Here are some thoughts and reflections from Jukka Tarvainen, choreographer and performer of Hutiklubi, on the occasion of reaching 100 performances:
“Hutiklubi 100. A milestone that was surpassed in December 2024! To be precise, Hutiklubi has now been performed 102 times. I feel grateful, happy, and proud. The journey has been wonderful and educational. It has included all sorts of experiences, ranging from embarrassment to euphoria. A huge thank you to everyone involved in the performances and all the guest artists. It has been a joy. May the journey continue.
Hutiklubi premiered in 2015 at the Jyväskylä festival. For those who haven’t seen the performance, let me explain: it’s a fun and interactive improvisational piece that blends elements of dance, theater, and music improvisation, moving fluidly between these genres. The performance consists of short scenes whose content is determined by the audience. Its popularity can be attributed to its entertainment value, approachability, and adaptability to all kinds of spaces, events, and audiences of all ages. And, of course, the fact that every performance is unique. This show stands the test of time and several viewings.
What makes this number of performances exceptional? For me, it’s the fact that I’ve never performed any other piece over 100 times. Not even close. In the field of dance, performance runs are typically short, averaging 3-10 shows, so compared to that, this number is astonishing. It’s been amazing to experience and observe the evolution of the performance and the performers over the years. Rarely does one get the chance to repeatedly revisit a piece, discover new nuances, experiment with new ideas, and develop confidence and routine in a good way. The teamwork, support, and mutual trust among the performers feels great and enables success. We’ve also emphasized the importance of a safe atmosphere and encouragement among participants in the workshops we’ve conducted. Without these elements, improvisation doesn’t work.
It feels like the resources invested in Hutiklubi have borne fruit abundantly. It feels sustainable. I often lament the throwaway culture of the independent arts scene, where even high-quality performances fade away after a short run because they don’t get booked. The factors influencing this are complex, so I won’t go into them now. But Hutiklubi has luckily found its path in the performing arts field. There have been gigs at festivals, events, restaurants, gym halls, indoors, outdoors, for children, youth, adults, and seniors. School tours, in particular, have been in high demand and feel especially meaningful. Hutiklubi will continue its journey, and we’ll see if we can organize a 10th-anniversary special next year. At times, it feels like Hutiklubi’s journey is just beginning, as new ideas and collaboration opportunities constantly come to mind. Let’s hope some of them are realized. Here’s to reaching 200 performances!”
