The programme has now been officially launched and postal booking for the 40-plus performances and workshops began on Monday. The box office on Albert Street opens on June 14.

"This year's Hebden Bridge Arts Festival is going to be the best ever. As well as huge names like Phill Jupitus, Maria McKee and Ed Byrne, there are some fascinating and unusual performances too," said festival volunteer Rebecca Dearden. "Some of the things I'll definitely be getting tickets for include Frances Lynch and the Electric Voice Theatre with their Baghdad Monologues and an amazing production of The Elephant Man. And I can't wait to find out what on earth Richard Dedomonici's conceptual art treasure hunt is all about.

"We're celebrating the 2008 Year of Language with our Many Voices events, so there'll be eye- and ear-opening performances from some first-class international artists. There are also two stunning exhibitions planned for the box office gallery on Albert Street – one of work by 10 renowned illustrators and the other of very covetable textiles and ceramics by Nadia Sparham, who's making quite a name for herself in the world's style bibles!"

Other things to book early for include Martin Roscoe, Luke Wright and the Poetry Slam, the hilarious Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf, Rohan McCullough's performance as Beatrix Potter, Ian Marchant's pub quiz with a difference, lunches with literary giants and a performance – signed, of course – by deaf comedian Steve Day.

The programme launch event last Thursday, a regional premiere of Celebrating Linda Smith, raised £10,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action.

The 2008 festival runs from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, July 13.

If you'd like to be kept in touch with what's planned, e-mail hbfestival@gmail.com or visit www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/festival.