By Jasmin
Neil Cavanagh rocks out
Put me on a stage in a club on Bleecker Street and I will pretend I’m a rock star. Put me on a stage in a club on Bleecker Street next to real rock stars and I will get a little flustered. Add to that that they are also rock star activists and I will be beside myself. Make the event an awareness-raiser for Farm Sanctuary and you have yourself Rockin’ Out for Farm Animals, which is exactly what we did last week in the Big Apple.
The idea stemmed from one inspiring activist, Jenn London. At our monthly activist meeting a few months ago, Jenn – an awesome singer/songwriter in her own right – said that she’d love to put together a music event for Farm Sanctuary. We decided to showcase animal-loving activists and vegans with a flair for music.
Jenn London
A few short months later, there we were. The event was smashing. Kenny’s Castaways even made Soy White Russian specials that night, which I can fully attest were heavenly, almost as heavenly as the performances. Six bands brought down the house: Rorie Kelly; Fire Queen (formerly “New Professionals”); Jenn London; The Dead Stars on Hollywood; Neil Cavanagh; and Joy Askew. When Joy called me up onstage to sing back-up, I nearly plotzed. (Later that evening, when she agreed to perform at our NYC Walk for Farm Animals, I did plotz.)
Joy Askew and company
Our own Gene Baur even made an appearance, charming as ever. The Masters of Ceremony were NY Advocacy Organizer, David Benzaquen, and yours truly. Though we only charged $10 a head, we raised $1500, money which will directly benefit Farm Sanctuary’s rescue, education and advocacy efforts. That’s a lot of hay.
Me and Gene
Part of the beauty of this type of event is that anybody can put one together, and everybody can enjoy it. Many bars or clubs will be happy to let you hold a music event at their location, especially if people buy drinks! And featuring musicians who have a taste for compassion is a great way to both support their talent and utilize creative advocacy. As we did at Rockin’ Out, you can have a table full of literature (which we’ll be more than happy to provide for you). You can feature one band, or several.
Dead Stars on Hollywood
With art as a form of activism, the sky is the limit. Rockin’ out for farm animals – or painting for them, writing for them, acting for them … – has the potential to reach (and move) new audiences.
Plus, it’s a good ol’ time. Having fun while advocating for compassion?! Imagine that!
That IS a lot of hay! Smokin!
Posted by: Casey | July 22, 2009 at 04:57 PM