Music, films and food: York celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight
Chocolate fountains, a live music gig and a film show – York is going bananas for Fairtrade Fortnight.
Bands are coming together for a one-off gig at The Basement, City Screen, on Tuesday at 8pm (February 24).
Fairtrade Fortnight runs from Mon Feb 23 to Sun Mar 8
For a full list of events go to the York Fair Trade Forum website
Organised by York Fair Trade Forum, it is set to be a bumper night of music, quizzes and a film show.
Among the talent on display will be Armonia, from Access to Music, a four piece soulful acoustic band who are often seen busking in the city centre.
Also singing for Fairtrade will be sister act Penny And The Poppet who mix monologues about body politics, anemone metaphors and the occasional bit of rhyming French, all set to twinkling synth riffs.
As well as live music, the evening will include a short film, Fairtrade Matters, which offers a glimpse into the lives of two of the farmers and workers at the heart of Fairtrade. There will also be a quiz, with a chance to win a hamper of Fairtrade goodies.
Event organiser Richard Lane says:
But it’s really about people, and how a few extra pence to us can make the difference between wage slavery and dignity. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth paying those extra pence, come and see the film.
Tickets to the event are £5 (£4 concessions) and can be purchased via the City Screen website.
A window on Fairtrade
Only 1.2% of cocoa and less than 10% of tea globally is traded on Fairtrade terms.
The Fairtrade Foundation states that the aim of the Fortnight is to “remind the UK of the dramatic difference choosing Fairtrade makes and how much it is still needed”
The gig at the Basement is only one of a number of events to mark Fairtrade Fortnight.
York is a Fairtrade City, and York Fair Trade Forum will be launching their newly designed window stickers which will be displayed in venues across the city who serve and sell Fairtrade products.
On March 5, the forum will also be hosting a Divine chocolate evening at Haxby’s Fairtrade Café, Aroma.
This free event will include a chocolate fountain, tasting of Divine’s extensive range and an exploration of and how Divine has benefited Ghanaian farmers. Email [email protected] for more details.
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