Performances with links to President Barack Obama’s historic inauguration, the Royal wedding, and even Forest Gump are among the offerings in the upcoming 2012 Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts.The Bermuda Festival was founded in 1976 to increase cultural awareness on the island and to share the performing arts with Bermuda residents and visitors.Covering the entire spectrum of the performing arts, the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts showcases a selection of the world’s leading artists. Tickets go on sale on Monday for the 37th festival that runs from January 17 to February 26.The opening act will be male quartet, ‘Blake’, whose hit single ‘All of Me’, topped the music charts worldwide after it was played at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.On January 17, ‘Blake’ will bridge the gap between pop and opera, and will perform a mix of timeless classics and popular songs.Another festival highlight will be Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero who performed with famous musicians such as cellist, Yo-Yo Ma; violinist, Itzhak Perlman; and clarinettist Anthony McGill at American President Barack Obama’s historic inauguration in 2009.On January 29, she will give a lively Sunday afternoon concert at City Hall.Ms Montero, renown for her dexterity and improvisation, will be asking the audience for musical selections on which she will improvise.On January 27 and 28, soulful songstress Marlena Smalls will weave storytelling with her Hallelujah Singers in a performance celebrating the rich culture of the Gullah people of the Sea Islands off Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.Her repertoire extends through gospel, jazz, blues, contemporary and sacred music.Festival Chairman Ian Davidson said the 2012 programme is outstanding for local art lovers.“Our 2012 programme is diverse, featuring amazing jazz in the trumpeting stylings of Jon Faddis and his Jazz Orchestra of New York on January 20, to the compelling acting of Thembi Mtshali-Jones in Mother to Mother on January 31, to the all French Valentine programme of soprano Carole Farley on February 16.There’s even family fun in ZOOZOO with animals on February 24, 25 and 26.”Festival Director, Karen Pollard said: “We have two chamber groups in the line-up, The Schubert Ensemble of London on February 3, and The Toulouse Chamber Orchestra on February 17 and 18, conducted by the illustrious José Serebrier who will also give a pre-performance talk on The Role of the Conductor.And of course we’re delighted to host Ailey II on January 23 and 24, the junior company of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.”For details on performances in the 2012 Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts visit www. bermudafestival.org or call 232-2255 for a brochure.Tickets will be available at box office locations and online on Monday starting at 10am.Festival box office locations are: All Wrapped Up Home, Washington Mall and Fabulous Fashions at the Heron Bay Plaza, Southampton.Go to www.bermudafestival.org or www.bdatix.bm to buy tickets online.For those who prefer, tickets can be purchased by phone for $3 per ticket extra.Call 232-2255 to make your booking. Tickets are $65 for adults and $25 for students.