Dance DC

As the capital city, Washington D.C. has a certain responsibility to set an example for the rest of the nation. One of the most discussed issues of our time is the environment and how we can live more sustainable and environmentally friendly lives. This October 23^rd and 24^th, Washington D.C. will host the Sixth Annual Green Festival. For two days, at the Washington Convention Center, hundreds of speakers and visitors will be present to talk about ways to live greener. Workshops educating festival goers on how to live more eco-friendly and organic food and beer will likely attract large crowds from the area. Live music and yoga classes will also be present as part of the entertainment and experience of this festival. Global Exchange and Green America partner to put on this two-day event.On Saturday October 23, events will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday.This past year at the festival, one of the exhibits was a Green Home/ Green Building Pavilion that highlighted ways to increase energy efficiency both in building a home and with daily activities such as appliance use. Another unique exhibit of the event was Faces of Freedom, which brings to attention the issue of child-labor used to make many products around the world, in this case, carpet. Another, slightly unorthodox exhibit was the HIA Hemp Pavilion. Sponsored by the Hemp Industries Association, this exhibit sought to educate visitors on this industry and advocated its expansion. One of the main focuses of HIA is legalizing the growth of hemp in the United States to be used in the production of many products. Hemp can be used in products ranging from body care to paper, to food. Another highlight of last year’s event was a presentation by Ralph Nader about the environmental movement.If you’re interested in participating in the festival, look online for opportunities and upcoming lists of this year’s programs and exhibits.