Swingin’ and Singin’ with The Polyjesters and The Jivin’ Belles
When
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Continues until completed.
Organizer
The Arden Theatre
Cost
This is a free event.
What's Happening
This event is part of the Plaza Series. New in 2025:
- Bring your own chair or seat.
- Grab a spot as early as 6:30 p.m.; all shows start at 7 p.m.
- No tickets required.
- Beverages/snacks for purchase in the pay-to-enter licensed area.
$10 entry (includes one alcoholic beverage)
$6 entry (includes one non-alcoholic beverage and snack)
Get into the Ukelele swing of things with the lively and hilarious Polyjesters (Carstairs/Calgary) and the 1940s style three-part Swing Jazz harmony of the Jivin’ Belles (Edmonton) for a classic upbeat, toe-tapping and tuneful evening of swing, great vibes and harmony filled vocals harkening back to a bygone era, making it at once fresh and familiar, timeless and timely.
The Polyjesters were created by brothers Jason and Sheldon Valleau on a park bench in Holland and developed on the streets of France. Planning to busk just for the summer, they ended up getting caught in a swing vortex amongst many other talented players. It was there that they began stealing the best of the best to become part of the Poly family.
Three years had passed where they went from street performances to playing private parties in Monaco including for the Prince himself. Eventually home was calling as hard as immigration was pushing and the boys returned home. They immediately took to stealing the best band mates close to home, releasing four albums, three of them original with ever changing styles and toured these albums back and forth across North America, England and Japan, doing several stints at Epcot Centre. They became a little road weary and decided to bring the party to them, creating The Mountain View Music Fest which lasted a grand 10 years. The boys found themselves on other paths of music and comedy for the past couple of years but are now blowing on the embers, about to fire up and leave no genre ungrooved. The best has been dusted off, new songs are in the mill and The Polyjesters are about to push the red button.
The Jivin’ Belles are a close-harmony swing vocal trio comprised of Edmonton-based vocalists Kate Blechinger, Mallory Chipman and Emily Guthrie. Formed in 2013 through a shared love of vintage fashion and the iconic 1940s vocal group The Andrews Sisters, the band has spent the past decade lending their retro flair to charity concerts, private events, swing dances, drag shows, artisan markets, arts festivals and more, performing throughout Edmonton, Alberta, and across the Canadian Prairies.
Inspired by trailblazing women-led vocal groups of yesteryear, including The Boswell Sisters, The Chordettes and The Supremes, along with contemporary groups like The Puppini Sisters and Duchess, The Jivin’ Belles evoke a familiar yet original sound, tinged with nostalgia and fueled with passion. Specializing in swing era favourites and unique arrangements of modern pop tunes, a Jivin’ Belles’s show is filled to the brim with talent, camp, heart and humour. Whether they’re singing acapella or swinging in time with a backing band, The Jivin’ Belles are sure to keep your toes tapping all night long!
Bring your own chair or seat. Grab a spot as early as 6:30 p.m.; all shows start at 7 p.m. No tickets required. There will be a pay-to-enter licensed area where alcoholic beverages or snacks can be purchased. Tickets for the licensed area will be $10, including an alcoholic beverage, and $6, including a non-alcoholic beverage and snack.
Last edited: July 3, 2025
