Category: Events

Turning the screw on a one-week project

Posted on by Inara Pey

Staring on Monday 22nd October, Seanchai Library (SL) launch a new project: One Work in One Week. Given the time of year, the chosen piece is Henry James’ classic tale The Turn of the Screw.

First published in 1898, Turn of the Screw is perhaps best described as a “psychological ghost story”. In it, an unnamed narrator listens to a friend reading a manuscript written by a deceased former governess. The manuscript tells the story of how the young governess is hired by a man who has become responsible for his young nephew and niece after the death of their parents. He lives mainly in London and is not interested in raising the children himself. Accepting the post, the governess finds herself drawn into a deepening mystery involving the children, strange spectres and perhaps dark secrets.

Or does she?

Turn of the Screw is not your typical ghost story, it is a complex weaving of narrative, with a certain deliberate ambiguity which suggests more than one meaning behind the tale. Are the apparitions (far from any stereotypical ghosts), actual manifestations or something else? Is the governess a somewhat innocent witness caught-up in matters, or is she perhaps more of a protagonist in the unfolding of the tragic events?

It is this ambiguity which has made The Turn of the Screw a classic tale, dividing critics and readers alike. It has led to it becoming an excellent subject for many adaptations over the years, with films, television programmes, graphic novels, radio plays – even an opera and a ballet – either being based upon it or inspired by it.

The richness of the story, its ambiguity and its many turns makes it an excellent subject for audio presentation by the Seanchai Players, so why not go along and share in the unfolding mystery?

The Turn of the Screw will be performed in Voice at Imagination Island at the following times:

  • Monday 22nd through Thursday 25th October: 19:00 SLT
  • Friday 26th October: 20:00 SLT

Updates will be posted on the Seanchai blog, should you miss an evening.

“Off campus” Seanchai Library Events for the Week

Also this week, the Seanchai players will be presenting two further popular pieces on Sunday 28th October*:

*Updated to reflect latest information from Bear Silvershade of the Seanchai Players.

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BOOFest! Come gather ’round the fire and hear tales both dark and haunting

Posted on by Inara Pey

Sunday October 21st marks BOOFest! a gathering for vocal artists from across the grid, meeting at  Bran. Here they invite all of us to come sit around a blazing fire and hear tales in keeping with this haunting time of All Hallows Eve, Hallowe’en…

There will be tales of dark deeds, ghostly goings-on and more throughout the day, with the event kicking-off with a short welcome and introduction by hosts Caledonia Hightower and Dubhna Rhiadra.

Stories will be presented in Voice, so be sure to have a place where you can sit and listen-in in peace. After the introduction, the first story kicks-off at 09:45 SLT.

Gather around the fire on Sunday 21st October to hear tales suitable for the month of Hallowe’en

Schedule of Events

All times SLT. Please refer to Storyfest SL’s blog for any updates / changes to the programme.

09:30 – Welcome and introduction from Caledonia and Dubhna.

Reaper Man (1991) by Terry Pratchett

09:45 – Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett: When Death develops signs of individuality, The Auditors appeal to Azrael to banish him and appoint a replacement. And so Death becomes subject to his own death and must, along with Binky, his ever-faithful horse, come and live as a mortal, a timer counting down his lifespan… A selected reading by  Caledonia Skytower and Dubhna Rhiadra.

11:00 – The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall by John Kendrick Bang: Queen Bluestar presents a short story of one man’s attempts to relieve his family of the legacy of ghostly visitations with an aquatic edge, only to find the visitor from beyond is quite tenacious in her determination to make her presence felt.

11:30 – The Monkey’s Paw by William Wymark Jacobs: This classic tale from 1902 tells of a talisman in the form of a monkey’s paw which can grant the possessor three wishes – but at a price. For as a sergeant-major warns within the story, “It had a spell put on it by an old fakir, a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.” Presented by Kayden Oconnell.

12:00 midday – The Good, the Bad and the Freaky in 100 Words: The Prim Reaper takes up the story chair at the fire. Crap Mariner, who swore an oath to write a 100 word story every day until he died, brings his own irreverent style and wit, together with his eye and mind for a good, tight yarn, to bear on events.

12:30 – Nightmares: Hakeber Haber presents three of her own works, Night, Night, Yes, Master and Memory of the Sun as she reveals just what nightmares are made of …

13:30 – The Case of Lady Sannox by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: No, not a mystery for The Great Detective to solve, but a sinister short story from 1893 of how revenge is sought as a result of a notorious affair between a famed surgeon and the Lady of the story’s title. Present by Corwyn Allen.

14:00 – Tales with Lycanthia:  Lycanthia Wolfhunter sits down to tell four of her own short stories, each of which is gruesome, sensual, and possessed of a righteous sense of justice that is delightfully unique: Zombies Can Scream, You Always Kill the One You Love, Get A Head, and Trick or Treat.

15:00 – Microfiction with Brokali: “It is a chance to reach inside your day, their day, and everyone’s night. The coldest, warmest, darkest night without the over use of adjectives and never an adverb. The best part is when we paint with microfiction what we see is obvious and real. Let’s splatter it across our hearts and then share more. And more. More.”

15:30 – Monday Jinx: please refer to the StoryFest SL blog for updates

16:00 – Unwind by Neal Shusterman: BigRedCoyote tells the tale of a world where medical science can replace any part of the human body by transplanting the part from a donor, and a society wherein parents can “retroactively abort” any child between the ages of 13 and 18. Written in 2007, Shusterman’s novel has been critically acclaimed and a film based on it, with a screenplay by Schusterman, is in early pre-production. It has also been the subject of a critically acclaimed fan-made trailer:

16:30 – Ghosts of a Bumboat with Singh Albatross: Musician, poet and writer Singh Albatross  presents a selection from his Singapore novel. When Ralph Drummond steps on a curbside Hungry Ghost Month offering he collapses into a coma. Will he survive the psychic battle when the Gates of Hell open? Can his wife Winnie and their new Singapore friends Alvin and Fay save him? What is the Water Clan and who is the Geomancer?

This year’s BOOFest benefits War Child North America, and is produced in partnership between Stories Unlimited! and Branwen Arts.

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Burning it up in the desert

Posted on by Inara Pey

This weekend marks the start of BURN2, the Second Life sister celebration to Burning Man.

Running from October 20th through 28th, BURN2 this year is spread across six regions, again in the familiar desert theme, surrounded by sandy hills that add to the atmosphere of the event. I had the opportunity to preview the regions earlier today, and take a look at what visitors can expect.

The theme for this year’s event is “Fertility”, which echoes the theme of the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City. It explores fertility within the lens of Second Life and is strongly reflected in the works of the invited artists as well as in other installations across the regions.

BURN2 2012

Invited Artists

BURN2 2012 includes the work of five artists as this year’s Invited Artists. They are: Silene Christen, Pallina60 Loon, Fuchsia Nightfire, Nexuno Thespian and  Ub Yifu. I decided to start may wanderings by locating their pieces.

Silene Christen

Silene Christen presents an interactive installation in collaboration with Martazul Zemlja and Emilio Charisma. It is described as, “An alien ship travels the universe collecting specimens of living species. When they saw the strange structures from BURN2, decided to stay and watch”.

Inside the space ship – Silene Christen

Visit Silene Christen at BURN2.

Pallina60 Loon

Pallina60 Loon is well-known for her interactive art pieces, and at BURN” 2012, she presents, “Whoops – a baby!”, which she describes as portraying, “A mother nature that emerges from the arid playa to the BURN2 to play.” In keeping with her work, it is interactive – so dive in!

Whoops … a baby – Pallina60 Loon

Visit Whoops … a baby at BURN2.

Fuchsia Nightfire

Fuchsia Nightfire provides a lush haven of greenery in the midst of the desert as she celebrates the heritage of the Green Man, often associated with fertility, renewal and rebirth, and which has a strong resonance through her native England. Her piece provides a welcome retreat and resting place for people as they travel across the regions, allowing them to be renewed.

Inside The Green Man, BURN2 2012

Visit The Green Man at BURN2.

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Of the occult, laced with a little arsenic

Posted on by Inara Pey

Halloween draws nigh, and with it, another round of ghostly tales of dark deeds laced with a little arsenic on the side, brought to you courtesy of the storytellers at Seanchai Library SL.

The full list of activities are as follows. All times SLT, and the in-world location, unless otherwise stated, will be at Seanchai Library’s SL home region of Imagination Island.

Sunday October 14th:

  • 14:00 – Tea Time at Baker Street: join Caledonia Skytower as she tells the strange story of The Copper Beeches. The Great Detective’s assistance is called upon when, after accepting a post as Governess with a quite considerable salary (£100 per annum!), Violet Hunter, finds her conditions of employment by Jephro Rucastle, subject to unusual conditions… This marks the end of this year’s Tea Time at Baker Street readings.
  • 18:00 – Ghosthunters & The Incredibly Revolting Ghost: Caledonia Skytower brings this tale of ghostly happenings to Magicland.

Monday October 15th:

  • 19:00 – A Night in the Lonesome October: Seanchai Library’s adaptation of Roger Zelazy’s satirical novel continues, featuring the voice artistry of Shandon Loring, Gyro Muggins, Caledonia Skytower and special guests. Once more, Snuff the dog and other animal familiars observe the goings-on of their masters and mistresses, all Players in the Game, as some seek to use occult powers to open the doors between this world and the realm of the Great Old Ones and bring about the destruction or enslavement of the human race, while others seek to hold the doors closed. Through the eyes of the familiars we see alliances formed, betrayals played out as the game moves inexorably towards the night of October 31st, and the time when the fate of the world will be decided for another few decades (part 3 of 4).
Which Witch

Tuesday October 16th:

  • 19:00 – Arsenic and Old Lace: Joseph Kesselring’s black comedy and most successful focuses on drama critic Mortimer Brewster, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves while dealing with his crazy, homicidal family and local police

Wednesday October 17th:

  • 19:00 – Which Witch? with Faerie Maven. The final installment of Eva Ibbotson’s delightful adventure of wizards, witches, spells, conjures, and the profound need to prove one’s self in the eyes of others.

Thursday October 18th:

  • 19:00 – Nocturnes from Ireland: Dark, daring, utterly haunting tales of lost lovers, predatory demons, and vengeful ghosts from the pen of John Connolly, as told by Shandon Loring.

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More ghostly goings-on and Holmesian mystery this week

Posted on by Inara Pey

The second week of October see more tales of mystery, suspense and dark happenings unfold through the vocal skills of the Seanchai Library SL, including the second part of A Night in the Lonesome October.

The full list of activities are as follows. All times SLT, and the in-world location, unless otherwise stated, will be at Seanchai Library’s SL home region of Imagination Island.

Sunday October 7th:

  • 10:00 – Spooky Tales at Fruit Islands: Derry McMahon and Bear Silvershade read Washington Irving’s The Spectre Bridegroom and Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado, along with other spooky tales and more spooky tales, all at Haunted Fruit Islands
  • 14:00 – Tea Time at Baker Street: join Caledonia Skytower as she tells The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet, in which the Great Detective is enlisted to unravel what has happened to three beryls missing form an valuable coronet, and why the son of a banker who has received the coronet as collateral against a loan, was apparently trying to bend or break the coronet…
A Night In The Lonesome October continues on Monday 8th October at Seanchai Library SL

Monday October 8th:

Tuesday October 9th:

  • 19:00 – Things That Go Bump in the Night: ghostly goings-on as told by Bear Silvershade

Wednesday October 10th:

  • 19:00 – Which Witch? with Faerie Maven

Thursday October 11:

  • 19:00 – Nocturnes from Ireland: Dark, daring, utterly haunting tales of lost lovers, predatory demons, and vengeful ghosts from the pen of John Connolly, as told by Shandon Loring, featuring Mr. Pettinger’s Demon and The Inn at Shillingford.

Friday October 12th:

  • 18:45 – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Derry McMahon and Bear Silvershade read Washington Irving’s classic tale at the Breedables Fright Night (see the Seanchai Library SL’s website for details of the location, once confirmed)

Sunday October 14th:

  • 18:00 – Ghosthunters & The Incredibly Revolting Ghost: Caledonia Skytower brings this tale of ghostly happenings to Magicland.

All presentations are in Voice.

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A Night in the Lonesome October

Posted on by Inara Pey

It is the start of the Haunted Month, and Seanchai Library (SL) are marking the arrival and passage of October ith a four-part reading of Roger Zelazy’s A Night in the Lonesome October. The latter is the last of Zelazy’s published works, and 31 of its 32 chapters (the first being an introductory chapter) each take place on a night in October.

A Night In The Lonesome October

The book is satirical in nature, and is written in the first person – the narrator being Snuff the dog, the companion of none other than Jack the Ripper. The central theme of the book is that once every few decades, when the moon is full on the night of Halloween, the fabric of reality thins, and doors may be opened between this world and the realm of the Great Old Ones. At this time, men and women with occult knowledge gather at a certain location to engage in The Game – an attempt by some to open the doors, and others to hold them closed. Should the Openers ever win the game, the Great Old Ones will come to Earth, remake it in their own images and enslave or slaughtering the human race in the process.

Through the month of October, the Players in the game – all archetypal characters from Victorian Era gothic fiction – form alliances, make deals, oppose one another, and even kill off opposing Players, until the night of October 31st, when the ritual takes place and the fate of the world is decided. Each Player has his or her familiar, an animal companion with near-human intelligence which helps them complete the numerous preparations required to be ready for the ritual on the final night. The majority of the story describes the interactions and discussions of these animals, as described from Snuff’s viewpoint.

Seanchai Library will be presenting A Night in the Lonesome Octoberin four parts, featuring members Shandon Loring, Gyro Muggins, Caledonia Skytower and special guests. Part One will be presented on Monday October 1st, at 19:00 SLT.

Also this week, Seanchai Library (SL) will be presenting:

  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with Derry McMahon and Bear Silvershade – Tuesday October 2nd, 19:00
  • Petty Magic with Caledonia Skytower – Wednesday October 3rd, 19:00
  • Nocturnes from Ireland with Shandon Loring- Thursday October 4th, 19:00
  • Tea Time on Baker Street with Caledonia Skytower – Sunday October 7th, 14:00

All the events will be held on Seanchai Library’s home region at Imagination Island, and all are welcome to attend.

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