Rob GarrattThe countdown has begun to next year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival with tickets for a series of early shows going on sale next week.Rob Garratt

The countdown has begun to next year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival, with tickets for a series of early shows going on sale next week.

And organisers have confirmed that popular nightspot the Spiegeltent will be making a second appearance in Chapefield Gardens.

This year, more than 5,000 people crammed into the temporary tent for a variety of live entertainment during its nine-day stint in the city, and next year it will be there for the entire 16-day festival.

Five performance highlights for next May have also been revealed, including a dynamic mix of music, theatre, dance, and a public circus where you could be the star.

The NoFit State Circus are calling for street performers to take part in a large outdoor free event in Eaton Park, called Parklife, which will see the group returning to the city after premi�ring their Tab� show in Norwich in 2008.

Also announced today, viol star Jordi Savall and dance collective les ballets C de la B will both be bringing new pieces to the Theatre Royal.

Meanwhile, jazz guitar legend John McLaughin, who played with Miles Davis throughout the early seventies as well as leading his own Mahavishnu Orchestra, will be giving a rare UK show with his band The 4th Dimension, also at the theatre.

And there will be a groundbreaking new arts performance experienced entirely through mobile phone text messages from artist, performance-maker and writer Tim Etchells.

The festival's artistic director Jonathan Holloway said: "The Norfolk and Norwich Festival continues to grow. Every year more world-class acts choose this city and this festival and for that we should all be proud.

"This year we are creating a programme that gives more people than ever the chance to get involved - whether it's watching some truly breathtaking performances, taking to the stage yourself with NoFit State circus or by joining the festival team as a volunteer. May is a magical time of the year and I can't wait for the next one."

This year, around 63,000 people enjoyed the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, which is sponsored by National Express East Anglia and brought an estimated �27m to the region's businesses.

Next year's festival runs from May 7-22, with the full programme announced in February. The team are also busy recruiting 200 volunteers to get involved.

Clare Millar, head of marketing at Visit Norwich, added: "The festival is a highlight in Norwich's events calendar and an unmissable event for locals and visitors alike. It's great to witness such a tremendous buzz in the city each May.

"The quality of events and the attraction of seeing world-class performers is really helping place Norwich on the map as one of the UK's leading diverse and cultural must-visit cities."

Tickets for the early events go on sale on Monday. Book by phone on 01603 766400 and online at www.nnfestival.org.uk.

For more information about volunteering with the festival, email volunteer@nnfestival.org.uk. To take part in NoFit State Circus' Parklife, email circus@nnfestival.org.uk.