Women's Day variety show

Penghao Theater will host short dramas, music and dance and Thai boxing to celebrate International Women's Day. All proceeds will go to the Wokai Foundation to help female entrepreneurs from rural China start their own businesses. The performers and organizers are all collaborating on this for free.

Mar 10-13, 7:30 pm, 100 yuan (pre-sale 80 yuan). Penghao Theater, 35 Dongmianhua Hutong (off Nanluoguxiang), 6400-6472 or 6400-6452.

东棉花胡同35号蓬蒿剧场 (中央戏剧学院东侧)

Lecture: Women's status in modern society

French novelist Pia Peterson and Chinese writer Zhang Lijia will discuss women's status in modern society and the role of writers in furthering women's rights. Before the discussion there will be a screening of Simone de Beauvoir, Une Femme Actuelle directed by Dominique Gros.

March 8, 6:30 pm, free entry. French Cultural Center, 1/F, Guangcai International Mansion, 18 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang district, 6553-2627.

工体西路18号光彩国际公寓1层法国文化中心

Female bands

Beijing's loudest and funkiest female-fronted bands will hit the stage to celebrate International Women's Day with something for everyone at a heart-thumping, rip-roaring night of rockabilly, swing, punk-rock and indie.

The bands include Bigger Bang, DH and Chinese Hellcats and Bye Bye, Thanks for Your Fish. It's your special day so it is free for the ladies.

Mar 8, 9 pm, 50 yuan (30 pre-sale). Yugong Yishan, ZhangzizhongLu 3-2, Dongcheng district, 6404-2711.

张自忠路3-2号