The community is invited to celebrate International Vegetarian Day in Long Beach with art, music, and vegan food and beverages, all for a good cause. All proceeds from the third annual “Compassionate Cuisine” event in Long Beach, scheduled for Saturday, October 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., will go to Animal Acres farmed animal sanctuary and compassionate living center in Acton, California, 45 minutes north of Los Angeles, to support its outreach and education programs.
Featured speakers will include: Lorri Bauston, co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, and president and founder of Animal Acres; and Paul Shapiro, senior director of the farmed animal campaign for the Humane Society of the United States. Music will be provided by the female pop duo Makena (makenamusic.com).
A wide selection of vegan food, drinks and desserts will be served by more than 20 local restaurants and food service and beverage companies. The setting is the 2nd City Council Gallery + Performance Space, 435 Alamitos Avenue, where attendees can enjoy the current art installation, as well as the beautiful Sato Garden. A raffle, vendors, and education tables highlighting humane treatment of animals and the health and environmental benefits of vegetarian diets are also planned.
The theme for this year’s event will be “Yes On Proposition 2,” an important piece of legislation on the California ballot in November designed to stop animal cruelty by ending the practice of containing farm animals in cages so small they can’t lie down, turn around, or extend their limbs.
“This event continues to get bigger and better every year, encompassing more Long Beach residents, businesses, and community groups,” said Compassionate Cuisine chairperson Melissa Witul, a local community activist and business owner. “Together, we’ve been able to successfully raise badly needed funds for Animal Acres, as well as increase public awareness about the importance of vegetarian diets to farmed animals, human health, and the environment. It’s also a great opportunity for the community to come together to socialize and enjoy music, art, and the incredibly diverse selection of foods available right here in Long Beach.”
Free parking in the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) lot.
Tickets can be purchased for a $35 donation online at www.animalacres.org.
