Actress Persia White and Dr. Neal Barnard are pictured here celebrating at PCRM’s “Art of Compassion” pre-gala bash.  Other famous faces in attendance included Kathy Freston, Emily Deschanel, Rory Freedman, Jennifer Coolidge, Marilu Henner and many more. The Art of Compassion gala will mark PCRM’s 25th anniversary and will take place on April 10th in California. Wanna know more? Visit PCRM.org/Gala2010 to get your tickets!

If you’re a fan of powerful movies, Earthlings is about as powerful as it gets.

Considered to be one of the most effective documentaries on the market, Earthlings exposes the suffering of animals for food, fashion, pets, entertainment and medical research.

We should also mention that it’s responsible for helping some of today’s biggest stars go VEG. Read: Ellen DeGeneres!

Well, this week LA residents will have an opportunity to check the film out at the Blue Planet Film Festival on Friday, Sept 4th, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Tickets are only $6.50 and $5.50 for students and will include a short Q&A with director Shaun Monson and producer Persia White .

To learn more about the event visit BluePlanetFilmFest.com.

Can’t make the event or don’t live in the area? Visit Earthlings.com to get your own copy or find a screening near you. You HAVE to see this movie. Trust me!

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

Persia I am constantly impressed by the work you do. You’re involved with so many great organizations and really practice what you preach. Tell me about how you got started with animal rights work?

I’ve always been an animal-lover and when I was about twelve I became a vegetarian. My mom subscribed to PETA’s magazine and I just started looking at the level of what it was. And I just thought it was unkind, so I made my personal choice — which at that point had nothing to do with the global scale of the situation. And so I know it was really early, but I made up my mind then to become an entertainer primarily because I thought I could help. I noticed that all my friends respected entertainers and knew more entertainers names than politicians names, so that was my turning point from possibly doing politics to entertainment — plus I’m goofy and I like to talk a lot and I don’t keep my mouth shut very well . So that was one of the reasons I went into this field. And then the more I kept going career-wise, the more I’ve been able to use that vehicle — that megaphone. And that was exciting – the only exciting part, personally, about being a celebrity. I don’t think there’s anything good about it, except the ability to make positive change.

You said you became a vegetarian when you were 12. Are you a vegan now?

Yes. I’ve been vegan for about 8 years.

Hey!! It’s 7 ½ for me.

REALLY? Well actually I guess it’s been about 7 ½ for me too. It’s been eight from when I started trying and was still cheating and eating dairy every now and then. Yeah, but like 7 ½ totally vegan.

And it’s almost your birthday! (Persia’s birthday is on October 25th.)

Yes, and I’ll be in a board meeting for HSUS all day. Isn’t that hilarious? I told a couple of people that I was flying to DC for this like nine or ten hour meeting and they were like ‘What? It’s your birthday.’ But what am I going to do? I’d just sit at home and feel bad on my birthday knowing that I could be out doing something really good.

That’s amazing! I mean I’m not even trying to suck up here. That’s real dedication.

Yeah, but you’re the same way. You get it. It just feels good. Have you been to the actual Sanctuary?

I haven’t.

You have to go. I hosted one of their Thanksgiving Feeding of the Turkeys. The turkeys get to eat and little kids are running around with pumpkins feeding these animals – it’s just so beautiful. Of course I started crying. It’s just so new to watch farm animals in that environment.

Let’s talk about Farm Sanctuary. Tell me about when you got involved?

I watched a video called Peaceful Kingdom. Have you seen it?

No I haven’t. I’m watching Earthlings right now. (I didn’t know at this point that Persia is the co-producer of Earthlings). I’m actually throwing a World Vegan Day screening of it. You know that World Vegan Day is November 1st, right?

No. I’ve heard about it though.

Oh, whoa! You got to spread it to all your friends. October 1st is World Vegetarian Day which kicks off Vegetarian Awareness month and World Vegan Day closes the holiday on November 1st.

That’s so exciting! It’s my birthday month! I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna have a little party.

(At this point Persia and I start talking really fast about how excited we are that veganism is becoming mainstream and who we love in the movement, and somehow we end up on Proposition 2…and then I remember that I’m doing an interview.)

OK, an official question. Tell me about your thoughts on Prop 2.

Yes, Yes, Yes for Prop 2 for every reason. It’s good for the animals, the planet, your heart, the environment – it’s so important. It’s sets a precedent that’s brand new, which is just that we’re gonna change a system that been in place for a long time, that’s so suppressive and so hidden, just because we think it’s wrong…and that’s beautiful! That’s like a shift in human consciousness. And everyone can be a part of it.

Now I know you were at the Prop 2 rally. You must have seen Ellen there. How do you feel about Ellen going vegan?

I’m so excited. She was there up on stage talking and I was so proud. You know what’s hilarious? My mom was raised very catholic and she called me and said, “ Now I’m pro-gay marriage because Ellen’s so wonderful. I just want to see Ellen and Portia be happy.” Ellen got her to actually open her mind just by being wonderful.

(Once again we go off subject and talk about tattoos, how much we love Portland and blah, blah, blah! All of a sudden, Persia’s sister-in-law, brother-in-law and 12-year-old nephew show up to say hello. Later in the evening Persia adopted one of the 69 pigs that Farm Sanctuary rescued for her nephew – who’s also a vegan, by the way.)

OK, I have one last question for you. This is a question I ask to almost every single vegetarian celebrity I interview. If you could go back in time and meet one influential vegetarian, who would it be?

I think it would be Rembrandt. I really feel like he was seeing into the future, and talk about somebody who’s completely alone. In the beginning of me feeling these feelings and becoming aware andthe growing situation with the lack of compassion — you know when you finally see it — it’s like waking up from the Matrix. And you see the world and it’s not as pretty at first. It’s all kind of grim. I always wonder how alone he felt, because we’re not alone. What’s exciting about now is that we’re not alone. There’s a shift in consciousness. More and more people are waking up to different levels of it – maybe not all the way — but different levels. But to be that far back in history and discover and be so alone, I would just let him know that the future understands.

A million thanks to Persia for all she does. She will be back on the site soon. I promise you that!

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!

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!