We’re back!
Welcome to the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar 2019!
Every night at 6pm from December 1st to Christmas Eve JimJam Arts will be transforming Folkestone into a LIVING ADVENT CALENDAR with a different door opening to reveal a surprise LIVE PERFORMANCE.
How it all began
At JimJam Arts we’re really delighted that the Living Advent Calendar has become such a firm Folkestone favourite.
It all started back in 2015 with a little sparkle of an idea from Stockholm in Sweden. Here each evening a different window in the city opens in the run up to Christmas for a short story and musical performance. We thought it was a brilliant idea but we could take it a little further and make it Folkestone’s own. So we decided on doors rather than windows. On a mix of community and professional performances and a very special surprise each evening whether it’s music, dance, drama, opera, puppetry or something completely different. We introduced our own Mother Christmas to compère each evening and lead the countdown to the door opening and another festive surprise.
Reaching the community
We wanted to reach all parts of the community so we asked local community groups and organisations what they would like to do and how we could help them achieve it. So we’ve run workshops in everything from animation and puppetry to sculpture, singing and dance. We’ve also run our own free Drama and Writing Workshops open to everyone and all leading to a performance in the Living Advent Calendar. What’s more, our reputation has grown so now we are really fortunate that renowned professionals have reached out and offered to perform in the Calendar.
Helping local Charities
Each evening we collect for a different local charity which has a chance to tell the audience a bit about their work. All the entertainment and workshops are free which is thanks to generous funding and support this year from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Creative Folkestone Festivals Fund, Folkestone Quarterhouse and some kind and supportive Folkestone & Hythe District Councillors.
Advent Calendar Workshops for 2019
This year we are working with the Rainbow Centre and the Winter Shelter, Folkestone MIND, KRAN (Kent Refugee Action Network), Touchbase Care, Moving Memory, local schools, Canterbury Christchurch University as well as running free Drama, Dance and Singing Workshops open to all.
Folkestone’s Festive Spirit
So that’s been our part in the making of the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar but none of it would happen without the help of our wonderful volunteers and the goodwill and very special festive spirit of the people of Folkestone. Huge thanks for all your help and support and a very Merry Christmas to everyone!
