Please join us at our upcoming events for animals!  If you've never been to an OTCA event before, this is your special invitation:

Sunday February 27 - Sunday March 27:
Baltimore Vegan Pledge Program!

Click here for full details!

Note: The 2011 Baltimore Vegan Pledge Program is filled up, but please subscribe to our email list to get notices about next year's programs, which will take place in both Baltimore and DC!

The Baltimore Vegan Pledge Program is a FREE month-long program designed to help new and potential vegans transition into a completely cruelty-free lifestyle. 30 Participants pledge to live vegan for one month, guided by their mentor and the weekly OTCA meetings. They are also provided with a free vegan goodie bag, containing product samples and coupons for animal-friendly favorites.

The Baltimore Vegan Pledge Program is hosted and organized by Open the Cages Alliance, with help from our friends from Peace Advocacy Network in Philadelphia, (who brought the VPP to the USA).

We are holding the first Baltimore Vegan Pledge Program during the month of March in honor of Meatout. Meatout is an international observance, coordinated by Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), helping individuals evolve to a wholesome, compassionate diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. The purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection alternatives to meat and dairy in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.

Sunday, March 6:
Vegan Outreach after Bright Eyes at The National

Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Sunday, March 6, 11:00 pm (approximate end time; show may end later)
Where: The National, 708 East Broad Street, Richmond VA
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting. Email Allie - allie@openthecages.org or call 717-404-6428 *In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!*

Monday March 7:
Vegan Outreach after The Pogues concert at Rams Head Live

Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Monday March 7, 10:30pm (approximate end time; show may end later)
Where: Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting.  Email Erin - erin@openthecages.org or call 443-531-1708.
*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!*

Tuesday March 8:
Vegan Outreach after The Pogues concert at the 9:30 Club

Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Tuesday March 8, 9:45pm (approximate end time; show may end later)
Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW Washington D.C
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting.  Email Adam - adam@openthecages.org
or call 202-577-5527.
*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!*

Thursday March 24 - Sunday April 10:
Ringling Brothers Candlelight Vigils at the Verizon Center in DC and First Mariner Arena in Baltimore

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus claims to love animals and invest in conservation.  However, a genuine attitude of respect for animals would entail letting animals live out their natural lives in their homes, not separating them from their families and forcing them to perform unnatural and demeaning "tricks" for Ringling's profit.  The circus teaches children that it's acceptable to exploit and abuse animals for entertainment. 

Recent undercover video footage shows that Ringling continues to force animals to perform using brutality and fear, despite having been fined by the USDA for Animal Welfare Act violations and exposed year after year for cruelty to animals.  However, no amount of "humane" treatment or claims of conservation could excuse subjecting animals to a life of captivity and exploitation. 

Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing cruelty-free entertainment. During the candlelight vigils, we will be showing undercover investigation footage on our portable body screen tv, and leafleting with our newly designed "Choose Cruelty-Free Entertainment" brochures.

Washington, DC Schedule, March 24 - 27:

When: Thursday March 24, 9:30pm
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
RSVP: Email Adam - adam@openthecages.org or call 202-577-5527.

When: Friday March 25, 9:30pm
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
RSVP: Email Robin - robin@openthecages.org or call 443-896-7498.

When: Saturday March 26, 9:30pm
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
RSVP: Email Robin - robin@openthecages.org or call 443-896-7498.

When: Sunday March 27, 9:30pm
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
RSVP: Email Adam - adam@openthecages.org or call 202-577-5527.

Baltimore, MD Schedule, March 30 - April 10:

When: Wednesday March 30, 9:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Erin - erin@openthecages.org or call 443-531-1708.

When: Thursday March 31, 9:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Allie - allie@openthecages.org or call 717-404-6428.

When: Friday April 1, 9:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Erin - erin@openthecages.org or call 443-531-1708.

When: Saturday April 2, 9:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Robin - robin@openthecages.org or call 443-896-7498.

When: Sunday April 3, 7:00pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Robin - robin@openthecages.org or call 443-896-7498.

When: Thursday April 7, 9:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Allie - allie@openthecages.org or call 717-404-6428.

When: Friday April 8, 9:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Robin - robin@openthecages.org or call 443-896-7498.

When: Saturday April 9, 9:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Robin - robin@openthecages.org or call 443-896-7498.

When: Sunday April 10, 7:00pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Email Erin - erin@openthecages.org or call 443-531-1708.

*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Signs and leaflets will be provided.*

Saturday March 26:
Vegan Outreach before Elton John's Greatest Hits Live
at First Mariner Arena
 
Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Saturday March 26, 7:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting.  Email Erin - erin@openthecages.org or call 443-531-1708
*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!*

Tuesday April 26:
Vegan Outreach after Rise Against/Bad Religion concert
at the 9:30 Club

Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Tuesday April 26, 10:30pm (approximate end time; show may end later)
Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW Washington D.C
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting.  Email Robin - robin@openthecages.org or
call 443-896-7498.
*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!

Wednesday April 27:
Vegan Outreach after Rise Against/Bad Religion concert
at Rams Head Live

Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Wednesday April 27, 10:30pm (approximate end time; show may end later)
Where: Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting.  Email Allie -allie@openthecages.org or call 717-404-6428.
*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!*

Sunday May 29:
Vegan Outreach after
New Kids on the Block concert
at First Mariner Arena
 
Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Sunday May 29, 10:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting.  Email Erin - erin@openthecages.org or call 443-531-1708.
*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!*

Saturday June 4:
Vegan Outreach before Rihanna concert at First Mariner Arena
 
Please join us to educate patrons and passers-by, and empower them to help animals by choosing veganism!

When: Saturday June 4, 6:30pm
Where: First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD
RSVP: Please RSVP for leafleting.  Email Erin - erin@openthecages.org or call 443-531-1708.
*In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm.  Thanks!*

Coming in October...Vegtoberfest!

We are excited to announce a festival to celebrate compassionate, vegan living, to be held in Baltimore in October 2011! Programming will include speakers, music and vegan exhibitors. Please sign up for our contact list on our website, and stay tuned for more details!