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17 May 2008, Saturday 2008 Yoga Journal Boston Conference Time: 8:00am Location: Sheraton Boston Hotel Prudential Center Place , Boston, MA Here it is, the big mama of yoga events. The 2008 Yoga Journal Boston Conference flows into town from May 16 to May 19th, with a pack of celebrity yogis in tow. As if your DVD collection came to life, join Ana Forrest, Rodney Yee, Aadil Palkhivala, Bo Forbes, Shiva Rea and so many more for a weekend of restoration and rejuvination. Participate in classes designed for the beginner to the advanced to the family, from Ashtanga to Iyengar. Yogi, Matthew Sanford and designer and activist, Donna Karan offer keynote addresses, and Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls performs a concert to benefit yogaHOPE preceded by an asana demo by Ana Forrest. Cost: $20-$925 Visit www.yjevents.com for a complete listing of events and pricing information and register by March 20. 2nd Annual Kevin Faulk Celebrity Softball Game 2nd Annual Celebrity softball game presented by Kevin Faulk with proceeds to aid the efforts of United Way. $10 General Admission Tickets $133 VIP Tickets, (silent auction with priceless memorabilia, a menu befitting a spring tailgate party including an open beer and wine bar, and the opportunity to meet Kevin Faulk and the other celebrity participant) VIP Tailgate Party 5:00PM Gates Open 6:00PM First Pitch 7:05PM Purchase tickets for the Kevin Faulk Celebrity Softball game by calling the Brockton Rox Front Office at (508) 559-7000 or visit http://www.brocktonrox.com. Opening Weekend at the South End Open Market Location: 540 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA The SoWa Open Market offers a shopping experience like no other in Boston. With an ever-changing group of artisans, a hip location and the chance to feel the sun on you face while you browse, it's a trip worth making. The Market offers the opportunity to meet the artists, vendors and farmers behind the work, and is fast becoming part of the South End's well-known artist's community. Every week offers shoppers something different and unique - you won't want to miss it! The Market hosts a wide variety of vendors, whether you're looking for hand-crafted accessories, original art, antiques or just a fresh loaf of bread, you'll find painters, sculptors, photographers, clothing and jewelry designers, milliners, handbag designers, house wares, antique dealers, florists, bakers, local farmer's produce, and much more every week! Opening Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 17th & 18th. Then every Sunday thereafter, excluding holiday weekends through October 26, 2008. http://www.southendopenmarket.com/index.htm Cultural Kitchen Benefit with Umoja Orchestra Live! Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm Location: Harriet Tubman House Atrium, 566 Columbus Ave, Boston Hostelling International presents the Harambe Series Kickoff featuring a live performance by Umoja Orchestra a Florida favorite in their Boston debut Join us for a fun evening of live Latin-afro-funk music, food, drinks, dancing, and a silent auction to benefit Hostelling International's Cultural Kitchen program serving inner city youth in Boston. Tickets available at http://umoja.eventbrite.com/ or call 617-718-7990 x17. About Umoja Orchestra "A band that can fill the stage with upwards of 10 people, Umoja is a mix of jazz, Latin, afro-beat, and funk; this, even, is too confining. And with an array of styles, people of all castes and colors flock together as one in a sea of positivity.'Umoja means Unity,' as the band always assures their fans. When I first met with Umoja it was in a very intimate setting, the band members layered across a living room couch. As I listened to them talk, I realized the band was righteous and honest. Saturday night, to kick off the completion of the first Umoja album, they played a CD release show. I was blown away. No longer did I hear what they had told me, I felt it; I was moved by it. Every person in the sold out show, and even those listening from the streets, shared my same view. Umoja. Unity. Oneness. Call the power of love what you wish, but call Umoja a band with a gift." - grooveshark.com Check out more reviews, photos, and music at: http://www.myspace.com/umojaorchestra http://www.umojaorchestra.com About the Harambe Series Harambe is a Swahili word that means "working together in unity" or "let's pull together". This concept is used to initiate projects that unite communities to work together and pool their resources towards a common goal while also celebrating the opportunity to come together. The goal of the Harambe Series is to bring communities together to celebrate and learn from our cultural diversity in fun social settings, while raising funds to support Hostelling International's Cultural Kitchen program. Cultural Kitchen is an innovative after-school educational program for Boston middle and high school students that gives youth an opportunity to become more open-minded, worldly citizens with a deepened respect for the diversity of their communities. Over the course of 10 weeks, students participate in cultural exploration and peer education in a safe and supportive environment using cooking and cuisine as the primary vehicle. Through structured, hands-on activities and adult modeling, youth gain confidence and skills to work with, learn from, and resolve conflicts among the different people and cultures they encounter. Students also gain a greater understanding of their own cultures and countries of family origin. For more information, please visit: http://www.usahostels.org/cult_kit.php If you would like to purchase tickets offline, please call 617-718-7990 x17. Cost: $10 Official Site: http://umoja.eventbrite.com/