THERE are a number of opportunities to combine a good night out with aiding a good cause in the coming weeks.

'MUSIC and Melody 2001' is coming to the Theatre Royal on Saturday, July 7. This is a band and choral concert with curtain up at 7pm and all proceeds in aid of Willowbrook Hospice. It features Sutton Manor Primary School Choir; Knowsley Junior Choir; Merseyside singer, Paris Graham-Jones; The Showstoppers; Silouette Dance Club; and young comedian Anton. Tickets, priced £4.50, are available from the Hospice Campaign Office, 56 Claughton Street or ring 01744 453798.

AND there is still a chance to enjoy The Eccleston School of Dance annual show, entitled 'Showtime' will be staged at the theatre on Sunday, July 8 with curtain up at 2pm. This year's show features dances to music from famous shows such as 'Cats' and 'Oliver' and all proceeds go to the local branch of ChildLine.

MEANWHILE, on the evening of Sunday, July 8 the theatre plays hosts to Bee Gees tribute show, 'Stayin' Alive'.

ON Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14 St Luke's Church, Eccleston is presenting 'Hopes and Dreams' at the Theatre Royal, also in support of Willowbrook Hospice. This is a showcase production of song, dance, comedy, monologue and drama and it starts at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £4 for adults and £2 for children, are available from the Hospice Campaign Office, 56 Claughton Street or by ringing 01744 453798.

ST HELENS Sinfonietta are staging a Summer Pops Concert on Saturday, July 14 at St Helens Parish Church starting at 7.30pm. Tickets available from 01744 616403/22632

ON Friday, July 6 make a date with one of the best British blues bands, The Producers, who will be on stage at The Citadel, Waterloo Street from 8pm onwards.

THEN on Saturday, July 7 Johnny Vegas is back on home ground again when he appears there following his national tour. Curtain up is at at 8pm.

AND from Wednesday to Saturday, July 11 to 14 the St Helens Millennium Youth theatre will be giving their first performance on stage at The Citadel with curtain up 8pm.

DE La Salle School is staging an Art Exhibition at the Rainford Gallery, Central Library until Friday, July 13. This is part of this year's Art Ambassadors into Schools pilot scheme which has included De La Salle.

THE World of Glass is presenting a Needlecraft Exhibition in the Reflections Gallery until Wednesday, July 11 from 10am to 5pm (hours subject to change, please telephone to confirm).

PUPILS from the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy will be staging their annual shows at Ditton Community Centre, Dundalk Road,Widnes. These will feature pupils from the Rainhill and Newton-le-Willows classes on Friday, July 6 at 7.30pm and the Rainford and St Helens classes on Sunday, July 8 at 7.30pm. The programme includes 'Paradesia'; 'The Snake Charmer'; 'The Bold Buccaneers'; 'The Cleanest Town in Texas'; and 'Soap Suds'.

THE Poet and the Painter, yours truly and Carol Anne Eaves, are currently staging their latest exhibition, 'Reflections' at the Silhouette Dance Club, Boundary Road. Further details from 01744 20136/01744 26338.

A JAZZ Rendezvous takes place at the Star Inn, Rainford every Sunday from 8.30pm, admission is free. On Sunday, July 8 you can enjoy the sounds of Ian Royle (trumpet),Terry Porter (reeds), Mike Pearson (trombone) and Coin Gibson (piano).

ST THOMAS of Canterbury, Windleshaw PTFA are presenting their Annual Gala on Saturday, July 7 from 2pm at The Hamblett School Playing Field, Rainford Road. A brass band will lead the childrens' procession from Hammill Street at 1.30pm. Admission is by programme, price 50p, or pay on the gate.

THERE is a Family Fun Day at Birchley St Mary's School, Billinge from 1.30pm on Sunday, July 8. It wil be officially opened by a Saints player and there will be a host of attractions.

BLUE Delight will be playing jazz standards at the Carr Mill Hotel on Monday, July 8 from 8.30 to 11.30pm.

OUT OF TOWN

TWO local artists, Jill Dagnall and Janice Johnson, are holding separate exhibitions at the Hanover Galleries, Liverpool from July 11 to 21.

Jills exhibition, called 'Now and Then' and represents a collection of work from the 1970s to the present time. Its main focus is buildings in urban and landscape settings.

Janice's exhibition, entitled 'Life', includes life work, some animal studies and work based on Celtic myths.

SOCIETY NEWS

ST HELENS & District Hard of Hearing Club meet on Monday, July 9 for bingo with Wilf and Joan. This is at the Deaf Centre, Dentons Green Lane starting at 1.30pm.

NEXT meeting of the St Helens branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society will be on Tuesday, July 10 at 7.30pm at Windle Pilkington House, King Street when there will be a talk on yoga and reflexology. Anyone with MS and their relatives or friends are welcome to attend.

ST HELENS Organ Society meet at West Park rugby club, Prescot Road on Tuesday, July 10, 8pm start, when their guest will be Clair Gregg.

THE next monthly meeting of the Lancashire branch of the Sinatra Music Society will be held at the Sprayhurst Club, Boundary Road, St Helens (opposite the baths) starting at 8pm on Monday, July 9.