As the ice melts away and Newton begins to wake up, slowly but surely, from a snow-packed winter, there’s plenty of music to make that awakening sweet. There’s a sing-along for peace, a piano summit and more to tie in with the celebration of women during Women’s History Month.

Also for Women’s History Month, and honoring women in film, the fourth annual three-day Lois Weber Film Festival, celebrating pioneer filmmaker Lois Weber, starts Friday and runs all weekend.

Since it’s March, we’ll experience an array of early spring temperatures, staring out chilly but rising to the 50s by Sunday, when it’s also expected to rain.

Here are seven things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, March 20

From 5 to 9 p.m., the Lois Weber Film Festival begins at West Newton Cinema with a red carpet celebration, a Board of Directors Showcase and a rare silent film presentation of Weber’s acclaimed feature “The Blot,” with live music by Jeff Rapsis. Tickets are $25.

Saturday, March 21

From 2 to 5 p.m., the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St., West Newton, will host “What the World Needs Now: Community Gathering for Justice and Peace,” featuring a sing-along with Newton Folk music at 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall followed by a program at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary featuring keynote speaker Tinya Seeger, daughter of famed folksinger Pete Seeger, What the World Needs Now Interfaith Coalition Singers and Newton North Energizers. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and will go to the nonprofit Democracy Forward.

From 3 to 5 p.m., the Newton Piano Summit will be held at Second Church in Newton, 60 Highland St. with Brazilian Legends Hélio Alves, Gili Lopes and Rafael Barata. Admission is free. The program is supported in part by a grant from the Newton Cultural Council.

From 4 to 6 p.m., Cappella Clausura will present “Blood and Honey: Modern Visions of Hildegard,” at Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge St., about St. Ursula, a young woman who led a movement among women to serve God rather than a husband. Hildegard von Bingen wrote an abundance of music and poetry about Saint Ursula, with chants celebrating womanhood and independence. Tickets are $35.

From 5 to 9 p.m., the Lois Weber Film Festival continues with a showcase of short films by women filmmakers from across the country followed by a feature presentation of “Riot in Bloom,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Brett C. Levner. Tickets are $25

Sunday, March 22

From 1 to 5 p.m., the Lois Weber Film Festival continues with the world premiere of “Punkie,” a raw, behind-the-scenes portrait by Emmy-nominated producer Audrey Olsen about stand-up comedian and Saturday Night Live star Punkie Johnson. Then there will be a showcase of  Massachusetts short films, an exclusive Women in Film panel hosted by Kim Douglas of Boston’s “Bold Like Her” podcast with guests Michele Meek, Jodi Purdy, Alecia Orsini and Marilyn Busch, and it all wraps up with LWFF’s signature Genie Lamp Award Ceremony. Tickets are $25.

From 3 to 5 p.m., Steinway pianist Dr. Karen Walwyn will returns to the Allen Center for a lecture-recital celebrating the life and works of Florence Price. Walwyn is a leading expert on Price and recorded the world premiere of Price’s Concerto in One Movement with the New Black Music Repertory Ensemble at the Center for Black Music Research in 2011. Tickets are $30 to $60.

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You can find more events or submit your own on our Events Page.

And the city has an ongoing list of arts-related events on the Newton Arts Calendar.