Dame Evelyn Glennie plays the Proms at St Jude’s [Philip Rathmer (and Brigitte)]

FOR anyone who lives around north London, the Proms at St Jude’s are a big date on the musical calendar: sociable, accessible, the perfect way to spend a summer evening in the idyll that is Hampstead Garden Suburb.

This year they run June 21-29, with armies of volunteers doling out food and drink from marquees around the landmark Lutyens church in Central Square. And they start, literally, with a bang on June 21 when celebrated percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie appears with the Fantasia Orchestra, who made a memorable appearance last year in that other Proms series you might have heard about in the Albert Hall.

Glennie’s schtick is that she hits anything in reach and turns it into music – which is no mean feat when you’re profoundly deaf as she’s been for most of her life, managing concertos by absorbing the vibrations of the orchestra around her, through her body.

The only problem is that percussion concertos are relatively rare. And though Glennie has commissioned a good few in her time, she also finds herself having to adapt music intended for other forces. Hence the Vivaldi concerto she plays in this concert.

Other highlights during the week include the virtuoso Connaught Brass ensemble, June 23; a celebration of the writer Laurie Lee in words and music, June 24 (featuring the Orchestra of the Swan with actor Anton Lesser); the award-winning Fibonacci Quartet playing Haydn and Beethoven, June 25; the London Mozart Players with oboist Nicholas Daniel homing in on gay composers for a Pride Month programme (though I’m not sure what Vaughan Williams is doing there), June 26; the legendary Swingles singers, still at it after 60 years of swingling, June 28; and a Last Night opera gala, June 29.

With lunchtime recitals by young artists, children’s events and a grand Family Day on June 29, it’s all-embracing. And more. Details: promsatstjudes.org.uk

• There was a time when piano duos had a vaguely fusty feel to them. But then along came Pavel Kolesnikov and his partner Samsom Tsoy, who brought a new sense of adventure, edge and chic to the whole business – showcased with a vengeance in the Ragged Music Festival they run at the old Ragged School, Mile End, June 20-22. Playing in atmospherically stripped-bare interiors (to a glittering audience) the focus this year is Schubert. And guests include grand pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja with violinist Alina Ibragimova. Something special. raggedmusicfestival.org.uk

• Not quite so chic but definitely edgy (and worth the trek out on the Northern line), High Barnet Chamber Music Festival starts June 20 with a performance of Peter Maxwell Davies’ 1960s shocker Eight Songs for a Mad King – running to July 5 when it rounds off with more decorous Renaissance motets. hbcmf.com. And closer in, the annual season of Summer Music in City Churches runs all week to June 27. summermusiccitychurches.com

• Collectors of momentous keyboard experiences will want to know that the inscrutable but dazzling Yevgeny Kissin has a solo recital at the Barbican, June 25. barbican.org.uk

• And finally, Highgate’s own Salon Music series has a garden party, June 22, when you can loiter, glass in hand, to a rolling alfresco programme of music by a guitarist, cellist and saxophone quartet. Which should please the neighbours. Details: salonmusic.co.uk