SUMMER kicks off on 1 June with The Essence of Ireland, a show of brilliant choreography, superb musicianship and dazzling costumes in the spirit of Lord of the Dance. To make a table reservation for a pre-show meal at Cuisine Studio ring 01342 324860. Tickets £18.50/concessions £17/family ticket £55.

Theres more essence on offer on 3 June in The Essence of Love, a new comedy by Phillip Ayckbourn. A mother and her daughter, a father and his son find themselves on adjacent hotel terraces in Marrakech. Theres anything but love in the air for the four British holiday makers - but when the gift of a magical elixir gets into the water, unlikely passions take root. Tickets £12/concessions £10.

The Phil Collins tribute show No Jacket Required is back by popular request on 4 June with a chance to relive ballads including Against All Odds, One More Night and Groovy Kind Of Love. Tickets £15/concessions £13.

An Evening with Gerard Kenny is on 5 June. The international songwriter, singer and pianist - who has worked with artists including Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Shirley Bassey and Jack Jones - makes a very welcome return appearance to support the work of Chequer Mead Friends. Tickets £15/Chequer Mead Friends £12.50.

East Grinstead Group of Schools (EGGS) presents Our World at a private function on 7 June to mark the culmination of an exciting year-long project which has seen the towns youngsters working together on aspects of the renewed curriculum. Their on-stage showcase of drama, music and dance marks the beginning of a week-long exhibition of the students artwork in the Garden Gallery. Free public entry to the exhibition.

The hugely popular Company of Friends presents Don't Dress for Dinner from 10 to 12 June. After the successes of See How They Run, Not Now Darling and Run for Your Wife, the Company is back with a 4th farce in the shape of Dont Dress for Dinner - a frenetic case of mistaken identity with more twists than a corkscrew.
Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio 01342 324860. Tickets £13/concessions £12.

Acoustic Sussex presents the Eliza Carthy Band on 14 June. Eliza Carthy has won an unrivalled seven BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and been twice nominated for the Mercury Awards. Tickets £15/concessions £12.50.

In The Mood with Five Star Swing comes to town for a matinee on 17 June with a line-up headed by Chris Smith, the former composer for Glenn Millers brother Herb, the BBC Big Band and the Royal Variety Performance. Special guest will be Simone, from the latter days of the Ivy Benson Orchestra, as seen on BBC TV's Children in Need. Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio 01342 324860. Tickets £10.50/concessions £9.50/groups of 10-plus £9 each.

Cuisine Studio presents its hugely popular Jazz Cafe on 18 June when the Groove Chasers make a return visit to Chequer Mead. Meals must be pre-booked. Bistro menu available. For table reservations or tickets - in advance only - ring Mandy or Paul on 01342 324860.

The British Red Cross presents Dance for Life on 19 June, which brings together schools, youth and dance groups from communities throughout the southeast by making dance accessible to all under-18s, regardless of ability. This charity event is a celebration of youth dance and its ability to overcome cultural, social and physical barriers, by giving pupils the chance to perform and celebrate with their friends, family and school. There are two age groups - although some flexibility will be allowed: a junior group for ages 11 and under, and a senior group for ages 12 to 18. The event is open to dancers at all levels, including beginners. Tickets £8/children £5.

The Mayapuris hit town on 21 June to showcase their skills in chanting and musicianship. Their debut album Mridanga soars with fiery vocals, earthshaking rhythms and enchanting musical flavour. Named after the mridranga - a clay and leather drum from Mayapur in India where kirtan/chant music originated - the album showcases the musical versatility of The Mayapuris and the instruments they play. Special guests include grammy-nominated Jai Uttal, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits and Benjy Wertheimer of Shantala. Tickets £10 in advance/£15 on the door.

East Grinstead Choral Society presents Last Night at the Proms on 26 June when the biggest choir in East Grinstead will perform with the St Peters school choir to recreate all the traditional atmosphere of the famous Albert Hall concerts. Enthusiastic audience participation will be a vital part of the prom which will include Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem, with the usual flag-waving. Other musical treats include Chilcotts charming Little Jazz Mass and the ever-popular Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana. Table reservations for a meal at Cuisine Studio 01342 324860. Tickets £13/concessions £12/family £44.

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