During 2014, I’ve waxed lyrical over the Basilique Performing Arts Company’s production of Paradise Lost: The story of Adam and Eve’s original sin – and with good reason.
It really is that good.
The production, which presents John Milton’s epic blank verse poem Paradise Lost to dance and the music of the Süssmayr completion of Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor, is a masterpiece of Second Life performance art and theatre which really should not be missed.
Nor am I alone in this summation – there have been over 80 reviews of the production written during its two season run.
Satan and followers, post fall, amidst the fires of hell, Paradise Lost Premiere, April 2014
However, all good things must draw to a close, and this coming Sunday, September 21st, 2014, marks the final planned public performance of the production, which originally been set to run through until the end of October; however, the last four dates for the second season run will now take place behind closed doors while the entire production is filmed for posterity.
So if you’ve not taken the opportunity to see this magnificent production first-hand – and if you in any way love theatre, art, Milton’s works, Mozart’s Requiem, performing arts in SL or any / all of the previous, then believe me, you will want to – there is still time to grab a ticket for this final performance from the SL Marketplace.
To get a feel for the complexity of this production, you can read my candid chat with the creative team behind Paradise Lost, Canary Beck and Harvey Crabsticks. There’s also the very excellent Drax Files World Makers segment, which focused on the production, and which I’ll finish with here to whet your appetites further!
Across four days between Thursday September 4th and Sunday September 7th, and in support of Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) 2014, venues across Second Life and musicians around the world came together under the banner SL Music Races for a Cure to further help raise funds to accelerate the pace of groundbreaking translational cancer research that can get new cancer therapies to patients quickly.
I was able to preview the event ahead of time, and played a small role in encouraging the Lab to promote it as well, but I’m running a little behind in covering the outcome, which has been quite phenomenal.
SL Music Races for a Cure was the brainchild of Still Braveheart, and brought together more than 20 music venues in SL and over 150 artists in a four-day festival of music and fundraising (including snail races!), all undertaken with the official support of SU2C.
And the result is that during the four days of the event, over L$1.5 million (around $6,000 USD) was raised in Second Life for SU2C. What’s more, as some venues still have kiosks up and available, the money is still being received as further donations are made.
Still Braveheart (via her profile picture)
“There are not enough thank yous in the world that would begin to cover it all,” Still said after the event, “The music community has always been such a wonderful community with such huge hearts, so very passionate, it is overwhelming. I have seen some things that venues have done this past month; performers gave so much of their hearts and time. There was a beauty in watching venue owners put together some amazing, amazing line ups.”
Nor did venues stop at hosting events, as Still points out, “BS’s, LC Live, and Guthries all changed their land to show that Stand Up 2 Cancer was what they were doing and you did not see their own logos. Smokin’ Aces gave out shirts they made. Solana’s place made shoulder pets that were given out [and] also made ribbons that were put up with every donation…” Individuals also got involved in helping to support things, with Still noting, “A close friend of mine made a beautiful memorial clock that was given out with a specific donation amount.”
Transparency in any fundraising event is important – and it is very important to Still as well. To this end, she has published, and has been updating, a full transaction history for the festival, which is open for anyone to view. There are also photos taken at the various venues available via Facebook. and on Flickr, such as through Wildstar Beaumont’s photosteam.
SU2C at Ce Soir, taken by Wildstar Beaumont, September 7th, 2014 (Flickr)
Such has been the response, that Still has been inundated with requests from people wanting to do more. However, rather than rushing into things, she’s taking a wise and pragmatic route, stating she’ll only consider further steps and possible activities once she has consulted with the folk at SU2C.
There’s little doubt the SL Music Races for a Cure was a very special event – one which may possibly be repeated as a part of future SU2C events.
About Stand Up 2 Cancer
Stand Up 2 Cancer SU2C, is a US-centric, non-profit organisation run under the auspices of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, specifically established to raise funds to accelerate the pace of groundbreaking translational cancer research that can get new cancer therapies to patients quickly.
Since its inception in May 2008, SU2C has seen over $261 million pledged in funds, which has contributed to some 141 clinical trials involving 750 scientists and 5,000 cancer patients, and which have spanned 112 US institutions.
SU2C’s approach is to break down the barriers faced by cancer researchers in having to compete for funding for their projects, by fostering and financing interdisciplinary and cross-organisational collaborative research programmes using what they refer to as Dream Teams. 100% of all public donations goes directly into supporting these collaborative research activities.
It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in voice, brought to Second Life and Kitely by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. and Seanchai Kitely, and featuring a special event at Branwen Arts in aid of Creations for Parkinsons in SL.
As always, all times SLT / PDT, and unless otherwise stated, events will be held on the Seanchai Library’s home on Imagination Island.
Sunday September 14th, 13:30: Tea-time at Baker Street: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
Caledonia Skytower, Corwyn Allen and Kayden Oconnell once again open the pages of The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, the final set of twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories first published in the Strand Magazine between October 1921 and April 1927.
This week: The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place
Originally entitled The Adventure of the Black Spaniel, this story marks the last of the 56 Sherlock Holmes’ adventures penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; although it is not always the final story in printed versions of The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, nor is it necessarily the last time the Great Detective will be appearing at Seanchai Library SL.
There are odd goings-on at Shoscombe Old Place, a racing stable in Berkshire, which have aroused the concerns of the head trainer, John Mason.
In visiting Sherlock Holmes, Mason is not sure precisely what he wants investigated, but instead offers a list of odd behaviours on the part of Sir Robert Norberton, who runs the stables, and his sister-in-Law, Lady Beatrice Falder, who owns Shoscombe. In the case of Sir Robert, Mason fears he might have gone quite mad.
Holmes and Watson travel to Berkshire, lodging at a local inn close to the stables, where they can keep an eye on things. Holmes quickly draws the conclusion that something is amiss, and may well have to do with Sir Robert Norberton having given his sister-in-law’s hound to the innkeeper, the dog being far too expensive a breed for an innkeeper to normally be able to afford. Thus, on the pretext of taking the dog for a walk, Holmes and Watson set out to investigate further…
To find out more, be sure to turn up on time for a spot of afternoon tea at Baker Street!
Monday September 15th, 19:00: Far From Home: The People Deluge
Zenna Chlarson Henderson was one of the first female science-fiction authors, having started reading publications such as astounding Stories from the age of 12, and becoming a popular author in the 1950s and 1960s.
She is perhaps best known for her The People stories, which focus of a race of human-like aliens forced to flee their homeworld due to a natural disaster, and some of whom arrive in the American southwest shortly before the start of the 20th century.
The People have the very best of human qualities: love, gentleness, spirituality; and also special powers of healing, levitation, telekinesis and more, who wish only to preserve their home culture and beliefs amidst a world which, despite their human appearance, does not understand them.
Henderson’s tales about The People ran to some 17 stories which examined the lives of The People, their past on their homeworld, their attempts to live quietly on Earth, their interactions with their human neighbours, all told in a beautiful, moving style. Why not join Gyro Muggins to learn more as he resumes their story through the pages of The People Deluge?
Tuesday September 16th, The Sea Fairies
Lyman Frank Baum is best known for his Wizard of Oz novels. However, over the course of his life he wrote some 59 novels (including four “lost” novels), 83 short stories and over 200 poems.
The Sea Fairies, first published in 1911, was intended to be the first volume in a new series of stories after Baum had “finished” the Oz series with the Emerald City of Oz. It tells the tale of young Mayre Griffiths, known to all as Trot, who lives on the coast of Southern California, where her father is the captain of a sailing schooner. Trot’s home life is shared with Cap’n Bill, her father’s former skipper, who has lived with the family since an accident cost him a leg.
Cap’n Bill is a devoted guardian to little Trot, and spends his days walking the beaches with her, or rowing her along the coast, regaling her with tales. But when the subject of mermaids comes up, Trot’s wish to see one is granted, and both she and Cap’n Bill fix themselves transformed into merfolk – who are sea fairies – and taken to the undersea realm of Queen Aquarine and King Anko, where they witness many things and are forced to come up against the wicked Zog the Magician …
Join Faerie Maven-Pralou as she takes to the seas once more and continues this lasting tale.
Wednesday September 17th, 19:00: Selections from Pirates Are Coming!
10:30: Special Eveent at Branwen Arts – Bilbo Baggins’ Birthday Party!
Bilbo Baggins shares the same birthday as his nephew, Frodo, both being born on September 22nd (Shire Reckoning), although some 78 years apart. Outside of Middle Earth, this date has become known as Hobbit Day, and is celebrated around the globe by Tolkien fans, who hold parties, walk barefoot for the day and more, while libraries use it to raise awareness of Tolkien’s writings and literature in general as a part of Toliken Week, which is held around the date.
At Branwen Arts, Bilbo’s (and Frodo’s!) birthday is being marked by a special birthday celebration at the Branwan Arts Hobbit Hole (where else?!), with proceeds from the event going in support of Creations for Parkinson’s in SL.
So why not kick off your shoes, make like a Hobbit for the day, and join folk big and small for a slice of the festivities?
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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 September-October is Reading is Fundamental: seeking motivate young children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life.
On Sunday September 7th, Virtual Ability Inc., announced the 4th International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (IDRAC) take place in Second Life on October 3rd and 4th, 2014. The theme for the 2014 conference is “Technically, we’re accessible… right?” Exploring True Inclusion in the Digital World.
Details of speakers, and presentations will follow in due course. for now, Virtual Ability extend an open invitation to all to attend the weekend’s conference, stating:
Join colleagues, friends, and community members for presentations on web accessibility, advances in assistive technology, creating an accessible user experience, accessible gaming, emerging standards for technology, and more! Presenters from Spain, U.K., U.S., and Australia will join us at The Sojourner Auditorium on Virtual Ability Island within Second Life.
The open-air Sojourner Auditorium, Virtual Ability Island, location for the 2014 IDRAC conference, to be hosted by Virtual Ability Inc
In the meantime, those wishing to know more about the conference, its focus and aims, should contact sister@virtualability.org or Sister Abeyante in-world.
It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in Voice, brought to Second Life and Kitely by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library.
As always, all times SLT / PDT, and unless otherwise stated, events will be held on the Seanchai Library’s home on Imagination Island.
Sunday September 7th
13:30: Tea-time at Baker Street: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
Caledonia Skytower, Corwyn Allen and Kayden Oconnell once again open the pages of The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, the final set of twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories first published in the Strand Magazine between October 1921 and April 1927.
This week: The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger
“You will understand, Mrs. Merrilow, that if I come to Mrs. Ronder I should prefer to have a witness. You will make her understand that before we arrive.”
“Lord bless you, Mr. Holmes,” said our visitor, “she is that anxious to see you that you might bring the whole parish at your heels!”
“Then we shall come early in the afternoon. Let us see that we have our facts correct before we start. If we go over them it will help Dr. Watson to understand the situation. You say that Mrs. Ronder has been your lodger for seven years and that you have only once seen her face.”
“And I wish to God I had not!” said Mrs. Merrilow.
With these words, John Watson once again finds himself plunged into a new mystery at the side of his long-time friend, Sherlock Holmes. The year is 1896, and Holmes has asked Watson to attend 221B Baker Street to listen to the story Mrs. Merrilow has to tell of her lodger, Mrs. Ronder. Horribly disfigured, Mrs. Rounder is the surviving victim of a terrible accident after a circus lion somehow got loose and savaged her and her husband – killing him.
While the case had piqued Holmes’ curiosity on account of a number of inconsistencies, he had not been called upon to investigate matters. Now, every night, Mrs. Ronder is beside herself with fear, shouting and screaming of murder and beasts. Her health has also deteriorated, and she has refused all assistance, asking only that her landlady, Mrs. Merrilow, seek out Holmes and ask for his aid – and to repeat two works to him: Abbas Parva …
To find out more, be sure to turn up on time for a spot of afternoon tea at Baker Street!
13:30: Magicland Storytime
Join Caledonia Skytower for some more Summer Magic at the Golden Horshoe at Magicland Park.
Monday September 8th, 19:00: Far From Home: The People Deluge
Zenna Chlarson Henderson was one of the first female science-fiction authors, having started reading publications such as astounding Stories from the age of 12, and becoming a popular author in the 1950s and 1960s.
She is perhaps best known for her The People stories, which focus of a race of human-like aliens forced to flee their homeworld due to a natural disaster, and some of whom arrive in the American southwest shortly before the start of the 20th century.
The People have the very best of human qualities: love, gentleness, spirituality; and also special powers of healing, levitation, telekinesis and more, who wish only to preserve their home culture and beliefs amidst a world which, despite their human appearance, does not understand them.
Henderson’s tales about The People ran to some 17 stories which examined the lives of The People, their past on their homeworld, their attempts to live quietly on Earth, their interactions with their human neighbours, all told in a beautiful, moving style. Why not join Gyro Muggins to learn more as he resumes their story through the pages of The People Deluge?
Tuesday September 8th, The Sea Fairies
Lyman Frank Baum is best known for his Wizard of Oz novels. However, over the course of his life he wrote some 59 novels (including four “lost” novels), 83 short stories and over 200 poems.
The Sea Fairies, first published in 1911, was intended to be the first volume in a new series of stories after Baum had “finished” the Oz series with the Emerald City of Oz. It tells the tale of young Mayre Griffiths, known to all as Trot, who lives on the coast of Southern California, where her father is the captain of a sailing schooner. Trot’s home life is shared with Cap’n Bill, her father’s former skipper, who has lived with the family since an accident cost him a leg.
Cap’n Bill is a devoted guardian to little Trot, and spends his days walking the beaches with her, or rowing her along the coast, regaling her with tales. But when the subject of mermaids comes up, Trot’s wish to see one is granted, and both she and Cap’n Bill fix themselves transformed into merfolk – who are sea fairies – and taken to the undersea realm of Queen Aquarine and King Anko, where they witness many things and are forced to come up against the wicked Zog the Magician …
Join Faerie Maven-Pralou as she takes to the seas once more and continues this lasting tale.
Wednesday September 9th, 19:00: A trio of Travelling Tales
With Caledonia Skytower.
Thursday September 10th, 19:00: Hero Tales from American History
With Shandon Loring
Saturday September 12th, 09:00: Beyond the Veil – Tales of Irish Romance – Seanchai Kitely
Join Shandon Loring at Inis-Arcain, Seanchai Library’s Celtic themed world in Kitely.
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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 September-October is Reading is Fundamental: seeking motivate young children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life.
On August 16th I covered the upcoming 2014 Strides Against Breast Cancer across Second Life season, which officially runs through the months of September and October, and forms a part of the RFL SL season.
The organising team’s chair, Jessi Warrhol has now released information on the season’s kick-off event.
Things will start on Sunday September 7th at 09:00 SLT with a pre-event show from T1 radio. The full schedule will be as follows, remember all times SLT, 24-hour clock notation, as usual!
09:00-10:00 – T1 Radio Pre Kick Off Show
11:00-16:00 – Musical Performances
15:30 – While you are dancing away at kickoff, join the team at the special Making Strides broadcast booth for the premiere of the T1 Radio Show “Getting in Stride With Tee and Nuala”.
The kick-off event will be taking place as a special venue alongside the American Cancer Society’s main region – teleport there and follow the signs.
Get Involved!
You can get involved by becoming a member of the Pink Club and being one of the MSABC sponsors for the 2014 seasons. The MSABC sponsorship page provides information on the available sponsorship packages for those interested.
Individuals, businesses, groups and organisations across SL can also provide direct support throughout September and October. Simply request a fundraising toolkit and get started making strides in Second Life!
Survivors and Caregivers
Please register so that the MSABC team can keep you up to date with Strides activities and so that you can receive the special 2014 breast cancer survivor and caregiver packet.
Hunt Participants and Gifts
The I feel, You Feel hunt will run from September 21st to October 31st, and applications are still open for those creators and businesses willing to participate in the hunt and donate gifts. Items do not have to be all pink, and those wishing to provide clothing are asked to consider making both a male & female gift or a unisex item, as the hunt is for everyone. Those stores and businesses wishing to participate in the hunt are asked to complete the hunt application form, and to address any questions to Earth Nirvana in-world.
About Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer or MSABC is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the United States, uniting more than 300 communities across the country. Every breast cancer walk run during the MSABC’s season is seen as an incredible and inspiring opportunity to honour those who have battled breast cancer, raise awareness on how the risk of breast cancer can be reduced, and to raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with research, information, services and access to mammograms for women who need them.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 