Thursday, May 22, 2008

Zone Verde

Zone Verde at Carnaval San Francisco

Being promoted as San Francisco's largest outdoor green event, the Zone Verde, part of this year's 30th annual Carnaval Festival, is converting one city block into an eco-friendly space filled with performances, information about local sustainable resources and food, music and drink.

One of the key elements to creating the space was to ensure the Latino culture being celebrated was incorporated into the information and the green message being promoted. Douglas Kolberg, the Zone Verde coordinator, brought his years of experience in green event production and cultural events in San Francisco together to create a Green Zone that would best serve the Mission District community. The majority of information and performances will be in English and Spanish, including a bi-lingual yoga class directed by Yoga Tree. Kolberg, who wears proudly a t-shirt that says, "Green is not necessarily White," was passionate about bringing information and entertainment to celebrate San Francisco's urban environment in away that translated to the city's Latino community.

To help orchestrate the production needed to minimize waste and create a green festival,Link Kolberg is working with eco-event pros such as Green Mary, Green Festivals, Nature in the City, SF Department of the Environment and Clean City. To create an "interactive and educational space" non-profits such as the Sustainable Living Roadshow and Poder have signed up. "I wanted to approach this from a Fair Trade and International aspect for the booths and event participants," commented Kolberg. San Francisco, as a city, is getting a routine in place to support green events through it's municipal organizations and experienced festival producers - come down to Carnaval's Zone Verde to see the machine in action on Harrison and Treat Streets at 17th Street.

Looking to get hands-on experience working on a green festival? Douglas and the festival organizers are still in need of great volunteers. Call 415-875-9224 to sign up.