The National Arts Festival – Fest – programme for 2012 is out. Yay! I love this time of year. Hours spent pouring over the programme, picking shows and figuring out how we’ll fit them all into just a week (all the time I can take off work). The big shows we’ll book in advance – the ballet (Giselle), the Gala Concert, some of the big music shows and a couple of lectures that are likely to sell out – but most we’ll leave until we’re there. Because there is nothing like popping into the booking office in the mornings to buy a whole handful of tickets for the day.

This year’s programme looks great. Lots of lovely music. More classical this year and it looks awesome. Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance is someone I’ve followed for years and whose work I love, Bailey Snyman. The ballet is Giselle, which I’ve never seen before. Richard Cock is doing a whole bunch of fun stuff, as well as the usual joy that is the Gala Concert with the KZN Philharmonic. There is a wide range of theatre and even more fun-sounding music like Arno Carstens, Sibongile Khumalo, Bala Brothers, Mango Groove.

And then there is the Fringe. More yay. A whole bunch of my favourite performers are back, some with new shows, some with pieces I adore and will very happily watch over and over gain. Of course, some people are missing – no Scott Sparrow, no Tim Redpath. But so many are. James Cairns is doing various pieces, including the stunning Sie Weiss Alles. Richard Antrobus and co are bringing back Hats. Kaput is back. Raiders is going Mayan. Boet ‘n Swaar return after a 5-year absence. Chris Chameleon. Comedy from Durban Comedy Invasion to Rob van Vuuren, Stuart Taylor, Siv Ngesi and Mark Palmer. So much yay!

Of course, some of the less than impressive lot are back. The stupid hypnotist who is quite possibly the most annoying person in the world. London Road. Miskien. But plenty of good stuff to drown them out. Programmes/Booking Kits are available from Standard Bank branches and selected Exclusive Books and Computicket branches from May but it’s already up on the website. Booking opens 7 May. Oh, and ArtBucks members get early booking. Don’t wait. It’s going to be amazing!