Category: Events

A Dickens of a week for Seanchai in Second Life!

Posted on by Inara Pey

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in voice, brought to our virtual lives by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library.This week sees something special – the return of the Dickens Project, Seanchai library’s seasonal gift to Second Life, featuring readings from Charles Dicken’s classic a Christmas Carol and more besides!

You can read more about the history of The Dickens Project by reading my special preview of this year’s event. The schedule below is simply the highlights.

As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday, December 13th – Tea-time and Tiny Carolers
13:15 The Plaza Christmas Carols and cheer The Raglan Shire Tinie Carolers
13:30 The Gallery Tea-time with Mr. Dickens (Upstairs in the bookshop)
Monday, December 14th – Stave One: Marley’s Ghost
13:00 The Plaza Caledonia Skytower
19:00 The Plaza Kayden Oconnell
Tuesday, December 15th – Stave Two: The First of Three Spirits
13:00 The Plaza Trolley Trollop
19:00 The Plaza Corwyn Allen and Faerie Maven-Pralou
Wednesday, December 16th – Stave Three: The Second of Three Spirits
13:00 The Plaza Dubhna Rhiadra
19:00 The Plaza Aoife Lorefield
Thursday, December 17th – Stave Four: The Last of Three Spirits, and Stave Five: The End of It
13:00 The Plaza TBA Reads Stave Four
19:00 The Plaza Shandon Loring read Stave Five
Friday, December 18th – Trivia and More Tinies!
18:00 TBA Dickens Trivia Peaches, Suemoon and HJ of the Community Virtual Library
18:50 The Plaza Christmas Carols and cheer The Raglan Shire Tinie Carolers

Additional Seanchai Events This Week

Thursday, December 17th, 21:00 – Seanchai Late Night

With Finn  Zeddmore.

Saturday, December 19th 12:00 noon – Fezziwig’s Ball

Come dressed for Dickens’ times, but be ready to dance and have fun to the voices and music of two contemporary musicians from either side of “the pond”.

From noon through until 14:00 Seanchai Library will be pleased to present to guests at the ball British Songstress Josie Anderton, followed by American Rocker Paul Nowles. A ball not to be missed – so find your best Victorian gowns, your finest Dickensian tailed coats and hats, and come join the festivities!

Josie Anderton and Paul Nowles will be perfroming at Fizziwgi's Ball on Saturday, December 19th, 12:00 Noon through 14:00 SLT
Josie Anderton and Paul Nowles will be performing at Fizziwgi’s Ball on Saturday, December 19th, 12:00 Noon through 14:00 SLT

Sunday, December 20th – The Big Read

Come join the staff and guests of Seanchai Library from 12:00 noon on Sunday, December 20th, as they present A Christmas Carol from beginning to end in a special pre-Christmas reading (estimated duration 3-5 hours, visitors free to drop in and leave as time dictates). Staves will be read in relay.

The Library, above the bookshop, will also play host to some events
The Library, above the bookshop, will also play host to some events

—–

Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.

The featured charity for October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.

Additional Links

Bay City 2015 tree lighting fund-raiser in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Bay City 2015 Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on Sunday, December 13th
The Bay City 2015 Christmas tree lighting takes place on Sunday, December 13th

Christmas is a time for giving, and on Sunday, December 13th, 2015, Bay City will be hosting their annual Christmas Tree Lighting and fund-raiser.

Activities will commence at 13:00 SLT and run through until 16:00 SLT, taking place at the Bay City fairgrounds. On offer will be:

  • Live entertainment, music and dancing
  • A skating party
  • A silent auction
  • refreshments and fun.

This year will see Christov Kohnke and Grace McDunnough take to the stage to provide the live music, with GoSpeed Racer spinning the tunes as the event’s DJ.

The silent auction will take place throughout the afternoon, and will conclude at 16:00 SLT, when activities officially draw to a close. All proceeds from the silent auction and from donation bins at the venue will go to Child’s Play Charity, a 501c3 non-profit organisation offering on-line communities such as the Bay City Alliance an opportunity to help seriously ill children around the globe during their hospital stays with the purchase of games and gaming equipment.

So far, Bay City events in 2015 have raised US $1,675.00, for the charity, so the Christmas Tree Lighting offers a special chance to push this even higher!

GoSpeed Racer will be spinning the discs and
GoSpeed Racer will be spinning the tunes and Christov Kohnke and Grace McDunnough providing the live music

About Bay City and the Bay City Alliance

Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab™ and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest Bay city group, and home to most Residents of Bay City. To find out more, contact Marianne McCann in-world.

A Christmas Carol in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Saturday, December 12th sees the The Dickens Project re-open its gates for a week-long celebration of Charles Dickens and his work. Centred on A Christmas Carol, which will be read throughout the week by staff and guests of Seanchai Library, the Project features so much more as well.

Originally conceived under the Storyfests SL banner (Storyfests being the special events “spin-off” from Seanchai Library), The Dickens Project was first presented in 2012, as a part of activities being held around the world to mark the 200th anniversary of Charles’ Dickens birth. Over the course of two weeks, thousands of visitors passed through the project’s gates, explored the life and times of Charles Dickens and attended presentations of A Christmas Carol and other works by the author.

In December 2013, The Dickens Project allowed Seanchai Library to further bridge the digital divide when a special reading of A Christmas Carol was held, with Caledonia Skytower, in her alter ego of writer Judith Cullen, narrated the story to an audience attending the Knights of Pythias Temple in Tacoma, Washington States, and to an audience in Second Life. At the same time, Kayden Oconnell and Shandon Loring appeared in-world and also at the Teemple, courtesy of a big screen.After the presentation, the audiences in Second Life and at the Temple were able to interact with one another, with the latter able to learn more about Second Life.

The Dickens Project plaza, where readings of a Christmas Carol and other activities will take place throughout the festival
The Dickens Project plaza, where readings of a Christmas Carol and other activities will take place throughout the festival

Now firmly established as a part of Seanchai Library’s seasonal calendar, the 2015 edition of The Dickens Project will take place in the Community Virtual Library’s exhibit space. All activities throughout the festival are free to attend, and any donations received will be awarded to the  Community Virtual Library: a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, connecting residents with information resources, reference services, and serving as a networking tool for information resource professionals.

Programme of Events

The programme of events for The Dickens Project is given below, all times SLT. For the latest updates and any revisions, please refer to the Seanchai Library’s Dickens Project web page.

Saturday, December 12th – Welcome
13:00 The Plaza “The Story Behind a Christmas Classic” Caledonia Skytower
Sunday, December 13th – Tea-time and Tiny Carolers
13:15 The Plaza Christmas Carols and cheer The Raglan Shire Tinie Carolers
13:30 The Gallery Tea-time with Mr. Dickens (Upstairs in the bookshop)
Monday, December 14th – Stave One: Marley’s Ghost
13:00 The Plaza Caledonia Skytower
19:00 The Plaza Kayden Oconnell
Tuesday, December 15th – Stave Two: The First of Three Spirits
13:00 The Plaza Trolley Trollop
19:00 The Plaza Corwyn Allen and Faerie Maven-Pralou
Wednesday, December 16th – Stave Three: The Second of Three Spirits
13:00 The Plaza Dubhna Rhiadra
19:00 The Plaza Aoife Lorefield
Thursday, December 17th – Stave Four: The Last of Three Spirits, and Stave Five: The End of It
13:00 The Plaza TBA Reads Stave Four
19:00 The Plaza Shandon Loring read Stave Five
Friday, December 18th – Trivia and More Tinies!
18:00 TBA Dickens Trivia Peaches, Suemoon and HJ of the Community Virtual Library
18:50 The Plaza Christmas Carols and cheer The Raglan Shire Tinie Carolers

Special Events

Fezziwig’s Ball – Saturday, December 19th

Come dressed for Dickens’ times, but be ready to dance and have fun to the voices and music of two contemporary musicians from either side of “the pond”.

From noon through until 14:00 Seanchai Library will be pleased to present to guests at the ball British Songstress Josie Anderton, followed by American Rocker Paul Nowles. A ball not to be missed – so find your best Victorian gowns, your finest Dickensian tailed coats and hats, and come join the festivities!

Josie Anderton and Paul Nowles will be perfroming at Fizziwgi's Ball on Saturday, December 19th, 12:00 Noon through 14:00 SLT
Josie Anderton and Paul Nowles will be performing at Fizziwgi’s Ball on Saturday, December 19th, 12:00 Noon through 14:00 SLT

Sunday, December 20th – The Big Read

Come join the staff and guests of Seanchai Library from 12:00 noon on Sunday, December 20th, as they present A Christmas Carol from beginning to end in a special pre-Christmas reading (estimated duration 3-5 hours, visitors free to drop in and leave as time dictates). Staves will be read in relay.

The Library, above the bookshop, will also play host to some events
The Library, above the bookshop, will also play host to some events

The Dickens Project is presented in an immersive environment recreating a corner of Dickens’ London. Here, as well as listening to the readings of a Christmas Carol and attending the other special events, visitors can also discover more about Victorian London, learn about the life and times of Charles Dickens and visit many of his works.

So do be sure to pay a visit!

Additional Links

MadPea seek creators’ help for The Ghost Town in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Ghost Town - A new MadPea game aimed at new SL users, launching soon at the Firestorm Gateway
The Ghost Town – a MadPea mystery game aimed at new SL users, launching soon at the Firestorm Gateway

During the recent soft launch of the Firestorm Gateway, I reported on the news that MadPea would be joining the Firestorm team as a partner, providing free-to-play games in order to help new users engage with Second Life.

These games are intended to be Experiences-led, and demonstrate some of the many activities those new to Second Life can expect to find in-world, as then learn to find their way around – thus fitting in with the overall thrust of the Firestorm Gateway regions, which offer a range of activities and attractions for incoming new users, as will as practical guidance and support for understanding the viewer and getting to grips with general interactions, etc.

The MadPea team have now announced the first of these games will be launching on December 19th, 2015. Called The Ghost Town. It will see players tasked with  investigating the recent disappearance of local fisherman Big Jimmy. Guided by his journal and equipped with a special camera, players follow the clues left by a mind gone mad and discover the terrible truth behind Big Jimmy’s recent activities. One they have completed the game, player will be rewarded with prizes.

MadPea-Firestorm

It is with regards to the latter point that MadPea are seeking the support of 20 Second Life Creators, as the official blog post from the team explains:

We’re looking for 20 stores to collaborate with us by providing a themed prize for the players.
In return your brand and prizes will be promoted by both MadPea and Firestorm and you’ll be potentially promoting yourselves to your customers of the future before anyone else.

In particular, MadPea are looking for prizes which will help new users practically enhance their Second Life experience, and so are particularly hoping to hear from creators of wearable items such as skins, mesh body parts and accessories, hair, clothing, avatar accessories, pets, wearable vehicles, companions, AOs etc.

Creators wishing to indicate their willingness to be involved in the game and offer prizes should complete in full The Ghost Town prize donation application form, and to do so no later than Saturday, December 12th. Those stores / creators selected by the team will be contacted directly shortly thereafter with information on how to proceed.

In the meantime, if you require more information about becoming a vendor, please contact Tichelle Teebrook in world. For more information about MadPea in general, or their collaboration with the Firestorm team, please contact Kess Crystal in world, or via kess-at-madpeagames.com.

Team Diabetes Winter Art and Showcase preview

Posted on by Inara Pey
Winter Showcase
Winter Showcase

The first Team Diabetes of SL Winter Art and Showcase event launches on Monday, December 7th, and will run through until Sunday, December 13th. Occupying a single, winter-themed region, the event offers something for everyone: shopping, entertainment, activities, and art, all within easy reach of one another.

Over the course of the weekend of the 5th and 6th December, bloggers have been able to access the region and explore what’s on offer for themselves, with stores and artists offering little goodies along the way.

The Winter Showcase, sponsored by Tayren’s Fantasy Fashions, features 22 merchants, including, but not limited to, Tayren’s Fantasy Fashions, Zuri Rayna Jewelry, Kittycat’s Creations, Hearthaven Photography, Meshopotamia and Chop Zuey. The showcase is located in the north-west quarter of the region, with stores neatly arranged around a central square, which offer seating from those needing a rest from shopping and well as Santa’s gazebo!

Winter Art Show
Winter Art Show

The south side of the region is devoted to 2D and 3D art, with 21 artists and photographers offer their work for viewing, including Bryn Oh, Wicca Merlin, Cica Ghost, Kayly Iali, Bluesrocker Resident and Skip Staheli. The art show is sponsored by Windlight Magazine, and all of the participating artists have contributed a winter themed image for inclusion in the special 2015 Postcards from the Winter Art Show book, which will be on sale throughout the event, with all proceeds being donated directly to Team Diabetes of SL!

Throughout the week, visitors to the Art and showcase can enjoy daily activities, including the Santa hunt, the raffle, gingerbread house building contests, the ugly sweater photo contest, the  winter giveaway and the advent calendar. Music and entertainments will also be on offer throughout the week – check the event schedule for details; however, of particular note during the week are (all times SLT):

  • Tuesday, December 8th, 14:00-16:00: the formal opening of the winter Art show, featuring live performer Cassi Ansar
  • Friday, December 11th, 16:00-18:00: Red and Green Ball with DJ John
  • Saturday, December 12th, 10:00-Noon: dancing on ice with DJ Gem Sunkiller
  • Sunday, December 13th, 13:00: Solaris Winter Queen Fashion Show.
Winter Art Show
Winter Art Show

While only in its first season, Team Diabetes of SL has already raised almost L$323,000 for the American Diabetes Association – which is no mean feat for a new charity team to achieve. Hopefully, the Art show and Showcase will see that total pushed higher. Knowing the team behind it as I do, there really is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy – so why not check out the event schedule and hop along to a few of the events? And do be sure to keep an eye on the Team Diabetes of SL website for the latest news and updates!

Additional Links and SLurls

 

Christmas tales with a sprinkle of sci-fi and a helping of Dickens

Posted on by Inara Pey

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in voice, brought to our virtual lives by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday, December 6th, 14:00: Tea Time with Trolley

MiracleCome to Dr. Coppelius’s
Where all is bright and warm
And There’s no fear,
For I am here
To keep you safe from harm.

What happens when a man finds he’s taking the child of his date to a toy shop when he’d rather be going to a ball game – a child he didn’t even know his girlfriend had ?

What happens when he really doesn’t like kids at the best of times, and his girlfriend’s kid is intent on exploring the store, leading to them getting separated?

And what happens when the man discovers all really all it seems with the store?

Join Trolley Trollop as she reads two of Connie Willis’ seasonal tales from Miracle and Other Christmas Stories: In Coppelius’s Toyshop and The Pony.

Monday December 7th, 19:00: Mr. Dingle the Strong

Rod SterlingGyro Muggins concludes his reading of  Rod Sterling’s 1961 story for The Twilight Zone, Mr. Dingle The Strong.

Luther Dingle, vacuum-cleaner salesman and perennial loser, finds himself given the gift of super-strength by a curious Martian scientist. Returning to Earth to see how his subject is using his gift, the Martian finds Mr. Dingle is doing little more than gaining celebrity status through feats of super-human strength.

Taking back the gift, the Martian encounters a passing Venusian science team looking for a human test subject. He points them towards Luther Dingle…

Tuesday December 8th 19:00: Immovable Feast

Derry McMahon brings us a tale of Christmas in Paris.

Wednesday, December 9th 19:00 A Celtic Christmas

Faerie Maven-Pralou reads a selection from A Celtic Christmas, edited by Mairtin O’Griofa. Bringing together tales from early 20th Century Ireland, each unique in tone and style, be it humorous, tender, sentimental or a little bit spooky. This is an anthology right for the season, the tales a crammed with superstition and lore, ready to delight and charm.

Thursday, December 10th

19:00: Shandon Loring

A cabin. A cabin in the woods. Of it I have written before, and of it I write again. The same great fireplace piled high with logs fiercely ablaze. Again on either side of the fireplace are the hounds gazing meditatively into the fire. The same big table, and on it the same great book, leather-bound and worn by the hands of many generations. And at the strong table, bending over the sacred book, with one huge finger marking a sentence, the same whitened head, the same man, large of limb and large of feature–John Norton, the Trapper.

So begins William Henry Harrison Murray’s John Norton’s Vagabond, the second of two stories from Holiday Tales – Christmas in the Adirondacks, Originally published in  1897.

21:00 Finn Zeddmore

With Seanchai Late Night.

Saturday, December 12th

12:00 Noon: An Irish Country Christmas at Seanchai InWorldz

With Shandon and Caledonia – check the Seanchai blog nearer the date for LM details.

13:00 Second Life: The Dickens Project

Join Caledonia Skytower as she opens the 2015 season for The Dickens Project bringing us the story behind a Christmas classic – a look behind the story that had a profound effect on shaping the Christmas that we know, as well as revived an author’s career.

The dickens Project returns to Second Life
The Dickens Project returns to Second Life

—–

Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.

The featured charity for October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.

Additional Links