Sisters are saying it loud and proud through art, dance, music, poetry and film; their stamp is everywhere, even in science, in Newtown over the Women's Day weekend.

Standard Bank Young Artist award winner Dada Masilo will be performing in Back

WOMEN in the arts are being celebrated through an extensive programme of entertainment and culture, coinciding with International Women's Day on 9 August.

Taking place in Newtown, the four-day Newtown celebrates Women's Day programme of dance, film, performing art, literature and live music runs from 6 to 10 August. On a more serious bent, the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre hosts Women and Science, a free event featuring discussions, a science show and demonstrations.

The programme officially kicks off on Wednesday, 6 August with a free photography exhibition entitled In Transit by current and former students of the Market Photo Workshop. Movement is the metaphor for the complex lives and relationships of women in South Africa as they play out today. It runs for the full four days at the workshop.

Film
Female filmmakers take centre stage at Museum Africa with various free screenings under the Women of the Sun title.

The film festival kicks off on 7 August with Land of Thirst by South African Meg Rickards. A historical romance with a twist, it is set in the Karoo in 1913, against the backdrop of Africa at the start of the 20th century. The film was made for television in three parts.

Other films are mostly documentaries, with some including question and answer sessions with the directors or producers after the screenings. These are screened on Friday and Saturday, 8 and 9 August. The documentaries were sourced from South Africa, Egypt and the United States specifically to illuminate women's issues.

They include work by South Africans Ingrid Gavshon, Liza Aziz and Rina Jooste, among others. Danny Turken brings Affectionately Known as Alex, an insight into the life of residents of Alexandra township in the months leading up to the recent wave of xenophobic violence The American contributions include Siatta Scott Johnson and Daniel Junge's documentary on the first year in office of Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

The final billing is by Egyptian Jihan El-Tahri, and is about the oil-rich country of Saudi Arabia and its complex relationship with the United States. The documentary is titled the House of Saud.

Master classes are given by filmmakers Ate de Jong and Susan Kordas and for prospective filmmakers there is a half-day workshop.

Music
Above all, Newtown is known for its live music: the Edgars Music Series is on at Bassline on 8 August with an all-female line-up that includes Lira, Zonke, Chomee and DJ Zinhle. Punters can take in some R&B the following evening at the same venue, featuring Nonhlanhla Nciza, Loyiso Bala, KB and a mystery deejay. Tickets are R50.

For a bit more tongue in cheek fun, Carfax is offering free entrance and a free drink on Saturday night to all women, including drag queens. Fire-up the dance floor with Missred, DJ Amanda and C4 during this all-night party.

Jazz is on the menu at Nikki's Oasis, with free entrance and a free glass of wine for the ladies. The venue is providing a platform for young female jazz artists to perform under the theme, Mentoring women in jazz. Sublime singers Babalwa Mangaliso and Nosisi Mavela are the guest artists on 8 August. The next evening, the Brenda Joyce Quartet jams with the youngsters.

Dance and performing arts
Performing art takes centre stage over the weekend, with free Newtown Open Stage events at various public spaces to ensure those on the streets also feel the festival vibe.

A highlight is the playful and innovative street theatre style of Anthea Moys. She is on at the open stage at Mary Fitzgerald Square on Saturday, 9 August.

For dance lovers, there is the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative presentation of PJ Sabbagha's Back, performed by Lulu Mlangeni and Standard Bank Young Artist award winner Dada Masilo. The piece premiered at this year's FNB Dance Umbrella and is due to tour Amsterdam later in the year. This is real poetry in motion. The show is on at the Dance Factory on the evening of 8 and 9 August, and on Sunday afternoon, 10 August.

Two free dance performances can be seen at Museum Africa on 9 August. Choreographer Gladys Agulhas, the winner of the 2007 DAC Mosadi wa Konokono -Woman of Substance - Award performs in Phantom Limbs. This moving dance-art production explores the beauty of women and their glittery toys and gadgets.

The Ntombizodwa String Quartet, together with visual artist Stacey Rosen and Makhosto Sompane, dancing on wheels, complete the cast.

Special treats
Restaurants have also come to the party and are offering specials for women on Women's Day itself. These include Gramadoelas, Nikki's Oasis, Carfax and Cappello. Cappello also has female deejays in action while Sophiatown hosts Norman Chauke, Ayanda, King of Tsoanu Tribe and Jessica.

Close-by, SAB World of Beer hosts a Women's Day breakfast, featuring a talk by Melinda Ferguson on her battle with drug addiction. Fashion and makeup tips, goodie bags and a beer tour are also on offer.

Other freebies in Newtown over the festival include poetry and literary events featuring readings and book discussions with female poets and authors. There is a poetry evening with Nomakhosazana Xaba, who is launching Tongues of their Mothers, Ntsiki Mazwai and Donna Smith from Jamaica on 8 August.

Literary sessions with Joyce Jenje-Makwenda from Zimbabwe and Futhi Ntshingila, the author of Shameless, are on the following day. The trendy Number 1, Central Place on Jeppe Street is the venue for these events.

For more information about the Newtown celebrates Women's Day activities visit the Newtown website or call 011 833 6323.

Tickets can be booked at the venues, or in some instances through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website.

  Courtesy: Jo'burg News Agency Written by Emily Visser