The Pearl Company

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.

Fin de Fiesta Flamenco: “LIÁNDOLA”. Friday, September 1. Doors: 7:30. Show: 8:00. $22 in advance/ $25 at the door. Acclaimed flamenco ensemble Fin de Fiesta brings Spanish inspiration to Canadian soil with their Summer/Fall 2017 Canadian Tour. Comprised of award-winning artists from Canada and France, the electrifying music and dance ensemble will bring stages to life nationwide with their spirited new production, LIÁNDOLA. The show takes its name from a popular Andalucian figure of speech used to describe boisterously unrestrained behaviour, a playful fearlessness that cannot be contained. Simply put, Liándola means taking an ordinary experience and making it extraordinary. In Liándola, the searing vocals of Alejandro Mendia (Noces Gitanes, France) are accompanied by the intricate guitar arpeggios of music director Dennis Duffin (Ventanas, Canada) and the haunting flute melodies of Lara Wong (Canada). Dancer and artistic director Lia Grainger (Canada), brings the stage to life with fierce, sensual choreography and improvisation.
Tickets: online at www.ticketscene.ca  www.thepearlcompany.ca or 905.524.0606 For more info please visit: www.findefiestaflamenco.com

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/