Patience Bambalele

Joburg's Newtown Cultural Precinct will celebrate women's valuable contribution in arts and entertainment during the Women's Day weekend.

The activities, which include live music, dance, theatre, workshops, photography, street performances and crafts, run from August 6 until August 10.

Included in the line-up are top musicians Lira and Zonke.

Dance lovers can look forward to performances by established dancers such as Dada Masilo and Lulu Mlangeni at the Dance Factory. There will also be a free Women of the Sun film festival at Museum Africa featuring movies and documentaries by female directors from South Africa and Africa.

Kate Shand, marketing manager for the Newtown Management District, says the weekend is a collective effort with various venues in the area taking the initiative to stage female-themed events to celebrate Women's Day.

"The events are an expression of what it means to be a woman and are accessible to everyone. An exciting addition this year is the free open-stage street performances in Newtown's public spaces, to draw in pedestrians and commuters and to create a festival atmosphere," Shand says.