ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

June 4th 2009

Exclusive Sneak Peak: Stars Break Bread On Hot New Vegan Show

Filed under: events, film-tv, green and famous, television — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 1:31 pm

Want some hot, totally unprocessed gossip? Well look no further, Razzi readers — I have it for you!

News from out west just blew in about an awesome new series celebrating one of our very favorite things: charities and the celebrities who are obsessed with them!

The show is called Breaking Bread and is a 12-episode series of privately hosted dinner parties where celebrities get a chance to talk about their favorite cause.  The latest one touched on an issue that just so happens to be pretty near and dear to my heart: veganism! 

The dinner was hosted by GirlieGirlArmy general Chloé Jo Berman and featured Meredith Salenger, Corey and Susie Feldman, Persia White, John Joseph, Mickey Madden, Emily Deschanel, Marilu Henner, Mariel Hemingway, Gene Baur, Victoria Moran, Rory Freedman and Laban Pheidias. 

Sounds like a hell of a party, right?

No word yet and when the show will air, but you better believe we’re gonna promote the eff out of it when we get the details. So sit tight, keep munching on those tofu and veggies and stay tuned!

November 4th 2008

Ecorazzi Reminds You To Be A Star On Election Day And Vote YES On Prop 2!!

Filed under: campaigns, politics — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 11:30 am

Take a deep breath. Can you smell that? No it’s not Sienna Miller covered in cow’s blood, it’s the smell of Election Day. As many Americans wait for hours in local poll lines (reading Ecorazzi on their Blackberry, of course) we’d like to remind all of our West Coast-rocking, Californians to vote YES on Prop 2.

While the Razz has not officially endorsed any candidate, we HAVE joined our favorite stars like Ellen Degeneres, Persia White and Tobey Maguire by publicly announcing our support for Proposition 2.

To review: Prop 2 is an initiative to add a chapter to Division 20 of California’s Health and Safety Code to prohibit the confinement of certain farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.

And you don’t have to be a vegetarian to support proposition deuce! Major publications including the New York Times (which is traditionally insensitive to animal rights issues) have endorsed the historic proposition.

So when all you lovely Californians head to the polls this morning, vote with your heart and vote YES ON PROP 2! It’s time for some positive change up in this house!

October 30th 2008

Ecorazzi Wants To Know How You’ll Celebrate World Vegan Day!

Filed under: animals, campaigns, events, green and famous — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 2:05 pm

For us plant-eating folk, October is one big month-long celebration. As Ecorazzi previously reported, October 1st is World Vegetarian Day and kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month. To end the cruelty-free holiday, we pure vegetarians raise a glass and celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1st.

But you don’t have to be vegan or even vegetarian to participate in the fun. Anyone can party hard on World Vegan Day simply by abstaining from animal products for 24 hours! Simple, right? Of course you could always kick it up a notch by baking vegan cookies, wearing a pro-vegetarian t-shirt, passing out leaflets, or simply posting something groovy on your blog!

This year I’m spending World Vegan Day at the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, but on November 3rd I’m continuing the celebration and renting out a space in midtown, inviting 40 of my nearest and dearest and hosting a screening of Earthlings – a great documentary narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and co-produced by Persia White. Rory Freedman, my very favorite Skinny Bitch, has even agreed to write an extra special introduction for the event. How can anyone not heart Rory?

So the only question remaining is: how will YOU celebrate World Vegan Day? A picnic? A dinner party? Maybe a special meal at your favorite vegetarian restaurant? Leave a comment below and tell the world how you’re getting involved!!

graphic: chow.com

October 30th 2008

Vegan Actor Joaquin Phoenix Retires From The Movie Business

Filed under: green and famous — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 11:37 am

There are about a million reasons to love Joaquin Phoenix . He’s a talented actor, a soulful musician and a dedicated activist! Joaquin has been a vegan longer than I’ve been alive and works hard to spread awareness about the joys of a vegetarian lifestyle. Earlier this month, we mentioned that Phoenix had narrated my new favorite documentary, Earthlings, that friend of Ecorazzi, Persia White, helped produce! But was that one of Phoenix’s last films?

Phoenix recently told Extra, “I want to take this opportunity…to give you the exclusive … that this will be my last performance as an actor… I’m not doing films anymore.” Phoniex continued, “Yeah. I’m working on my music. I’m done. I’ve been through that.”

Extra’s Jerry Penacoli, asked fellow-vegan Casey Affleck who was standing next to Phoenix, “I take it that he’s kidding?” Affleck responded, “I don’t think he’s kidding. He’s got music and stuff.”

Joaquin was being followed by his own camera crew when he broke the news, so peeps are a bit skeptical, but it sounds to me like he’s pretty serious. What do you think Ecorazzi readers? Will Phoenix ditch his film career for the music scene? Chime in and share your thoughts!

October 20th 2008

Ecorazzi Celebrates Vegetarian Awareness Month With Actress/Musician Persia White

Filed under: green and famous — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 1:27 pm

Continuing with our Vegetarian Awareness Month Celebrity Interview Series, I am pleased to introduce you to Persia White. What can I say about Persia? This chick is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met– EVER! Truly a vegan’s vegan, Persia is actively involved with PETA, HSUS, Sea Sheppard Conservation, Global Green, Farm Sanctuary…and that’s just the short list.

I had the chance to chat with Persia – who’s currently on the hit show, Girlfriends — this weekend while in Washington D.C checking out my mom’s solar panels and attending Farm Sanctuary’s Party for the Pigs. As you must know by now, we here at Ecorazzi absolutely adore the Farm Sanctuary and are always pleased to cover the wonderful work they do. Keep rockin’ it strong, you guys!

Now I must warn you, this “interview” is more of a conversation, because honestly it was almost impossible for me to not interrupt Persia every two seconds with, “No way,” or “ME TOO!” or “YOU’RE SO FRIGIN AWESOME!!” In fact, she was so wonderful that I gave her my very, very favorite vegan pin that I sport at all the lovely events I get to attend! Wear it proud, Persia. Wear it proud!

So now, for your reading enjoyment, I give you the very wonderful Persia White. Enjoy!

Click here to read Ecorazzi’s exclusive interview with Persia White.

October 8th 2008

Persia White and Nellie McKay Party For The Pigs With Farm Sanctuary

Filed under: animals, events, events: DC, food & drink, honors — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 1:10 pm

By now you must certainly know that Ecorazzi has a full-fledged charity crush on Farm Sanctuary – an organization that works hard to combat the abuses of factory farming. And we aren’t the only ones!

Earlier this year, we got the chance to attend the Farm Sanctuary Gala and brought you back exclusive interviews from celebs like Russell Simmons, Emily Deschanel, Melissa Rivers and Dennis Kucinich. Now, Farm Sanctuary is bringing the party to Washington D.C with hosts Nellie Mckay and Persia White as they rally to raise critically needed funds for some of the sanctuary’s most recently rescued animals.

Here’s the deal: in June of this year, Farm Sanctuary mobilized in Iowa to take part in one of the most ambitious farm animal rescues ever undertaken, after thousands of pigs were left to die in the Midwest flood disaster. During both land and water rescue operations, 69 pigs were rescued, including many pregnant sows who were once confined to gestation crates on factory farms. Now, these pigs, many of whom are still suffering from serious health problems, are at Farm Sanctuary receiving urgent care and undergoing rehabilitation. That’s where you come in.

To raise some extra dough and honor those rescued, Farm Sanctuary is holding Party For The Pigs on Saturday, October 18 from 6-9 p.m. at the Equality Center in Washington D.C. The evening will include a silent auction, vegan hors d’oeuvres, a wine and beer bar, and a special performance by singer/songwriter Nellie McKay. Oh and I’ll be there too….so make sure you come say hello! Tickets are just $50 and of course all the proceeds go towards a wonderful cause. To find out more call 607-583-2225 ext 221 or visit FarmSanctuary.org! See ya at the par-tay!

April 18th 2008

Spend A Celebrity-Packed Evening At The Farm Sanctuary Gala 2008

Filed under: animals, events, events: nyc, food & drink, green and famous, honors, thegreenpicture — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 3:59 pm

What’s more fun than spending a fancy schmancy evening in downtown New York City eating classy vegan fare with some of today’s hottest celebrities? Um, nothing! 

On May 17th from 6pm-midnight Farm Sanctuary will hold it’s annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC — and trust me, you don’t want to miss it! Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 and aims to expose and stop cruel practices that take place in the “food animal” industry. They now have two shelters — one in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and the other in Orland, Calif. — where they provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals. 

This year the Farm Sanctuary Gala will be hosted by Heather Mills, emceed by Melissa Rivers and will feature a delicious three course vegan dinner, an awards ceremony, a silent auction and a musical performance by Shawn Colvin. And the guest list is just as exclusive with celebrities like Kristen Bell, Rachel Leigh Cook, Jennifer Coolidge, Emily Deschanel, Christine Ebersole, Swoosie Kurtz, Kevin Nealon, Loretta Swit, Persia White and Debra Wilson Skelton scheduled to attend, as well as many others.  

Tickets may sound a bit pricey at 400 dollars a pop, but save those pennies because this evening is totally worth it. Last time I went I heard an incredible speech by Loretta Swit, said hello to James Cromwell and pointed Alicia Silverstone to the restroom. 

To find out more visit FarmSanctuary.org and get those tickets before they run out! I’ll be covering the event this year so make sure you find me and say hello!