Catch the Christmas spirit with seasonal music and poetry at the Virtual Concert in the Village Dec. 19 and 20.
St. Thomas Anglican Church in Shanty Bay invites everyone to this streamed performance by a diverse group of talented women and men.
This concert is an ongoing fundraiser for the David Busby Centre, a community not-for-profit organization in Barrie which advocates for improved conditions for individuals and families within Simcoe County who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The goal is to raise $5,000.
“Especially around this time of year… they (Busby) provide good service, clothing and meals and dignity to the people who need their services,” said Edward St. Moritz (stage name for Ed Moll), the concert’s curator, who will also be performing.
The 50-minute concert will be hosted by Iain Moggach and feature 10 performers: Rosemary Lucas reciting ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, poetry by Serena Counter and music by Naomi Bristow, Josh Counter, Hawkins Johnston, Debi MacKay, St. Moritz, Neil Parent, Mark Powney, and Thomas Trinity.
St. Moritz has been associated with St. Thomas Anglican for the last few years because the church has asked him to perform at its fundraising pig roast, and also as part of the Concert in the Village series.
“I got to know the folks there quite well, really enjoy their company and what they do,” he said. “This year, because of the pandemic, they asked if I would participate in a virtual fundraiser for the Busby Centre.
“That attracted me, because I’ve been wanting to do something like that for a while.”
St. Moritz has the gear, the equipment, to do a virtual concert but credits his partner, Victoria Fenner, an expert at this type of thing, for the final product.
“It was quite a challenging thing to do,” he said. “There are 10 different performers with the emcee interspersed in between Rev. Sandor (Borbely)’s introduction and ending.
“Stitching them (the videos) together…it’s like making a quilt.”
The virtual concert will be streamed via Facebook @stthomasshantybay on Saturday, Dec. 19 and on Sunday, Dec. 20, both starting at 8 p.m.
Organizers say viewers need not have a Facebook account to see the concert, just click on the @stthomasshantybay link.
For more information on the concert and how to donate, visit stthomasshantybay.com. A tax receipt will be issued by Canada Helps, with a minimum $3 donation.
