Comedy Improv for Animals

Just when you think Seattle couldn't bring anymore goodness into the world, enter stage left, Closet Monsters Improv.

Saturday, August 20, this lil' improv troupe will bring us LAUGH TO SAVE ANIMALS, a performance to raise awareness about animal cruelty. Ashley Almon, Cory Blankenship, Cody Bernius, and Kevin Dailey will entertain for over an hour AND there will be vegan treats for sale with proceeds going to the African Wildlife Association. Spend the day at a vegan BBQ, go home and clean up (maybe nap?), then spend the night laughing your arse off - all for the good of our animals friends in Africa.

LAUGH TO SAVE ANIMALS starts at 10:30 this Saturday, August 20th at the Odd Duck Studio (run by Rik Deskin). If you haven't been to Odd Duck for a show yet, you have been missing out. This sweet cozy theater offers vegan concessions, including vegan beer and wine. It is just the right size for local plays and other performances, and close to lots of great dinner joints.

I'll be rushing from a show at Studio 7 (where my little brother is playing - yay!) but will see you there. Comedy Improv + Good Animals Cause + Vegan Treats = best idea ever. Thank you Ashely for putting this together!

LAUGH TO SAVE ANIMALS
Facebook RSVP
Saturday, August 20, 2011
10: 30 PM
Bring: $10
Odd Duck Studio
1214 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
206-679-3271

Parasitic Skies - Vegan, Straight Edge, Awesome

Hey, it's the Southside Vegan coming at you with a little info about a rad local band: Parasitic Skies. They will be playing shows this month and YOU should definitely GO!!!

2/23/2011 - The Black Lodge, Seattle WA
2/24/2011 - The Red Room, Tacoma WA
2/25/2011 - The Black Rose, Portland OR
2/26/2011 - Brae's Place, Moses Lake WA
2/27/2011 - The Northern, Olympia WA



Parasitic Skies is an all vegan, straight edge band that formed in Seattle in January of 2009. The current line up includes Austen on drums, Bo on bass, Mike on guitar, and John on vocals. John has since moved to New York but he's headed back to town this month. Parasitic Skies is about to hit the Northwest with their own brand of metallic hardcore with influences like Sepultura, Crowbar, Ringworm and Integrity. Check it:

Still Burning
Nadir
The Descent

Aside from rocking the poop from my pants, these dudes are seriously passionate about animal rights and veganism. All of the past and current members are years-long vegans and one of their first shows was a benefit for the AETA 4.

So next time you're overcome with those feelings of frustration and angst, just throw on The Descent, blast the volume, mosh in your bedroom, and then go out and start a fucking revolution.

Go Vegan. Stay Vegan.

Help Save Melvin

One of the best things about the Seattle vegan scene is our ability to come together to help each other and the animals. This town has heart. No lie. I don't even know John Raftery, but some of my raddest friends do. So when I was asked to help Johns dogfriend Melvin. I didn't even hesitate.

Lets meet Melvin.

Melvin is a 6 year old pitbull that has lived with John Raftery Heather Flanders since he was 8 weeks old. He's a vegan pup who enjoys watermelon, sniffing butts, tug of war, and long walks on the beach. He's a loving, social, and playful sweetheart, and deserves a chance to enjoy the rest of his life.

Melvin recently developed a trigeminal nerve sheath tumor in the left side of his head. He has massive muscle loss in his chewing muscles because the nerve the tumor is attached to is connected to them. It isn't causing him any discomfort yet but if it goes untreated it will kill him in a few months.

The treatment he needs is a type of radio-surgery called Cyber Knife, it's a single session dose of concentrated radiation to the tumor. Cyber Knife is not a surgery but is called 'radio-surgery' because it's almost as effective as surgery which he is not able to have because of the tumor's location. The cost of the treatment is $7,800.

Here's what you can do:

Make a Donation
Also visit melvindog.blogspot.com for updates on Melvins condition.

Get a Tattoo
John is a badass tattoo artist at Dare Devil Tattoo in New York, focusing on pre-war style American traditional tattoos. He moved to NYC in May, but before that he was inking Seattle vegans at Emerald City.

John will be a guest artist at Under the Needle Tattoo in Seattle on the following dates:

2/23/2011
2/24/2011
3/1/2011

Email John at rafterytattoo@gmail.com to book an appointment (you know you want to!)

Buy a Button
You can find these adorable Melvin buttons at the ButtonMakers.net store at 6012 12th Ave S in Georgetown. You may also see them at shows. If you do, definitely buy one. 100% of the money you give goes to Melvin.

Go see Parasitic Skies on their upcoming tour

Parasitic Skies is John's vegan straight edge hardcore band. (hell yeah!) They're planning a west coast tour. You can find the aforementioned buttons, vegan baked goods, and other fund raising activities at their shows to benefit Melvin. Here's the tour info:

2/23/2011 - The Black Lodge, Seattle WA
2/24/2011 - The Red Room, Tacoma WA
2/25/2011 - The Black Rose, Portland OR
2/26/2011 - Brae's Place, Moses Lake WA
2/27/2011 - The Northern, Olympia WA

Get a little EGO boost with a new tattoo

Here ye, Here ye!

Seattle, you've been thinking of getting a (new) tattoo, then you are going to jump for joy at the deal being offered by generous, talented, and practically famous vegan tattoo artist: EGO.

EGO is offering 50% off the shop rate for any Vegan Score reader for the month of January. That is right, instead of $140/hr you will pay only $70 an hour for his talents. But only for January and only for Vegan Score readers! So you have to get a move on to get this mega deal.

Just because you don't know EGO doesn't mean it should stay that way. He is a local artist who shows at galleries around town and nation wide. He is known for his creepy, innocent creatures and ghostly, ghastly friends. He is also a much loved graffiti artist, logo designer, and most of all, talented tattoo artist. He designed the "Trust No Human" shirt for Lion's Share Industries and drums in the all-vegan band, Olde Ghost. Is there anything this guy doesn't do? Why yes: he doesn't tolerate bigotry and isn't into small talk.

What to do with this information? Go to Under the Needle tattoo shop (2118 2nd Ave., in Belltown) and find out when you can get a consultation and put down your deposit. Once you put down your deposit, you can get an appointment. EGO works into the night so it won't conflict with your day job. The key step: when you talk to EGO, tell him "I read about the January deal on Vegan Score" and you'll get the 50% discount. Don't tell your non-Vegan Score reading friends because he'll know.

I should warn you, EGO may look like a ruffian but he is a hugger. If you get a tattoo, please, please send me a picture so I can post it. And, as always, don't forget to tip.

JANUARY 2011 ONLY

Kick Start My Jazz Heart: Jason Parker

Artist Profile #3: Jason Parker.

Oh what, you didn't know that we have our very own working musician (look ma, no day job!), in our vegan community? It's true. Jason Parker gets paid to play his trumpet and writes a blog about it. And he likes Nick Drake, so triple bonus. I had an opportunity to ask Jason, of the Jason Parker Quartet, a few questions about his music, his upcoming album, and even a little about being vegan. And since I make plugs for most things vegan, let me highly suggest that if you like jazz and/or Nick Drake, you should skip on over to Kickstarter and chip in some dough to support the recording and get a copy of the CD (deadline, Thurs Dec 23, 2010)!

Photos by Darrah Parker

VS: You've been making a living in music for 20 years. What are some of the ways you've found to get paid?
JP: I've been fortunate enough to make my living through music in some fashion for most of my adult life. First in radio as a DJ and program director, and for the last nine years as a working musician. I've had a few day jobs off and on but the last 6 years or so I've avoided it. The bulk of my income is from playing weddings and private events with my band, The Jason Parker Quartet. That money gives me the freedom to play club gigs that don't pay as well but allow us to play our own music. It's a pretty good balance.

VS: You play the trumpet mainly. How did this become your instrument of choice? Do you play others?
JP: I play a little bit of every instrument I can get my hands on. I took 8 years of piano lessons as a kid, hating every minute of it. But I'm glad I did! I also play a little guitar, bass, and I'm teaching myself the drums (slowly).

The story of how I came to the trumpet is a good one. When I was in 2nd grade everyone in my school had to pick an instrument. I really wanted to play the cello (still do!) But about two weeks before we had to make a decision they called us all into the multi-purpose room for a concert. I sat right at the feet of a man playing the trumpet. He seemed a hundred feet tall, was wearing a dashiki, playing the trumpet, and leading the band like I had never seen or heard before. That day I went home and asked my parents to buy me a trumpet. The man: Dizzy Gillespie!

VS: What have been your greatest musical achievements?
JP: I can honestly say that the band I have now is the best musical experience I've ever had. We've been together for 3 1/2 years now, which is rare for a jazz band. They are some of my closest friends and biggest inspirations and influences musically. It's a joy every time we play together. The record we are making now, "Five Leaves Left: A Jazz Tribute to Nick Drake," is a dream come true for me. I've been planning this CD for going on 3 years and can't wait to hit the studio this month to record our arrangements of Drake's tunes.

VS: You are just days away from your Kickstarter funding for this Nick Drake tribute album. The first time I heard a Nick Drake song (Fly), I was never the same. How did he inspire you?
JP: I don't remember exactly when I first heard Drake's music, but I do know it was the song "Time Has Told Me," the first tune from Five Leaves Left. I was hooked right away and ran out to buy all three of his albums. The songs really spoke to me. I love that he is often dealing with the darker side of life, but always in a hopeful way. You can tell he was a troubled soul, but he always wanted to connect to people on a deeper level (don't we all?).

I got the idea to do this album after doing an arrangement of the tune "Three Hours" for our last album, "No More, No Less." We had such a great time playing that song, and it suited the band so well, that I started working on other songs from the CD. One thing led to another and I had done all 10 tunes!

VS: You have a blog that focuses on being an actual working musician. It's a unique and generous idea. What gives?
JP: I started it mainly because I was getting so many questions from other musicians about how I was able to make a living and avoid a day job. I had done some innovative things with grant-writing, micro-patronage and such, and people were curious about these types of things. Since starting the blog a little over a year ago I have found that it is a great outlet for me and has connected me to SO many wonderful people around the world. Between the blog, One Working Musician, and Twitter I have met awesome folks (you included!) and have gotten opportunities that never would've come about without them. I booked my whole tour using Twitter!

VS: Are you vegan for your health, the environment, compassion for animals? Other? What sparked this?
JP: When I became vegetarian it was because of animal rights. I majored in philosophy in college and wrote my thesis on animal rights. Once I started looking into it there was no way I could support the terrible treatment of animals. Peter Singer's book "Animal Liberation" was what finally did it for me.

Over the years, while my support of animal rights hasn't wavered, my attention to the health benefits has increased and now I'd say that the health factor is a huge reason to stay away from animal products. (I'm typing this sitting beside my dad in a hospital bed, 6 days after a triple bypass...that gives me some perspective and motivation!)

VS: Peter Singer is one of my heroes. Do you have any vegan role models? Or have you met people that you were surprised to find out were vegan?
JP: My brother is my biggest vegan role model (among other things). He's been vegan for 21 years and is a big reason I even considered it.

Photos by Darrah Parker

VS: What do you think of veganism being in the mainstream lately? So many actors, musicians, and other celebrity types lean in that direction.
JP: I hope it's a sign that people are becoming more conscious in all their choices. As a species we need to be more aware of how our choices affect not only ourselves but the entire world and everything in it. Until we truly realize how connected we are to each other and the world we're going to continue to see massive problems. I'd like to think that slowly but surely we are changing this for the better. It certainly doesn't hurt to have high-profile people and celebrities out there to be visible role models.

VS: One message for the Seattle vegan community?
JP: I'm available Mon-Sun, breakfast, lunch & dinner! :) Actually, I love to see the community supporting its members. Vegans are everywhere, in all walks of life. We should all support each other, eating at the restaurants, shopping at the shops, buying the music (hint, hint). Anything we can do to help each other is huge.
_________

The Jason Parker Quartet will be playing some Nick Drake tunes, Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at Lucid, the live Jazz club conveniently located right next to Wayward and across the street from Pizza Pi and Sidecar. I take that as a good omen so I'll be heading up there for sure. See you there and don't forget to help make this album by kicking in a couple pennies. If you know someone who really loves Jazz - aim for the $250 package and get a home cooked meal by Jason himself!

Vegan Derelict

Discovering a vegan artist is one of my favorite things to “score” around town. Mostly because people are generally more important than food and things, and art is more important than everything. Although it has been a while since I wrote about local painter, Vicki Nelson, she was the first, and this is the second, in a series exploring the talented vegans that lift our town. Cue music please!

Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 28, 1990, Derelict is a Seattle rapper and MC who not only follows his heart when it comes to animals, but is an animal with the mic and a monster on the board. He just released, “Of Course It’s Cashmere” (OCIC) with 20 tracks, that he is giving to our town.* I met him last year after discovering we both like to play a little dominoes; I hope you enjoy his company as much as I do.



Q: What got you into creating music?
Derelict: I'm not sure what really got me into music - creating it anyway. I can't really remember the moment that sparked it, but it might be just hearing music I liked and wanted to make music that I thought was dope and maybe others will too.

Q: Who are some of your musical influences?
Derelict: One person that I always liked was Fiona Apple just for her subtle voice, but strong subject matter and very visual style. Em is a huge influence; crazy word juggling, offensive lyrics. IT'S GREAT! Sage Francis is ill, Mos Def, Method Man, Redman.

Q: Does veganism come into your lyrics?

Derelict: I talk about being vegan in my music. I'm proud of it and it tends to work well as a mention in some tracks. I think at least 5 or more songs on OCIC mention me being vegan or is vegan related in some form.

Q: Where can one grab a copy?
Derelict: OCIC will be available at a few shops in Capital Hill such as Platinum Records, 35th North, The Cobra Lounge and I'm sure they're floating around in other spots too. My new Street Team crew has put them up in a few spots, I still have a lot more to hand out. [Ed. If you don’t need a physical copy, you can download it here or you can buy one online at the Lion's Share store.]

Q: When is the next time we can see you live?
Derelict: I think my next show will be September 24th at the Cobra Lounge in Cap Hill / First Hill.

Q: What’s next?
Derelict: Planning on shooting some music videos soon, working on a small project with Jay5ATRON, and collecting material to put together an album. I’m looking to do more shows in the state and along the coast, just a constant flow of creation in some form whether it's from my music, photos, or other writing for my blog and HipHopNorthwest. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll be in the next LSI series photo shoot as well.



Derelict (aka Simar Tate) is a talented, generous bloke. Let me mention, that in addition to sharing his music with us, he also donated his time to model for Lion’s Share Industries (LSI) last spring, and he volunteers on at Sidecar, our much-loved volunteer-staffed vegan store.

I suggest these things for you: 1.) Download OCIC, or go here to buy one for $5, 2.) follow Derelict on twitter, and 3.) do the “like” thing for Camp Lazlo Studios so you can get the latest news on Derelict and other related artists.

I know I say this often, but Seattle is an incredible place. Derelict is just more proof for my postulation that our town is the greatest city on this here blue marble. I sometimes wonder if I might love it too much, and it might wake up some morning feeling smothered by my devotion. I hope that day is a long time off because I am in no mood for a break up.

So Happy: Vegan Tattoo Artists in Seattle

I've promised a few of you lovely Seattle vegans out there that I'd do a blog post about the vegan tattoo artists that I know in town. I am so sorry for the long delay! I truly wish I had time to call every shop and find more, but this list will have to do for now. Please, if you know of any more vegan tattoo artists in Seattle, post the info below or email me, so I can add them to this list for future reference. Thank you!

"Big" Heidi Sandhorst:
Lovely, funny, and the only female on this list. Excels at traditional, realistic, and of course, custom requests. She did my geometric dominoes on my wrists. (Thanks Heidi!)
Shop: Lucky Devil, 1017 East Pike Street, 206-322-1630‎.




E John "Turtle" Raftery: [UPDATE: June 2010, John moved to NYC. Sorry!]
I know two things about John: 1. Just about every one of my friends has a tattoo from him and 2. He is moving away soon, so if you want one of his masterpieces, you'd better get on it. (Pic to the left is on my friend Alex. So rad).
[John's Blog]




EGO (a.k.a. Seahag):
Bat shit crazy dirty hippy hardcore singer. Vegan since before you were born. Beard as long as his toe nails. OK, just kiddin. He is my friend, and I can personally vouch for his talent via my left forearm.
Shop: Under the Needle, 2118 2nd Ave, 206.448.6613.
[EGO's Blog] [EGO's Art Portfolio]



Jacob McCallum:
Thankfully Jake survived IDAHO to make it to Seattle. He may be young, but he works with John and EGO, so he must be really good.
Shop: Emerald City Tattoo, 12330 1/2 Lake City Way NE, 206-368-7362.
[Jake's Blog] [Jake On Twitter]




Shaun The African: [UPDATE: June 2010, Shaun moved to NYC. Sorry!]

In Seattle by way of Kansas, you might know him from his days at SuperGenius. His portfolio is totally rad and I want a tattoo by him ASAP.
Shop: Apocalypse Tattoo, 1558 East Olive Way, 206-320-8447
[Shaun's Tattoo Portfolio]

Other info related to tattoos: You don't have to go to a vegan tattoo artist to get a vegan tattoo, there are at least 3 popular brands of ink that are vegan: Classic, Eternal, and Stable. Many tattoo parlors in Seattle have vegan ink, like Damask. Some artists even mix their own inks. And did you know that our hemp loving friends over at Merry Hempsters make a vegan tattoo balm to protect and preserve your tattoo once it is all healed up?

The triple vegan threat: a tattoo that says vegan, by a vegan artist, with vegan inks. I want a picture.

And don't forget to tell me about more vegan tattoo artists in Seattle!

(P.S, if you are in Portland you can go to the all-vegan tattoo shop, Scapegoat).

Animals on your wall. In the good way.

This is the first in a little series that I am planning that will highlight vegan artists around our town. I love Seattle. I love art. I love vegan people. Hope you love 'em too.

This post is close to my heart because I discovered this artist while doing a random internet search, and it turns out she is a good friend from high school. How totally RAD. And the good news is that she is even cooler now than she was then. With that wacky kismet note, let me introduce Vicki Nelson (www.veganme.com).



Vicki specializes in commissioned paintings of your most beloved pals; your kitties, doggies, bunnies, etc. Her love of painting developed early, even when she was little she would build and stretch her own canvas in her dad’s workshop. Vicki's animal portraits are done with acrylics, which bring out amazing colors, but she also works with pencil, pen, and polymer clay. And another great thing? She is REALLY careful to make sure all of her paints and materials are cruelty-free, no animal products, no animal testing.

She works at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) as the Donor Relations Coordinator, so her love of animals is one that permeates her entire world, not just her art. When I was a junior in high school, she was vegetarian and I wasn't. She was so patient with me trying to convince me to have pizza with only veggies on it while on a trip to Whistler, I was like "GROSS!" and wouldn't have any part of it. Funny how things work out. Now she and I have been vegan for almost the exact amount of time (17 years), but we aren't super old, I swear.

Our paths also crossed almost 12 years ago when she helped us adopt our first dog, a giant pit-bull boxer mix named Keyser Soze (from PAWS). He passed away last summer from the worst dog cancer ever (RIP Big Man).

One other thing about Vicki that is hella sweet, as if being generous, vegan, and talented isn't enough: she paints affordable art. You don't have to be Richie Rich to afford a painting. Check out her commission prices. I love art for the people.



Vicki is currently in the processes of researching art supplies to create a website to help other artists find cruelty free products. She lives with her three fabulous adopted dogs, Cooper, Fizz Gig and Maggie Mouse, and and "the evil kitty," Miette. If you want to contact her about a custom painting, just call or email. You can also find her art business, Vegan Me, on Facebook.

Other Seattle vegetarian and vegan artists I hope to share with y'all in the future: Scott "Seahag" Barclay (EGO), Chris Crites, Maré Odomo, Shaun Nel, Brock Shorno, Aaron Edge, Heidi Sandhorst, Scott Garner, and Jacob McCallum. Know of any others?