Criss MCA Anniversary Celebration

Today, we examine the Criss Museum of Contemporary Art. The MCA will be celebrating one year of being in Second Life. Reporter Gemma Cleanslate describes what the museum will be planning throughout the month of May.

For the story, go to Community.

Relay for Life's 30 Concerts in 30 Days at Bosphorus

Virtual Bosphorus/F.C. Inter SL has been chosen as the site for Relay for Life’s 30 Concerts in 30 Days.

Bosphorus/203/127/22, April 30, 2010 – Virtual Bosphorus & F.C. Inter SL announce a series of live concerts starting in May, benefiting SL’s Relay for Life.
30 Days of Music, sponsored by Relay Raiders, a Relay for Life Team, benefiting the American Cancer Society, will kick off the first concert on Bosphorus on Saturday,
May 1, 2010 at 4:00pm slt with Juel Resistance. The schedule for the first half of the month is as follows:

Saturday, May 1 4:00 PM SL time - Juel Resistance
Sunday, May 2 6:00 PM SL time - Etherian Kamaboko
Monday, May 3 5:00 PM SL time - DimiVan Ludwig
Tuesday, May 4 6:00 PM SL time - Ictus Belford
Wednesday, May 5 6:00 PM SL time - Sojourn Rossini
Thursday, May 6 6:00 PM SL time - Nonge Shipman
Friday, May 7 6:00 PM SL time - Rapture Damone
Saturday, May 8 6:00 PM SL time - Mack Humbridge
Sunday, May 9 6:00 PM SL time - RoseDrop Rust
Monday, May 10 6:00 PM SL time - SweetLilly Pinelli
Tuesday, May 11 5:00 PM SL time - Kitzie Lane
Wednesday, May 12 6:00 PM SL time - Louis Volare
Thursday, May 13 4:00 PM SL time - Kiaranne Flanagan
Friday, May 14 6:00 PM SL time - srv4u Conacher

The Virtual Bosphorus Sim offers virtual soccer to SL residents, boasting a state of the art soccer arena. Partnering with F.C. Inter SL, Bosphorus offers residents a soccer academy to teach virtual soccer, as well as soccer leagues and championship matches that are sanctioned by real life clubs. Additionally, the Bosphorus sim offers world class shopping, with many stores, including such well known designers as UK Couture, Myth and Bliss just to name a few.

John Zelnik and Princess Dikes are the owners of Virtual Bosphorus. Brujita Saiman is the owner of F.C. Inter SL. You can visit the Bosphorus Sim at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bosphorus/203/127/22
Contact:
Eve1209 Quintessa
Marketing Manager
Virtual Bosphorus
email: evequintessa@yahoo.com

Holiday Fun

If you are looking for a fun activity to do for the Easter week, or for the rest of the month, Aero Pines Park & Recreation Area & the SL Riding Club are holding their 4th annual Easter Basket Hunt in their eight sims. 
You will find the baskets out on the trails and in the public buildings. They are not difficult to spot and there are some delightful gifts in them. 
There is  transportation available there. 
It is a great place to ride your horse, try a demo horse or borrow one of the vehicles.  
The buildings with closed doors are private but all the open doors invite you inside. 
The last time I was here it was winter. Now spring is blossoming everywhere and you will enjoy your tour through the lush grounds, hills and sparkling waters.
 Remember there are eight sims to explore!
This is a good place to start, right at the stables.  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Equus/194/173/22


Gemma Cleanslate

Pueblo Blanco Grand Opening Celebration

Pueblo Blanco Community is proud to announce its grand opening celebration for Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 2PM to 4PM SLT. As part of our grand opening celebration, we are planning a sim wide hunt, a party, freebies, $1,000 giveaway for best male and best female.  Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their friends, loved ones, and partners.
Pueblo Blanco is a virtual representation of an Andalusian rural environment in Spain.  Several styles of homes and shops exist on Pueblo Blanco.  Some homes have security and privacy features. All tenants share the free common facilities made available to them, like the rowboats, fishing, grotto, horse rides, and more. Beautiful rolling hills, winding narrow roads, spectacular white homes and tiled roofs and romantic park makes this a community you’d want to spend the rest of your second life in. This is a quiet peaceful area with many interesting locations open to residents, their partners, and guests.  Beautiful rolling hills, winding narrow roads, spectacular white homes and tiled roofs and romantic park makes this a community you’d want to spend the rest of your second life in.
Pueblo Blanco is simply a great place to live, visit, decompress, shop, meet friends, or just spend some quality time, alone or with good company.  Some locations are primarily scenic while others are intended for romantic interludes.  We insist that all tenants and visitors use common sense and common courtesy with guests.
For more information please visit http://puebloblanco.wordpress.com or contact Precious Mannonen in-world.

Trans Siberian Orchestra Rocks SL

On December 13, SL rocked with sounds of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The group played a rare concert at Dreamcastland, complete with laser lights, and a full stage of guitarists, singers, strings, and drums. The group played all of the holiday music that they are famous for: "Wizard in Winter", "Nutrocker", "Christmas Canon Rock", "Christmas Eve Sarajevo", "A Mad Russiańs Christmas", and more.
     The musicians who performed  were: Lead guitarist Dagoth Graves, Drummer Vyper DeSantis, Lyorick Flux on Keyboard, Guitarists Chuck Morgridge, Toaster Ragu, and Kenny Moreland, Singers Giggsy DeViana, Blaize Rockett, and Tarn Haalan, Violinists Nikolaos Frog, Morningstar Braveheart, and Redangel Paine, Celloist Ruth Sandalwood, and Sarena Penucca on Bass.
     A huge crowd cheered and applauded during the hour long concert. The sim quickly filled, and many residents were unable to get in. This concert was the second of three held in SL. The last one will be December 23 at the Sands of Freedom.

By Grey Lupindo
(pictures also by Bixyl Shuftan)

Perri's Xanadu

In the movie “Xanadu,” two men turn an empty auditorium into a successful nightclub with the help of a muse. In Rainbow Wood, it might not have been a muse behind the club Xanadu, but there are certainly a number of creative people behind it.

Club Xanadu is owned by Perri Prinz (Perri Rhoades in real-life) and RECoyote Mindes. “There was another Club Xanadu when I first joined Second Life,” Perri explained, “It was my favorite hang out, but the owner never advertised it, so it soon disappeared. Later I found the building on SLX and bought it. I carried it around in my inventory for about a year, having no place to put it. Then we got a place, and REC wanted to (open it) too, since he liked the movie. So we set it up. But we soon saw it was beyond us to do a real Xanadu sim based on the movie. So we developed it into a classic rock club for people who enjoy both popular and obscure rock music from the 70's and 80's.” Club Xanadu opened in May 1, 2009.

RECoyote, “When we couldn't do a exact copy of the disco, we went for a 70s feel and music. But even getting DJ that stick to a 70 and 80 easy pop listing music is not easy.” Still, they found some who would, such as Nydia Tungsten, Lsai Aeon, Dusk Griswold, Timber Wolfenhaut, and Asuna Kaligawa. “Timber is one of the best for era music,” RECoyote felt. “Well, I'm the main DJ,” Perri told, “My music plays there round the clock, 24/7, when another DJ is not hosting an event. I play eclectic 70's and 80's album music, hit tracks interspeced with non-hit tracks. Disco, Classic Rock, Soft Rock, Progressive Rock, Jazz, Swing, Rock & Roll and Novelty tunes. We have other DJ's that specialize in things like Anime tunes, Euro-disco and other things for special events.” RECoyote described their special events as including, “Hippie, Groovy, Cartoons, Movies, Sci Fi, and a mix of general events.” Spoke Perri, “Whatever theme we can imagine, we do it.”

Club Xanadu is on a wide sky platform high in the air over Rainbow Wood. The exterior, like it’s movie counterpart, is based on the real life Pan Pacific Auditorium. The interior is dominated by a huge colorful disco dance floor, with a DJ stand in the back decorated with a row of vinyl records. One clicks on either the black singles danceball or the rainbow-colored couples’ danceball. The ring around the dance floor can be used as a roller rink, and residents can sometimes be seen skating around. On the walls are a small number of artworks and posters, including the poster of the Xanadu movie. There are a few seats further away from the dance floor one can rest one’s avatar, as well as a bar. The club also has a balcony, with a few cuddle couches and more displays of art. Just outside the club, there are a few cuddle spots for couples.

In one corner of Club Xanadu is a tribute to the Pan Pacific Auditorium, several photographs of the structure. The Auditorium was built in Los Angeles in 1934, and became an iconic structure. It hosted a number of events (including wrestling, which was mentioned of the auditorium in the movie). The place was closed in 1972 after the opening of the L.A. Convention Center. For the movie Xanadu, the exterior was made to look covered in neon lights through special effects. It was hoped among some that the movie would bring attention to the building and it being refurbished and saved. But no effort was made to preserve the building, and it continued to deteriorate. Just six days after it’s 54th anniversary in 1989, the building was destroyed in a spectacular fire.

A friend of RECoyote and Perri, Aurora Avilla, had the idea for a “Chocolate Lounge” as part of the club. But that idea was shelved and instead was set up elsewhere in Rainbow Wood separately. “Was created for the chocolate bunny craze that was going around a few weeks ago,” Perri explained, “We were thinking of adding a chocolate bunny lounge to the club, hosted by chocolate bunny dancers.” Aurora leads a group called the “Chocolate Nosebobbly Collective.”

Perri talked about a mall being planed to match the club, but for now there are a couple art shops outside the club. The larger one is especially important to Perri, “This is the art done for Perri's story,” RECoyote told, art for Perri’s thirty year old work of writing: Spectral Shadows (http://www.perrirhoades.furtopia.org/). Perri’s website describes Spectral Shadows as “a novelized serial in format of Doctor Who.” It’s origins go back to the 1960’s when a “makeshift demo” was made for a series of rock operas. But instead Perri began writing it down in the late 1970’s. She rates it “PG-16.” The store contains artwork for the stories.

“The saga concerns the exploits of intelligent animals with time travel capabilities. It is very much inspired by the traditions of Doctor Who and Star Wars, with a good bit of Watership Down and Jonathan Livingston Seagull thrown in for contrast, and a bit of Spellsinger and Xanth to provide balance. Whereas George Lucas used old-time movie serials for the formatting of Star Wars, we use the formatting of old-time radio serials. This works well, as it is a very dialogue driven series, containing many cerebral oddities and conundrums. What you might call a thinking person’s adventure serial. It’s something that, by all logic, should not work. But it most often does work, if just through the sheer tenacity of the creators to make something ridiculously impossible seem like a logical course of events.”

So for a walk back in time to the music of the 70’s and 80’s, come to Club Xanadu. The club is at Rainbow Wood (128, 72, 2501)

Whether it’s music, art, or fiction, “Find your muse at Xanadu.”


Bixyl Shuftan

Some Events of Halloween 2009

Halloween in Second Life had numerous spooky and thrilling events, too many for us to count. So here's a few to represent what took place as the metaverse was filled with ghosts and goblins.

To see the rest of the story, go to the Community Section: Click Here.

WHAT’S YOUR HANDICAP?

Do you fancy playing an 18 hole round of golf and giving to charity at the same time? AND risk winning L$1000?  I think I’ll have a go. I can’t even play golf in RL let alone SL, but it’s an excuse to get out in the virtual countryside and help real people at the same time.

Find out more in the Community section

Kim Trefusis

Burning Life Opens

On Saturday October 17th at noon SL time, the Burning Life sims were opened to the general public of Second Life. From then until October 25th, there will be over 400 exhibits to view, with over a thousand residents involved in this major metaverse event. This massive nine day art show took almost two months to set up, and takes up three dozen sims. Burning Life 2009 is the seventh annual “virtual burn” in Second Life.

For those new to Burning Life, it is recommended you go to the Welcome Gate in the southeastern corner of the Hualapai sim and the southwestern corner of Deep Hole where a couple greeters will give you a notecard with some recommended places and answer any questions. There is also a Gate 2, and a Gate 3 available should the first be too crowded. Veteran “Burners” can simply drop in somewhere and once everything rezzes (which can take a while in the most detailed areas on older computers) start looking at the sites.

And this year, there is no shortage of things to see, and even interact with. One noteworthy exhibit I came across was the “History of Flight” by Windyy Lane. Stepping inside the “geode,” one is surrounded by a mesmerizing rainbow of colors, with creatures of some kind lazily flying in the air. One could get on them and dance, as well as port up to fly next to the huge silver bird flying over the geode.

Burning Life is inspired by the real life Burning Man art festival in the Black Rock Desert in California. Tens of thousands attend, and once it is over the exhibits are burned and everything cleaned up, “leave no trace.” Some of the Lindens had gone there before the making of Second Life, and have called it a partial inspiration for the making of it. Read more here.

For a list of exhibits, check out the Camp Directory. For special events, check the Events Listings.

“So what should you do and see? Well, ... that's entirely up to you.”

Bixyl Shuftan

Get your pink on for a 15-hour Pink-A-Thon for breast cancer awareness

SkyBeam Estates in cooperation with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is helping to spread the word about breast cancer awareness during breast cancer awareness month with a 15-hour Pink-A-Thon. The event, on October 17, is being organized and hosted by Nevar Lobo, Amethyst Starostin, Neill McCullough, Charlene Trudeau, and all the community at SkyBeam Estates. It will take place on two sims, starting at 6am SLT and finishing at 9pm SLT.

At TwoKats KoffeeHouse there will be live music throughout the day, with a special performance by singer-songwriter Kim Seifert at 6pm: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Estates/179/58/24 (there will be a detailed live music schedule posted at TwoKats nearer the time).

Meanwhile there will be dancing and fun at Ormsary Arts Centre, where Dakota Christensen (6am to 1pm), Bcreative Wilde (1pm to 6pm) and Cataplexia Numbers (6pm to 9pm) will be taking turns to spin their favourite tunes: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Scepterd%20Isle/147/99/33

ALL donations will go to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the premier breast cancer event of the American Cancer Society, raising both dollars and awareness to fight the disease.

_________________________________________________________________________

For more information about the Pink-A-Thon please contact Nevar Lobo. For more information about Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Second Life please contact MSABC coordinator Synergy Devonshire

Evolving Builds

You are watching my articles about Burning Life aren’t you? I wish I could share with you the wonders I am seeing on the Playa. They will amaze and delight your senses. I would love to show you some photos but, not yet. I have been talking to some of the builders and they are so thrilled with their progress. Some of the new builders are still sorting out what they are doing and why. Many have put some wonderful gifts in the green tent for you and at other places around the sims.

 Nish Mip has an exciting wonderful build that you will want to see and experience for sure. It knocked me dead. I spent some time there yesterday meditating on what she has shown about evolution and its consequences.  She says she is finished but I wonder. I think she may tinker a little more.
I will be working as a Ranger .. A mediator, a helper,  as soon as I get training. I hope I pass lol. I met some rangers last year, some of whom have been to Burning Man in real life and carry their expertise to sl. I see many calls “May I have a Ranger here please..” So far I have not answered because I cannot help them. I am so thrilled to be able to visit the Playa and fly around to see the spectacular art that is there .. I hope I am enticing you to keep watching for the opening on the 17th of October. It will be here sooner than some builders want and much later than visitors want. And then you will have only one week to see it all! You have no idea how long it will take. Put it on your calendar 

Gemma Cleanslate reporting

New section for community news

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?
What about a great place to visit or even to live?
Want to hear about those people in SL that make it such a great place to be?
Or maybe a community event you have heard of but don't know how to find?


Find all this and more in the new Community section from the link on the left.

Evolution is Happening!

Being on the playa while Evolution, Burning Life, is being built for you is so special.
So much is being done to make it pleasurable for you. I dropped in on a class that is being conducted by Lonetorus Habilis to help the builders here understand how to build smart with textures that would cause less lag in the sims.
He said “well, it would be much appreciated by all the visitors when it gets really crazy here.”
Since I am a casual builder it is hard for me to understand all the technical issues but I find it wonderful that there is so much work going on to make the Burning Life experience a good one for the builders also. They are learning that you can cut lag with the correct use of textures. Some of the classmates are newer builders and some are old hands at it but they are all listening and learning, not only for themselves but to help you enjoy the Evolution.
At another time Zuleiki Deere also presented a class in scripting designed to do the same thing, to help the builder on the playa put scripts that would cause less lag. Everything is being done to make your Playa experience a joyous and easy one.
You will love the builds I am seeing as I go along!
Plan on spending lots of time the week of October 17 - 24 , the burning of the man, (25 for the burning of the temple) exploring the wonders that are being created just for you! In spite of the classes remember to prepare to go with as few prims on you as you are able. I will repeat this often . By the way I got a job there ! More later.

Gemma Cleanslate

Spreading the Hope – RFL Hope Hunt + Race begins Sunday, September 27

Starting Sunday, September 27, the Relay for Life of Second Life Hope Hunt + Race will be taking place throughout Second Life. The Hunt will last for three weeks from 10am SLT on Sunday, September 27 through Saturday, October 10. All proceeds go to Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature activity.

This is a treasure hunt in Second Life. It was conceived by the ‘All-Stars’ Relay for Life team who originally organized a hunt in June, but had to close down the hunt due to technical issues. They have now resolved the issues and are looking forward to a successful event!

So how does it work? Over 200 participating merchants will hide pink Hope roses at their locations. Like most hunts, many of the merchants will be putting give-away items - ‘swag’ - in the roses. There will also be 100 roses on the American Cancer Society sim. Unlike many hunts, merchants can place as many roses as they choose at their location - there is no limit. The rose represents hope for a cure, and the organizers chose pink for this event because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This is also a ‘race’. Cash prizes have been donated and will be awarded to the winners at the conclusion of the event, as follows: first prize: L$45,000; second prize: L$25,000; and third prize: L$10,000. The prize money has been donated anonymously, in honor of a loved one who lost the battle to cancer.

To take part, hunters click on a sign to receive a free Hud, which they can wear, which will track the number of roses they find. The signs are set out at participating merchants and there is no entry fee. The leaderboard will be displayed on the Hope Hunt website: http://thehopehunt.blogspot.com/ and will be automatically updated every three hours.

The merchants will purchase the roses they place at their location(s). All proceeds from the sale of roses go directly to Relay for Life. There will also be a website that provides merchants with ‘traffic reports’, showing the number of avatars who have found roses at each of their locations.

Says Sidda Jubilee of the All-Stars team: ‘Each and every one of us at one time or another has been touched by cancer. It has destroyed so many lives and Relay for Life enables our avatars to participate in defeating this enemy. We want to stamp cancer out of our lives now and forever. With hunts being so popular in Second Life, there is no better way to spread cancer awareness across the grid; it will also spread this awareness to each and every avatar's real life as well.’ She continued: ‘Special thanks are due to Arete Diplomat whose wonderful scripting made it work.’

Tayzia Abattoir, Relay for Life of Second Life Event Chair for 2009-2010 says: ‘I am excited to have it utilizing the American Cancer Society sim so more people can see the services we have here :) It is a wonderful idea, and the way it was thought out and put together took a lot of work and dedication. Kudos to everyone involved with such a creative fun event to raise funds for the ACS!’ She added, ‘I plan to look for some roses when I find time to quit working LOL!’

Happy hunting! And if you would like to volunteer for Relay for Life 2010 please join the ‘SL’s RFL Volunteers’ group and look out for the announcements.

For cancer information 24/7, please visit http://www.cancer.org or call 1.800.227.2345 in the USA.

2009 SCHEDULE

Saturday, July 28, 2009 (All times are SLT)

Noon -
Opening Ceremonies

1pm - Survivor/Caregiver Lap

2pm - Team Spirit Lap - Team Shirts & Banners

3pm - One World - International Outfits Lap

4pm - One Hope - Rainbos Lap - The Hope of a New Day...The Promise
of Calm after the Storm. Wear all the colors of the rainbow and celebrate
One HOPE


5pm - Flower Power Hour Lap - 60's outfits

6pm - Tackle It - football, rugby or any sports clothing. Let's
tackle cancer together - united, we can beat this.

7pm - Western Theme Lap

8pm - Bald is Beautiful Lap (Fay, this one's for you)

9pm - Luminaria Ceremony (please no events during this time)


10pm - Magic Lap - Wizzards, Magicians, Fairies, etc.

11pm - Tacky Tourist Lap

Sunday, July 19, 2009

12am - Midnight Masquerade

1am - Health Matters - Maybe you are a banana, or an orange,
or a carrot. Live a healthy life - we can all make a small change that
improves our life.

2am - Crazy Shoes Lap


3am - Meet a New Friend Lap

4am - Silly Hats Lap

5am - Tinies, Furries, Tails & Wings

6am - Fight Back Ceremony


7am - Caring & Curing Lap - Dr., Nurse, Scientist - Working
together to beat cancer

8am - Coffee Curlers, Slippers & PJ's

9am - Here Comes the Sun - Dress for a day at the beach. Always
remember to protect yourself from the sun on land and sea, even on a
cloudy day.

10am - Formal Wear Lap


11am - Closing Ceremonies (Teams Lap to follow)

2009 Event Activities

Below are listed the Activities available

for your enjoyment during the 24 hours of the 2009 Relay For Life event.
This is your opportunity to relax after 4 months of hard work in your
teams to raise the critically needed funds to support the American Cancer
Society this year as we continue to care for cancer victims, educate
society about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, and support
the many families and caregivers of those with these diseases.

Theme Laps!

First and most importantly, walk, jog, skate, or otherwise traverse
the track as it wanders through the many sims that make up this year’s
Relay. Each lap from the starting lap for Survivors and Caregivers to
the Teams Lap at the end has a designated Theme. The theme changes each
hour. Check this website as well as the signs along the track to know
the theme for each hour. This year’s Theme Laps Coordinator is Arizona
Ballinger!

Scavenger Hunt!

Next, while walking, jogging, or otherwise doing your laps, participate
in the SCAVENGER HUNT. Hidden in each sim along the track is a clue
with a question related to Cancer. Find the clue, answer the question
correctly, and get a prize! You may even learn a few things you didn’t
know about various cancers along the way. Each question has 4 responses
and you get 4 tries to answer it correctly, so keep trying till you
get it right. You will then receive clues about the location of the
next hidden question along the way. Scavenger Hunt Coordinators are
Empress May Rosebud and Dr Ren Stonecutter!

Sailing!

Last year’s winner of the most inventive campsite award, the vibrant
Sailing Community of Second Life invites you to come and sail with us.
Join us for a Marathon Sail for Life. Skippers needed, crew needed,
come make a difference on the water. All skill levels needed. Want to
learn to sail? Sailors will be there to help. Already an experienced
skipper? Hot Laps (awards in all classes of boats) are for you. A massive
Charity Auction will feature all things nautical , including one-of-a-kind
items. Don’t miss it! Coordinator and Team Captain for Sailing is
Nber Medici!

Fishing!

You know a diet healthy in fish is good for preventing cancer, so come
catch your virtual dinner. Design has set up a beautiful area for fishing
in our Water Sailing and Fishing sim. Visit the vendor on the dock,
buy the supplies you need and fish! You may even amaze yourself with
what you catch and the stories are good for a year about the one that
got away! All proceeds go towards the Relay total, and it’s FUN too!
This year’s Master Fisherman and activity coordinator is Sweegy Manilow!

Medieval Myths and Mysteries!

Journey back in time to the Middle Ages and to a world of Myth and Legend.
Visit the RFL Activities Sim dedicated to the largest Fantasy Group
in SL, the Communities of the Elves! Visit a grassy grove surrounded
by age-old trees with a healing circle and fire in the center. Hear
the sounds of Nature or contribute your own sound to the mystical beat
of the Elven drums, or just sit quietly and meditate on the healing
power of the Universe. Participate in a Medieval archery tournament
and put an arrow into your favorite tumor! Prizes from the Empress Herself
for winners! Coordinators are Duchess Bee Blessed and Empress May Rosebud.

The American Frontier!

Visit the other half of the RFL Activities Sim and step back into America’s
past. Attend a Native American PowWow as you hear the music and see
the dance for healing from our Native American Brethren and Sisters
in SL! Attend an old-fashioned Rodeo and participate in a barrel race
or ride Black Bart the Bull (if you dare)! Make a donation to RFL at
the vendor and buy a horse that you can use in the barrel race or the
sod-bustin Horse Race for a neat prize to the winner! Check back with
this website for times of the races! Coordinators and a doctor to patch
you up are Bryan Damask and Dr Ren Stonecutter.

Tour-de-France in SL!

A NEW Activity this year, this bicycle tour will take you through an
entire RFL Activities Sim built to re-create the rolling French countryside,
a picturesque town, and a mountain road like those made famous by 7-time
international cyclist winner and CANCER SURVIVOR Lance Armstrong! Be
part of the Spirit of Relay and ride your way to Victory over Cancer!
Coordinators are the entire Activities Committee for RFLSL 2009!

Art Exhibit!

Another NEW Activity for this year, this exhibit features some of the
incredible art and artists who are creating unique pieces to honor and
memorialize the survivors, the caregivers, the victims, and the fight
against cancer itself. It is our intent to have these pieces scattered
in various sims along the track and in the campsites of those teams
that wish to participate in the exhibit. Coordinator for the Exhibit
and for the Memorial to Our Friends who lost their fight to this disease
is Mike Burleigh!

Mammography Demonstration!

For the first time ever in RFLSL we have a virtual mammography site
available for avatars to receive virtual mammograms from a real physician
in SL using equipment donated by the Ann Myers Medical Center. Come
see how it works and learn how simple, safe, and important it is to
have this test done regularly in real! Ride the roller coasters and
learn more about breast cancer too! Coordinator is Dr Vera Zhaoying.

Silent Auction!

Many wonderful items will be auctioned on Relay Day. View them and submit
your bids! If you have something you would like to see auctioned, contact
one of the coordinators or any member of the Activities Committee. Remember
that all proceeds go to this year’s Relay for Life! Coordinators are
Webgoddess Mars and Glenna Lane.

2009 MUSIC

http://slurl.com/secondlife/RFL%20Courage/23/129/26 Western

http://slurl.com/secondlife/RFL%20The%20Shire/195/194/30 Blues Jazz and Classical

http://slurl.com/secondlife/RFL%20Bay%20Fest/60/113/21 Contemporary

http://slurl.com/secondlife/RFL%20Village%20Gate/147/118/27 DJ

Time Western
Blues
Contemporary
DJ

Sat July 18

2 pm slt
Quinton Whitman
Johnny99 Gumshoe Nad Gough
Miranda Milestone

3 pm

Maxx Sabretooth
Phoe Nix Didier Soyuz
Otawan Fouquet

4 pm slt

ELiz Watanabe
L0riZ Whitfield Charles Coleman
Shayla Juran

5 pm slt

Scarlettla Roux
Grateful Stryker Greg Colossus Dusk Griswold

6 pm slt

Shannon Oherlihy Tone Uriza
Damian Carbenell Dena McMahon

7 pm slt

Vincent Merricks Kim
Seifert
Steely Decosta
Danton Thirroul

8 pm slt

BartAlan Barbasz Buckley Moonwall
Love Kawaguichi

10 pm slt

Summer Deadlight

11 pm slt

Splash Kidd

Sun July 19

Time Western
Blues
Contemporary

DJ

5 am slt

Lizabeth Demonia

7 am slt

Dominick Manatiso
Dann Numbers
Remington Thursday

8 am slt
Tommy Cult Vlad Dyszel
Soundcircel Flanagan Maximus Blankes

9 am slt

Mike00 Carnell
Wren Hartunian
Pilgrim75 Swashbuckle Xanthia Lisle

10 am slt

Mason Thorne
Taunter Goodnight Zachariah Loon Andre Tolsen

2009 THEME LAPS

Saturday, July 18,
2009 (All times are SLT)

Noon - Opening Ceremonies

1pm - Survivor / Caregiver Lap (pre-registration recommended)

2pm - Team Spirit Lap - Team Shirts & Banners

3pm - One World - International Outfits Lap

4pm - One Hope - Rainbow Lap

- The Hope of a New Day.. The Promise of Calm after the Storm. Wear
all the Colors of the Rainbow and Celebrate One Hope

5pm - Power Hour Lap - 60's outfits

6pm - Tackle It - football, rugby
or any sports clothing. Let's tackle cancer together - united
we can beat this.

7pm - Western Theme Lap

8pm - Bald Is Beautiful Lap

9pm - Luminaria Ceremony
(done in silence; sims are darkened for reflection and remembrance of those and their loved ones who have lost their battles to cancer or are still battling it; all are invited to participate)
10pm - Magic Lap - Wizzards, Magicians,

Fairies - Make A Wish and Day we will beat cancer.

11pm - Tacky Tourist Lap
Sunday, July 19, 2009

12pm - Midnight Masquerade

1am - Heatlh Matters -

Maybe you are a banana, or an orange, or a carrot. Live
A healthy life - we can all make a small change that improves our life.

2am - Crazy Shoes Lap

3am - Meet A New Friend Lap

4am - Silly Hats Lap

5am - Tinies, Furies, Tails & Wings

6am -Fight Back Ceremony

7am - Caring & Curing Lap - Dr, Nurse, Scientist - Working together
to beat cancer.

8am - Coffee Curlers, Slipers & PJ's

9am - Here Comes The Sun - Dress
for a day at the beach. Always remember to protect yourself from
the sun on land and sea even on a cloudy day

10am - Formal Wear Lap

11am - Closing Ceremonies (Teams Lap to follow)

The weekend ahead.............

Wow what a lot of great events going on this weekend, if you look through the FASHION section or the EXTRA EXTRA section you will see what I mean;
'SL Top Girls' looks exciting at 12pm SLT put on by Edo Tone of Styles of edo and Kay Fairey, then a little later 'Over the Rainbow' by My Precious at Phat cat's - Agnes Finney makes the most beautiful gowns and I can't wait to see what she has unleashed.
There is also the rest of SL6B to explore I think I have only managed about a quarter of it so far - there is just so much to explore and some amazing builds, and yes too many to name! Whether you like music, discussions, exploration or Art there is something for everyone and events happening all the time - check them out HERE.
But if you need more we have news of some different events in the extra extra section; art exhibits, immersive art and story telling for your inner child at TLE.
Throughout this month RFL teams are active and events are happening all over the grid find out more HERE. RFL is less than a month away and information is starting to come through about the main event - if you want to be involved keep an eye on our RFL section for news as we get it.
A busy weekend, have fun!!
Dana Vanmoer

Demonstration in Second Life Supporting Iranian Protesters

On Thursday June 25th, a number of people in Second Life in support of the protesters in Iran, whom have been speaking out against rigged elections despite the violent crackdown resulting in arrests and deaths. At 2 PM and 7 PM SL time, people gathered at the Palais Orleans Art Studio in the Roissy sim, many from the “Support Iran” group. A few held signs with raised fists on one side, and a picture of Neda, whom has become a symbol of the protests, on the other. The signs could be picked up in the Studio, along with memorial candles. The studio displayed pictured of Neda and the protests, and the people also passed around a green armband with a broken heart symbol. There were also “I am Neda” shirts.

One person at the first demonstration thought thirty to forty people showed up, some arriving a little late and some needing to go early, “We had a good turnout.” The second was smaller in number, but no less determined to make a point. There was also a security guard from the Justice League to keep any possible griefers away.

People were invited to make comments and give news they might have heard. Rene Grigorovich used voice instead of typing to make his point, “All these people are asking is for a free and honest election as is guaranteed by the constitution. .. the regime is absolutely bestial in how they treat the opposition. ... I would ask you all to keep these people in your prayers. ... thank you.”

There was one Iranian among the people in the second gathering, “I’m Iranian,” Melody Rosca told everyone. She was living outside the country. When asked how well Iranians could use the net, she answered, “I know that Internet connections have been next to nothing for the past day. I know that cell phones are shut off after 5 PM.” When asked if any SL resident in Iran could still get on, she answered, “All I know is that those I know are having lots of difficulty getting online and transferring information.” At another point, she spoke, “... it is extremely important for us, all of us, to remain aware. Knowledge is always power, and it’s no different in this turmoil.”

Thursday 25th was also the day singer Michael Jackson passed away, leaving some to wonder if the media coverage might distract the attention of the American public. Melody commented, “I’m afraid that just because there wasn’t as much news today, or perhaps tomorrow, or even a week from now, everyone will forget and just assume it’s over.“

The group talked about the role of Internet blogs and Twitter in helping the protesters get images and information outside the country. However, some described the theocracy as making it harder for the people to communicate with the outside world. Melody told, “... information is being filtered much more drastically than a week ago.” Someone else mentioned satellite dishes were being confiscated.

One man had a story to tell, “I have a personal stake in the protests. I’m in love with an Iranian woman. I don’t know if she’s alive or dead. ... I have not spoken to her since last October, when she told me she asked her father for permission to marry me. ... She and I had many low-level arguments concerning her government. At first, she thought I believed all Iranians were fanatics. Then when she realized I made the distinction between her government and the people, she still insisted that I was wrong, that is was not like that in Iran. She honestly believed Iran was a free country, and that her government would not actively harm her. It took her several years to begin seeing the truth.”

“When she told her father that we wanted to marry, he confirmed all that I had said to her and more. She broke off contact after one final conversation. We talked on the phone for hours that last night. ... If a pro-government militia ever found out she was in love with me, the girl whom got ******ed to death with a baseball bat would have been luckier. ... They’re chopping down protesters with axes and shooting them in the streets. What do you think they’ll do to a woman who’s in live with Iran’s proclaimed ‘Great Satan.’ ... My desert rose is much stronger than she thought she was. My greatest fear is she took to the streets. I decided within a few days of the election that if she called me, I’d be forced to say things I did not mean in order to convince any officials tapping her phone line that she no longer had any ties to America.”

Some were concerned, wondering at one point the possibility Iranian government agents were conducting searches in SL. Still, there was optimism, “It might take a generation ... but the Iranian people are seeing what their government is capable of now. The Iranian people overthrew the Shah and they will eventually overthrow the current butchers.”

Eventually, the vigil came to an end. People wished each other well, some vowing to continue. We were told the Art studio would keep the pictures of demonstrations and candles and signs, “for the foreseeable future.” Palais Orleans Art Studio and Designs is at the Roissy sim at (31, 58. 24).

“Freedom is worth dying for but dying is easy ask your selves is it worth losing everything for and possibly being tortured to death for? this is the question the brave freedom fighters of Iran have asked themselves. They said yes, and for that courage I stand with them.”

Bixy Shuftan

Fantasy Fair 2009

From June 15th to the 21st 2009, thousands of Second Life residents and creators are coming together to support the American Cancer Society's vision of a world without cancer. Friends Fighting Cancer (FFC) have transformed over half a million square meters of Second Life into a fantasy wonderland: the Fantasy Faire 2009 to benefit Relay for Life of Second Life (RFL of SL).
The Fantasy Faire 2009 is the largest gathering of fantasy designers, enthusiasts and performers in the history of the virtual world. A week of commerce, special events, live music concerts, exclusive items auctions, RFL ribbon hunts and fundraising to benefit Relay for Life and the fight against cancer. Avatars, clothing, furnishings, gadgets, goodies and exclusive items are available from top SL Fantasy Creators

This nine sim event is bringing together such fantasy genres as Neko, Elven, Furry, Dragon, Goth, Tiny and Sci-Fi. FFC's goal is to raise $4000 USD for RFL of SL. The Fantasy Faire 2009 will also offer visitors an opportunity to celebrate the survivors of cancer, remember and honor loved ones lost, and to fight back with the American Cancer Society.

The Fantasy Faire 2009 is produced by Friends Fighting Cancer, one of the Featured Designer Teams at this years Relay for Life of Second Life, with the support of the Phoenix Wave Team and ProfilesLive.com. FFC is an international team of people who have been involved with the RFL of SL for the past three years and is committed to helping the American Cancer Society reach this year’s goal of $250,000 USD.

Since its inception in 2005, the RFL of SL has grown in both attendance and fundraising. With more than $210,000 USD raised last year RFL of SL has become the largest fundraising event in the virtual world.

The Fantasy Faire 2009 is made possible by the generous support of the Fondazione Connell Project, Fairy Unique Designs (FUD), The Arcanum, WOODSHED Furniture, Alpine Executive Centre, Bryant & Stratton College Online and Thibaud & Greene Industries, Psychotic Neko, MusicNote, :: 2Xtreme :: , Dark Goddess Designs and Media Sponsor, Life On Line - www.life-on-line.tv

Fantasy Faire 2009, Fantasy Faire Central (128, 128, 23)

Tanglewood City Skymall’s Grand Reopening Celebration

Second Life has many malls, but how many can boast having their own sky-high waterslide?

On Thursday June the 11th, the Tanglewood City Skymall will have it’s Grand Reopening Ceremony. The event will last from one minute in the morning after Midnight to 2 AM Friday the next day. The mall will have numerous attractions. “It’s a mall with hand picked designers,” Skymall manager Kaii Kiranov explained, “We will be having 26 hours of DJ or live music. And the main event will be the Cher and Carm Show, broadcasting live from the skymall from 2pm to 4pm SL time. Lots of other stuff too, like a treasure hunt, prize giveaways, and more.”

“Oh and there is the 250 foot high waterslide in the mall. Hee-hee.”

Kaii explained the owner of the mall, Defbiggiec Gagliano, had owned another previously, and built the place to correct what he saw as shortcomings in the old mall. Here, “he made the stores much bigger for lots of shopping room, and he created his plans around catering to designers. That is number one here. We hand-picked and invited everyone here. First, they had to be way above average in their work. Second, they had to be really nice people. So, it took a long time to find these designers. ... For example, Gaia Phoenix and Rita Groshomme from Curio ... this is a really big deal that Gaia put her whole line of skins in our mall.” They also sell the Twisted Titlers seen at parties, “The picture of me and my twin sis was taken by Phia from Twisted and Spoiled for a poster she did for the fur coat in the picture. She told us we could use it for our shop.”

The Skymall is appropriately named, 300 feet in the air. It has three floors, curved rampways allow access to one another. Much of the upper two floors are see-through grillwork, while the bottom floor has a transparent center to allow a view below. There are a few Relay for Life posts, and XstreetSL exchange terminals, as well as Metaverse Exchange their newest competitor, “going through beta testing right now.”

Kaii explained that the designers even have a say in what rent levels were, “Defbiggiec Gagliano tried to think of everything he could to make this mall cater to the designers here. ... Every shop has a Landmark lot that they can use to TP customers directly to the front of their shops. ... very few malls, let alone skymalls make arrangements for direct TPs to each store.”

“On the shoppers side, they can rez what they buy anywhere in the mall. There is a huge shopping area in each store to make camera use easy. We advertise the first and third levels separately, and they each have their own Landing Zone. We also do what we call Dance Shopping Rave Parties in the stores themselves to get customers in front of the merchandise. ... We do ask designers to support our efforts in anyway they feel motivated to do. We want to draw them to participate, not require it. They only have to do one thing, that is list their (store) in SL Search.”

Regan Becloud, the owner of the Artists’ Lounge Cafe, explained that Defbiggiec had started small, buying just, “a little bit of the land on the sim. Then more, and more, and more. And soon, we owned 2/3 of it.” Defbiggiec eventually bought the rest. ”He had this fabulous idea to make the skymall, became his pet project. Originally, there was not going to be a waterslide. He was making a track up there for bikers. And I had been hoping to get bike shops in the mall, maybe with demo bikes people could ride on the track. However, while it sounded awesome, it didn’t work so well. You’d go shooting in the air, and crash into the ground below. Def got POed, and we got a waterslide instead.”

The beginning of the waterslide ride is way up over the mall, 550 feet in the air. The easiest way to get there is a teleport on the mall’s first floor. To go down the slide, one clicks on the small red ball at the entry, and when an inner tube appears sit on it and go down. Gravity then takes care of the rest as you sloosh downwards. One may get stuck while going down, but all one has to do is nudge the tube left or right. The trip ends at the mall’s first floor, where one can TP back up to start all over again, or “stay in the tube for a spirited game of bumper tubes with your friends.”

Regan then explained how her cafe came to be, “I was telling Def ... about how I had gone to a cafe and how in real life I want to open a cafe for the arts. *Not a club,* a cafe, to hold poetry readings, have live music, comedians, filled with books people can read, good coffee, and some interesting snacks, filled with artistic, open-minded individuals. And how that would be cool to have in Second Life. So he said, ‘Go for it Regan,’ and I made the Cafe. That is my baby, and everything there goes through me, just so ya know. Hee-hee.”

The Skymall will also have a movie showing at a temporary theater. And not just any movie. The Tanglewood City Movie Theater, sponsored by Dream Garden, will be showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show from 7 to 9 PM SL time, hosted by Roguewolf Vollmar. “The movie will have a synchro-start at 7:15 sharp,” Roguewolf explained in a notecard, “so don't come late and miss the Time Warp! We encourage audience participation from all so break out those rice emitters and noisemakers and all things associated with this cult classic.” In avatar, Rougewolf had this to say, “Well, when we have hosted the movie before in a club, it was well received as many had not seen it, and many (who) have, we could emote for those and give a very real ... experience in Second Life. And many bring props they have themselves to the show.” Several prizes will be given out to some random viewers.

The music and dance schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 11 SLT/PDT

00:00 - 01:00 - DJ Kaii - Dance Shopping Rave Party at Shabby Cat

01:00 - 02:00 - DJ Kaii - Dance Shopping Rave Party at The Tenk Tank

02:00 - 03:00 - DJ Kaii - Dance Shopping Rave Party at Rathwynn’s

03:00 - 04:00 - DJ Kaii - Dance Shopping Rave Party at F.A.B.

04:00 - 06:00 - DJ Eifa - at The Artists Lounge Cafe

06:00 - 08:00 - DJ Kaii - Dance Shopping Rave Party at Curio

08:00 - 09:00 - DJ Kaii - Dance Shopping Rave Party at Boom

09:00 - 12:00 - DJ Mina at The Artists Lounge Cafe

12:00 - 14:00 - DJ Mshenny - Dance Shopping Rave Party at Aqua

14:00 - 16:00 - The Cher and Carm Show at The Artists Lounge Cafe

16:00 - 18:00 - DJ Kizza at The Artists Lounge Cafe

18:00 - 19:00 - Onehempcat

19:00 - 20:00 - FacelessApe *LIVE* at The Artists Lounge Cafe

20:00 - 22:00 - DJ or Live Act

22:00 - 23:00 - Grif Bamaisin LIVE at The Artists Lounge Cafe

23:00 - 24:00 - DJ Ricky at The Artists Lounge Cafe

Friday, June 12 SLT

00:00 - 02:00 - DJ Poise at The Artists Lounge Cafe

Prizes will be given out at the events, as follows:

Rathwynn's Arms & Armor - Two Boxed Sets of Medievil Weapons valued at $L1400 each. To be given away between 12:00am and 1:00am SLT.

Strapped - 3 great gifts to be given away between 1:00am and 2:00am SLT.

Shabby Cat - Gifts to be given away between 2:00am and 3:00am SLT.

F.A.B. - 10 prizes to be given away between 3:00am and 4:00am SLT.

Curio - Hair and Fashion - 5 Fat Pack Gift Certificates Valued between $L800 and $L1600 To be given away between 6:00am and 8:00am.

BOOM - 6 prizes to be given away between 8:00am and 9:00am SLT.

AQUA - Up to 40 prizes to be awarded between 12:00pm and 2:00pm SLT.

Gala Skins - Gift Certificate for a Fat Pack of the newest line of Gala Skins valued at $L3000. Will be given away between 2:00pm and 4:00pm SLT during the Cher and Carm Show, which will have prizes given out every 15 minutes.

Prizes to be awarded at various times in the Artists’ Lounge Cafe.

100+ Prizes from stores including:

AQUA
Poised
Curio
F.A.B.
Shabby Cat
AbbeyDawn
Twisted Sisters
Tenk Tank
JJs Designs
Tesoro Jewelers
Neko Gear
Princess Gear

There will also be freebie vendors in various stores in the skymall.

The Tanglewood City Skymall is at the Tanglewood City sim, the entry area at (88, 110, 302).

"Be sure not to miss this!!! Come to the celebration, tell your friends, tell the world!!!"

Bixyl Shuftan

The O R I G I N A L S II

by Shellie Sands

On Sunday, 24 May, POL Arida brought together again a collection of SL performers doing exclusively original tunes. The event took place at Rasta Fairy Beach and was hosted by the incredible Harrie Skellerup once again. Each performer played a 30-minute set over the course of 5 hours. This showcase differed from the first one in April, but it was equally as unique in talent.
Kicking off the show were The Born Again Pagans (Madame Anoufhaz and hexx Triskaidekaphobia). This was a surprisingly refreshing band whose music was mellow with a hint of reggae on a couple of songs. They definitely have a sound quite different than one might expect from a band who call themselves Pagans. The band recently released their first album on 9 April 2009. I look forward to catching them around the grid some time.
AMFORTE Clarity was up next performing her original tune "Nothing Concrete." AMFORTE impressed me as sounding a bit like Alannis Morrisset but softer and a little less cynical. Very sweet with a lovely personality, she uses her music as a vehicle for pouring out her self doubt and this is evident in every song. Typically AMFORTE does orginals and some covers. I recommend catching a show if you can.
Lexie Luan is an awesome performer who really plays to the crowd. Her powerful, melodic voice will really capture your attention. A native Philadephian, and personal friend of mine, Lexie has been performing most of her life. Lexie is a talent not to miss!
Following Lexie was Bara Jonson, an upbeat Swedish performer with a strong, resonant voice and fantastic guitar strumming (and some excellent whistling talent too). I've heard him before and really like him. Soon to be a papa and proud of it, Bara will not disappoint--check him out!
POL Arida himself was next and delivered with his usual intense style sprinkled with sadness. Performing some of his best originals, including "One" and "Home," his set closer was "The Last Song Ever." This was, unfortunately, true as POL is taking a wee break and will be greatly missed by the SL music community. Best wishes POL during your hiatus. We look forward eagerly to your return to the SL music scene!
Up next was the fabulous Zorch Boomhauer serenading us with his raspy and sexy voice. Zorch has a terrific stage presence and sings from the heart.
Rich DeSoto took command of the stage next. Rich has a pleasantly surprising sweet tenor voice. His music blends country with folk and his songs are light and upbeat. Ad libbing using the members of audience was a special touch during one of his songs. Some of you may have heard Rich before singing his very funny "Avatar Girl."
Juel Resistance was beautiful as always performing her customary mellow folk-like music. Stream issues (welcome to SL Sunday!) interrupted her set, but this was quickly rectified and we didn't miss much. Try to catch Juel, she is truly delightful.
AcousticEnergy Nitely followed Juel. His name says it all. Strong emotion is captured in every song. A very moving performer, he spoke some of the truest words I ever heard about SL, "some of us have long distance relationships that are difficult to manage, but one day we'll meet and share and feel our tears." This somewhat profound statement was followed by the song "I Can't Wait to See my Joy Upon Your Smile." I was very impressed as a first time listener and highly recommend him. I look forward to seeing Acoustic in the future.
Dann Numbers joined this second presentation of The O R I G I N A L S having appeared at the first one. Enthusiastically performing his bluesy tunes he once again put on an awesome show!
All of the featured performers can be heard regularly on IndieSpectrum Radio, owned and managed by Fox Reinsch (www.indiespectrum.com). Many thanks to POL, Harrie, and all the performers, and a special thanks to hexx Triskaidekaphobia and jsmn Yao of RastaFairy Beach for hosting this fabulous showcase.