The Pearl Company

Gary Santucci: Saturday, November 3. 8:00pm. $15 door/$10 students/arts workers.  Fans are complaining that Gary doesn’t play enough any more; he’s too busy running The Pearl…. Here’s the response; an intimate evening of guitar music: Classical guitar, World Music, and original compositions from Gary Santucci. Trained in Spain (and Canada) and playing his unique brand of flamenco and world music for over 30 years, he has become a consummate musician whose repertoire spans numerous genres. Among his awards is Best Classical Musician 1982 [Hamilton Wentworth Council of the Arts],  The City of Hamilton Arts Award for Music 2004, and together with Barbara Milne, The City of Hamilton Arts Award 2008 for Lifetime Achievement.  Almost certainly, some musical friends will appear. (We need a new photo of G with his ‘now’ haircut….)

Peter Tigchelaar: CD Release Party and Concert: Thursday, November 1, 8:00pm. Tickets at the door $10: Celebrating the release of Peter’s new recording “More Like Lightning”. Peter will be playing live with friends and this time out the ukelele is the primary instrument, along with other small instruments. There are many ways for music to come to life; it’s a unique process for everyone. For Peter it has been a complex combination of many factors. It started with the conviction, motivation and hard work learned through his many years of running Urban Green, his Interior Plant Care business. Working on his song-writing until the time was just right, he has crafted his music through many years of playing for friends, in churches, at home concerts and events around Hamilton. www.petertig.com

Wilderness of Manitoba: Sunday, October 28; 8:00 $10.00 at door: “… a fantastic, genre-defying young Canadian quintet. The group showcases a sound that blends indie champions like the Civil Wars and Band of Horses with the early magic of Neil Young’s Harvest era.” Orange County Register. Their new album is called Island of Echoes. They bring an infectious joy to the proceedings, turning songs that can sound sparse  into warm, lush anthems. “ ‘Echoes’ refers directly to burdens or triumphs that you carry with you, that remind you of what you’ve been through. There are elements of folk happening throughout the album, but it is in no way a folk record although it is definitely a Wilderness of Manitoba record. The seventies was just a reference point that happens to include some of our favourite influences such as Fleetwood Mac. We were looking to bring in the kind of instrumentation you hear from that era that is heavy with electric guitars, Hammond organ, synthesizers and a prominent backbeat with lots of harmonies happening vocal-wise on top”. WoM vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Will Whitwham

OUR C A B A R E T: A U T U M N  N O T E S: Sunday, October 28, 3:00pm. Tickets: $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and arts workers. Join vocalists Margaret Bárdos and Tonia Szkurhan and pianist Krista Rhodes as they take you on a musical journey exploring the themes of love and loss. They promise to make you laugh, to make you cry and to leave you with a big smile on your face, tapping your feet and wanting more. It will be a mixture of the best jazz, pop, classical and musical theatre your ears have ever experienced. Tickets available at the door (cash only). For further info/ticket reservation: ourcabaret@gmail.com

To see the full bios of these accomplished and talented women click here:  Read the rest of this entry »

Ariana Gillis: Friday, October 26, 8:00pm. $15 door/$10 artists/students: This may be your last chance to catch this rising star in an intimate setting such as The Pearl Co!  Check out these words from Steve Wozniak, Apple Computers co-founder, who has flown Ariana in to sing for his friends: “Ariana is two people in one. She’s a normal nice demure 21-year-old, but when she begins to sing her entire body is taken over by the most powerful force, and the songs become a lot more than just words or music…. her stage presence is the most visually grabbing I’ve ever seen. I was stunned at the intense connection between herself and what she was singing; I thought of the strength of character that embodied Janis Joplin’s performances.”  And then Bernie Taupin (Elton John’s lyricist) says: “I’m staggered by how good she is….after hearing her available tracks I can honestly say she’s the single most exciting thing I’ve heard in a very long time.” Finally, Dave Marsh, music critic of Rolling Stone Magazine: “Ariana Gillis may be the best new emerging artist anywhere!”  There can’t possibly be anything left to say; just be here for this remarkable performer. www.arianagillis.com

Rose Cousins / Jennah Barry: Thursday, October 25, 8:00pm. $15 door/$10 artists/students: Rooted in authenticity and conviction of voice, you feel as though Rose Cousins sings for you, about your life. It is that sincerity that leads some to compare Cousins to our most beloved songwriters, and yet, her passionate delivery is distinctly, Rose.  Her lone voice reaches out to listeners; all of us surrounded by our own forms of darkness, and charges us to have the courage to forge ahead. Cousins recently took home 2011 East Coast Music Awards for Female Solo Recording and Songwriter of the Year. “rich emotional nuances… gorgeous vocals… astonishing harmonies” –Chromewaves And from the stage at The Pearl Company a few weeks ago, Valdy stated simply, “Do not miss this amazing singer!” www.rosecousins.com Jennah Barry’s new album,Young Men wavers between dreamily bucolic and quietly haunting. With a voice that glides triumphantly over a period of bleak times, Jennah’s debut is at times lush, at times minimal, but always captivating.  http://jennahwbarry.bandcamp.com

Let’s get together and watch the final Presidential Debate: Monday October 22. No charge. Just bring your own debating skills.  You’ve seen, heard, or read about the first two debates, what will the third one bring?  We’ve had “Big Bird” and “Women in Binders”, any guesses what meme will emerge from this final convergence?  Ripe territory from which to take our very Canadian and very distant stand. We’ll start welcoming guests any time after 7:00 and we’ll indulge in snacks, munchies and conversation until the debate starts at 9:00.  All political attitudes welcome. Lively debate definitely encouraged.

Glenn Macdonald / Fred Magie: Saturday, October 20, 8:00pm. $10 door/$5 artists/students/seniors: Glenn is a local songsmith and although he won’t call himself a poet, many would disagree. He has been writing and recording songs for 25 years; his most recent recording, Attendance, was released in 2010. He will present songs from Attendance along with several recent compositions in a solo, acoustic set. Hamilton knew Glenn well in the 80’s and 90’s performing under the name Martin Fields. When he had kids and had to get a day job, he became a hydrographer (verycool job) with Inland Waters and this summer CBC filmed him entertaining the ships crew who were both mapping northern waters and searching for the (!) lost Franklin Expedition Ship’s.  He is not happy with the sound but check out the film snippet:  http://bit.ly/OCCIgd
Opening for Glenn will be Dundas songwriter, Fred Magie whose musical influences range from Sarah Harmer to Steve Earle! Fred has been writing and performing his songs for twelve years and has become a local favourite. It will be another magical evening.

Art Opening: Women of Fire, Women of Snow: Friday, October 19, 7:00pm. No charge. Three Women; Three Points of View: The Pearl Company & Mansang ArtStudio invite you to an Art opening by Colombian Artists Eddyth Gaviria, Idalid Parra and Dora Restrepo. Giving artful expression to their many memories and dreams on canvas, their works present a polychromatic mirror of imagination, sensuality, poetry and music bordering on the mystical. These three Columbian women, now living and making their vibrant, personal art in Hamilton, display their different visions of the world around them. 

The Art Bus is Sponsored by Judy Marsales Real Estate Brokerage:

First 2 Fridays of every month! Check out Hamilton’s unique and constantly evolving art scene!  Call me, Barbara, (905.524.0606) or email (info@thepearlcompany.ca) to reserve your seat.

Next dates: November 2 & 9.  Cost: $15/$10 students/artists.  Start: 6:30 from The Pearl.

• October 5: (Gallery on the Bay, Workers Arts and Heritage Gallery, L’Arche Studio & Gallery, Locke Street [Textures and Soladeda]) This is going to be a really interesting and different tour with places that we have never visited before.  Because it is the Friday before a long weekend; Special price! $10 per person.
• October 12: We’ll start with a visit to the multitude of artist’s studios and galleries at 270 Sherman (The former Imperial Cotton Mill). Then to the James North Art Crawl with its blocks and blocks of studios, galleries, eclectic shops, music & more… Finishing up at the Tiger Group Studio Gallery for even more great art and refreshments!

The Art Bus and The Pearl Company are also promoted, and supported by THEZine: http://www.thezine.ca

A Bookbinding Workshop with BeetleBarrow Books – Japanese Stab Hardcover: Sunday October 14, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Join Chandra Rice and Lindsay Wood Slavin for the day as they temporarily transform The Pearl’s ground floor theater into an artist’s retreat — Learn how to make a Hardcover Japanese Stab Book in this day long workshop.

The Stab binding comes from Japan and is particularly useful for binding together pages that already have something on them. Poets can bind their writing for loved ones. Maids of honour can create a fully personalized guest book for their brides. Moms can bind together their child’s artwork. Or blank paper can be inspiration. Use ancient Japanese techniques and modern tricks of the trade. Choose papers, threads, and book cloth to create your cover. Choose paper for your text block and any ornamentation. Then bring it all together using traditional Japanese stitching! Walk away with a beautiful book with a touch of the east.

The all day workshop is $90 and includes use of tools, all materials, and even a home made lunch. All skill levels are made to look good!  Visit www.beetlebarrow.ca to see other classes available and to learn more. To register for this workshop, either use our Etsy Store – www.reversestitch.etsy.com (if you wish to pay with paypal) or email makers@beetlebarrow.ca (to pay by cash or cheque).  Like BeetleBarrow on facebook www.facebook.com/BeetleBarrow to keep up with all the bookbinding news.

Next workshop: Sunday November 18, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – A Bookbinding Workshop with BeetleBarrow Books – Western Hardcover Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Improv Showcase (CiS): Saturday October 13. 8:00 pm. Tickets: $15 general, $10 for kids/seniors (group rates available). I am just going to use View Magazine’s superb review of this group when they played our theatre festival this past summer: Tom Macken says it just too well!
“Improv is theatre before you have to learn lines. It’s the matrix to muck about in with your acting shoes and see how good you are. A genius at mucking about this way is Matt Lawrence who operates The Canadian Improv Showcase, and he’s brought five of the same ilk to Hamilton. Risky? Oh boy, you bet, but these remarkable performers are nothing if not high–wire walkers with no safety net….. They’re huge, all of six of them, in talent, invention, energy, timing, knife–sharp wit….and that’s only five of the qualities they generate.…. Effortless excellence in falling–about–just–plain–funny is Tony Babcock doing a take on a talk–show host or a deliriously hilarious famous mayor from not far down the road.  Sneaking up on you with unexpected witty resources is Nkasi Olgbonnah as a mousy Spanish bull–fighter, and all unsuspectingly, Carmen Gillespie transforms in a nanosecond to an honest–to–god Montreal Canadien hockey grunt. Matt Lawrence MCs the whole. He is perfect in his relaxed and sure–footed experience, a natural improv. Add a prop or two to any of them and the moment is simple gladness to see.” V (TM) www.canadianimprovshowcase.com

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Joanna Chapman-Smith: Thursday, October 11, 8:00pm. $15 door/$10 artists/students: (No, she is not Hamilton’s infamous Joanna of Chapman Books!) She is, however, the winner of the 2010 Independent Music Award for best acoustic song, and has played to ‘wow’ reviews in concerts and festivals from Australia to Denmark.  Her critically acclaimed release CONTRARIES shows a well-nurtured thirst for new cultural experiences; in addition to jazz, folk and classical, her songs also show the influence of many other musical forms, from klezmer and Balkan choral music to tango and flamenco.  She is a skilled guitarist, pianist, and clarinetist, and her live shows also feature other, less conventional instruments, many of her own creation, but what truly sets her apart is the voice.  It’s an extraordinary instrument, crystalline and strong, which Joanna guides effortlessly through a nearly four-octave range. “The slinky-voiced Canadian whose arch acoustic musings and fondness for the accordion come laced with a hint of Parisian cafes and East European Klezmer music.” – Q MAGAZINE “Her voice exudes a warmth, charm and occasional vulnerability that easily brings you under her spell.” – BLUESBUNNY, “Chapman-Smith has a supple and finely-nuanced voice and writes with the ear of a poet.” – GEORGIA STRAIGHT  www.joannacs.com Listen to her: http://bit.ly/RjbD1K

Valdy: Saturday September 29. 8:00pm. $25: Born Valdemar Horsdal in Ottawa, Valdy has been part of the fabric of Canadian pop and folk music for over 34 years. A man with a thousand friends, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island to Texas to New Zealand, he’s a singer, guitarist and songwriter who catches the small but telling moments that make up life. Valdy has sold almost half a million copies of his 13 albums, has two Juno Awards (Folk Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year) with a total of seven Juno nominations and four Gold albums to his credit.
Valdy has taken his music to a dozen different countries, from Denmark to Australia and been an often-invited performer at the prestigious Kerrville Festival in Texas. Valdy has also been a panelist on Front Page Challenge, and played a lead role in an episode of The Beachcombers original series.
Today, he is based on Salt Spring Island, where he lives with his wife Kathleen, three dogs and a large cat. All three children are grown, flown and doing famously living in or near Vancouver, or Colorado.  www.valdy.com Read the rest of this entry »

The Jazz Connection Big Band: Friday, September 28. Doors at 8:00, jazz at 8:30. $15 /$10 students/all artists: Catch the powerful sound of a big band in this 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. They perform 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 with 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 (but hot!) surround-sound. It is always a great evening!  http://www.jazzconnection.ca