NYLHV is a non-profit organization which works to pass animal protection laws, elect humane candidates to office, educate the public on matters of public policy, and hold politicians accountable to their constituents.

The evening will include a cocktail hour, vegan dinner, presentation and silent auction and include guests like New York State Governor David A. Paterson, ”Whale Wars” star Captain Paul Watson, actress and author Ally Sheedy, world-renowned ‘60’s artist Peter Max, “Super Size Me” co-star and author Alex Jamieson, ”Bizarro” comic creator Dan Piraro, CNN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell, and rapper  Princess Superstar. Along with myself, fellow bloggers Chloe Jo Berman from GirlieGirlArmy and Joshua Katcher from The Discerning Brute will also be in attendance.

The event will be held on Thursday, November 12, at 6 p.m. at the Prince George Ballroom in New York City. Tickets are $100 and only a handful remain. To reserve your seats visit NYLHV.org! See you there!

I hate going to the doctor! Luckily, I’m a pretty healthy dude (see also: vegan superhero) and have only been twice in the last 4 years. But still, the thought of sitting on a cold examining table and being not listened to for 3-5 minutes makes me shiver with frustration. Why oh why, I ask, can’t all doctors be like the rockstars at Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine?????!!!!!

You see, last night I had the chance to attend a benefit for PCRM at Peter and Mary Max’s lovely midtown studio and left actually wishing that I hung out with M.D’s more! 

The event was absolutely lovely with Morgan Spurlock, Moby, Dan Piraro, Dreama Walker and many more well-known figures in attendance. Of course we also hung out with some of our favorite regular do-gooders like Chloé Jo Berman, Joshua Katcher, Kris Carr and Victoria Moran. 

And how could we not spend some time with Dr. Neal Barnard – the founder of PCRM who recently sat down with Ecorazzi for an exclusive interview?

While munching on delicious chow from Bonobo’s, 4-Course Vegan and Candle 79, the PCRM crew spoke about their continued progress and optimistic outlook for the future. Does it really get any better than that?

If you don’t know all about PCRM’s important work, get thee to their website and learn how this special group of dedicated professionals is helping to change the world.

Ecorazzi: How did you become involved with Woodstock?

Dan Piraro: Well I’m actually a founding board member. My wife and I got to know Doug and Jenny about the time that they were setting up the farm and getting ready to buy it and sort of start the whole project. And so we signed on as the first board members and we helped them build the farm and fundraise and we’ve stayed active in it for 4 or 5 years now.

E: Now I know you’ve been vegan since 2002 and you’ve stayed very active in the community. How did you get involved with animal rights?

DP: It was because of my wife. I was a guy who was compassionate to animals but not particularly involved in anything. I never wanted to be a vegetarian – I always thought vegetarians were hippies with too much free time. And then when I met my now wife and we started dating, she just opened my eyes to factory farming and a lot of stuff I’d never heard of. So once I started seeing it through a clear vision of what was really going on it took me no time at all.

E: So you didn’t find it challenging?

DP: No, I really didn’t. I was living with her – we had just moved in together — and she had been vegan for years and vegetarian all her life. So yeah it was actually easier for me because there was no real learning curve. She already knew how and where to shop and what to eat. She was giving me all this great food, so I really didn’t even miss a beat.

E: If you have advice for any people out there considering going VEG what would it be?

DP: I would say that once you figure out how to do it, it’s much more of a lifestyle substitution rather than a sacrifice. Your substituting food that’s better for you, tastes just as good, is just as filling, healthier and is just way better for the environment. It’s a win, win, win situation. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze!

E: Final question and one I always ask: If you had the chance to meet one person who you’ve found specifically instrumental in the vegetarian community – dead or alive, past or present – who would it be and why?

DP: Wow! I don’t know! da Vinci would be a great one. I admire him for so many reasons and it would be interesting to pick his brain. I would love to know his philosophy behind it. He was one of those guys that was vegetarian when it was utterly unheard of. His philosophy about animal compassion was hundreds of years ahead of his time.

A big thanks to Dan Piraro for taking the time to chat with us and Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary for having us as their guests!

The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary is teaming up Gotham Comedy Club for a one night only event that you won’t want to miss. 

Stars like Janeane Garofalo, Louis CK, Judy Gold, Dan Piraro, Gary Gulman and Judah Friedlander will be cracking you up to help raise money for the rescue organization that  has provided shelter to hundreds of animals from cases of abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Last year, Ecorazzi brought news of Morgan Spurlock’s trip to the farm and Nellie McKay and Dan Piraro’s two person show, and now Ecorazzi is going to see for ourselves (yes, we’ll be at the event too) just what all the fuss is with these do-gooders upstate. 

The event will be held tomorrow, February 11th at 8 pm sharp at Gotham Comedy Club in NYC. Tickets to the event are $60 at the door or $50 if you scurry on over to the website and buy them in advance. Oh, and if you want to rock the VIP status, you can get special reserved seats for 100 smackers. Also, students tickets are available for those youngins out there who want a little komedy and karma in their lives.  So visit Woodstock FAS’s website today and join myself and the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary team for what I’m sure will be an awesome evening!!

While Ecorazzi is a bicoastal operation, I’m stationed here in NYC and often brag about the wonderful green events that take place on my little island. But the Big Apple isn’t the only city in New York State that knows how to throw a good party!!

On September 20th, Nellie McKay & Dan Piraro will be combining their talents for a one night only event at the Colony Café in Woodstock, NY to benefit the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. So what do a soulful cabaret singer and a hysterical cartoonist have in common? THEY’RE BOTH ALL ABOUT THE VEGANISM…DUH!

The evening is hosted by the Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society (MHVS) and tickets are just $20. Doors open at 7 and its first come first serve…so get there early, people! Also make sure to bring that appetite! Because while the Colony Café isn’t regularly a vegan establishment, the restaurant will be veganizing their menu for the event.

To find out more about this kickass event, visit WoodstockFAS.org!

That is why ADI is launching a new campaign against the use of animals in circuses.  As part of the initiative the organization will be screening exclusive and dramatic footage from inside nine of America’s most renowned animal circuses that graphically reveal the suffering and abuse these animals are forced to endure.

To do her part, Jorja Fox, star of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, will hand deliver the controversial footage to city officials at Austin’s City Hall along with ADI’s Science on Suffering report, which details the scientific evidence that supports the arguments against keeping animals in circuses. 

Jorja Fox (who’s a total badass I might add) isn’t the only famous face getting on board. The campaign has already gained support from Alicia Silverstone, Kristy McNichol, Anna Maria Horsford and Dan Piraro.

Basically what I’m trying to say is: Barnum and Bailey you better watch your asses! To find out more about how why circuses that use animals are going to hell, visit ad-international.org