DC's Culture Shop Offers Sweet and Socially Conscious Valentine's Day Shopping Experience

The Culture Shop welcomes Ghanaian-grown Divine Fair Trade Chocolate -- along with local artisans and musicians -- for a pre-Valentine's Day tasting and shopping experience. Free Events Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11, 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) February 2, 2007 -- The pure taste of hand-made chocolate…The sweet sounds of romantic music and poetry…The smoothness of international wine and cheese…All enjoyed during a tour around the globe. A fantasy vacation for Valentine's Day? Not quite. In fact, you need not travel any further than Washington DC's Culture Shop to take in the experience for yourself.

On February 10 and 11, The Culture Shop -- a popular Takoma Park store specializing in fine global gifts, accessories, furniture, jewelry, toys and foodstuffs -- will feature a number of artisans from around the world and around the neighborhood to bring the importance of Fair Trade education to the forefront.

"Let us remember that the love we felt in our hearts during the December holiday season should not be turned on and off, to be used only when the seasons dictate it. Instead, the spirit of love should continue to flow freely and unconditionally, even in the most challenging of times," says Mona Davies, CEO of The Culture Shop.

Located immediately next door to the Takoma Metro Station, The Culture Shop has planned the special shopping days to highlight Ghanaian-grown Divine Fair Trade Chocolate, the world's first farmer-owned Fair Trade chocolate brand. Divine will be in the store between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, the 11th to offer free tastings and education about their farmers. Their chocolate will also be available for sale in the store for those who cannot resist.

"Giving D.C. chocolate lovers a chance to taste Fair Trade chocolate makes this Valentine's Day extra special. By purchasing Fair Trade chocolate you can also brighten the future of small scale farmers who produce this delicious chocolate," says Erin Gorman, CEO of Divine Chocolate.

The weekend's full line up of events includes:

Chocolate Tastings by Divine Fair Trade Chocolate
Saturday and Sunday, 1-4pm
(with special appearance and educational sessions by Divine Chocolate on Sunday only)

Poetry Readings by Mr. Cordell Wright
Noted author and poet
Saturday and Sunday, 1-4pm

The Soft Sounds of Aspiring Flutist, Ms. Alia Jordan
of the DC Youth Orchestra and a 7th grade honors student from Washington, D.C.
Saturday, 1-4pm

Acoustic Drumming by Nana Frimpong
Internationally known acoustic drummer from Ghana
Saturday and Sunday, 4-7pm

Guests are strongly advised to RSVP for either day, as space is limited. Those interested in attending should contact The Culture Shop at 202-726-2211.

About The Culture Shop:
Under the direction of former Smithsonian buyer Mona Davies, and closely affiliated with the Fair Trade Federation, The Culture Shop guarantees that everything you see in their store has been purchased according to Fair Trade Federation standards. Their hope is to promote social and economic progress of talented artisans in developing countries by marketing their products in a fairly-traded manner. In other words, a significant percentage of each purchase in their Takoma Park shop will be returned to the pockets, and the communities of those artisans who need it most.

About Divine Chocolate:
Divine Chocolate is a pioneering Fair Trade brand part-owned by the farmers of Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana. Each bar is made with premium quality 100% Fair Trade Certified cocoa. The farmers receive a fair price for the cocoa and an additional Fair Trade premium. The extra money earned from Fair Trade allows the farmers to invest money back into community projects such as schools, health programs, water wells and women's empowerment projects.

The Culture Shop is located at 341 Cedar St. NW, in Washington, D.C. For more information about The Culture Shop, please visit the website www.cultureshop.com.

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