WEEKEND EVENTS: Yoga on the Mall, Greek Festival and Passport DC

May is one of my favorite months (not to mention the month I was born in)! It is a time of transition between seasons and a month when the blues of winter fade away to reveal the smiles of summer-time fun.

Start the first Saturday of May off right with FREE “Yoga on the Mall” with the Younger Women’s Task Force in celebration of National Women’s Health Month (I'll blog more about this soon).

If you’re itching to leave town, but your pocketbook is a bit too light, fear not. Washington, DC will be teeming with low budget opportunities to take a sneak peak at destinations around the globe during Passport DC 2009. Over 27 embassies will open their doors to the public from 10am to 4pm on Saturday to showcase the culture, history and traditions of their countries. If feel like you’d rather sail off to the isles, join your extended family at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for authentic Greek food, an Agora marketplace, church tours, and even some parathosi dancing (aka…Greek dancing). I’ve attended the festival a few times in the past, and have really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly crowd.

Want to feed your inner beat? Head on over to the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop on Saturday night to celebrate Saartjie Baartman, a South African women that was finally returned to her homeland to rest in 2002 almost 200 years after her body was exploited as exhibit in Europe. Join musicians and a collection of artists to explore the intersection of art and music in the healing process.

If you’re looking to extend your weekend to support some great organizations, join Running Start next Tuesday to applaud the next generation of young female leaders at the “2009 Women to Watch Awards”. Another highlight of the coming week is the FairFUND’s “Pearls of Purpose”, a fundraiser to support the survivors of human trafficking. This year’s FairFUND honoree will be Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee, a legislator who has taken the issue of assisting trafficked children to heart.

Have fun, and feel free to forward your photos and recommendations for next weekend my way!
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Join the Younger Women's Task Force for Yoga on the Mall!
At no cost in honor of National Women's Health Month
Saturday, May 2nd 11:00 am
At the Constitution Gardens near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
(The closest intersection is Constitution Ave and 23rd St NW)
Don't know where to go? A group will be meeting at 10:30 am outside the Foggy Bottom metro stop to walk over together. Bring water and a mat/towel.
Email ywtfdc@gmail.com for more information.
To see the full schedule of YWTF meetings and events, add the YWTF:DC google calendar to your calendar. You can also join us on Facebook!

St. George’s Greek Festival Friday, May 1st- 11:30AM-10:00PM Saturday, May 2nd- Noon-10:00PM Sunday, May 3rd- Noon-8:00PM
7701 Bradley Blvd
Bethesda, MD 20817
Directions: http://www.stgeorge.org/app/w_page.php?id=39&type=section
Information: here: http://www.stgeorge.org/app/w_page.php?id=74&type=section
Rain or Shine! FREE Admission and Parking!

The Saartjie Project hosts a Juried Artist & Benfit Concert May 2, 2009
8:00pm
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
545 7th Street, SE
Washington, DC
Donation: $20
http://www.thesaartjieproject.org/The_Saartjie_Project/The_Saartjie_Project.html

Running Start “2009 Women to Watch Awards” Tuesday, May 5, 2009
6:00pm-7:00pm VIP Reception
7:00pm-9:00pm Dinner and Awards Program
National Press Club
529 14th Street, NW, 13th Floor
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.runningstartonline.org
http://www.runningstartonline.org/events/women-to-watch-invite.php
The Women to Watch Awards, held each spring in Washington, DC celebrates Running Start’s efforts to inspire young women to run for public office.

FairFUND “Pearls of Purpose” THURSDAY, MAY 7TH, 2009
DOORS OPEN 7:00 PM
OPENING REMARKS 7:45 PM
THE DACOR BACON HOUSE
1801 F STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20006
TICKETS
$100 General Admission
$60 Young Professionals
http://fairfund.org/subpage.asp?P=events&S=default#tickets
FAIR Fund's 3rd annual gala, Pearls of Purpose, celebrates the creativity and strength of each young woman nurtured by FAIR Fund's circle of support, who is now truly leading a life safer from human trafficking, exploitation, and sexual assault.