The Great Pit Ball Benefit Concert, House Of Blues in Las Vegas

A few select images from the benefit concert at “The Great Pit Ball” in The House Of Blues, Las Vegas. Bands in attendance were Toetag, The Spyderz, Madball, and Sick Of It All. If you weren’t there, continue to help the cause and purchase a copy of VICKtory To The Underdog, or donate to Villa Lobos Rescue Center. A special thank you to Mr. Brandon Bond for creating the event, and his undying passion for the cause.

This is by far, the worst lighting I have ever come across for event photography, anywhere.

Sick Of It All

Madball

The Spyderz

Toetag

Look for more on The Great Pit Ball soon!

Images © James H. Pickett
Do not use without permission

       

Quick Update: The Great Pit Ball

Hey all, it’s Lara here. Just wanted to post a quick update because James is in Las Vegas right now, hanging with Brandon Bond and getting ready to do the event shoot for The Great Pit Ball event (surrounding Michael Vick’s pitbulls and their story) he’s talked about a few times here on ATL.

Personally, I can’t wait to find out how the whole thing goes – he’s updating me via text messages and brief phone calls but the main event itself, which is all going down TODAY. (Click the banner for details…)

I’m sure he’s going to have lots of great pics and stories to tell after this adventure, so go ahead and subscribe (on the sidebar) to be notified when he comes back!

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Is PETA Nothing More Than A Corporate Machine?

As you all know by now I am an animal fanatic. In fact, I am such a fanatic that I have donated five prints to the art auction at The Great Pit Ball in Las Vegas, and am donating my services as event photographer. With this donation comes a logistic nightmare that is entirely my responsibility to execute flawlessly. None of it is a big deal because I believe in the project and I believe in the man behind the project (Brandon Bond). Brandon has done so much for Pit Bull rescue it would have made your head spin, well before he undertook the responsibility of the Pit Ball and the production of his documentary film, VICKtory To The Underdog. The Pit Ball, however, is not why your reading this article.

Part of the preparation for the art auction at “The Great Pit Ball” obviously required the framing of photographs for hanging. While at Mountain View Custom Framing, the owner Bonnie (who is animal obsessed herself), handed me a copy of Sports Illustrated with a Pit Bull on the cover. “How did I miss this issue?” I wondered. Mainstream sports aren’t really a passion of mine but I have been following the Vick pit bull press very closely. The issue was released December 29, 2008 so I didn’t miss it by that much. All in all the article is very well written, and moving, but there was an interesting surprise, a twist to this whole story that I just couldn’t believe.

The third paragraph of the article is nothing shy of disturbing.

“PETA wanted Jasmine dead. Not just Jasmine, and not just PETA. The Humane Society of the U.S., agreeing with PETA, took the position that Michael Vick’s pit bulls, like all dogs saved from fight rings, were beyond rehabilitation and that trying to save them was a misappropriation of time and money. “The cruelty they’ve suffered is such that they can’t lead what anyone who loves dogs would consider a normal life,” says PETA spokesman Dan Shannon. “We feel it’s better that they have their suffering ended once and for all.” If you’re a dog and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals suggests you be put down, you’ve got problems. Jasmine has problems.” – Jim Gorant, Sports Illustrated

“How can this be?” The outlook just seemed so cold and calculated to me, how can you take this stance? Especially with such a public figure (Michael Vick), the press ramifications are daunting to say the least. Almost a week later I am still trying to process the information, I believe in PETA as an organization, but how can they position themselves in this manner especially when “the abuse of backyard dogs” is in their mission statement. To my knowledge there are very few (less than five) animal species on the planet that kill for sport, and dogs aren’t one of them.

I want your honest opinion here, read the article, tell me what you think about all of this in a comment because it leaves me confused and feeling a little betrayed.

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The Great Pit Ball – Las Vegas Red Carpet Charity Event

Brandon Bond, international tattoo artist and pit bull activist has been involved with pit bull rescue in his native Atlanta, GA for quite some time. Upon completion of his documentary film, “VICKtory To The Underdog” Brandon is hosting a red carpet charity event in Las Vegas, The Great Pit Ball to benefit animal rescue (more specifically pit bulls) and the Villalobos Rescue Center in Canyon Country, CA. Villalobos is the largest, no-kill Pit bull rescue center in the country. Some of my artwork will be hung in the charity auction at the event, and I have been contracted to be the event photographer.

I am no less than proud to be a part of this event, and even more proud to be able to donate artwork to help the cause. Sports Illustrated highlights what is happening now with the dogs, and tells a tale of how insanely mean they are not.

Stay tuned, I will bring you images and videos from the trip to Vegas, and the entire event as it unfolds.