The Pearl Company

“Spirit of the Narrows”: One woman’s journey into the world of Aboriginal fiddling. Seven performances only: Nov. 19-22  & Nov. 26-28. $25/$20 Seniors/Students/Un(der)waged. All shows @8, Nov 22 Matinee @2:00.  This fascinating voyage is created and written by internationally respected, award-winning fiddler, Anne Lederman, and performed by Anne and Capucine Onn, As a young musician, Anne became fascinated with the unusual sound of Métis and First Nations fiddling in her home province of Manitoba.
Her journey to learn more introduced her to fiddlers such as Carl Grexton, Emile Spence, Teddy Boy Houle, and a host of others. Entering a world very different from her own, the play is her journey – from present to past, from one culture to another, also from one state of mind to another. It is the story of a uniquely Canadian music, of the people who created it, and who, against all odds, continue to play it. It embodies Ojibwa, Cree, Scottish, French, English, American, and Eastern European traditions, all played on a small box with four strings.
Anne has performed a solo version of the show from Wells B.C. to Aberdeen, Scotland, in theatres, classrooms, folk clubs, and Church basements. In 2004, the Blyth Festival invited her to adapt it to a two-person theatrical experience, which did so well they brought it back for a second season on 2005. The Pearl Company is delighted to revive the show for the first time in Hamilton. http://www.annelederman.com/

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Laura Smith & Naming The Twins: Sunday, November 22: 7:30. $20 advance and $25 at the door. Canadian songstress and icon, Laura Smith, Naming The Twins  with Paul Mills on guitar. ‘The’ Laura Smith, was a household name for many (especially with CBC listeners in the mid-90’s), with her captivating songwriting and haunting voice especially her moving recreation of “My Bonny”.  It has been 16 years since her last album, but songs like “Four Letter Word (for Lonesome),” “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard,” and “It’s a Personal Thing” have built her a loyal following.  A CBC Radio documentary, The Blues and I, told the story of a series of accidents that left her in chronic pain, and addicted to pain-killers. Along the way, she performed fewer and fewer concerts, and lost the will — and even the ability – to write. With the release of Everything is Moving, her recovery and return is a joyful occasion. Her new recording includes five original songs, including “The Blues and I”.  Naming the Twins is the harmonizing duo of Robbie Smith and Kathleen Glauser, whose well-matched voices sound a bit like Simon & Garfunkel if Art was a girl, a bit like Peter, Paul & Mary, if one of the boys was taking the night off. www.laurasmith.ca  Listen:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2sCagV6Ayw   http://www.namingthetwins.com

Zachary’s Paws For Healing: Holiday Dog Portrait Fundraiser.  Saturday, November 21.  10 am – 4 pm.  Zachary’s Paws For Healing and Juravinski Hospital have teamed up to be the first in Canada to provide a unique pet visitation program for hospital patients.  Zachary’s Paws For Healing facilitates visits with patients and their own companion dog or cat.  They are strictly a volunteer organization and rely on donations and fundraisers.
Whether your dog has been naughty or nice, you will want a professional portrait keepsake of your pet.  No appointment necessary.  No sitting fee.  One portrait $25 or two portraits for $40.  Holiday props and costumes will be available or you can have the portrait of your dog done tout naturel. Come out for a great cause and have your pet’s portrait done by well-known dog photographers. Contact:  Donna Jenkins, Founder, Zachary’s Paws For Healing: zacharyspawsforhealing@gmail.com  289-682-7925 www.zacharyspawsforhealing.com
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Andy White: Sunday, November 15. 8:00pm. $20 door/$15 artists/students: White has earned a global following for blending folk and pop stylings with a poet’s sensibility. Working with the great names of Irish music – Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison – and writing with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Neil and Tim Finn, Andy has won Ireland’s top songwriting awards and toured the world many times over. This singer-songwriter carries a 12-string guitar and wears his particular brand of Irish charm on his sleeve. With the political edge of Billy Bragg, the romance of David Gray and the Celtic lyricism of the Waterboys, Andy is a fully paid up ‘21st Century Troubadour’ (and that’s also the title of his first book, recently published in Ireland to rave reviews). You may have heard Andy at The Pearl when he appears as Fearing & White, his collaboration with Canadian singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing. His Latest album “How Things Are” is receiving great reviews; “…wondrous stuff…” Andy Snipper Music-news.com Listen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik5i4bPQDGU  www.andywhite.com

Erin and Nara: The Sound of a Premiere! Saturday, November 14. 8:00pm. Advance $15/ $20 at the door. Partner’s in love and laughter, Erin and Nara are pleased to announce their Latest Video Parody Release! They decided to have the talent involved in the parody put on a FULL SHOW to celebrate the event! Performers include: ERIN AND NARA; ROBIN BENEDICT; XTACY LOVE; BRENNAGH BURNS; SCOTTY BAKALAR; SARAH FARR; STEVE PARTON. Erin and Nara are best known for their original song “Sexy Cuz We’re Lesbians” and for being the over-the-top hilarious hosts of Shelley Marshall’s The Full Bawdy Comedy Show at The Pearl. They are unbelievably creative, hysterically funny, and just generally not-to-be-missed!
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_jiv6N2SCE   https://www.facebook.com/erinandnara   www.erinandnara.com

GALEN WESTON Plugged In! Friday, November 13^th. 8 pm doors, 9 pm concert. $15 advance @ Eventbrite. $20 door. Freelton’s own GALEN WESTON returns for a debut Hamilton performance. Fueled by jazz and rock guitarists such as Mike Stern, Wes Montgomery, and Mark Knopfler, the record showcases his formidable guitar talents in the company of some of finest cross-genre musicians in Canada: David Woodhead (fretless bass), Al Cross (drums), Matt Horner (piano & keyboards), Richard Underhill (alto sax) and Rick Shadrach Lazar (percussion); as well as a guest appearance by Prague-born vocalist Lenka Lichtenberg.
“Plugged In represents a two-year journey of writing and recording across a vast musical territory. It’s a sonic and personal exploration with my Yellow Stratocaster, ES-335 and other instruments. The album is the culmination of many hours ….. in the simple yet enduring search of great tones,” says Weston. For more information: Official website: www.galenweston.org  Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/GalenWestonBand  Preview Plugged In on SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/gweston
“… beautifully written and warmly performed … What he calls influences and styles are really his own colors on his sonic palette. ~ Travis Rogers, JazzTimes

The Holy Shift Tour: Grand Finale & Filming! 2 Nights! Wed Nov 11/ Thurs 12. Tickets: $8 in advance online, $10 at the door. Doors at 7:30; show at 8pm on the dot! Canadian pastor and church planter Kevin Makins has been cycling from city to city, speaking in bars and cafes, using history, stories, and (gasp!) the bible to share about how everything is moving and changing… and now the show is coming to the best city in the world: Hamilton! Lots of people are interested in talking about God and spirituality, but don’t feel comfortable in traditional religious institutions. This is designed to work for anyone open and curious about the big questions: God, life, death, how to deal with annoying people in our lives, making peace with your own past, the bible… you know, lighthearted stuff! You don’t need to be religious or spiritual to appreciate the talk. It’s not a church service. The whole thing is designed to be accessible for everyone – believer, skeptic, or somewhere in between.
Jeff Wynands will provide music using only a bicycle and a sampler. It’s weird and awesome. Kevin will give a talk that is part TEDtalk / part self-deprecating personal stories. Conversational will happen. We’ll probably laugh once or twice. In addition to being a live show, we are going to be filming the talk to be released at a later date. Be a part of (very specific) history!
Six days of riding, six nights of shows… it was a terrible idea! But now we just need to bike 10 minutes down the road to this great venue! Get tickets for either night at www.Eventbrite.com  Enter Holy Shift Tour in search.

Big Johnny Blue & Special Guest Frank Cosentino ! Friday, November 6, 8:00pm, $20 at the door. Big Johnny Blue and Strange Cargo welcome blues guitar great Frank Cosentino, to an evening of blues at The Pearl! Frank Cosentino is considered “The Master Of The Blues Guitar”. Just back from his European Tour, Frank is set to wow us with his sound.  Big Johnny Blue is a Hamilton guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and founding member of The Hamilton Blues Society. He has written hundreds of songs, and played with countless local musicians over the years. He is committed to supporting local music and musicians, especially by supporting efforts to tell the story of Hamilton’s blues history, and the power of music to improve the life of every man. With Strange Cargo and Frank Cosentino, this will be an outstanding show!  https://www.facebook.com/bigjohnnyblueandstrangecargo/    http://cosentinofrank.com/  Listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSnjYpA336I

Bob Wegner Birthday Extravaganza – One Man Show:  Saturday, November 7. Doors: 7:00. Show: 7:30 pm. $20. In Bob’s words: “Homecoming solo guitar show after half a year at sea! Arrrrr. A ton of new material in the repertoire, including a complete Pink Floyd album on acoustic guitar.” Bob is a professional musician with many years experience as a performer, songwriter, and recording engineer. Career highlights include playing with Classic Albums Live, performing on Canadian Idol, and after several years of teaching and playing guitar in various theatre productions, he landed the role as one of the two guitarists in the ‘We Will Rock You’ musical in Toronto. He also performs as a solo artist, playing anything from Indian classical music to Bach to flamenco. Bob can play just about any instrument in just about any style: his one-man show is an evening of both great music and storytelling. This is a unique chance to catch this master at his best! http://www.bobwegner.ca/   Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un5r6Abuk9I

DANIEL CHAMPAGNE Live at The Pearl: Monday, November 2, 7:30:pm. $20 / $15 Students/ Seniors/ Artists. This exhilarating Australian one-of-a-kind guitar virtuoso/singer-songwriter announces his first headline tour of North America with over fifty shows and The Pearl Company is one!. Daniel first picked up his instrument of choice as a five-year-old. He began writing songs at 12, training classically throughout his teens, and performed solo wherever he could. He honed his craft, developing what would become the dynamite live show that he is renowned for today – sharing stages with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Judy Collins, Clannard, and Ani DiFranco. Regarded as a leading light in acoustic music, with a firm reputation for making festivals buzz, holding crowds in his palm, dropping jaws, and breaking guitars wherever he goes, Daniel calls Nashville home now. He has since toured non-stop across the continent, picking up an International Acoustic Music Award for best Folk/Americana/Roots song with ‘Holding The Moon’ from his latest album – The Gypsy Moon Volume II and garnered rave reviews from all corners. http://www.danielchampagnemusic.com/  Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdKMLCBuJfY  “The superb talent of Daniel Champagne can’t be explained by mere words; it must be seen to be believed.” 

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/