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In 1975 there was men's work and women's work and rarely, at least not without suffragette-like persistence, did the twain meet. Undeterred by the prevailing attitudes, Kate Braid cracked the barriers and went on to a 15-year career as a construction worker and journey carpenter. Journeywoman: Swinging a Hammer in a Man's World is her fascinating memoir of those years. It wasn't easy. From her first job on a construction site to her last, even when she was the most experienced and capable carpenter on the project, she was made to feel like an intruder in a man's world. But, tears and doubts notwithstanding, she didn't last 15 years without some serious jam and a deep love of the work. She worked everywhere from downtown Vancouver to the Gulf Islands to the far north. She became active in union politics, ran her own contracting business with like-minded women, and spent two years teaching apprentice carpenters. Kate Braid has been a writer for the past 20 years, but insists she will always be a carpenter.

Double bass player and frequent collaborator Clyde Reed will join Kate on stage.