Compiled by Amanda Griffiths

MUSIC AND CONCERTS

5th

Paloma Faith

The captivating Paloma Faith perfoms concerts in seven spectacular woodland settings this summer. Delamere Forest, Delamere, www.forestry.gov.uk/music

6th Summer Concert Frodsham and District Choral Society take you on a musical holiday to Germany and Austria with well-known melodies, from Five’s Company, a group of four singers and pianist. Frodsham Community Centre, 01928 733247

6th A Concert of Summer Favourites Chester Music Society Youth Choirs present this concert of summer favourites in which all three youth choirs come together. All Saints’ Church, Chester, 01244 300717

6th Blondie Blondie, fronted by pop icon Deborah Harry perform with special guests The Lightning Seeds in a nationwide tour of woodlands. Delamere Forest, Delamere, www.forestry.gov.uk/music

7th

Frodsham’s Downhill Run

Starts from the memorial on top of the hill at 12.30) and finishes in Castle Park for the Festival in the Park

Frodsham Community Centre, 01928 733247

12th Wilmslow Music Festival The first Wilmslow Music Festival, celebrating the town’s home grown musical talent on three stages. Wilmslow High School

13th Alsager Music Festival Featuring some of the best local live acts, an acoustic stage and a stage for new talent. Mitton Park, Alsager

20th Warrington Music Festival Local musicians bring the festival feel to Warrington as they take over the town performing throughout the day on stages across the town centre. Various venues in Warrington, www.culturewarrington.org

20th-21st

Tatton Park Picnic Concerts 80s superstars Howard Jones and Toyah Wilcox join Saturday’s headline act The Human League, while classical foursome Amore join Katherine Jenkins and the National Symphony Orchestra on Sunday. Tatton Park, Knutsford, www.tattonparkconcerts.com

THEATRE AND DANCE

1st-3rd Giselle, Don Quixote and Swan Lake Sofia National Ballet accompanied by the Orchestra of Sofia National Ballet present three ballets on consecutive nights, from the most poignant of classical ballets, Giselle, to the Russian showpiece of thrilling technique in Don Quixote and the most romantic ballet of all, Swan Lake. Liverpool Empire Theatre, 0844 871 3017

2nd-20th Ghost the Musical The show based on the Academy Award winning film is returning to Manchester where it enjoyed its world premiere. The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018

5th-6th The Hollow Agatha Christie’s cloak and dagger classic novel performed by the Wilmslow Green Room. Quarry Bank Mill Gardens. 01625 527468

Until 6th

Manchester Sound: The Massacre The final site-specific production by the Library Theatre Company sees the Peterloo Massacre of 1819 colliding with the explosion in acid house rave culture in 1988/89 and each actor, some doubling up as musicians, plays a character from both eras. Secret Manchester city centre location, 0161 200 1500

10th The Mikado Gilbert and Sulivan’s much loved comic opera performed in the open air by Illyria Outdoor Theatre Company.

Dunham Massey, 0161 941 1025

11th-13th The Rivals Alsager Community Theatre present this enjoyable romp of a play in which young heiress, Lydia Languish, spends her days reading romantic novels and confiding in her dear friend, Julia. Her determination to elope with a poor soldier and marry for love creates mayhem and confusion for her three rival suitors, her family and her friends as the plot becomes ever more convoluted. (Also 18th-20th) Little Moreton Hall, 01260 276165

12th-20th The Murder Mystery Nantwich Players present The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery. Stand by for mayhem! Civic Hall, Nantwich, 01270 600727

Until 13th Chester Mystery Plays Written in the 14th century by monks of the Abbey of St Werburgh (now Chester Cathedral) the play tells Bible stories from The Creation to the Last Judgement. Chester Cathedral, 01244 500959

14th As You Like It Illyria Outdoor Theatre Company present Shakespeare’s ultimate romantic comedy. Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

FAIRS, FESTIVALS, DAYS OUT AND CHARITY EVENTS

5th-7th International Show Jumping Show The third, three day, three star international show jumping show with more than £110,000 of prize money on offer with former Olympic Gold medallists and other top riders from across the world. Southview Competition Centre, Wettenhall

6th-7th American Civil War at the Old Hall Share the myth, romance and reality of this period as you walk and talk your way through the American Civil War Society’s encampments. Tatton Park, Knutsford 01625 374400

13th-14th

Great British Food Festival Celebrating the best of British, with wonderful food and drink, games and activities for children, a balloon race, bake-offs and excellent live music. Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, www.capesthorne.com

13th-14th Cheshire Steam Fair Event for steam enthusiasts and a great family day out with hundreds of exhibits on display including steam engines, classic cars, miniature steam engines and craft and fine food fair. Daresbury, 01751 200839

20th-21st

Middlewich Classic Car and Bike Show The former Transport Festival, now in it’s sixth year goes from strength to strength. Market Field, Middlewich, 01606 833434

21st Garden Open Day The gardens open as part of the National Garden Scheme. Adlington Hall, Macclesfield, 01625 829206

25th-28th RHS Flower Show The highlight of the north’s gardening calendar with pioneering and innovative gardens combining with food, shopping, crafts, music and fashion for the perfect summer day out. Tatton Park, Knutsford, 020 7649 1885, www.rhs.org.uk/tatton

28th

Cheshire Classic Car and Motorcycle Show

The 37th annual gathering of classic cars and motorcycles, including Sports Car Sunday.

Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, www.classicshows.org

OUR FAB FIVE

5th-August 25th Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre Chester Performs are staging three productions, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello as well as the swashbuckling tale of Cyrano de Bergerac. Grosvenor Park, Chester, 0845 241 7868

6th Live in the Park Live music concert in the open air featuring The Supreme Divas of Motown. Arley Hall and Gardens, Northwich, 01606 861733

6th-7th Stars and Stripes Classic American Car Show The north west’s premier event for lovers of all things American, with huge fins ‘n’ chrome cars from the 1950s and 1960s, corvettes, mustangs and cadillacs. Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

23rd-27th Midnight Tango Strictly Come Dancing’s Vincent and Flavia, star in this show which brings to life all the drama, sensuality and elegance of the tango, set in a late-night bar in downtown Buenos Aires. The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018

31st The Nantwich Cheese Show Annual Nantwich Cheese Show and International Cheese Show for lovers of all things cheesy Whitchurch Road, Nantwich, 01270 780306

Recommended by You

Totem by Lucy Liu art exhibition

The Popular Institute, 77 Thomas Street, M20 4XL

Open from 11-7

17th June to 14th of July

“Peter Pan”, Wythenshawe Forum Hall

Summer Theatre Experience 5th -10th August 2013

ABD Productions’ professional production of “Peter Pan” takes over Wythenshawe Forum Hall. A unique opportunity for you to take part in this spectacular production. Whether you have previous experience or it’s your first appearance, this is the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll go from the page to the stage in just one week, ending with a full scale, professional public performance. The Summer Theatre Experience is open to everyone aged between 7 and 18, you’ll work alongside professional actors and have the experience of the music, action, large scale song and dance numbers, comedy routines, colourful sets and costumes. Some older talented dancers will feature in specialist production numbers. Application forms can be downloaded from www.abdproductions.co.uk, accessing the Summer Theatre Experience link or contacting abd@abdproductions.co.uk tel 01704 880607/889360.

Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell

For the last 10 years Preston based touring theatre company, Dean Taylor productions has brought the North West critically acclaimed Shakespeare outdoors.

This Summer will be different. For Dean Taylor and his team are presenting outdoors, anywhere, for the first time the crack West End comedy hit ‘Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell’ by Keith Waterhouse and is coming to a venue near you

Wednesday 10th July 2013, 7.30pm Tickets £16

Two days later ‘Jeffrey Bernard’ will move To Burton Manor near Ness and Heswall for an 8th Summer.