The Pearl Company

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…)

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