In celebration of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, up-and-coming Canadian musicians, dancers and actors involved in the Cultural Olympiad are hitting the road with a national touring program featuring more than 40 shows in cities large and small.

For the second time in two years, the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, presented by Bell, is stretching beyond British Columbia to communities across Canada to connect the entire country in the culture, spirit and excitement of Canada's Games. The performances started Tuesday (Jan. 19) and carry on into March during the Paralympic Winter Games.

Performers and artistic companies involved in the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad National Presentation and Touring Program include: The Alberta Ballet and its presentation of Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddle and The Drum, Quebec-based Compagnie Marie Chouinard and Cirque Éloize, as well as musical performances by Nova Scotia's Jenn Grant, Saskatchewan's Jason Plumb the Willing, Yukon’s Spring Breakup, and Alberta’s John Wort Hannam. For tour dates and information on how to purchase tickets see below or visit www.vancouver2010.com/culturalolympiad

“We want all Canadians to feel they can share in the cultural celebrations surrounding the 2010 Winter Games in their own hometowns,” said Burke Taylor, vice president of culture and celebrations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

“For our second and final Cultural Olympiad National Presentation and Touring Program, we’ve worked closely with our corporate, government and artistic partners to create an exciting lineup of Canadian projects that include ballet, theatre, up-and-coming musicians, and even puppetry. We invite everyone to come out when they stop in your area and enjoy a taste of the cultural excitement of the Games.”