The Pearl Company Theatre and Concerts

06/29/2022

Monday July 11 we are presenting an exciting Flamenco Jazz Concert 7:30 pm, one of our last concerts in the long history of the Pearl Company. Don't miss it.

Hailing from the flamenco jazz capital of Madrid, Spain, the Lara Wong Trio brings us some of the freshest music from the flamenco scene today.

Born and raised in Canada, flamenco flutist Lara Wong now makes her home in Madrid, Spain. Today she is one of Spain's top contemporary flamenco artists, captivating the flamenco world using an unexpected protagonist : the flute and bansuri (Indian bamboo flute). In 2021 she became the first woman to win the prestigious “Filon Minero" award for best flamenco instrumentalist at the Festival Cante de las Minas, Spain’s most important flamenco competition. She was also the first foreigner to win in any category in the festival’s 60 year history.

The trio features Melón Jiménez on flamenco guitar, Ivan Mellén on percussion, and Lara Wong on flute and bansuri. The dynamite encounter of these three extraordinary artists results in a treasure chest of musical gems that have their origins in flamenco and are embellished with Indian and Jazz influences. Mystical melodies on bamboo bansuri flute and exploratory improvisations on traverse flute are accompanied by dazzling flamenco guitar riffs and sophisticated rhythms on percussion.

This is the quartet's first cross-Canada tour. On this tour, they are presenting Lara's new album, "Rosa de los Vientos" (Rose of the Winds) which her and her guitarist, Melón, who is also her life partner, recorded in Madrid last February.

Melón Jiménez is one of the most notable guitarists in the current flamenco and world music scene in Spain today. He is both devoted to the tradition of his Andalusian gypsy roots and also, to the innovation of the flamenco guitar, meticulously translating techniques from the sitar, slide guitar, and African gimbri to his guitar. He has toured with renowned musicians like Anoushka Shankar, Chuchito Valdes, Jorge Pardo, Richard Bona, Enirque Morente and Armando Manzanero. This year, he became a finalist in the prestigious "Paco de Lucia" award.

Lara Wong - Flute and Bansuri

Melón Jiménez - Flamenco Guitar

Ivan Mellén- Percussion

https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/41164/

05/06/2022

Some tickets will be available at the door, this Sunday at the ZOETIC on Concession

04/29/2022

Big Johnny Blue in Concert May 7th

03/09/2022

James Gordon in Concert at the Pearl Apr. 6th ( A redo from the January postponed show)_
When veteran Canadian songwriter James Gordon was booked to play at Hamilton’s great Pearl Company, the intention was to make it a double launch for his new album ‘When I Stayed Home’ and his debut ‘musical’ novel ‘The Ark of the Oven Mitt’. The first date in January was moved because of Omicron, and now the new April 6th date has an entirely new context.
In the last month, Gordon has a viral hit on his hands! A master of musical satire from his years as a songwriter-in-residence for CBC radio’s “Basic Black” show, Gordon decided to comment in song about the so-called ‘Freedom Convoy’. He had no idea that his ‘Crybabies Caravan’ would resonate with so many people, and create such a controversy. Check it out yourselves at https://youtu.be/BsWLAjQHXqI As of March 6th the song has been viewed on social media and on YouTube more than 300,000 times and climbing daily. That’s not a typo. The humorous yet pointed lyrics apparently said what many were thinking about the convoy and its impact. The conversation on social media that ensued has been 99% appreciative, but that 1% of ‘haters’ has been quite an experience for Gordon. Just for a song, he’s had death threats and been harassed enough that police in his hometown of Guelph (where he has a side hustle as a city councilor), have been monitoring his social media feed and taking the threats seriously. So would this singer back away? Not him. The ongoing debate has already spawned other songs from the prolific writer, so that at the Pearl Company he’ll be offering an entire “Crybabies Suite” along with his original goal of presenting songs from his new works.
His unique ‘hybrid’ novel includes 36 original songs available as a download, enhancing the lively story. Perhaps the prestigious Kirkus Review said it best:
“A fading Canadian band is revitalized by a young vagabond in this rollicking showbiz novel… Gordon’s yarn is partly a love letter to small-town Canada, with its greasy spoons, wind-swept plains, un-chic shops, and regular folks who keep on going despite their troubles. He maps this terrain well in beautifully crafted scenes of savory characters sharing honky-tonk conviviality… Gordon is a talented writer with a punchy, resonant prose style” -Kirkus Reviews
His new album , ( his 40th)- “When I Stayed Home”,(you can guess the running theme for that!)- features two singles that have enjoyed good airplay on roots radio: “the Great Divide” https://youtu.be/T9rnrRIkqa8 and his biting commentary on the residential school grave discoveries :“We’ll bring You Home”. https://youtu.be/5D4cAXqSjZg
With all that, Gordon will still squeeze in material relevant to the conflict in the Ukraine, and some old favourites from his extensive back-catalogue on Borealis Record including his classic ‘Frobisher Bay’ which has been recorded by over 100 artists world-wide.
He’ll perform solo at the Pearl, but will bring an electric car filled with instruments.

Tickets available for the 8 pm Pearl Company performance are available at https://www.ticketscene.ca/list.php?q=james+gordon

12/01/2021

January 19 2022- James Gordon Double Launch @ The Pearl Company. James Gordon goes overboard during the pandemic: releases two epic projects, and he’s launching both at the Pearl Company January 19th. His new musical Novel "The Ark of the Oven Mitt and his new CD "When I Stayed Home" For info 365 889 4784 and to reserve of to puchase on line https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/39314/

10/21/2021

The Draft Dodger Opens November 11

Playwright Ray Z. Rivers
Directed by Gary Santucci

History will always repeat itself. Forty years after escaping the
Vietnam draft Peter finds himself obligated to help a young
American soldier in his efforts to escape GW Bush’s Iraq war.
‘Make love and not war’ takes on a new meaning in this story of
men united in their opposition to unjust conflicts.

Performances

Evening Performances @ 8:00 pm Nov 11, 12, 13.
Saturday & Sunday Matinees @ 2:00 pm

To Purchase Tickets online: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/38962/

For more info email; [email protected]

or by telephone 365 889 4784

10/21/2021

We'd love to see you this Saturday at the Zoetic Theatre on Concession 8:00pm

Like all theatres, Hamilton’s The Pearl Company shut down in the early spring of 2020. Now it’s coming back, as founder Gary Santucci starts staging s...