Celebrate Women's Day in Newtown

The action begins from Saturday 8 August, when the all-day Jozi Book Fair, hosted by Khanya College and Botsotso Publishers takes place at Museum Africa. The fair brings together publishers, writers, translators, book distributors, libraries, resource centres, readers and the public. The programme includes book launches, conversations, poetry readings and panel discussions. Finished reading - then visit Nikki's Oasis Women in Jazz festival with the Hlulani Hlangwane Quartet performing at 8pm on Saturday 8 August and 4pm on Sunday 9 August.

Venues galore

Sunday 9 August offers a variety of venues and activities from early until late. Start the day at 9am at the Mary Fitzgerald Square with a traditional dance programme presented by ACUMDA and the Gauteng Province of sport, arts, recreation and culture. Then go to Moving into Dance at their new building on President Street, where they are hosting a free dance workshop from 10am to noon with the theme The Woman in Me.

Improve your science knowledge and take advantage of the free entry to women, girls and their friends and family offered by the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. At 3pm, a film programme including screenings and discussions with directors and producers supported by the Gauteng Film Commission will take place in the new auditorium. Various industry practitioners will be available to interact with young women interested in joining the film industry.

Choices for everyone

The afternoon is filled with choice - The Market Laboratory presents Gladys Agulhas Theatre Works' Pages of Dedication, a collaboration including dancers from Agulhas Theatre Works learnership programme, children and senior citizens from Eldo's at 1pm and 5pm shows.

Bassline has emerging poets perform from 12pm-6pm in a “word slam” about women. Throughout the event, an open stage will be available for poets to buy the 'mic' for R5 for a five-minute slot. A DJ will keep the energy going throughout the afternoon.

Needs some refreshment? Basadi@Cappello starts at 2pm with a chocolate fountain, complimentary drinks for women on arrival and female DJs to get you into a party mood. Sophiatown Bar Lounge is offering free neck and shoulder rubs for all women customers, live music and poetry by Jesica, the song poet and at Ko'Spotong there will also be free neck and shoulder rubs for women, live music by pop Idol finalist, Thabs, poetry by Buya Afrika and a female DJ line up.

New books, new ideas

Xarra Books will launch a new book entitled The 30th Candle by Angela Makholwa at 2pm and Museum Africa will open Face Her, a photograph exhibition at 4pm showcasing emerging photographers from the Market Photo Workshop. The Market Photo Workshop will show works drawn from previous group exhibitions, including Nonsikelelo Veleko, Zanele Muholi, Sabelo Mlangeni, Tracy Edser, and Musa Nxumalo among others.

Finish off your day back at Capellos and catch the Fast Art Girls on the sidewalk with their flashy, cheap, art-sauce trailer, where they exchange their ideas about Art, Value and Viennas. A range of their exclusive, authentic artworks is available, so don't miss the opportunity to acquire one of their sought-after products.

For further details go to www.newtown.co.za.