DAYTON — Ladyfest Dayton will begin tonight, highlighted by three days of music, dance, visual artists and more.

There also will be workshops on topics of interest to women.

It’s the second year a Ladyfest event has been held in Dayton.

“Our purpose is to showcase the talent in the area that a lot of the females have and aren’t normally showcased,” said Mary Kathryn Burnside, one of the organizers of the event.

Ladyfest will include several styles of dancing, bands featuring members ranging in ages from teens to women in their 40s, and visual artists including painters, sculptors and photographers — some as young as 7.

It will take place downtown during three afternoons and evenings at c}space, 20 N. Jefferson St.

Ladyfest events have taken place across the world since the first in Olympia, Wash., in 2000. Since then, they have held in locations as wide-ranging as Spain and Tokyo to Orlando and Columbus.

Proceeds from Ladyfest events are usually given to a nonprofit group.

The Dayton event will benefit The Artemis Center and Planned Parenthood’s PUSH.

Burnside said at last year’s event a lot of women learned from each other and continue to do so.

“Last year there were so many friendships made,” she said.

“Some people just met while they were setting up and now are collaborating on things together.”