One of my favorite blog interviews we’ve ever done was with Cynthia King, choreographer, dancer, and do-gooder. Cynthia, who is the mastermind behind an all-vegan line of ballet slippers, is also the force behind Brooklyn’s Cynthia King Dance Studio. During our first interview, Cynthia told me something that has stuck with me: “There is no reason for any animal to die for the sake of dance.” Ain’t that the truth…
Cynthia not only brings in the vegan message loud and clear to her classes (students are not allowed to wear non-vegan shoes or other attire), but she actually incorporates animal rights themes into the choreography that her students — who are, by the way, mostly little kids — perform.
In what is perhaps my newest favorite form of Thanksgiving-related animal rights outreach, Cynthia is now teaming up with Maya Gottfried — the author of the the poetry book for kids, Our Farm, which is written from the point of view of rescued animals at Farm Sanctuary — and producing a show entitled, “Gratitude for the Turkeys: Dance-Along to Our Farm.” The event, which is taking place on November 18, invites all children (and their folks) to take part in a dance-along, led by Cynthia, and featuring readings by Maya. Way to outreach to kids, right? It gets better. In addition to the all-vegan refreshments, families will be encouraged to sponsor a turkey through Farm Sanctuary’s “Adopt-A-Turkey” program. (The only thing that appears to be missing from this compassion-building event is a life coach to advise parents on what to say when their kids ditch meat later that evening.)
Speaking up for animals in creative, thought-provoking, all-encompassing ways simply does not get better than this. And, not that I need to say it — since the OHH readers are the most savvy ones out there — there is still time to plan your own Thanksgiving outreach activities. If you are just too busy to plan an entire vegan feast for your community, you might consider committing to leafleting during Thanksgiving week, when two things are on people’s minds: turkeys and compassion. Let’s connect the dots for them, shall we?
Gratitude for the Turkeys: Dance-Along to Our Farm
Sunday, November 18, 3-5pm
Cynthia King Dance Studio
1256 Prospect Ave.
(F/G to Fort Hamilton Parkway)
Brooklyn, NY
718-437-0101
FREE / All Ages
RSVP: appear@ourfarmbook.com