A rare gathering of internationally acclaimed musicians is set to take over the Wingham Town Hall Theatre on November 20, bringing a level of talent and showmanship not typically seen on a small-town stage.
The Beatles & Beyond 60s-70s Concert promises a high-energy fusion of elite musicianship, visual art, and nostalgia while raising funds for Community Living Wingham.
The production brings together Grammy-winning players, Hall of Fame inductees, JUNO recipients and nominees, and CCMA legends for what organizers call an “unrepeatable” performance. The musicians are flying in from the U.K., Nashville, British Columbia, and Toronto, assembled exclusively for this short charity run. They have never performed as a group before and are not expected to again.
At the centre of the show is internationally recognized rock vocalist Sarah Smith, alongside some of the top guitar players in the world, including virtuoso Richard Smith, long admired by icons like Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel, according to tour Founder Kati Jane Murray. Murray added that the show blends elite musicianship with live stage art, including Paul Murray’s high-energy speed-painting of massive portraits live on stage.
"Blindfolded, he'll walk out and paint Ringo Starr in four minutes, and it'll look amazing," Kati Jane Murray said. "And he does that about four to seven times through the night. And these paintings are sold while people are listening to the music. They get to text in their bids, and the charities that are local get to benefit from that."
Murray also executes visual stunts that leave audiences reacting with both laughter and disbelief.
Each stop on the mini-tour benefits a different charity, with Wingham’s performance dedicated to Community Living, to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"A place to stay, things for them to do as a community, help them and try to get connected with places for jobs," explained Murray. "And give them a little bit of independence."
Organizers describe the event as part concert, part art performance, and part spectacle that blends 60s and 70s classics with world-class musicianship and live visual magic.
The Beatles & Beyond takes the stage in Wingham on November 20 at 7:30 p.m.
