AS the sun goes down, York Theatre Royal will be hotting up with two weeks of live music, theatre, the spoken word and food at the first Summer Sessions in July.

These sessions kick off on July 4 with a free gig by the New York Brass Band, whose arsenal of percussion, sax, trumpet, trombone and sousaphone players delivers the sounds of New Orleans and New York at 8pm.

This year’s TakeOver team from the theatre – all aged 26 or under – take their festival theme of Speak Out to its most literal meaning by presenting an evening of provocative, outspoken poetry and spoken-word performances in the Speak Out Slam on July 5 at 7.30pm.

Live music, flowing ale, rollicking blues piano and comedy cabaret will be served up in the theatre bar courtesy of Adam Sowter & Co’s Hootenanny on July 11 at 7.30pm. Jonny Holbek, The Receivers, George Stagnell, Kelly Ann Bolland, Richard Bayton, Kjartan Poskitt and many more will be accompanied by boogie-woogie pianist Sowter.

York’s emerging theatre-makers and performers will be off to Scotland's capital in August, but not before Theatre Royal audiences have the chance to see Edinburgh Fringe previews on July 12 at 7.30pm, when Sophie Shepherd hosts performances by KIFLi Theatre, Flattered Collective, York DramaSoc and The Herd.

The Summer Sessions promise "great food" too. On July 6 and 7, at 8pm, Clucking Oinks will serve authentic American street food, such as the All American Fried Chicken Burger, on a menu priced at £17.50 per person.

On July 13, at 8pm, Haxby restaurant Origin sets up an exclusive Theatre Royal pop-up with a new menu created by chef Philip Veal especially for the night. The £35 price per person includes a glass of fizz on arrival.

The curtain comes down on the sessions with Wine and Tapas on July 14 at 7.30pm, offering the chance to sample the Theatre Royal's wine list and enjoy a plate of tapas matched to each wine for £15 per person.

The Clucking Oinks, Origin and Wine and Tapas evenings can be booked on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk; all the other events are free. The bar will be open from 6pm to 11pm during the Summer Sessions from July 4 to 14.