October brings with it all things spooky in the run-up to Halloween. Within Second Life, this means a plethora of region designs focused on ghostly goings-on, spookiness, haunting, monsters, vampires and the like, many with associated events and activities.
One such Halloween-ish event combining exploration, activities and entertainment in a more nuanced manner, and making a return to Second Life for its second season, is Seanchai Library’s The Bradbury Project. As it’s name implies, the month-long event is a celebration of the life and work of American author Ray Bradbury (August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012), with a focus on some of his more spooky writing.
Bradbury is perhaps best known as a science-fiction and futurist/speculative fiction author responsible for titles such as Fahrenheit 451 (a book perhaps of special relevance currently), and his short-story collections The Martian Chronicles, and The Illustrated Man. However, he cast his writing net far wider, dipping into coming-of-age stories, screenplays, television scripts, poetry and both fantasy and dark fantasy. In the latter categories we have (the semi-autobiographical) Something Wicked This Way Comes, and The Halloween Tree.
The latter is the story of eight boys as they attempt to rescue their friend on Halloween night. Under the guidance of the mysterious Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, they travel through time and space, learning about different cultures, and the role that the fear of death, ghosts and hauntings has played in shaping civilisations down the ages, and how it has all contributed to much that is encompassed in modern-day Halloween activities. It’s is also one of the focal elements of The Bradbury Project.
In 2023, the project took place on sky builds within Seanchai Library’s home region of Nowhereville. For 2024, and thanks to the support of Linden Lab, the event expands into a dedicated Full region, allowing for more space for activities. However, like 2023, all donations / tips received while the Project is open through until Sunday, November 3rd, will be donated to Reading is Fundamental.
A major feature of Bradbury’s writing is Green Town, a fictionalised version of his place of birth, Waukegan, Illinois. It is a place of safety and home, featuring in a number Bradbury’s darker tales and in his short stories, and which has a result is depicted at several different points in the 20th century. Green Town is also the starting point for The Bradbury Project, which offers aspects of Green Town as it might have appeared in the 1950s.
Visitor arriving within the Project will find themselves within the garage of one of the houses lining Green Town’s main street. This offers information boards about the Project and the planned events, as well as information on the two Second Life Experiences operating within the region – both of these should be accepted in order to enjoy the Project to the fullest; however, if you an unsettled by the idea of using Experiences, a box of landmarks can also be obtained from the landing point to ferry you around.
A wander around the town will reveal its charm and also some points of interest – information boards that provide more insight into Bradbury’s life and work, and other interactive pieces (such as a television presenting the short film The House I Live In, which whilst not in any way focused on Halloween or the like, nevertheless carries a message of relevance).
Cutting through the region from east to west is the Ravine from Dandelion Wine, a collection sf short stories, and which is considered to be Bradbury’s most personal work. The Ravine can be accessed from the town at its eastern end , beyond the railway tracks, were a path slopes down into it. looping back under the railway bridge, the path will take visitors through the Ravine and up the far side to the residence of Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, esq., and the Halloween Tree. Here again, indoors and out, is more to explore.
Events at The Bradbury Project
- Story Tours of “The Halloween Tree” (presented in three episodes):
- 13:30 SLT, Sundays (October 13th, 20th, and 27th).
- 19:00 SLT, Tuesdays (October 15th, 22nd, and 29th).
- Other Seanchai Library events will take place in The Project, and some additional readings from Bradbury may take place. Check out the Seanchai Library Special Projects Calendar.
- Note: not all events presented by the Library this October are associated directly with this project.
- eClipse Club & Resort Presents at The Bradbury Project:
- Monday, October 21st, 21-23:00 SLT: DJ JAdmiral Maelstrom.
- Friday, October 25th, 19:00-21:00 SLT: DJ Momma Hoi.
- Saturday, October 26th, 19:00-21:00 SLT: DJ Iniry Vaher.
- Sunday, October 27th, 19:00-22:00 SLT: DJs Caledonia Skytower & Tiger Pawz present Dr Frankenstein’s Halloween Boogie – music, dancing, and prizes!
In addition, those crossing the railway bridge spanning the Ravine can step through the tunnel to reach a Trick or Treat surprise. So when not pop over and have a look around / join in the events?
The Bradbury Project was created for Seanchai Library by David Abbot, Dawn Greymyst, Dagmar Kohime, Gloriana Maertens, Stevie Morane Basevi, Iniry Vaher, and Caledonia Skytower.
SLurl and URL Details
- Bradbury Project Landing Point (rated Moderate)
- Seanchai Library website
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 