Del Mar, CA, April 21, 2014 — May is designated World Fair Trade Month, which is marked each year in 80 countries and by more than 1000 events in North America, centered on World Fair Trade Day, Saturday, May 10. The goal of the day is to celebrate and raise awareness for fair trade justice for farmers and artisans. Currently 1.3 million producers benefit from Fair Trade around the world.
Local retailer Fair Trade Décor will host two free World Fair Trade Day events at their Del Mar location May 10 & 11. Alebrijes fantasy animal carver Saul Aragon and his wife and painter, Alma Arreola, will be at the store both days from 12 - 6pm demonstrating this internationally respected Mexican tradition.
"The first alebrijes originated with Pedro Linares in the 1930’s. Linares fell very ill, and while in bed, unconscious, Linares dreamt of a strange forest. There, he saw animals suddenly turn into fantasies. He saw a donkey with butterfly wings, a rooster with bull horns, a lion with an eagle head, and all of them were shouting one word, "Alebrijes". Upon recovery, he began recreating the creatures he saw in cardboard and paper mache." Today, alebrijes are hand-carved from copal wood found in the state of Oaxaca.
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On Saturday May 10th from 7pm to 9pm, Grammy Award winner Lester Abrams of Doobie Brother fame returns to Fair Trade Décor for a salon style concert to promote Fair Trade. Lester is a phenomenal entertainer, composer and humanitarian. He co-wrote the Doobie Brothers hit "Minute By Minute" with Michael McDonald, and has performed and recorded with Stevie Wonder, Peabo Bryson and many other world class musicians. To reserve space at the concert, please call 858-461-1263.
Both events will be held at Fair Trade Decor, 1412 Camino Del Mar in the village of Del Mar. The store is open daily from 9am – 8pm and provides free handouts and books for sale with more information on Fair Trade and its global impact.
