Folkestone Living Advent Calendar cover art

Folkestone Living Advent Calendar

Folkestone Living Advent Calendar

By: Jim Jam Arts
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About this listen

 Join in with Folkestone’s unique real-life advent calendar experience by tuning in to The Folkestone Living Advent Calendar podcast!

From the laughter and friendship behind each door, to the stories of the people and places that are truly Folkestone - this podcast is your personal invitation to experience the magic of the season.

Every day throughout December a door will be opened in the Kent seaside town revealing a Christmas surprise! Folkestone resident Clare Reeves is our host. She’ll be speaking with the creators and organisers, discovering more about the cherished venues that bring the advent calendar to life and the charities that benefit.

The Folkestone Living Advent Calendar podcast is a celebration of community spirit and festive goodwill. In each episode, we'll reveal the upcoming week's door locations, hear interviews with those who make the event possible and highlights from the week’s advent adventures.

Whether you're a Folkestone local or a lover of Christmas cheer from afar, tune in to experience the magic.

This weekly podcast will be released each Friday from November 17 until December 22, 2023. Subscribe now and become a part of our living advent calendar — where every door opens to a story, and every story opens the heart.

This podcast has been made possible thanks to funding from Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Arts Council England, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Creative Folkestone and some kind and supportive Folkestone & Hythe District Councillors.Jim Jam Arts Art Economics Entertainment & Performing Arts Management Management & Leadership Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Bumper Christmas Edition: A festive finale as the final doors open

    Bumper Christmas Edition: A festive finale as the final doors open
    Dec 22 2023
    It's the final episode of the season and this week host Clare Reeves is celebrating the culmination of Folkestone's Living Advent Calendar, spotlighting musical acts, charity initiatives, and the vibrant community spirit.

    We hear from members of Touchbase Care as they prepare for their door opening, as well as performances from Shoo Shoo Baby, and Half A String.

    There's community spirit as Randolph Matthews collaborates with migrant help to perform behind the first out-of-town door, and St Mary's and St Eanswyth's Church prepare to host the Christmas Eve door.

    Emotions run high as we come towards the end of the event and Clare catches up with Sadie, Sue and Marin from Jim Jam Arts and Lady Christmas as they enter the finla days of this year's event.

    In this finale, we honor the creativity, charity, and spirit of the Folkestone community that's been so vividly displayed throughout the Living Advent Calendar.

    Subscribe now wherever you are listening.

    1:20 – Comedy musical duo Shoo Shoo Baby perform at door 14 hosted by Eleto Chocolate Cafe.

    5:28 –Jim Lockey from Touchbase Care speaks about the power of creative projects to uplift and empower adults with disabilities.

    9:58 – Hear the immersive enchanted wood experience behind door 15 at Touchbase Care.

    16:15 – Hear how the Living Advent Calendar supports South Kent Mind and other charities.

    18:40 – A stranger's generous donation to Living Words exemplifies the community's heartfelt support.

    22:00 –Hear the community performance led by Randolph Matthews behind door 19 at the calendar's first out of town door at Chichester Hall in Sandgate.

    24:40 – Marin from Jim Jam Arts and Lady Christmas discuss how quickly December has flown by.

    26:35 – Listen to the street theatre performed by Half A String behind door 20 at Objectables.

    28:50 – Sadie from Jim Jam Arts speaks to Clare as the snow falls in the Old High Street.

    31:20 – Find out where the final three doors will be!

    32:19 – Authorised Lay-minister Vicky Friedrich talks about the Living Advent Calendar's traditional Christmas Eve event at St Mary and St Eanswyth's Church.

    36:13 – Mixed emotions from Jim Jam Arts as the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar 2023 comes to an end.

    For more information visit our website https://flac.org.uk/ and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/folkestonelivingadvent/?locale=en_GB

    Find out more about South Kent Mind:
    Just Giving: South Kent Mind - Winter Campaign - Wrapped in Support
    Website: South Kent Mind
    Facebook: South Kent Mind

    This podcast has been made possible thanks to funding from Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Arts Council England, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Creative Folkestone and some kind and supportive Folkestone & Hythe District Councillors.
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    40 mins
  • Ten Doors to Go! Embracing the spirit of togetherness in Folkestone

    Ten Doors to Go! Embracing the spirit of togetherness in Folkestone
    Dec 15 2023
    As we cross the halfway mark of the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar, host Clare Reeves brings you closer to the heart of this festive journey, with just 10 days left until Christmas!

    This week has been a whirlwind of diverse performances, ranging from variety shows to cabaret. Clare has been on the ground, podcast mic in hand, capturing the essence of these spectacular events.

    Listen to the sounds of a silent disco and chance to let go behind door 7 and a musical improv performance behind door 11. Plus we hear from Napier Friends community manager Vic Nelson as she explains how your donations will support refugees this Christmas.

    With 14 doors opened, Clare checks in with Sadie and Marin from Jim Jam Arts and Lady Christmas to get their insights on organizing this 24-day Christmas festival. They reflect on the ongoing success, the growing crowds (despite the rain!), and the joy of bringing the community together in celebration.

    We take a moment to recognise the emotional impact of the event and hear from Lady Christmas as she reveals the locations of the doors for next week.

    Remember to subscribe now wherever you are listening.

    1:12 – Clare speaks with volunteer lightstick holder Janet.

    2:46 – Susanna Howard from Living Words tells us how she thinks the performance will go on the night.

    4:32 – Live action from door number 7 where Living Words performed at Chaos Cards.

    8:53 – Napier Friends community manager Vic Reeves tells us how donations at the doors can make a difference.

    9:51 – Owners of the door 11 venue 21st Century Speedway tell Clare what’s hidden behind the red door all year round.

    11:57 – Improv performer Lucy Trodd talks to Clare ahead of the door 11 performance.

    12:58 – Live from door number 11 where Lucy, Jason, Nadia and pianist Duncan Walsh Atkins made up an improv musical about a snowman on Mars at Speedway.

    18:58 – Clare catches up with Jim Jam Arts organisers Sadie and Marin and chats with Lady Christmas about what day it is!

    21:12 – The emotional impact of the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar.

    24:47 – Locations of doors 15 to 21.

    25:45 – What’s coming up in next week’s final episode?

    For more information visit our website https://flac.org.uk/ and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/folkestonelivingadvent/?locale=en_GB

    Find out more about Napier Friends at https://www.facebook.com/NapierFriends/
    This podcast has been made possible thanks to funding from Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Arts Council England, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Creative Folkestone and some kind and supportive Folkestone & Hythe District Councillors.
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    27 mins
  • Festive Delight On Opening Night - doors one to eight revealed!

    Festive Delight On Opening Night - doors one to eight revealed!
    Dec 8 2023
    It’s time to open this year’s Folkestone Living Advent Calendar!

    Join host Clare Reeves as she guides us through door openings filled with artistic wonder and community spirit.

    We hear from Sue and Sadie of Jim Jams Arts as they welcome eight performances to the Harbour Arm for the first door of 2023.

    Lady Christmas reveals more Christmas magic about her wintry wardrobe. James Middleton from Neon Afterschool Performance Group tells Clare about the work that went into the performance behind door 5 at The Quarterhouse.

    Susanna Howard from Living Words speaks about the improv group’s moving performance from last year, before revealing what they’ve been working on for door number seven. The group performed behind door seven at Chaos Cards and Clare catches up with general manager of the board game store, Liz Flyn.

    Stay tuned to hear where next week’s doors will be and remember to subscribe now wherever you are listening.

    2:02 – Sadie and Sue from Jim Jam Arts talks to Clare ahead of the big reveal at door one at The Harbour Arm.

    3:00 – Lady Christmas reveals more about her velvet outfit.

    4:25 – Dan Johannson from The Harbour Arm speaks to Clare as the atmosphere gets festive on opening night.

    5:30 – CEO of The Rainbow Centre Mary Stredwick speaks to Clare about how donations collected at door one will help support people experiencing deprivation and hardship throughout Folkestone and Hythe district.

    7:40 – James Middleton from Neon afterschool performance group talks to Clare ahead of their living advent calendar performance behind door number five.

    10:36 – The Trial of Jack Frost is brought to life at The Quarterhouse by Neon afterschool performance group and The Young Animators Club.

    14:56 – General manager of Chaos Cards, Liz Flyn speaks to Clare about hosting door number seven.

    16:48 – Susanna Howard from Living Words remembers a previous Living Advent Calendar performance and talks about what’s in store behind door number seven this year.

    22:33 – Lady Christmas reveals the locations of doors eight to 14.

    For more information visit our website https://flac.org.uk/ and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/folkestonelivingadvent/?locale=en_GB

    Find out more about The Rainbow Centre at https://www.rainbow-centre.org/

    This podcast has been made possible thanks to funding from Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Arts Council England, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Creative Folkestone and some kind and supportive Folkestone & Hythe District Councillors.
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
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