The Pearl Company

Kate Reid: Wednesday, October 14. 7:30pm. $15 /$10 students/arts workers. Kate Reid (currently combining her passions in a Master’s degree she is working towards at the University of British Columbia’s Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice) refined her whipsmart songwriting and warm, wise-cracking stage persona while recording and touring behind three previously released, critically acclaimed independent albums. She is one of Canada’s funniest, sharpest talents – cited for her originality, topical songwriting and laugh-aloud humour. Her socio-political musings about identity, love and queer life are matched with an irreverent, often self-deprecating sense of humour. Reid’s fourth album, and her first for families, children and youth, carries her passion for inclusivity coast-to-coast on an express route to generation next. Queer Across Canada’s collection of groundbreaking tracks traverse a wide landscape of family scenarios as it sensitively addresses (with rootsy rock’n’roll verve) such contemporary realities as surrogate moms, donor dads, same-sex parents, out-of-the-closet fathers, blended families and queer-curious siblings.  “One woman. One guitar. Lots of attitude”. “Edgy, fun and brilliant” www.katereid.net

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/