Wednesday, July 8, 2009

ADMIRE ’09 – Adorable Mixed Realities Gathering

It's here! ADMIRE '09 - the Real Life gathering of many of your favorite SL musicians for a weekend of celebration, fun and music in the Netherlands from Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August.


With over 25 musicians to create music all weekend and a large open jam/collaborative session on Saturday 1st August from 9pm-midnight – this promises to be a carnival of music. The weekend theme is "collaboration" between musicians who have never played together and, of course, audience members, too. Come and create some magic together. Musicians you may hear over the weekend include XanderNichting Writer, Slim Warrior, Al Hoffman, Inchino Melson, Brad "JooZz" Monnett, Mar Biddle, Russell Eponym, Carah Nitely, Aurora Metaluna, Kaycee Drayman and Wannahave Ferraris, Blindboy Gumbo, Bara Jonson, and many more.


Portions of the ADMIRE event will be streamed into SL and there will be video uplinks, too.


WHERE IS IT?


The venue is the Panhoven in Zevenar – a camping and hostel-type accommodation with shared rooms, shared tepees or camping places on site. The venue can only accommodate 150 people – so spaces are limited and offered on a first come / first serve basis. The building we have is Romeinse II (pictures can be found on the website).


Panhoven Zevenaar:


Panovenweg 18


6905DW Zevenaar


T : 0316-523520


F : 0316-341422


http://www.panoven.nl/


Zevenaar is approximately 1.5hrs from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport by train with one change. The train times can be found at http://www.ns.nl/ and the one way fare is 17.40 Euro. The train station in Zevenaar is 800m from the Panoven location.


HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?


If you are staying on the site, there is no cost for attending the music event itself as it is included in the accommodation/food costs. There is an admission fee for attending the Saturday night event only, if you are not staying on site.


Please be aware that this is a hostel and shared accommodation. For more privacy you can book a room in a 'Hut' which accommodates two people on bunk beds or reserve a camping site. You can also book a teepee and share it with 10 of your 'friends' – please indicate on your booking form sharing preferences so we can try to fulfill your request. There are limited spaces in each category.


Accommodation Weekend Saturday Must Bring Your Own # Beds


Hostel (per person) 132 Euro* n/a Sheet and Towel 25


Hut (for 2 people) 224 Euro* n/a Sleeping Bags and Towels 10


Teepee (per person) 114 Euro* 51 Euro** Airbed, Sleeping Bag and Towel 10 per teepee


Camping (for 2 people) 228 Euro* 63 Euro** Tent, Airbed, Sleep Bags and Towels Based on 2 people sharing 1 tent


Saturday evening only (per person) 10 Euro


* Includes Friday lunch/dinner, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner and music and Sunday breakfast/lunch


** Includes Saturday dinner and music, Sunday breakfast and lunch


For a longer stay, please note it on the booking form and we'll provide revised prices.


If camping hostel-type accommodation is not to your taste, there is a hotel in Zevenaar (http://www.campanile-zevenaar-arnhem.nl/) that is 5km from the station. Please bear in mind that you will need to pay to reserve your hotel yourself and remember to book your ticket for ADMIRE in advance to guarantee your space!


FACILITIES


There will be an ADMIRE desk for check-in and help on site. This desk will also sell drinks 'tokens' to be surrendered for drinks at the ADMIRE bar.


The ADMIRE organizers will have one storage space for sound equipment but security is not assured and musicians leaving instruments here do so at their own risk. Please let us know if you need help transporting your equipment from the Zevenaar train station.


There is free hot water in all showers.


HOW DO I BOOK?


There is a booking form below. Please complete it and return it to Inchino Melson, in world or via email (inchino@btconnect.com), who will return you a unique booking reference which will confirm your booking. Bring your booking reference with you to check in.


A non-refundable deposit of 50 Euro per person is due on with your booking form and should be paid by PayPal to kaycee@ismeester.nl. (If you do not have access to PayPal and prefer bank details please let Inchino Melson know using contact details above.) The balance will be due on arrival in CASH ONLY.


In the meantime


If you have any questions please get in touch with a member of the the management team.


All the best, and see you there!


Mar Biddle (Venue logistics)


Kaycee Drayman (Music Coordinator)


Wannahave Ferris (Local Coordrinator)


EdDereDde Laval (Stream Coordinator)


Inchino Melson (Bookings / PR)


Slim Warrior (Video Coordinator)


XanderNichting Writer (Sound Coordinator)




BOOKING FORM


SL Avatar Name


RL Name


Email


Contact Telephone


Are you a musician? Yes / No


TYPE OF TICKET COST # PEOPLE TOTAL COST


Weekend Hostel 132 Euro ________ __________


Weekend Hut 224 Euro ________ __________


Weekend Teepee 114 Euro ________ __________


Saturday Teepee 51 Euro ________ __________


Weekend Camping 228 Euro ________ __________


Saturday Camping 63 Euro ________ __________


Saturday Evening Only 10 Euro ________ __________


TOTAL DUE __________


DIETRY REQUIREMENTS


None / Vegetarian / Vegan / Other (please specify) __________________________


Is there anything else we should know about your visit?


A non-refundable deposit of 50 Euro per person is due on with your booking form and should be paid by PayPal to kaycee@ismeester.nl. The balance will be due on arrival in CASH ONLY.


If you do not receive a booking reference within 48hrs please email inchino@btconnect.com to ensure your booking form was received.

Opening of Café Ristretto

Tonight, be prepared for an hour of music and dance at the opening of Karuna's brand new Cafe Ristretto. Throw in a new art exhibit by Sunn Thunders on the rooftop garden and Juel Reistance singing her special blend of tunes starting at 6:00 pm PDT/ SLT and you've got the makings for a special evening.

The Vision Quest Awards





I had the opportunity this past week to take part in Jenaia Morane's "Vision Quest" event, which was part of the Helen Keller Day activities in Second Life. Ms Morane had asked me to be one of the judges for the writing competition which I readily agreed to do. She runs one of the most delightful spots in second life for writers, StoryBook Island, which is the home of "The Virtual Worlds Story Project and I Avatar: Stories from the virtual edge". She is active in the nonprofit sector of second life and is a talented writer in her own right.


Details on the event and the winners of the competition can be found at "Days of Our Second Life".

The Soleil: Multi-artist Exhibition



The Soleil, a multi-artist exhibition will open on July 11th at 10 am PDT/SLT at the Angelgate Gallery. This exciting exhibition will be presenting thirty six Second Life artists of all possible styles and techniques … from copies of RL paintings to interactive immersive installations. Almost every art work you will see is new and not seen before. Most were created specifically for the show. The artists were asked to make art reflecting all possible interpretations of the theme, "the Soleil". You will see many interesting and unique artworks that this theme has inspired. The level of creativity of the artists is amazing. There are many names you will already know … they have participated in many events around the grid and are regular exhibitors at Angelgate shows. You will also have a chance to discover some new artists making their debut in the SL art scene and some very rare exhibiting artists.


Here is the list of the artists and the artworks (in the order they appear from the bottom up)


GARY KOHIME - The Future of Color


SPIRAL WALCHER - Beyone Violet Symphony


COLEMARIE SOLEIL - The Watcher, Where are You


SAIWUN YOSHIKAWA - 3 Strip_Multi_15/15/2009_sou


SPECIAL JEWELL - Terra Egypta 2, Terra Egypta 3, Terra Egypta 4, Terra Egypta 1


PIXELS SIDEWAYS - AG-F-Summer in the City - Pixel


FILTHY FLUNO - Filthy Complete, #1/3 AngelGate


CORCOSMAN VOOM - In The Sunshine In The Rain


MORGANA NAGORSKI - Glowing, Alone, Wearing Violator, She Hasn't Come Out To Play For Such A Long Time, Feathered


XENOPHILE NEUROCAM - Xenophile Neurocam - dendrite.potential


POID MAHOVLICH - Solen til jorden


BF2 SHEPHERD - Isis Egyptian Goddess WW Fountains


BLUNT FHANG - 1-09-08m black


CHARLES ROSENTHAL - Soleil Charles Rosenthal v.2


JIMMY DEBRUYERE - Polished Fish


FEATHERS BOA - Sand, Sea, Sun (3D)


YABUSAKA LOON - < Yabusaka > Sculpture " Yin Yang"


NESSUNO MYOO - MechanicalKnight


WHITE LEBED - If an Art Gallery could dream about a summer vacation...


SUNN THUNDERS - Fusion Sculpture, 6/2009


ARTISTIDE DESPRES - Soleil d'Or


ZHORA MAYNARD - Mirror by Zhora Maynard


SASUN STEINBECK - Texture Picker 1 Prim, Morph Sculpture v14


ALIZARIN GOLDFLAK - Sunrise Sunset


KOLOR FALL - Chromosphere


DOROTHY URVILAN - "Take me back to the garden of love"


TALIA TOKUGAWA - Soleil Renaissance


SOROR NISHI - sorors branch


UP YIFU - Sun's birth


SHELLINA WINKLER - DAWN AND SUNSET - DAWN, SAWN AND SUNSET - SUNSET


SOLKIDE AUER - Mi ritorni in mente.


SAPPHORIA SHILOV - "can only dream of Soleil", "worship the idea of Soleil", "C'est Moi Soleil"


OBERON ONMURA - Heat


MISO SUSANOWA - The Alchemist's Table


STARHEART ERDHEIN - Star Portal, Wings of Promise, Chariot of Ra


ADAM RAMONA - Stella Sonice


GLYPH GRAVES - Memories of Summer


When you arrive using the landmark above you will see the first floor filled with art work. On this floor and above many of the art sculptures are interactive - they react to avatar presence by making sounds or rezzing something as part of the presentation. Consider walking closer - if you just cam around you will give you only part of the effect our artists have created.


After you examine the first floor, please walk up the staircase. Each step has an art work made by the artist whose name you see on the step. Clicking on a step will give you information, bio, and artists' statements.


Once you reach the top of the stairs you will enter our Events area. This is where the Opening Event will be held on July 11th. This is a very unusual event area - the whole room is designed specifically for this show by one of the most acclaimed SL artists, Glyph Graves. He is well known for making beautiful, vibrant, unusual installations. For the Soleil he created not just a room - it is a different world. Again, I strongly suggest walking in as opposed to camming up - you will see how being inside affects your mood and feelings.


To emphasize this effect, during the opening, July 11th, we will enjoy a very special performance by AldoManutio Abruzzo, an amazing professional musician (Dennis Moser in RL) known for his music improvisations. He visited the events area and agreed that this wonderful art installation will inspire him to play something special - his music will be the 37th art piece of the show, only existing for one hour. He is generously donating his performance to AngelGate Arts to support the future of creating art events like the Soleil.


The opening celebration will be continued by another live music performance. Edward Kyomoon sings rock music and love songs ranging from the 60's to the present, covering bands and artists such as the Doors, Pink Floyd, Blue October, Snow Patrol and Nine Inch Nails. He also shares his own original music. He will perform from 11AM till Noon. His concert is another generous donation to support Angelgate non-profit organization art programs.


Don't hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.


White Lebed,


Curator.


white.lebed@gmail.com

Arthole Season 3 Opens July 18th

The full details on the opening of Season 3 are available at the Arthole blog. July 11th is the last date for Season 2.5 viewing as Arahan Claveau, Nebulosus Severine and the new guest artist, Penumbra Carter will be working to prepare the space for the new exhibit on July 18th. Plans for the opening include Amy Freelunch joining Ara for a live DJ event along with artistic contributions from past Arthole guests Selavy Oh and Dekka Raymaker.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Bid4aCure Fundraiser Totals

The final tally is in and the Bid4aCure team informed me earlier that they had exceeded last year's total, having raised L$1,785,236. Congratulations to the team of Jocelyn Sands, MacKenzie Rasmuson and Argus Collingwood who led the 2009 campaign. The three ladies did an extraordinary job throughout the month of June and I hope are now taking a well deserved rest to relax and recover. I also received an IM from Adrian Harbinger, telling me of the video he'd made of the date auction and he added, "By the way, the date auction alone bought in $L 701,195." Money raised in the month long fund raiser will be donated to both the Diabetes UK and the American Diabetes Association.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Please Vote For Avatar Rotation

The following came to me by way of Gentle Heron at Virtual Ability, Inc and I'm posting this note in whole. Please consider taking the time to vote on this important item. Thank you.

Several individuals and groups in Second Life are working on scripts that make it easier for people with disabilities to use this immersive environment. However, Linden Scripting Language has some inherent limitations that the scripter's, and those who use the scripts, must somehow overcome.

One of these is that LSL cannot easily change the direction that your avatar is facing--your "rotation". This was possible at one time, but it is no longer available.

Why is this important?

Someone who is Blind or Visually Impaired can check to see which way they are facing, but if they wish to face a particular direction, they must guess at how long to hold down the arrow keys. It is possible to set a "target" rotation that will notify you when you reach a particular facing, but it is still very easy to overshoot. So, the "simple" act of turning to face a doorway or to face someone with whom you are speaking may not be so simple for them.

Someone with motor impairment that affects fine motor control may likewise have difficulty turning. Imagine directing your avatar's facing by saying "Turn left" or "Turn right" instead of using your keyboard. This is just one example of how someone with motor impairment might use Second Life, of course.

Facing a specific direction in a smooth and realistic manner could be difficult in either case. If you know that Joe Avatar is at 47 degrees from your position, you could issue a command to "face 47 degrees" and your avatar would be "looking" at him. This makes social interaction smoother and more realistic, as well as making travel and interaction with objects in-world easier.

The desire to have Avatar Rotation returned to LSL is not limited to the Disability Community. Others have already begun this effort.

http://jira.secondlife.com/browse/SVC-56

If you log in to this site with your SL Username and Password, you can vote for this issue. Voting does not compel Linden Lab to address our concerns in the way that we desire! However, they did create this site because they want user input. They do pay attention to these votes, and they tend to focus on those issues that receive the highest number of votes.

Please, consider adding your vote.

Thank you,

Talvin Muircastle