Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 3 pm | View Livestream
Chris Birkett & Shari Tallon (The Free Spirits)
with guests Abigale
and guest choirs Hope & Harmony and the West Plains United Church Choir
Great music with great friends “In Perfect Harmony”!
We will fill every heart with song! Join Chris Birkett & Shari Tallon (The Free Spirits), together with guests Abigale, and choirs Hope & Harmony and the West Plains United Church Choir as we sing our hearts out in the hope of teaching the world “to sing in perfect harmony”!
Free admission : Suggested donations of $20 or more will be gratefully received to support the musicians! We welcome everyone!
Information for in-person audience: Doors open 2:20 pm. Concert begins at 3 pm. There will be an intermission. Cookies and water will be available for a donation to the West Plains Roof Fund. The West Plains Honey products and Used Book Sale will also be open. Bring coins and loose change and small bills to support these fundraisers for the new roof at West Plains! If the parking lot is full, please park across the street.
Ways to Donate: Your donation at the door will support the musicians! You may also donate online by e-transfer to westplainsconcerts@gmail.com or at CanadaHelps, choosing the “Live!@WestPlains” fund: click Donate Now – West Plains United Church (canadahelps.org) Thank you!
About the Musicians…
The Free Spirits are Chris Birkett and Shari Tallon. 
Chris Birkett is a multi-talented, award-winning record producer, singer/songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. He produced Sinead O’Connor’s hit, Nothing Compares 2 U, the last 5 albums for Buffy Sainte-Marie, and many other top artists such as Steve Earle, Mel Brooks, Talitha MacKenzie, and more.
Shari Tallon is a multi-instrumentalist: flute, tin whistle, piano, keyboards, singer/songwriter, composer and an International Recording Artist for original kids music and teacher resources.
Chris and Shari have been collaborating and recording as Free Spirits since 2015, with new releases coming this year. The Free Spirits blend world music, acoustic ballads, pop love songs with rock overtones and beautifully crafted arrangements for all ages. Their lyrics are inspiring with a feel good quality touching on both spiritual and current social issues.
Abigale is a Canadian singer & songwriter from Hodges Cove, Newfoundland. At just 19-years-old, she is a MusicNL nominated artist and a 2024 Young Performer of The Year nominee at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Abigale is currently attending McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and has already released two studio albums, ‘Country True’ and ‘Different Roads’. Abigale’s original song ‘Around the Bay‘ chronicles the famous, historic Around the Bay Road Race in Hamilton, and includes a cameo by the West Plains United Church Choir. Look for Abigale’s newest single, “Barely 17,” out now on all streaming platforms! Visit Abigale (abigaleofficial.com)
The Hope and Harmony Choir (formerly Singin’ Women) was established in 2017 to build a welcoming, positive community for women/women-identified and non-binary individuals through choral music. Choir members are drawn from across Hamilton and bring a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience to the group. The original choir was formed of women who had experienced homelessness, precarious housing, or were allies and supporters of women who had faced those challenges.
Choir members gather once a week at Good Shepherd Centres in Hamilton to learn new musical skills and to rehearse a growing repertoire. Under the leadership of artistic director Laura Thomas, Hope and Harmony focuses on singing songs dedicated to justice and peace and that celebrate strength and resilience. There are no auditions or fees attached to membership – the only requirement is a commitment to creating beautiful music and an affirming experience for singers and audience alike.
The Choir has been invited to perform at a variety of venues and events since its inception. In addition to learning and performing uplifting music, the Choir members have built a community amongst themselves that fosters acceptance, mutual support and respect.
The West Plains United Church Choir is an SATB choir directed by Lianne Tan. The Choir prepares and sings a choral anthem every Sunday at worship, and supports the congregation in singing the hymns. The Choir has recorded and released two CDs, and regularly participates in community concerts. The Choir has enjoyed collaborating in worship at West Plains with musicians such as the Metropolitan Silver Band, Linnea Good and David Jonsson, Sound Stage Niagara, and Infinitely More. In 2022, the Choir recorded the single “Hear the Angels Sing“, written and sung by Chris Birkett. The single was a hit at Christmastime, and continues to be popular on YouTube. The Choir welcomes all who love to sing in faith and fellowship. Join us Thursdays at 2:15 pm in the West Plains Church sanctuary for rehearsal!
For more concerts in the Live!@WestPlains concert series, visit Live!@WestPlains
For further information or to join our email list, please contact westplainsconcerts@gmail.com or call 905-320-4989.
All welcome! Join us for great music in an intimate space with warm acoustics!