SELBY Town Hall has lined up 20 acts for February to June covering the usual mix of folk, blues, Americana, comedy, theatre and poetry.

"We also have a random show stuck in the middle of July – it’s John Cooper Clarke; we couldn't really say No!," says programmer Chris Jones, Selby Town Council's arts officer.

"From punk poets, Olivier Award-winning writers and Britpop icons to TV comedy stars, celebrated folk revivalists and multi million-selling rock behemoths, the spring season will present a diverse array of delights, taking in Cara Dillon, John Power, Toyah Willcox, Alexei Sayle, John Godber and Steve Howe."

The season kicks off on St Valentine’s night with 1960s' Greenwich Village singer Bonnie Dobson, rated by Time magazine as one of America’s top three female folk stars, alongside Joan Baez and Judy Collins.

"Coaxed out of retirement in 2007 by Jarvis Cocker to perform at his Meltdown Festival, she returns with her first new album in 40 years, accompanied by a stellar six piece folk-rock band," says Chris. "Six nights later, on February 20, we welcome hugely decorated Irish folk singer Cara Dillon and her show has sold out already."

The literary events will be topped off by the July 16 appearance of the Bard of Salford, performance poet John Cooper Clarke, while former BBC folk show presenter and comedy stalwart Mike Harding gives a rare performance of his poetry from four anthologies on May 24.

Alternative comedy pioneer Alexei Sayle reads extracts from his autobiographies and short stories, as well as answering questions from the audience, in Listen With Alexei on May 29 and Upton playwright John Godber heads an evening of readings, questions and conversation alongside novelist Helen Cross and poet Peter Sansom in Writing With A Northern Voice on April 23.

Yes guitarist Steve Howe visits Selby on April 2 on his solo tour; Eighties' star of stage, screen and pop chart Toyah Willcox presents Toyah: Up Close And Personal, a sold-out, career-spanning acoustic show on May 9; and John Power, former La’s bassist, Cast frontman and Britpop leading light, favours an acoustic show too on March 7.

Other musical dates to note are Mud Morganfield, eldest son of Chicago's king of the blues, Muddy Waters, on May 4; BBC Folk Award winner and former Unthanks member Jackie Oates with her band on June 5; and Nine Below Zero’s founding members Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham on March 28.

Rock music journalist , author and television presenter Mark Ellen reveals why Rock Stars Stole My Life on April 10 in a world exclusive evening of gossip and revelation with the former editor of Smash Hits, Q, Mojo, Select and The Word.

Selby Town Hall has developed a reputation for hosting comics off the telly in past performances by Jon Richardson, Seann Walsh, Lee Nelson, Josh Widdicombe and Alan Carr. Now come Mock the Week regular Gary Delaney in his Purist show of one-liners on April 18, preceded by Canadian philosopher Tom Stade pondering timeless questions and reflecting on life’s choices in Decisions Decisions on March 21.

“Our spring season brings stars from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 21st century, with shows that cover blues to Britpop, poetry to plays and everything in between” says Chris.

"I'm really thrilled to have secured so many acts who are more often seen in spaces far bigger than Selby Town Hall. It’s the intimacy of the performances here that really makes them so special. The chance to enjoy acts like Cara Dillon, John Cooper Clarke, Toyah Willcox and Alexei Sayle in a venue where you can see the whites of their eyes is pretty exciting!”

Tickets can be booked on 01757 708449 or at selbytownhall.co.uk