Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF) is taking place this week, July 27-31, at several city venues, including West Philly’s The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street), which will host a series of events starting Thursday, July 28. This year’s festival’s theme is Healing & Joy, celebrating the healing and creative arts.

On Thursday there will be a free clothing and book swap from noon to 5 p.m. Women are encouraged to bring gently worn clothing and books for others to take and enjoy.

On Friday and Saturday there will be day-long events with a wide range of scheduled music performances, workshops, lectures, presentations, fashion shows and exhibitions from noon to 11 p.m. (both days free until 8 p.m., with some exceptions).

Finally, on Sunday, July 31, there will be another all-day event starting at 11:00 a.m. with music and dance performances by a variety of artists. Highlights of this day include dance classes by Shandra Staley – modern dance class at 1 p.m. and African dance class at 3 p.m. ($8 in advance; $10 at the door), and stage performances by Zoe Flowers and O, at 6 and 7:05 p.m. respectively.

For more information about the schedule and participants visit the festival’s schedule of events page.