Rotorua is set to transform into the city of love - for at least one night - when Lakeside 2012 hits the stage.
"When Loves Comes to Town" is the theme of this year's free outdoor concert to be staged in the Village Green at the Rotorua Lakefront on Saturday, March 10, next year
The lineup includes New Zealand entertainment legend Ray Woolf, Rotorua's own Sharon Emirali and Turanga Merito, and perennial Lakeside favourites Jackie Clarke and Taisha.
Also appearing is New Zealand's version of Aretha Franklin - Bella Kalolo - who has been wowing crowds worldwide with her rich and soulful voice.
Chairman of the Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust Ian Edward said this year's concert would see the country's most experienced outdoor event organiser take the reins for the first time.
Kate Ward-Smythe, this year's artistic director, has been involved with Auckland's Christmas in the Park, the Starlight Symphony, the Queenstown Winter Festival and, most recently, as a judge for Stage Challenge.
Ms Ward-Smythe will be assisted by musical director Mark Dennison.
Mr Edward said the trust was lucky to have Ms Ward-Smythe on board and was certain she would put on one of the best Lakesides in the event's 16-year history.
"Howard [Morrison] always used to sing Love is a Many Splendoured Thing and that's what the trust wants everyone who comes to the concert to feel."
He said the free concert would bring together the best of Maori, classical and contemporary music in the one place for the community to enjoy.
Ms Ward-Smythe told The Daily Post there would be "some old, some new" with some big surprises thrown in the mix for the event.
"Without letting anything out of the bag, Taisha's entrance is going to be amazing."
She said she had brought back an opera section for this year's show with three of the most popular opera numbers being performed by Derek Hill, Morag McDowell, Wendy Doyle and John Rosser.
Concert-goers can look forward to numbers such as When Loves Comes to Town, Gimme the Night, All You Need is Love and Nessun Dorma.
"The point of difference you have here in Rotorua is this concert has amazing community spirit and passion - it's by the community for the community.
It's a privilege for me to be able to come here, Rotorua has a lot of heart and that's what attracted me to it," Ms Ward-Smythe said.