Following on from the success of previous years, City of York Council's 2007 York Live Music Festival kicks off in just over a month's time.

This year's event will take place between Friday 25 May and Monday 28 May and, as before, it promises an action-packed programme with something to suit all musical tastes.

In addition to the core programme of events funded by the council, many groups and organisations from across the city are also getting involved by giving performances and staging events. As in 2006, the council has given grants to many groups and organisations from across the city so that they can give performances and stage events as part of the festival programme.

Highlights include two fantastic performances at the National Centre for Early Music by the junior and senior bands from the council's performing arts centres on Friday 25 May.

On the same evening, the Final Curtain Drama Group (from Park Grove School) and young people from Applefields School will perform a unique piece of musical theatre entitled 'I want to be…' in the Rymer Auditorium at the University of York's Music Research Centre. The groups have been brought together by Jessie's Fund, a York-based charity that helps ill and disabled children to communicate through music.

'Shake, rattle and roll' is the theme of a free drop-in session for children aged up to five years at York Central Library on the morning of Saturday 26 May, whilst visitors to the city centre will be treated to three days of live music on the big stage in Parliament Street co-ordinated by York College, Access to and young, local promoters.

On the evening of Saturday 26 May, Cube Media's Soundweavers (learning disabled musicians and workshop leaders) will present a unique, interactive performance of some of York's famous ghost stories in the atmospheric surroundings of the Treasurer's House in the Minster Yard.

Meanwhile, the same evening, York's best young bands will be performing at The Junction on Leeman Road as part of a 'Bandstrand up the junction' event.

The programme for Sunday, 27 May includes a performance by Union Central, The Crocker Brothers and Purple Delta at the Merchant Taylor's Hall, Aldwark and a showcase of fresh new DJ talent in the back room at Judges Lodging.

Among the events drawing the festival to a close on Monday 28 May is a performance by nine live acoustic acts in Screen 3 at City Screen on Coney Street.

Festival organiser, Kirsty Halliday, said: "Once again York Live will be showcasing the best in local talent and celebrating the city's vibrant live music scene. During the four days of the festival, more than 80 local acts will take part in festival events at venues across the city. It's fantastic to have so many people involved and we're all looking forward to another great festival."

Full details of the varied and exciting programme will be made available nearer the time at City of York Council libraries and on the York City of Festivals website at www.yorkfestivals.co.uk