AustLit

'Behind the boutiques, restaurants and cafes, there’s a powerful Aboriginal presence still around the streets of Fitzroy and Collingwood – the ‘dirty mile’. From its Woiwurrung beginnings right up to the here and now, this is a precious community, not just somewhere to get a good latte.

Despite the gentrification, this iconic place is a testimony to survival. On any given day, you’d find Mutti Mutti songman Kutcha Edwards cutting his way along the streets of Fitzroy with a car full of Koories – dropping people off, picking people up, singing and laughing, passing on knowledge through stories and song.

In this series of four short films directed by John Harvey, Kutcha’s Carpool Koorioke features a stellar musical cast including ARIA award-winners Archie Roach and Dan Sultan, music icons Bunna Lawrie and Bart Willoughby, young singers Alice Skye and Emily Wurramara, the hilarious Elaine Crombie and legend Uncle Jack Charles. Don’t miss this warm-hearted musical journey to the other side of the street.'

Source: Yirramboi Festival.

'Yuyukatha is a musical and story-telling performance that takes you on a cultural journey. In the great Aboriginal tradition, Kutcha Edwards tells his incredible life's journey through a series of songs [and] stories - some funny, others heart rending. Kutcha shares his experience of the stolen generations as seen through the eyes of someone taken from the banks of the Murrumbidgee River as a young child. His music touches the soul and through his humour and insights we realize that with recognition of the true Aboriginal history, there can be hope of reconciliation.'

Source: Multicultural Arts Victoria website, www.multiculturalarts.com.au (sighted 07/07/2010)