heart of the band, his keyboards underpinning the bagpipes and the fiddle. In being the first to use keyboards as an integral part of a traditional folk band Alan’s contribution to the band’s story has ensured it’s stature in Scottish culture and its influence on today’s Celtic musicians.
Dutch born Rob van Sante is a guitarist of skill and subtlety. His mother was a child prodigy on piano so it is no surprise that music has played an important part in his life. Rob worked for Battlefield Band for 13 years as their sound engineer for both live and recorded work. He accompanied them on all their tours as their ‘fifth’ member until he left the band in 2010. Rob has worked with most stalwarts of the British Folk and Jazz scene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ib7hA7aHE  http://www.reidvansante.com

Elise LeBlanc & Band: Saturday, March 14. Doors 7:00 Show 7:30 pm. $15/$10 income-challenged…. On her first Ontario tour, singer-songwriter Elise LeBlanc will be joined by a full band and special guests for a night of original music from her debut album, Runaway Kites.  Set to her own blend of neo-folk and vintage pop, Elise’s bright vocals speak with authenticity and stubborn optimism.  Combining jazzy, old school rhythms with folk instrumentation (think Billie Holiday with a banjo), the songs in Runaway Kites weave a tapestry of sound that’s upbeat, soulful and woodsy.
In 2013, Elise (with a recording grant from FACTOR Canada) worked with Juno-winning producer Howard Redekopp (Tegan & Sara, Said the Whale).  The Canadian singer-songwriter is excited to be returning from the west coast for this special show in her hometown. Now based in Oregon, Elise has been making her mark in the Portland music scene. Oregon Music News raved of a recent performance: “Elise LeBlanc…captivated the room from her first song. Her pipes paired well with her ukulele, bright drums, and exuberant bass, but nothing sounded more appropriate than when Elise sat down on the house piano and belted out her songs. She resonates with the English soul scene, Lisa Hannigan and Adele. Look out for her new album…” Website: http://www.eliseleblanc.com  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/eliseleblancmusic

Jon Brooks: Thursday, March 12: 8:00pm, $20 door/$15 artists/students. A songwriter with an honest, gritty delivery and straight-shooting songwriting (which honours the tradition of folk music) and who is dedicated to uniting folk tradition with today’s stories. His new album of Canadian murder ballads, THE SMILING AND BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE (Borealis) has just recently been released and is currently subject to lots of excellent reviews; he is bringing this strange and compelling show to his favourite Hamilton venue: The Pearl Company!   “…. 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

Celebrating Gerardo Mansang and Gallery “Casa Mansang”: Saturday, March 7: Starting at 8:00pm to midnight. Cost: $10 at the door. The Pearl Company and  Gerardo invite you to a Fiesta, featuring Gerardo Mansang’s vibrant art. This Colombian artist (trained as an architect) understands colour, warmth, and symbolism! He paints from very large to small canvases, all in brilliant acrylics.  We are planning dancing, great food and perhaps some breakout guitar sessions! A splendid evening of cultural entertainment with a Rumba Loca (Mad Party!). You can win an original Gerardo Mansang art piece.  All proceeds from the evening will go to help Gerardo maintain his gallery and his dream of  a successful life in Hamilton as the brilliant and creative artist he is. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-Mansang-Gallery