About Our Organization

Hit That Jive Productions is an Edmonton-based non-profit arts organization that cultivates experiences for artists and audiences that focus on curiosity and play. We create opportunities for artists to learn, develop their practice, and perform their work through interactive, collaborative, and play-focused projects, festivals, and workshops. We provide mentorship and performance opportunities for emerging and seasoned artists, and invite performers and teachers from across the globe to work with our artists and perform for local audiences. We believe curiosity and play are essential components to creating meaningful arts experiences, and use these as a guide for creating projects and events for our community.

Our organization gathers in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ), on the traditional lands of many Indigenous People, the First Nations of Treaty 6, and Métis Districts 9 & 10. This land holds thousands of years of history, storytelling, and oral traditions. In the spirit of the treaty and its oral agreements we are all meant to share this land and are all treaty people.

We recognize that racism is embedded in our current systems and in the history of our country. We know that racial inequities continue to be a lived experience for those in our community who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. Hit That Jive Productions is committed to seeking ways to amplify BIPoC artists and their voices.

Theatre

The Play the Fool Festival is Edmonton's artist-driven, non-profit theatre festival that presents clown theatre and physical comedy performances. We provide an opportunity for local, national and international artists to perform their original work in a professional festival environment, and showcase a diverse range of styles to Edmonton audiences.

We aim to expand the understanding of the breadth of clown-based theatre as a genre, offer local artists the opportunity to practice their craft, and give Edmonton audiences the chance to see high-caliber national and international performances.

FILM

The Play the Fool International Short Film Festival welcomes interpretations of clowning from all corners of the world. A unique initiative, the film festival highlights local artists in an international framework, screening short clown & physical comedy films, curated and selected by a jury, from across the globe.

The Film Festival is currently on hiatus!

Swing Dance

Hit That Jive offers workshops, classes, and socials in swing-era dances such as Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Vernacular Jazz.

Lindy Hop began in the late 1920s in the dance halls of Harlem, NYC. Created by Black American dancers, the dance is rooted in the values and aesthetics of Black culture. Lindy Hop combines swinging rhythms & jazz steps, playful call-and-response, and dynamic footwork in a follow-lead partnership, danced to the incredible big band jazz music that was popular during this era.

Balboa was created in the late 1920s/early 1930s in the ethnically diverse communities of Southern California. The ballrooms were often crowded, with some venues enforcing strict rules of “no break-away”. As such, Balboa features intricate footwork and rhythms in a close connection, or closed-embrace, with a partner. Danced to swinging jazz and big band music which has its roots in Black American culture, Balboa is great for faster songs, but can be danced at any tempo.

We at Hit That Jive are so grateful to be guests of Black American culture that created and influenced the music and dances that we enjoy.

Collaboration

Working with artists and organizations in our community is important to us. We partner with local organizations for events and projects, including Fringe Theatre Adventures and Small Matters Productions.