The Pearl Company

REGRESSTiVAL! Entertainment for your INNER Child. Friday, April 19.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $15 / PWYC 19+..Puppetry! Claymation! Music! Whimsy! Prizes! Colouring! Child-LiKE whimsical, eccentric, eclectic, electric entertainment of all kinds…for the kid iN you… Live Music by Will Gillespie, Dave Gould & Chris Cracknell, Art and animations by Susan Robinson.
REGRESSTiVAL!!! In this day and age of Adult cartoons, graphic novels, special collectors edition action figures, adult onesie pyjamas, and chewable gummy arthritis medication we decided to “celebrate” this brave new world with a childhood-regression festival of our own.
Hosted by Johnathan P. Bowles from “Toilet Humour” with his potty-mouthed cousin Lou, this show features music by the world’s preeminent Loo-ist, Dave Gould, the always artful and engaging Chris Cracknell and Singer-Songwriter Will Gillespie as well as live puppetry, videos, claymation and introducing the Middle Finger Puppets. http://www.willgillespie.ca  http://www.davegould.ca

Celebrating the Arts! April 11-14. Doors 6:30 pm. Curtain 8:00 pm sharp. Matinee April 14: Doors 12:30 pm. Curtain 2:00pm sharp. Tickets: $25 online or at the door. You are cordially invited to The Pearl Company for An Evening of Theatre, Visual Arts and Live Music in support of SAVIS of Halton and #FeedtheHammer . Start Spring right! Support this fundraising initiative complete with a silent auction, 50/50 draw, food drive, live theatre, visual arts displays and a full musical set by RnR. Special Musical guests include Robert Laszcz, Rod McTaggart, and Chris Reid, laying down those solid grooves while you browse works of art by professional local artists, bid in the silent auction, and take part in the 50/50 draw. At 8pm, round off the evening with 2 one-act plays: The Dilemma, a black comedy written and directed by Joel Pettigrew, starring Lucas James and Thomas Sarigiannidis, and Carol Churchill’s A Number, directed by David Nash and starring Chris Reid and Rod McTaggart. Latecomers will be seated at an appropriate break in the program.

ENCUENTRO FLAMENCO: Sunday, March 31, Doors: 7:00pm. Show: 7:30. Tickets: $20. A quest for freedom within the constraints of tradition. The artists: Tamar Ilana: vocals/dance; Matt Sellick: flamenco guitar; Derek Gray: percussion.
The dancer calls, the musicians answer; the guitarist sings and the singer replies. Each is an individual artist, but together, it becomes a whole universe into which the audience is invited. In Encuentro, Tamar and Matt share their discovery of each other as artists, themselves as individuals, and what it means to be Canadian flamenco artists. In this encounter between the new and the old, the original and the traditional, the composed and the interpreted, Tamar and Matt rearrange traditional pieces, present original choreographies, and share new compositions.
Powerhouse vocalist and dancer Tamar Ilana has studied, lived and performed in Paris, Seville and Barcelona; she has been featured in flamenco festivals across North America. She is releasing her third album with her award-winning band, Ventanas, this May. Tamarilana.com (more…)

Jazz @ The Pearl:  April 4, 5 & 6: Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20 / $15 students/seniors/un(der)waged. A weekend of great jazz with talented practitioners of the art!

MOJO (Men of Jazz Octet): Thurs. Apr. 4, is a Hamilton based combo playing Cool, Hardbop and Beyond. They cover from hard bop to modern composers like Freddie Hubbard. MOJO’s a bit edgier, a bit more in your face than a traditional octet. Lindsay Paul formed them to bring together great players with a repertoire which challenges them. Come out and get your mojo on with an energy filled night of Jazz..

David Brideau Quartet CD Release: Fri. April 5, Brideau has covered a lot of styles in his musical journey; he thrives upon the motivation of finding something new. Come hear the latest foray through his new CD! David Brideau (jazz guitar), Jonas Pearson Paavola (bass), Vince Waters (drums), and Michael Morabito (saxophone).

The Hamilton Dixieland Allstars: Sat. April 6. The Hamilton Dixieland All-Stars have been entertaining audiences from Toronto to Niagara Falls for 15 years. Six highly talented and entertaining musicians perform a vast repertoire of music played in the Dixieland style.

A Fundraising Concert for Colin Macdonald Community School: Saturday March 30. Doors: 7:00pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20 (More if you wish…).  Guitarist/composer Gary Santucci will be performing his original works for solo classical and flamenco guitar.  He will present a program that he has been working on for months (years actually) and plans to take on the road! All proceeds will be donated to Colin Macdonald Community School (an individualized, interest-led, and self-directed education in a holistic Montessori-based learning environment – which Barbara co-founded with the late Colin). Gary’s granddaughter Charlie is a student at the school. It’s her ‘favourite place in the world.’  www.colinmacdonald.ca

The HI-LARRY-US! 30th Anniversary Show! Friday March 29.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Last Friday of Every Month!  Help the irrepressible Larry Smith, celebrate 30 years in the comedy biz! Join the world’s only LIVE CARTOONIST/COMEDIAN, and his guests for a COMEDY VARIETY SHOW! Featuring STAND-UP, LIVE CARTOONING, GAMES and PRIZES, MUSIC, SKETCHES, IMPROV, PUPPETS and MORE!  Featuring Hamilton’s long-standing humour meister Larry Smith. He’s a headliner and part of a comedy duo. He’s made numerous radio and television appearances. He’s shared stages with innumerable big names. This is one funny man with one funny show pulled together specially for The Pearl!

Together Again! Erin & Nara! Leonard, Burns & Dell! Robin Benedict! Saturday, March 23. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20 / $25 at the door. With Amy Di Nino.  It’s been 2 ½ years since these women performed together!  Come join them for a Farewell to The Pearl Company Variety Show! Featuring the harmonious vocal wonders: Leonard, Burns & Dell! (Strong solo artists all, they’re good friends who love to make music, write songs, and sing harmonies.) The musical comedy stylings of Erin & Nara! (Unbelievably creative, over-the-top hilarious, and just generally not-to-be-missed!)  With ‘Special’ Guest the soulful powerhouse Robin Benedict! (Raw and fearless vocals with a distinctly vulnerable cadence. She packs a potent punch live!) A truly special concert from these truly special women.  What a night; you don’t want to miss this one!

An Evening of FLAMENCO PASSION! Tronio Flamenco: Friday, March 22, Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Milena Tejada is a young, incredibly talented dancer tearing up the flamenco scene in Bolivia, Seville (Spain) and now Montreal where she is currently studying and living.  She has recently been nick-named la Tormentita (the little storm) for her powerful and relentless footwork and superb technique.
Dennis Duffin, guitarist, originally from Toronto and now based in Seville Spain, tours regularly with Fin de Fiesta Flamenco, is an original member of Toronto world music group Ventanas, and is known throughout flamenco circles in Canada and abroad. Dennis is presenting this current formation of super talented artists based out of Montreal. Rounding out the roster is Fin de Fiesta companion, Hanser Santos Gomez on Percussion and the infamous Caracolillo de Montreal singing.
—Tronío Flamenco— Dance: Milena Tejada (Bolivia/France), Guitar: Dennis Duffin (Toronto/Sevilla), Voice: Caracolillo (Montreal), Percussion: Hanser Santos Gomez (Cuba)
Ticketscene: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/23334/

A Musical Celebration of The Pearl Company! Saturday, March 16. Doors: 7:00pm. Show: 7:30. Tickets: Pay What You Can. This marvelous show brings together a number of musicians who have played The Pearl over the years. Just look at this lineup! Featuring Singer/songwriters: Scotty Bakalar, George Douglas , Kevin Woolfe, Tom Shea, Danny Medakovic, Jennifer Noble, And vocalist: Renee Christiansen.  This is serious musicianship on display!

 For bios of this talented line-up, Read More: (more…)

Another Membership Meet, Eat & Music: Saturday, March 9: Starting at 7:00pm. Members are Free. Non-Members $20 –Come let us say thank you or come join this exclusive band! Enjoy an evening of food, drink, music, which includes fellow humans with similar interests. As you know, the people who hang out at The Pearl are discerning, intelligent, sometimes single ;-), and interested in the arts…. We are far from the only venue appealing to these tastes but if you know us, you know our offerings rarely miss!
Entertainment will be guitarist/composer Gary Santucci. Heard of him? What is new is that Gary will be performing a concert program that will be the basis of his touring repertoire including his original works for solo classical and flamenco guitar.

Shari Vandermolen & SWINGLINE: Saturday, March 2! At Last! No Snowstorm guarantee…! Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. Tickets: $20. SwingLine is a 10-piece jazz combo of inspired and accomplished musicians who pack a powerhouse big-band sound with a little soulful R & B to round things off.  Their featured vocalist, Shari Vandermolen, is an award-winning actor/singer who has been performing in and around the city for over 15 years. You can look forward to a swinging evening exploring songs from the Great American Songbook and other favourites. Let’s hope it doesn’t snow this time!
“[Shari Vandermolen] takes a song and gives it emotional depth and edge.  She not only sings it magnificently she acts the heart and soul out of it…  When she tackles such hurting songs and raw pain surges from her throat, that pain finds you in the dark and makes you shiver with pleasure.”   – The Hamilton Spectator
Don’t miss out on this one.Here’s that big-band sound you been craving! http://swingline.webs.com/  Listen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXw_ytuzvFc  Join us January 18!  https://www.ticketscene.ca

The HI-LARRY-US! Show: Friday February 22.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Last Friday of Every Month! Join the irrepressible Larry Smith, the world’s only LIVE! CARTOONIST/COMEDIAN, and his guests for a COMEDY VARIETY SHOW! Featuring STAND-UP, LIVE CARTOONING, GAMES and PRIZES, MUSIC, SKETCHES, IMPROV, PUPPETS and MORE!  Featuring Hamilton’s long-standing humour meister Larry Smith, a natural born performer who started his show business career at the age of 4, on Romper Room no less. He’s a headliner and part of a comedy duo, for more the 16 years. He’s made numerous radio and television appearances including Comedy at Club 54, Chaps Comedy, Cooking with Comics, and the Comedy Network. Larry has toured extensively across North America, sharing the stage with the like of Sam Kinison, Gilbert Gottfreid, Blue Rodeo, Northern Pikes, and more.  This is one funny man with one funny show pulled together specially for The Pearl!
(Last month’s poster is too good to not use – Larry draws these with pencils not computers!)

FOR GEORGE 2019: Saturday, February 16. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. Tickets:  $20 /$15 students and seniors. At the Door (if available): $25.. Hosted by Christopher Clause and featuring the best in Hamilton artists, FOR GEORGE 2019 is a musical celebration of the life and music of George Harrison, as well as the sharing of original music inspired by George. This tribute is always done magnificently by the cast of local musicians.
Artists that will be performing are as follows (lineup subject to change without notice): The Barr Band, Bob Bryden, Jennifer Beehler , Christopher Clause, Chrys and Momo, Spider Costello, Sonny del Rio, Andy Griffiths, Chris Jamieson, Dave Pomfret and Brennagh Burns, Jackie Scott
All proceeds raised from the show will go towards the Debbie Clause Recording Fund to support new original recordings created by local artists.

Shelley Marshall: Out of Her Mind!  Another flight delay! Shelley can’t get out of Halifax! Is sold out….Friday, February 15. Doors: 8:00pm. Show: 9:00. Tickets: $25.  A Night of Song, Stand-up, and Surprises.
Shelley is doing a live taping of her NEW comedy “SET”.  The evening opens with the sultry salutations of Ginger St James and her band. Continuing on, comedian Melanie Crawford, local singer extraordinaire Melissa Marchese, actor and activist Robin Zee, and comedian Amy Sloan.  Shelley says, “This is when I get to do that thing I love to do… make people laugh; until they cry!”  Tickets: shelley@shelleymarshall.com   All proceeds to “Our Farmacy”.

CANCELLED! Shelley Marshall: Love is for Psychopaths! Thursday, February 14. Doors: 8:00pm. Show: 9:00. Tickets: $20.  Valentine’s Night with a difference… Shelley’s Feb 15 show sold out in record time. So, why not pull a Valentine’s show out of her ample repertoire and give us Another Night of Song, Stand-up, and Surprises! This one won’t be a live taping of her NEW comedy “SET” but it will still have Ginger St James. Comedian Mike Payne, and Melissa Marchese. And more!  As Shelley says, “This is when I get to do that thing I love to do… make people laugh; until they cry!” “So why not do it again?”  Tickets: shelley@shelleymarshall.com   All proceeds to “Our Farmacy”.