The Spirit Dance Company Presents "Echoes of Love"

Christmas Gala 2011

In what's being billed as a gala performance, the Spirit Dance Company will present "Echoes of Love", in Second Life. The dance troupe will perform on both the 17th and 18th of December. The event on both days will begin at 11:30 am PST/SLT and it is something you won't want to miss. I spoke briefly with Caryl Meredith, co-founder of the troupe and choreographer, and she told me that, "The company continues to grow not only in our ability to perform but also in our ability to shift and adjust to the many technical challenges that we face when pushing the envelope. We are thinking big and accomplishing the unexpected. I am very proud of the members of our cast and crew on what they have achieved. Please come and see us, we welcome your being part of our audience."

The following is from the invitation that Caryl had given me and I wanted to share the sentiments expressed.

Echoes of love

Each season allows the Spirit Dance Company to work on another show. Another way to lift spirits and bring a chuckle or tear to those who attend. This season is not different. As a collective group we have worked hard to produce an inspiring as well as artistically beautiful show. It is our 'Echoes of Love' that we extend to you. It is love energy wrapped in an artistic format it is our hope that those who come to see it are inspired to pass this energy along.

Love from the heart

Take it. Share it with others in your own personal way. At this time of year there is always talk of Peace on Earth. In holiday greetings cards the 'wish' for a better world is been the focus as long is I can remember. There may have been tiny steps toward that end. But what comes to me as I write this greeting is it the peace we seek comes from within. How we feel about who we are. And our actions toward others is a bedrock of a new world --- a safe peaceful place where we can walk our path unimpeded by negativity. It is up to us to create it.

So at this Holiday Season we wish you peace. We wish you love. We wish you to experience love deep in your heart that you can feel and share. And may that echo through all your relationships in dealings so that we will all be richer for the experience of sharing of the experience of sharing yours.

Echoes of love

"Train for Success" Holiday Party

The invitation came in via a group notice, "Join us for the first Train for Success Holliday Party (actually, our first party of any kind!)". I've been a regular attendee of the weekly sessions, where Anders Wildcat (aka Anders Gronstedt) hosts a series that brings, "together professionals from around the world to explore how leading corporations are transforming work and market place performance with virtual worlds and social media". The meetings are always informative and entertaining along with the opportunity to network with leading edge companies and people exploring virtual worlds.

Congrats, to Light Sequent on a wonderfully done holiday themed build.

Cellandra Zon’s Christmas Show

Ms Zon had broadcast an invitation on Tuesday evening through her instant message conference for her soon to start Christmas Show. Celleandra Zon is the owner of the Dance Troupe "LIGHT DANCERS of AURORA", and I've had the opportunity see her and the troupe perform several times in Second Life. On Tuesday it was about Christmas. Accompanied by a traditional set of favorite carols, Ms Zon entertained the audience first with a figure skating exhibition and then a dance routine, replete with light show and wings. For an enjoyable evening during the holiday season, be sure to find and attend one of her performances, you'll be delighted that you did. See my Flickr for additional photo's of the show.

Holiday Performance VB13 - Peace

PRESS RELEASE:

=====VB13 - PEACE=====

Saturday, 12 December 2009, noon - 2 pm SLT

On location at the University of Texas at San Antonio's Administrative Island, Vaneeesa Blaylock & Company celebrate the turn of the year with a holiday performance featuring 20 child avatars.

VB 13 is especially exciting to us because we are partnering with UTSA in the early days of their new expansion in Second Life.

We also dedicate this performance in memory of Dr. Leslie Jarmon/Bluewave Ogee, whose enthusiasm and leadership helped insure that others can experience the wonders of SL with the same childlike joy she shared.

Call us hopeless romantics, but the idea of finishing a year without considering the possibility of rebirth and renewal, simply because we're wise enough to know how badly we might screw-up this fresh start, is just too nihilistic to bear. And so, with a little bit of wisdom and a lot of hope, we bring you our most optimistic work, featuring a large cast of child avatars greeting the world of possibilities that will soon be: 2010.

********************************

Vaneeesa Blaylock is a performance artist who challenges you to stop and consider your virtual identity during her series of new performance artworks created in and for Second Life.

********************************

With gratitude to our partners and sponsors:

VENUE provided by our hosts, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Academic Island. Special thanks to ConstructivIST Solo, Zola Zsun, and Sapphoria Shilova.

WARDROBE: Clothing provided by Bellamy Amat, whose inner child gives her the heart to create fashions for children and teens in Second Life.

Assistance and advice:

Child Avatar Information Center

Official Photo Studio: Fross Maruti

________________________________

PROGRAM:

CAST:

Agnes Sharple

Bear Morgwain

Clancy Huckleberry

CodeWarrior Carling

Eos Akina

Friday Blaisdale

Fuzzie Nyoki

Glenn Milneaux

Jami Mills

LadyKath Avon

Lothar Leborski

Lyssa Varun

NightOwl Meridoc

SaintLEOlions Zimer

Sevena Silverfall

Taisie Sugarplum

Theoretical Afterthought

Trilby Minotaur

Vaneeesa Blaylock

 

Company Staff:

Stage Manager: Friday Blaisdale

Wardrobe Coordinator: NightOwl Meridoc

Design Director: Zola Zsun

Managing Director: Seasprite Destiny

Artistic Director: Vaneeesa Blaylock

_____________________________________

For more information:

Contact Vaneeesa Blaylock or Seasprite Destiny

SL GROUP: VB Friends

VB Master Schedule

VB SL Group-Free Audience Group

Avatar Repertory Theater Presents - The Real Christmas Story

Press Release from Avatar Repertory Theater Group:

Does your Christmas look less like Norman Rockwell and more like Norman Bates? Does your family put the "Diss" in "Dysfunctional"? Does your Uncle Fred use the Andy Williams' Christmas Albums for target practice? Well, welcome home Buckaroo! The actors of the Avatar Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) invite you to "The Real Christmas Story", starring Y.A.D.F. (your average dysfunctional family). These original Christmas stories will premiere on Friday, December 11, at 5 pm SLT/PST at the Dove Theater. Two other performances will be presented on Saturday, December 12 at 3 pm SLT/PST, and Sunday, December 13 at 2 pm SLT/PST.

Written by three members of the A.R.T., "The Real Christmas Story" presents three views of the pain and pleasure of the holiday season. Sodovan Torok, Kayden Oconnell and Rowan Shamroy have googled their internal computers and found stories that embrace the past, endure the present and anticipate the future. Scrooge may have survived the spirits, but Tiny Tim might need counseling after spending time with these ghosts.

In his "The Xmas I Met Santa", Sodovan Torok brings us a sweeter tale of how Santa made an unexpected entrance and a somewhat painful exit. Rowan Shamroy shows us how old family dynamics are magnified and amplified during the requisite holiday gathering. And Kayden Oconnell shatters some Christmas myths when a hotshot reporter visits a young old man who knew Santa before Santa was cool.

Directed by Em Jannings and produced by AvaJean Westland, the Christmas shows include A.R.T. actors Prospero Frobozz, Thundergas Menges, Mickie Nikolaidis, Kayden Oconnell, Persephone Phoenix, Ada Radius, Rowan Shamroy, MadameThespian Underhill and Dolgoruky Umarov. The sets have been built by JubJub Forder, with costumes and animations assembled by Ada Radius, Joff Fassnacht and Rowan Shamroy. We are also introducing the new A.R.T. English Sub-titler for the hearing impaired designed by Prospero Frobozz and managed by JudyArx Scribe. Admission to the event is free.

Holiday Window Dressing Contest

I happened across the Holiday Window Dressing Contest via an RSS feed and stopped over to look around the first chance I could. The contest is being sponsored by the SL Group Sound Bytes. Beside the window display contest there is also a snowman build contest. With the construction phase for both window dressing and snowman having ended on December 1^st, visitors can now cast their votes for their favorite in each. In the note I read, visitors can also expect snow while they stroll through the display, so dress warmly and don't forget to bring along your ice skates. Voting occurs between December 1^st and December 19^th, and the winners will be announced on the 19^th.

 

Living Nativity at Candy Cane Lane

Jill Mackenzie, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of her Candy Cane Lane in SL with a special production. Jill has written for SL a "Living Nativity" play. I caught yesterday's performance and enjoyed the energy and commitment the cast had put into the twenty minute production. The actors appear on stage in a nicely built manger and in costumes created just for the production. While the acting is limited to poses and the use of text chat to convey their lines, the twenty or so avatars present enjoyed themselves and stayed around after to chat with Jill and the cast. There is one more performance scheduled for Saturday Dec 20 @ 5:00 PM PST (SLT).

Get It Together: Christmas All Year Through

A note card from Cher Harrington arrived when I logged into SL a few days ago. Cher is always a delight to chat with and is deeply ingrained into the SL Music scene asked if I would pass the word about a collaborative effort to raise awareness of the music scene in SL and I gladly agreed to pass along her notes here in Lane's List.

 

SL MUSICIAN COLLABORATIVE EFFORT – CHRISTMAS ALL YEAR THROUGH!

 

Over 30 Second Life Live Musicians featured on a collaborative song to promote live music in Second Life. This song, "Christmas All Year Through", highlights the creativity and vibrancy of the SL live music scene. The finished collaborative effort will be distributed free to SL residents as a holiday gift from SL musicians. To find out who is involved and to stay up to date with the project until the release, please read this thread at the SL Music Community Forum.

 

Earlier this year UK singer songwriter Djai Skjellerup instigated a scheme to raise the awareness of live music amongst the general population of SL. This resulted in a song he wrote entitled "Get It Together" being recorded by 13 SL musicians and all of the resulting contributions being mixed together to create a single track. The song was then distributed through SL to great critical acclaim. You can hear the result of this project here:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/knzmkilwniy/GetItTogether.mp3

 

The project was very successful and most of all so much fun that Djai has decided to do a second collaborative recording.

 

 

 

Christmas Holidays in Second Life

Christmas Holidays in Second Life

This will be my first Christmas in SL and, with decorations given to me by a friend, my home at Cherry Tree has taken on a holiday look. A four meter high tree with a silver star atop it, greets visitors in the foyer and a cheery red brick fireplace with stockings hung, awaiting a visit from Santa, graces the living room. Having been just below the prim limit, I had to move a few items back into inventory in order to set out the decorations, much as one would do some rearranging in their RL homes to accommodate the season’s decor. Stepping back and focusing my camera on the decorations, I felt satisfied with what I’d accomplished tonight. I glanced at the computer clock and saw the hours had crept by while I decorated and it was near midnight now.

"With the house done, now’s the time for some relaxation," I thought, "maybe some dancing." Opening my friends list, I scanned it quickly and was surprised that none were on line. "How odd?" I thought and then I thought that, perhaps, SL is acting up once again. Aha! I can check calling cards in my inventory, and was about to, when a TP request appeared in the top right corner of my screen. I glanced up and when I saw the name, I gasped. The sound was loud enough that my cat looked up from her nap to glare at me for waking her. "It’s not possible, there’s no way," I thought, "she’d left SL months ago and had closed her account. How could she possibly send me a TP request?" Leaning back in my chair, I stared at the screen, in shock.

“Hello Nazz *smiles* I had thought you’d have wanted to see me again,” she said in her IM. I leaned forward and was about to reply when the next IM arrived. “I haven’t much time and we need to talk,” she said. “Where are you? How did you get in? And, yes, I do want to see you again...I’ve missed you, Cassie,” I typed in my reply. “Then accept the TP request, silly. I’ll tell you all I can when you get here,” she said, laughing. I still couldn’t believe it was her, oh my God, Cassie is back, and my lips curled into a broad smile as I accepted the TP and arrived shortly after the whoosh.

She appeared on the screen, standing in front of me, her lithe figure clad elegantly in a red dress, sleeveless, with a thin ribbon of a strap across her neck. Her blond hair was pulled back and up, the ends tied off with a ribbon that matched her dress. She wore a gold rectangular locket around her neck, the one she wore all the time while in SL, and her diamond earrings sparkled. “Hello Nazz *smiles softly*,” she said as the site finished rezzing into my view. Still wearing the broad smile, I said, “Cassie, you’re looking every bit as lovely as I remember. I am still in complete shock though. How on earth did you get back into SL? Why did you come back?” Glancing around, I realized we were at her SL home and it was completely decorated for the season. I was baffled by the events and in being at her home, which had been an empty lot when I last saw it. I waited for her reply.

“Why, Nazz, it’s Christmas, it’s the season for miracles, *smiles softly* I see you’ve changed your appearance. I like you in that pony tail and…OMG, is that an earring I see sparkling? Very handsome, Nazz *very hot she thinks, OMG! He’s come a long way*,” Cassie said. “I’ve been reading your Lane’s List. I like it a lot. How did you come up with that idea?” she asked. I told her that, while the idea for the premise was mine, a special someone had given me a suggestion for the name. “Well it does have a certain cachet,” she smiled and continued, “aww...a special someone, how sweet *smiles*...I’m so happy to hear that Nazz.”

I had a strange sensation now, seeing her here and a thought crossed my mind. “Cassie, this isn’t like an SL version of ‘A Christmas Carol’, is it? You’re not going to take me around and show me my past are you?” I asked. Laughing, she replied: “No, sweetie, it’s not. I know you’ve been a good boy, other than that little episode shortly after I left SL. It’s just that I’d been thinking of you a lot lately. This’ll be your first Christmas in SL. The holiday in SL was always very special for me and I wanted to share some time with you, and show you some of my favorite holiday places to visit.” I smiled in relief and replied: “I know it was for you, Cassie, I can remember sitting at your house and listening to the stories of your adventures and the people you’d shared the season’s joy with.” Before she could reply, I continued: “but you still haven’t told me how you got back in. Your account is cancelled and you don’t even show in a "people search" any longer. I think of you often, Cassie, I have a picture on my desk, the last one we took. I look at it often, thinking of my SL Mentor.” It took a few minutes before she replied: “aww...that is so sweet of you, Nazz, *smiles softly*. As for how I got here, let’s just say that there are a few things that the Lindens know nothing about and leave it at that, sweetie.”

“Are you ready to go Nazz?” she asked. I told her I was and that she could TP me when she arrived. Cassie poofed and I leaned back in my chair to wait, happy and eager to share another adventure with her.

Candy Cane Lane - West Bernham 218, 165, 502

http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20Bernham/211/163/501

Upon arrival at the TP point, the visitor is immediately greeted by the decor as signs of the season. Just behind the arrival point is the Christmas tree lot with quite the selection of already decorated trees. A notice placard indicates that this is the fourth Christmas for Candy Cane Lane. It started out as a store in 2004 and evolved to its current state, now residing in a skybox built above the West Bernham Sim. A short stroll takes you to a central plaza with an ice skating rink. Ice skates are available for purchase and immediate use. The plaza is surrounded by shops, all with holiday themed goods. Candy canes decorate the paths along with snowmen, elves and Santas. This was the most heavily trafficked site visited

Betty`s Shopping Land Christmas Market - Caracoli 120, 58, 0

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caracoli/120/59/22

There is a very nicely done skating rink with a couple’s skating animation near the arrival point at Betty’s. Ice skates are for sale nearby, in the event you arrive without. There is a tree lot with a good selection of trees. Also, one can obtain free trees, wintry themed evergreens, and I take copies for a friend who is doing some decorating at her place. I find an igloo with couple’s poses that add a touch of romance to an evening of skating and shopping. Visitors are welcome to ride a Christmas Carousel and, of course, browse through the stores for gifts and decorations, with a decent selection of seasonal themed goods.

IMAGINE! - Winter Wonderland with Christmas Fair & lots of snow - Bruda Plateau 207, 13, 51

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bruda%20Plateau/207/14/51

An underlying theme here seems to be romance as there is a delightful couple's “walk stroll” animation that can be used to tour the site. An ice skating rink also has a couple’s skate animation and, nearby, I find mistletoe hung from an arch with kissing poses underneath. The ice rink has skating snowmen and the couple spins through and around them. A short distance from the Gingerbread House, I find a place to visit with Santa. Feeling a bit too old to sit on his lap, I do take a present from his sack, a gingerbread cookie, which happens to be a RL favorite. There are a few commercial storefronts with seasonal themed items for the shopper.

A Touch of Ireland @ Cork Ireland CHRISTMAS SHOP - Cork 142, 167, 29

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cork/142/167/29

Nestled into a corner of the Sim, one is required to find the Christmas and holiday decor by following the signs at the arrival point, a minor irritation, but one no less. Once there, I find a tastefully decorated wintry and holiday scene with snowmen, candy canes and ice sculptures. A few decorated trees are for sale, but not nearly the selection as at other sites. The commercial aspect is limited, only one store with a limited number of seasonal themed goods for sale.

Kill Tower Park Winter Christmas Ice Skating Ski Rides and Amusement - Killtower 129, 88, 66

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Killtower/227/89/55

A crèche greets the visitor on arrival, the first I’ve seen in SL. This is an obvious commercial site but, if one is shopping, a worthwhile stop, as there are a few diversions such as a Christmas Carousel, ice skating and a visit into the Gingerbread House.

Bill Havercamp's Christmas Village - Sunset Beach 228, 76, 23

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sunset%20Beach/228/104/23

The village is a winter wonderland, the decor amongst the best I’ve seen. There is an ice skating rink, a Santa, snowmen, carolers and a Gingerbread House. I also found an igloo with a sled-riding snowman that is amusing to watch. Visitors can also take a train ride around the skating rink. There are also storefronts with gifts and decorations for the season.

Christmas Village - Japan 183, 225, 22

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Japan/183/225/22

Another winter wonderland, smaller in scope than the previous site, but done effectively. I found the village with snow-covered houses a nice scene upon arrival. That and the snowmen, candy canes, carolers and a fair number of SL’ers are present when I arrive. There is, however, only a limited selection of seasonal themed items available to shoppers.

Christmas Wonderland - Deck 202, 60, 21

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Deck/203/60/21

It may be that, because I live in the northern half of the US, I have expectations of snow and winter for the holidays, but I set those expectations aside as I tour this site. What I find certainly is a wonderland with a multitude of amusement rides. I find two carousels, two merry-go-rounds, balloon rides, a mission to Mars ride, something called "the claw", a pirate ship and another called "sunflower" at this site. There are Christmas trees, ice sculptures, a Santa lap-sit and present/gift bag at the site, along with an ice rink for skating. A nicely decorated Christmas cottage is available for romance with couple’s pose balls. The site has some commerce, I find a few storefronts with a selection of holiday items for the shopper.

Christmas Wishes - Drumm 56, 224, 0

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Drumm/56/224/0

Once again, I find myself back at a wintry and holiday themed site. There is ice skating here and it is the only one of a few places where I find free skates. Decorated trees are for sale, along with seasonal textures.

Christmas Market - Publishing Island 220, 149, 54

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Publishing%20Island/222/146/75

The Christmas Market is a delight to the eyes with the holiday theme very prevalent throughout. The village has snow-covered houses and candy canes decorate the paths as one wanders through the site. Snowmen abound, as do carolers and other characters from many of our favorite Christmas stories. I also find two carousels that visitors can ride. There are a fair number of commercial fronts for the shopper, with seasonal themed items available.

Christmas Market - Christkindles Markt - Krypto 28, 188, 421

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Krypto/28/188/421

A smaller site, but tastefully decorated for the season. An ice rink with skates for sale near storefronts that offer seasonal gift items.

A.K. "3D" Christmas Store - Trees you can Decorate - Toko 178, 128, 26

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Toko/178/128/25

An amazing selection of decorations for the Christmas trees on sale here, one can purchase ornaments, lights and tree toppers for the do-it-yourself crowd to decorate for the holidays.

We’d completed our tour and arrived back at Cassie's house. Sitting on the couch, we talked about life, real and second, seemingly for hours. The virtual sun had begun to rise when she stood up. “I only have a few more minutes and I need one of your hugs, Nazz,” she said, smiling. I typed in the command ‘/hug Cassie’ and we were soon in a warm embrace. “*her eyes misting, she whispers softly* "Merry Christmas, Nazz" *gently kisses his cheek*” Cassie said as we embraced. “Merry Christmas, Cassie,” I told her, thankful that I could type it and not speak it as I was feeling a little choked up. “You know I’m never far from you, Nazz. We might not see each other, but I’ll always be with you,” she said as I handed her a tissue. “I know Cassie...I know,” I replied. “*blows him a kiss as she poofs* love you, Nazz,” she said and suddenly disappeared from my screen.

As I leaned back in my office chair, the screen lit up with multiple IMs from that special someone asking where I was and why I wasn’t answering. Looking at my screen, I saw that, somehow, I’d returned back to my SL home. A quick check of my friends list showed that it was working again. When I glanced at the clock on the PC and it read 12:25 AM, I was shocked. "That can’t be right," I thought. All the time I spent with Cassie, the places we visited, it seemingly took hours. I opened the IM window and typed in an apology, explaining that I must have been dozing off. She replied with a smile telling me it was okay and asked if I wanted to pop over. I told her I did and asked for a few minutes before she sent a TP.

In the corner of my screen where my Christmas tree stood, I noticed a sparkle that hadn’t been there before and zoomed in on it. The star on top was different, it was gold. I smiled, realizing that it was the one that had been on Cassie’s tree. It is, indeed, the season for miracles...

Merry Christmas Everyone!