UNION Jill, the York acoustic duo of Sharon Winfield and Helen Turner, join forces with performance poet Kate Fox in Letting Off Steam at The Basement, City Screen, York on Wednesday for York International Women’s Week.

The show’s theme emerged from conversations with Kate, reveals Sharon. “All three of us have strong views, tales to tell, and for Women’s Week that means focusing on the stuff that matters particularly to women,” she says.

“It sounds like deep subject matter, but we three all love comedy, so it will be a fun evening with plenty of laughter. The fact that we’re able to contribute this to York International Women’s Week is important to us too.”

Union Jill are really looking forward to working with Kate, says Helen. “She is a fantastic comedian through her poetry and a perfect partner for our brand of story telling music.”

Kate has featured regularly on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live, as well as making appearances on the Today Programme, Woman’s Hour, Arthur Smith’s Balham Bash and The Wondermentalist Cabaret. She has been poet in residence at Glastonbury Festival and has taken a one-woman show to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Singer-songwriters Union Jill, meanwhile, combine stage banter with their trademark harmonies and intricate instrumentation on guitars, mandola, concertina and the occasional banjo.

Tickets cost £6 on 0871 902 5726 or at thebasementyork.co.uk