By Kath Gannaway
INDIGENOUS performer Kutcha Edwards will perform in Healesville, and Marysville will enjoy a series of live shows next year, thanks to funding through the state government’s Touring Victoria program.
More than $335,000 will fund the program, which aims to take the arts out of the city and into towns across country and regional Victoria.
The Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman said Healesville audiences would enjoy the Tour of Kutcha Edwards’ Yuyukatha, a performance combining storytelling and music, presented by Regional Arts Victoria.
Marysville resident Mary Souness will get $60,000 to present the 2010 Cafe Culture Series featuring four touring shows.
Included in the program is the musical comedy Alzheimer’s the Musical – A Night to Remember and performances by Croque Monsieur, Flap! and JoJo Smith and the Brothers of Love.
Arts Minister Lynne Kosky said the latest round of funding would invite regional and outer metropolitan audiences to experience a range of art forms from opera to circus, chamber music, visual arts, theatre and indigenous storytelling.
“Touring benefits both groups by giving audiences a range of arts experiences close to home and by extending the life of artists’ works and exposing it to more people, in more locations,” Ms Kosky said.