In addition to attending seminars and walking the show floor, attendees at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., will have opportunities to relax, socialize and be entertained, with internationally inspired food, drinks, music and dancing.

Expo West's festive side begins Thursday, March 8, at the International Welcome Reception at 6 p.m. With Korean appetizers and beer under the convention center's palm trees, this should set the tone for fun and networking at Expo, says Amy Dageenakis, Expo West show manager for New Hope Natural Media.

After an evening under the palms, A Better Breakfast with Silk, Horizon Organic and Kashi on Friday at 8 a.m. will jump-start another day of learning and networking.

On Friday evening, attendees will be able to kick back and get artsy at 6:30 p.m. with Lunafest, a series of diverse, original films by, for and about women. The event, in the Anaheim Hilton ballroom, is sponsored by Avalon Organics, LUNA Bar and Natural Products Expo West, in support of the Breast Cancer Fund.

At 9 p.m., Expo participants will have the chance to let loose and get funky with New Orleans' Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Mixing traditional Creole sounds with a modern jazz interpretation, the Dirty Dozen will be performing in the Anaheim Marriott ballroom.

On Saturday night, an array of events offers music and fashion. The evening will wind down, or perhaps wind up, with the 4th Annual Organic Wine and Beer festival, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Anaheim Marriott ballroom. For $10, attendees can relax with light appetizers, live music and an international selection of organic wine and beer. Or, for Expo fashionistas, at 6 p.m. in the Marriott Tent, Whole Foods Markets and L.A. Models present the Think Vitality Fashion Show to benefit breast cancer prevention.

If that's not enough to satisfy any attendee's inner party animal, Brazilian Carnival will come to Expo West from 9:30 p.m. Saturday to 1:30 a.m. in the Marriott ballroom. An Afro-Brazilian band, featuring members of the band Olodum and samba dancers, will provide a backdrop for the final Expo West shindig.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXVIII/number 3/p. 22