An evening fundraiser at The Moose Lodge on November 3 will feature local vegan food, live music, and a silent auction, with proceeds going to two non-profits, the Humane Society and Farm Sanctuary.
Aimed toward animal lovers, the first annual Barn Ball expects a turnout of 150 guests at 1600 Park Boulevard, to partake in festivities from 6 to 10 p.m.
Attendees can expect vegan food donated from local restaurants, such as True Food Kitchen, Lemonade, Trader Joe’s, and Veggie Grill, as well as a taco and nacho bar with Beyond Meat.
The evening’s entertainment includes local all-female cover band GiterDone and West Hollywood DJ Rosalie McIntire.
A silent auction to raise funds includes several donated goods and services from local business owners, notably a collection of plant-based skin and haircare products from Aesop, a private yoga session with instructor Shayna Hillier, a home vet visit from Dr. Michelle Jack, and a basket of pet harnesses/bowties/collars from Cassady Petwear. Additionally, guests can bid on a private plane tour of L.A.
Alongside the musical entertainment, guests are invited to take selfies and socialize with the Barn Ball mascot Kevin the “Cow.”
“It’s not meant to be a heavy-handed thing,” said the lead organizer of the event, Sarah Blanch. She says the evening is meant to be fun for guests, with an emphasis on food, drinks, and dancing.
“There’s been a shift in the national conversation around factory farming,” she added, pointing out that major chains like Del Taco and Burger King have started rolling out vegan and vegetarian options.
“Factory farming is a huge, huge contributor to climate change,” she stated. “We need to make some incremental changes about the way we produce food.”
The Barn Ball, she says, will allow attendees to sample vegan options while contributing to non-profits that benefit animals.
Animal welfare activism came onto Blanch’s radar several years ago: “I read Gene Bauer’s book “Farm Sanctuary” a few years back and I was very moved by it,” she said.
Farm Sanctuary, founded in 1986, is a non-profit organization that rehabilitates injured factory farm animals and provides them with sanctuary on one of two farms; there is a 26-acre farm in Acton that homes hundreds of animals and offers tours to the public.
Blanch says that she has been to the Acton farm, but emphasized that “Kevin the Cow,” who will be at the Barn Ball, is not a real cow. “I don’t want people to be disappointed. It just wouldn’t be practical to have a real cow there,” she said, laughing.
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at barnball19.eventbrite.com.
