ONE of the world's finest whistlers is to give a free concert at the weekend.

American Michael Barimo, who has performed at New York's Carnegie Hall, will be at Walker Parish Church, Newcastle, on Saturday, at 7pm.

The event is part of an exchange between Newcastle and its US sister city of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Organiser John Stokell-Walker said: "It isn't very often that people are able to enjoy artists who usually perform at the likes of Carnegie Hall on their own doorstep."

The visit, which is in its third year, has developed from a Friendship Agreement signed by the council's Children and Young People's service in 1999.

It brings to the region musicians who have won the Ibla Music Foundation competition in Ragusa, Sicily.

Published: 22/01/2004