The Pearl Company

Keeping the Dream Alive! Support The Pearl! Saturday, February 16. 7:00p.m. Give What You Wish. (From a Toonie to a Tune.)  To the numerous well-wishers and supporters who sent love and offers of help, who passed on their dismay, distress and outrage and who have asked us what they can do, we have never needed your support more. This particular event, being pulled together by ‘Allies of The Pearl’, will be a mini-support-and-funds-raiser to help us get past both the trauma of the horrendous events last week (we need lots of hugs and hand-holding…), and to help get our feet back under us financially. Feb.16th was to be DJ (former VJ) Michael Williams’ Dance Party and Michael has graciously agreed to still be here with the dance music, but this is the only possible date we have until the end of March and we need to use it. Much will be added over the next while; art, music and contributions of… (do you have something you would like to share?) If Gary can manage it, he too will play. We would normally have food, but we are looking for help with that as well. It would be great to have a potluck!  We are inviting all who can to drop by for 5 minutes, an hour, the entire evening, just to show your support and concern for a plight that was as bizarre as it was violent.

Over the years we have put our heads and our hearts on the line. We have insisted on keeping a wonderful, ambiance-laden structure that seems to have been built for powerful acoustics and warm gatherings, and the dream has been to keep it as a voice for the arts! The Pearl Company has filled a number of necessary roles in its neighbourhood and its community. It is a stage for budding, mid, and realized talent in the music, theatre and visual arts fields; it is a place for community gatherings and celebrations; it fosters numbers of creative undertakings from gutsy new ideas to rehearsal space to festivals.  And, it could be so much more!

There is another simple answer if you can’t make it on the 16th: Continue to support by coming to events; tell your friends, your neighbours, your co-workers.  Thank you so much. Hope to see you soon, Barbara and Gary

Dean Hollin; “Love and the G.A.S.”: Friday, February 15. 8:00pm. $15 / $10 students/artists.  We love Dean’s sparkling “Musical Biographies” of beloved songwriters of the past!  And for this performance he celebrates the music of the Great American Songbook which is chock full of songs celebrating that sentiment of the season – “LOVE”.  So, for this, the month of love, Dean Hollin brings us his latest program — “LOVE and the GAS”.  Love, realized…Love, lost…Love, imagined…Love, suggested…Love, gleefully expressed — all sorts of love will grace this lovely program.  Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers &Hart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael — they’ll all be part of the evening — all that talent and a bunch more!  We’ll chat…we’ll sing…a casual, musical and informative evening to be had by all!  He’ll be accompanied by Michael Barber who worked at The Stratford Festival this past season, as Musical Director/Conductor for “42ND STREET” starring Cynthia Dale. “Hollin’s warm, smoky voice and his exquisite charm and enthusiasm radiate affection for his material and his audience” Gary Smith, Spectator.  http://www.deanhollin.com

See the “The Plays” tab for all the information re what’s playing!

Week One:

Thursday, Jan. 31   7:30 pm – Actionable: Bob Wiseman
Thursday, Jan. 31   9:00 pm – Trashmen’s Dilemma: New Fangled Stages 
Friday, Feb. 1   7:30 pm – 11 Times: Krista McNaughton
Friday, Feb. 1  9:00 pm – Actionable: Bob Wiseman
Saturday, Feb. 2   7:30 pm – Trashmen’s Dilemma: New Fangled Stages
Saturday, Feb. 2   9:00 pm – 11 Times: Krista McNaughton

Week Two:

Thursday, Feb. 7   7:30 pm – Trashmen’s Dilemma: New Fangled Stages
Thursday, Feb. 7   9:00 pm – 11 Times: Krista McNaughton
Friday, Feb. 8  7:30 pm – 11 Times: Krista McNaughton
Friday, Feb. 8  9:00 pm –  Actionable: Bob Wiseman
Saturday, Feb. 9  7:30 pm –   Actionable: Bob Wiseman
Saturday, Feb. 9   9:00 pm –  Trashmen’s Dilemma: New Fangled Stages

“Eclecticism”: Five Diverse Women: Opening Saturday, January 26 @ 7:00 ‘til 9. No charge. Grace Loney, Sandi Ewasiuk; Renate Min-Oo; Callie Archer, Ruby Lockett. These talented local women have it all.  Colour, texture, variety; it’s a visual feast of acrylic, encaustic, fabric, found objects, decoupage. Grace Loney uses acrylic, oil pastel, water colour, and painterly mixed media to create depth in abstract expression. Her paintings are intuitive and alive with colour and rhythm. http://www.graceloneystudio.com; Sandee Ewasiuk specializes in exploring everyday scenes turning them upside down, backwards and sideways. Vibrant reds, yellows, and blues are used to create tongue in cheek landscapes populated by puckered lips and gravity-defying hair where fantasy and reality merge. http://www.s-ewasiuk.ca; Renate Min-Oo is an award winning textile artist who combines geometric forms, colours, contrast and different fabrics to create new designs. As an equally accomplished potter she also brings Raku and textile together to enhance and complete her highly original works. http://www.renate.ca Callie Archer paints with watercolour and acrylic; she’s a colourist with a loosely representational style, who is particularly sensitive to the shapes and textures of landscape, capturing the light, the calm and the ambiance. Ruby Lockett is a local landscape artist painting in acrylic and specializing in waterfalls; her work pulls the viewer directly into the composition.

Opening followed at 9:00 by “Down The Rhodes“ A musical and visual tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano.

“Down The Rhodes“ A musical and visual tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano: Saturday, January 26, at 9:00. Tickets: Pay What You Can (suggest $5):  Down The Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story is a historical, film tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano, brought to life through performances, insightful interviews, and stories from a remarkable cast of music notables. Interviews with: George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, John Novello, and more!  Don’t miss this insider’s view of how a war-era rehabilitation tool developed into one of the core elements in creating music today.  Film maker and musician/producer Gerald McCauley (West Coast All-Stars) is the creative impetus behind this remarkable story: http://fenderrhodesstory.com/

Corin Raymond & The Sundowners w Wax Mannequin: The CD Release for Paper Nickels! Friday, January 25, 8:00. $15/$10 artists/students.  He’s done it folks! Corin’s magnificent quest across the country collecting Canadian Tire $$$ has come to CD fruition! Here’s a direct quote from Corin about ‘Paper Nickels’: “First of all, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen, like nothing anyone could possibly expect. It defies all the rules of CD manufacture. It’s a thing of beauty for its own sake, an objet d’art, and so full of life and love that it’s as if my living heart has disguised itself as an album package. It sounds warm and wooden and alive. It’s full of flesh and heart tones and laughter and soul food. Not just live music, but living music.” It is essentially a manuscript with music! Most of you know Corin as a Pearl favourite; a wonderful, warm human being whose songwriting talent is impressive and whose personality charms, captivates, and thoroughly entertains.  He is also the guy whose play “Bookworm” was an audience favourite at Fringes everywhere this past summer and at The Pearl last winter. “Corin Raymond, to me… is just a giant ‘F – you’ to mediocrity.” C.R. Avery “Corin Raymond is a storyteller who by the end of the night you’ll have known all your life” –Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail  http://www.dontspendithoney.com Wax Mannequin: “Part wandering minstrel, part rock animal, Wax Mannequin combines a fine sense of prog-rock parody with intense sincerity and lyrical smarts. He will indoctrinate you with chilling harmonies, absurd lyrics and the almighty power of the guitar http://www.waxmannequin.com

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Stories for Grownups! A Dr. Seuss Burlesque Tribute: SOLD OUT. Friday, January 18. 8:00pm. Have you ever wondered what Yertle looked like under that shell? You loved the stories when you were young, admit it, you still love them now! Here is your chance to enjoy them again, even though you’re all grown up. There was a naughtier side to these stories, and they’re going to show it to you! What better way to warm up on a cold winter night? This is just what the Dr. ordered. TICKETS!!!! $15 ahead or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at: http://grownupstories.eventbrite.ca/ Or at Salon Dior (659 Upper James, Hamilton) or contact one of the performers.

Performances by:
Mz Kitty DeMure
Lucky Fremont
Bella Barecatt
The Mansfield Brothers
Red Herring
Bianca Boom Boom
Miss Helvetica Bold
Kinky Bizket
The lovely Stage Kitten, Miss Taylor Tatas

Emcee extraordinaire: Madam Poynter
Special Musical Guests: Burnin’ Ethyl
The Feisty Jack will be on site selling booze infused Seuss Cupcakes. Mmm…
Prizes, raffles and more!

Ryan Van Sickle: Saturday, January 5; 8:00pm. $15 at the door: Born and raised in Dundas, now living in New York, Van Sickle comes home to rock The Pearl! Writing songs of character and integrity that resound the timeless and universal, Ryan Van Sickle uniquely translates the themes of love, war, life and death and the epic and mundane struggles within. Following in the steps of the masters from his native Canada, Ryan draws on the influences of Neil Young, Daniel Lanois, and Leonard Cohen alongside American greats Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger and Lucinda Williams. With the release of his latest album Ghosts Of The Brokenhearted, Ryan emerges as a powerful singer songwriter; asserting prowess in building a lyrical highway with a strong voice to carry his listeners on the journey. http://ryanvansicklemusic.com/

Barbara & Gary’s New Years House Party! Monday, December 31, 8:00 ‘til ?  $50 per person.  Chef Gary Santucci is expected to outdo himself  (again!) as various feasts appear regularly throughout the night.  Michael Williams (whom you may know from his days as a VJ on Much Music) does his thing with the Dance Party piece.  (Send in your musical requests in advance!) Live music interludes with surprise guests. We need you to RSVP via email or phone.  We are expecting a crowd so let us know as soon as you do!

In our warm, welcoming ‘lofty’ atmosphere!
Featuring:
A Dance Party with DJ/VJ Michael Williams
A Feasting Party with Chef Gary’s fabulous ‘Pan-Global’ food
And, a lot of Fine Conversation with a lot of Fine People Party!

Martha’s Trouble: Saturday, December 29, at 8 pm. $15 at the door. The Pearl Company is delighted to present an evening of music with this talented duo.  Jen, originally from Ancaster, and Rob Slocumb, from Nashville, are Martha’s Trouble, a critically acclaimed Americana folk/pop duo. Music-charting giant, Billboard asks, “How does an indie folk band expand its fanbase…? Catchy hooks, hard work and a unique tour. ”   Their latest album, ‘Anchor Tattoo,’ is a fresh, honest, and uplifting. “It’s very true to ourselves,” Jen says. “It’s who we are. We are not trying to be like any other band or trying to be like the next trend in music”.  The album, released in early 2011, takes the duo back to their roots, bringing back their signature sound that made them touch so many when they first came to the music scene 12 years ago. Their work has not gone unnoticed. Some of the most influential and well-respected music critics of our time have paid tribute to the duo. They have been listed and featured in Billboard Magazine, USA Today and Performing Songwriter. Their songs have received awards and have been featured in a number of movies. www.marthastrouble.com

Ginger St. James’ Christmas Food Bank Hoedown: Saturday, Dec 22^nd: 8:00pm. Tickets $15 / $12 w/ Non- Perishable
food item or cash donation to Food Share. Put Some Rockin’ in yer Stockin’! A fabulous night of great entertainment for a great cause! Featuring Musical Acts: Ginger St. James, Lori Yates, Mimi Shaw, Boogie Infection, The Hellbent Rockers, Katie Bulley. Comedy with: Shelley Marshall. Burlesque Vixen: Ms Chaos Divine. All proceeds to benefit the Hamilton Food Share.

The Jazz Connection Big Band: Friday, December 14 . Doors at 8:00, jazz at 8:30. $15 /$10 students/all artists.  With special guests, Mike Malone and Adrian Farrufia! Catch the powerful sound of a big band in our relaxed, funky venue. The JCBB is a well-established 17-piece jazz ensemble comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians from the Hamilton/Toronto area, performing only the best modern big band charts from the books of Goodwin, Martin, Menza, Rich, Basie, and many other great contemporary composers. Jazz Connection delivers a high energy, uncompromising, straight ahead jazz performance combining the highest level of musicianship and these great charts in an entertaining show that engages both the jazz enthusiast and the casual listener equally. The incredible acoustics at The Pearl easily accommodate their very cool (also hot!) surround-sound. It is always a great evening!  http://www.jazzconnection.ca

Dawn and Marra´s First Ever Christmas Show: Thursday, December 13. 7:00pm. $10 or $8 with a canned good. The night will consist of many top local acts, collaborations between artists and lots of Christmas cheer! There will be caroling, homemade snacks, Kim Koren, Kori Pop, Hachey the Mouthpeace, and more. Proceeds will go to the Hamilton food bank. A night to put you in the mood for the holidays! Come celebrate with us! Guests also include Reuben the Magician and much more. Dawn and Marra keep adding to the evening so expect some surprises!

Rant Maggie Rant: Frost and Fire; A Seasonal Celtic Celebration: Sunday, December 9. Concert at 7:00 pm. $20 advance/$25 at the door. They are here and letting us know that they made a mistake on the online tickets. These tickets say 7:30 start, but everything else says 7:00!!! Rant Maggie Rant, one of Canada’s most exciting Celtic fusion ensembles, hits the road again with their fourth annual Frost and Fire tour, delivering a sound as lovely as the hushed winter landscape and as rollicking as a team of horses running away with the sleigh. Since their formation in 2008, this Stratford-based band has been wowing audiences at festivals, concert halls and symphonic stages across Canada and the U.S. with their outstanding artistry and on-stage vibe. Rant Maggie Rant brings together four superbly talented musicians who like to colour outside the lines. During their concerts, they will deliver a beautiful traditional ballad, chase it up with an Appalachian-style groove and end with a killer jig or reel. Traditionalists love their time-honoured style, while new Celtic music listeners are drawn to the band’s fusion of World influences. “RMR is a great band. They packed the house and the audience left dancing. I can’t wait to have them back.” – Holmes Hooke, Hughs Room, Toronto, Ontario. “I can truly say that you were the surprise ‘WOW’ band this year – so much great feedback about your music.” – Sheila Graziano, Saline Celtic Festival, More info: www.RantMaggieRant.com Tickets: www.ticket-e-boo.com or call The Pearl: 905 524-0606  Read the rest of this entry »

The Quarterly: A Night of Live Performance: Saturday, December 8. 8:00pm. Tickets: $18 Adults or $15 Students/Seniors/Artists. An impressive night of performance from some of the finest in Theatre, Dance, Comedy and Music! Curated and hosted by Lisa Pijuan-Nomura, The Quarterly is a celebration of artists taking chances with their art, and looking to share with others!
The December edition features the talent of
Meagan O’Shea- Dance Theatre
Gary Santucci – Music
Chris Gibbs – Comedy
Sarah Beatty – Singer Songwriter
Elysium Tribal Dance- Belly Dance
Hosted by Lisa Pijuan-Nomura: For inquiries please contact Lisa at lisa@girlcancreate.com