The first ever Women's Arts International Festival features 'one of the best line-ups of the summer' according to none other than the Guardian.

With performances from Marianne Faithfull playing one of just two UK dates, legendary songwriter and recent addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Patti Smith, funk and soul legends Marva Whitney and Bettye LaVette WAI Fest has to be the Mother of all festivals.

Alice Russell is one of those artists that can turn her hand to everything from funk and gospel to jazz. Blessed with a lavishly soulful voice that is both timeless and yet of its time, she's a 'must see' for fans of Minnie Riperton, Aretha Franklin and Jill Scott. She plays Brewery Arts Centre on Wed 16 May.

Bat For Lashes are a mysterious and enigmatic group fronted by the charismatic Natasha Khan. Their debut album Fur and Gold was released to widespread critical acclaim in 2006 and their fanbase includes Radiohead and Bjork. They recently played a double bill with Amy Winehouse, appeared on BBC2's Culture Club and have been favourably compared to Kate Bush. They play an intimate show at Brewery Art Centre on Sun 6 May.

Petra Jean Philipson and Simon Tong have worked with Gorillaz, Tricky, David Holmes and The Good the Bad and the Queen. Together with Karen Dalton All-Stars they will be performing a special set of material by legendary blues and folk singer Karen Dalton. A contemporary of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, Dalton only released two albums before she passed away but her work is still revered by folk and blues lovers across the world. Karen Dalton Tribute takes place at Brewery Arts Centre on Sun 13 May.

Folk legend Peggy Seeger is making a special trip to the UK to play a rare set at Brewery Arts Centre on Sat 12 May. An icon for feminists and environmentalists as well as folk and roots fans, she first made her mark on the music scene in the 70s with songs like Gonna Be An Engineer and The Ballad of Springhill.

Norway's Susanna and The Magical Orchestra have been quietly wowing people with both their own compositions and their covers of Dolly Parton, Joy Division and Leonard Cohen for the last few years. Both their albums have received glowing reviews in MOJO, Uncut, The Wire and Observer Music Monthly. They play a special Norwegian double-bill with Grammy Award winner Hanne Hukkelberg at Brewery Arts Centre on Tues 22 May. Hanne's unique, cinematic laments have seen her compared to artists as diverse as Bjork, David Sylvian and early Goldfrapp. A must for fans of experimental and leftfield music.

New York's Joan As Police Woman closes the festival on Thurs 24 May. A talented singer and multi-instrumentalist that's shared the stage with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Sheryl Crow and Antony and The Johnsons, Joan writes songs that fall between pop, rock and soul. Check out her debut Real Life to see why she's been called 'a dynamic vocalist' in a similar vein to Chrissie Hynde and Joni Mitchell.

This is just a taste of what we have on offer! For details of these and other shows with Marissa Nadler, Emmy The Great, Karen Matheson, Rachelle Van Zanten, Angie Palmer, Lura, Kathryn Williams, Thea Gilmore and Wine, Women and Song visit: www.womensartsinternational.co.uk BOX OFFICE NO: 01539 725 133...

For further information and images for press, please call Jane Kondras on 01539 722833 xtn 227.