Category: Events

Balticon 54: a real world sci-fi convention using Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Balticon Station, Second Life

As we’re all aware, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused a suspension of many events around the world, with some seeking alternative means of going ahead with their programmes.

In April I reported on MuseWeb, a global organisation offering members a range of professional learning opportunities, using Second Life to support its 2020 conference (see: MuseWeb: utilising Second Life in support of a global conference).

Now, this coming weekend – Memorial Weekend in the United States – the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS) will be hosting their annual Balticon science fiction convention on-line, and will be using Second Life for a range of social events and activities in support of the convention.

Balticon Station Transfer Station

Running between Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th 2020 inclusive, the convention is free to attendees, although support for it is requested through a Gofundme page, the money from which will go towards the primary work of BSFS – see About the BSFS, below). It will include panels, presentations, and readings hosted as webinars across several platforms, together with guest speaker talks, filk singing (folk singing with a science fiction or fantasy theme), film presentations, etc.

The Second Life element of the convention will be centred on Balticon Station, a multi-level environment centred on one of the Lab’s turnkey region solutions for business use – specifically, the “futuristic” island. At the ground level, this provides a landing point and short-form tutorial on some of the Second Life basics – walking, chatting, using voice, and so on.

Balticon Station – tutorial area

From here, visitors are offered a social lounge, a bar, and a portal hall (together with information boards on using in-world media). A ramp alongside the portal hall provides the way to a seabed facility where visitors can again socialise or, if they wish, go scuba diving (a short tutorial on SL swimming and basic inventory management is also provided).

The portal hall offers a series of experience-based walk-through portals. Several of these will deliver people to spaces is the sky over the island, and other are intended to link the region with other sci-fi related destinations within Second Life – although at the time of my visit, these were still awaiting final configuration.

The Balticon Station underwater facilities

The spaces over the region comprise:

  • A speedway platform, where visitors can participate in slug or segway races.
  • A elven forest, with walks and a hall.
  • An art exhibition hall, featuring physical world art (also connected by a ramp with the speedway).
  • A space “transfer station”.

To help promote the use of Second Life, the convention’s website includes a dedicated page on the platform, which includes an outline of how to obtain the SL viewer and create a account, as well as the SLurl to Balticon Station.

Attendance in-world – or via the other on-line services offered by the convention – is open to any science fiction fan (or anyone curious) within Second Life, and as noted, attendance is entirely free of charge this year.

Balticon Station – Elven Forest

Full details on the convention, its special guests, its programme, virtual dealer spaces, etc., can be found on the the convention’s website.

About Balticon Science Fiction Society

BSFS is a 100% volunteer-run organisation that depends upon Balticon as its main source of revenue. This funding supports efforts to develop new writers and foster literacy among Baltimore City’s disadvantaged youth, and helps pay for the maintenance of the BSFS East Baltimore building, which houses a free lending library of more than 12,000 volumes.

The loss of direct fees (registration, etc)., resulting from the cancellation of Balticon would mean:

  • No 2021 funding to support awards for writers (BSFS normally seed awards for new writers to the tune of US $7,000 a year).
  • No funding for the BSFS Books for Kids programme, which is traditionally supported by fund raised through the convention’s annual auction. Books for Kids provides as much as $1,800 in grants to Baltimore City neighbourhood organisations and schools to help support youth literacy.
  • Funds for the upkeep of the Society’s East Baltimore building.

To help overcome this, BSFS hopes that attendees of the 2020 Virtual Convention, both on-line and in-world in Second Life will consider donations to their GoFundMe campaign. so if you do attend the convention, please consider supporting the work of BSFS through GoFundMe.

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Illusions, music, nuns and a galaxy far, far, away

Posted on by Inara Pey
Seanchai Library

It’s time to highlight another week of storytelling in Voice by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s home, unless otherwise indicated. Note that the schedule below may be subject to change during the week, please refer to the Seanchai Library website for the latest information through the week.

Monday, May 18th 19:00: Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

Gyro Muggins reads Richard Bach’s 1977 novel.

Donald William Shimoda styles himself a latter-day messiah. He quit his job as a mechanic to offer people the miracle of flying through the cloud-washed air between the cornfields of Illinois and blue infinity of the skies overhead. But the people want the thrill of the the flight more than they want to understand the miracle of flight or the truth of Donald’s words.

Donald first comes to the attention of fellow barnstormer and disillusioned writer Richard when the latter witnesses Shimoda dealing with a grandfather / granddaughter pair who arrive at the the makeshift farm airstrip where both men are due to fly their biplanes. Normally, it is the younger people who are keen to fly with the barnstormers, but here it is the grandfather who wants to soar in Shimoda’s biplane whilst the granddaughter is terrified by the idea.

Richard watches as Shimoda talks to the granddaughter, gently uncovering the cause of her fear, calming her to the point where she is ready to fly. Drawing close to the older man, Richard becomes friends with him, and together the two men become brother aviators, Shimoda teaching Richard to become – reluctantly – a messiah and miracle-worker in his own right.

Tuesday, May 19th,

12:00 Noon: Russell Eponym, Live in the Glen

Music, poetry, and stories in a popular weekly session at Ceiluradh Glen.

19:00: Staying Open

Ktadhn Vesuvino offers a journey in poetry and images from sculpture, through rain and lockdowns, to a beach re-opening.

Wednesday, May 20th, 19:00: A Nun in the Closet

What do two Benedictine nuns, a secretive man-on-the-run, a Tibetan monk, three hippies, members of the Mafia and children of migrant workers have in common? Why, A Nun in the Closet, of course.

When a cloistered monastic community of nuns inherit an old house with 150 acres in up-state New York courtesy of a mysterious benefactor, they are at a loss as to what to do. Sister John and Sister Hyacinthe are therefore dispatched to give the property the once-over and report back. A simple enough assignment, except neither Sister is entirely prepared to deal with all that they find.

From hippies on the lawn to suitcase stuffed with money sitting at the bottom of a well, disguised cocaine and a wounded man who has hidden himself in a closet to avoid Mafia hitmen, not to mention strange apparitions in the night, It might have been better had Sister John and Sister Hyacinthe remained cloistered in the abbey.

But it is amazing what two nuns can achieve armed only with their faith and boundless energy – up to and including a shocking revelation or two about ghosts, gangsters – and murder.

Join Caledonia Skytower as she reads Dorothy Gilman’s 1986 mystery.

Thursday, May 21st

19:00: Han Solo: A Star Wars Story

Young Han Solo finds adventure when he joins forces with a gang of galactic smugglers and a 190-year-old Wookie named Chewbacca. Indebted to the gangster Dryden Vos, the crew devises a daring plan to travel to the mining planet Kessel to steal a batch of valuable coaxium. In need of a fast ship, Solo meets Lando Calrissian, the suave owner of the perfect vessel for the dangerous mission: the Millennium Falcon.

With Shandon Loring and Caledonia Skytower. Also in Kitely – grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI).

21:00 Seanchai Late Night

Contemporary Sci-Fi-Fantasy from on-line sources including Light Speed, Escpade Pod, and Clarkesworld.

May 17th, 2020: Bay City marks 12 years in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Bay City 12th anniversary

Bay City, the first major project undertaken by the Moles of the Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW), will be marking its twelfth anniversary on Sunday, May 17th, 2020. Citizens of Bay City and residents of Second Life are invited to join in with the celebrations, which will include the traditional parade down “Route 66,” followed by a live music event in the Bay City fairgrounds.

Opening in May of 2008 to initial viewing, with parcels being auctions throughout the city soon after, Bay City has shown itself to be one of the highlights of Second Life: a blending of Linden infrastructure and a strong, friendly community of involved residents who, together, give the area its unique charm.

Activities will kick-off at noon SLT with a parade line-up at the band shell in Bay City – Harwich. At 12:30 SLT, the parade will make its way down Route 66, and proceed to the Bay City Fairgrounds in the North Channel region. DJ GoSpeed Racer will be providing the music throughout the parade, which will be followed by at live concert from 13:30 SLT onwards at the fairgrounds.

The line-up for the concert this year comprises (all times SLT):

  • 13:30 – 14:30:  Parker Static – Parker started singing at a very early age; being in a musical family her passion for singing was inevitable. Her repertoire ranges from pop through ballads, jazz, R and B to soft rock and more. She has received numerous awards including Showtime Magazine’s TOP 10 performers in SL and  the Soul Train’s Best Female entertainer of the year.
  • 14:30 – 15:30: qqquartzzz.
  • 15:30 – 16:30: Wolfie Starfire.

Celebration goods, including parade float bases and ideas, are available at the Bay City Community Centre, in the Daley Bay region for those who wish to be a part of the parade. Ample viewing areas are provided. The music event is also open to all who desire to attend — not only Residents of Bay City

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.

Each year, in honour of Bay City’s founding, Bay City residents come together with this special celebration.

Anniversary SLurls

RelayStock 2020 in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

RelayStock 2020

It’s a weekend of Peace Love and Hope and great music as the 7th annual RelayStock takes place between Friday, May 15th and Sunday, May 17th inclusive.

Paying homage to Woodstock and hosted by the Relay Rockers, the event features live and DJ entertainment, dancing, vendors and the opportunity to help raise money for RFL of SL.

Activities are focused on RFL team camp sites set out around a 60s style festival stage. The camp sites, mixed between iconic VW camper wagons and tents, are occupied by RFL Relay teams who present kiosks and fund-raising vendors, while the event stage plays hosts to the performers and the ever-popular Celebrate Remember Fight Back (CRFB) Top DJ Competition.

The event is open to all residents of Second Life to enjoy and In addition, when visiting you’ll also be able to Bid a Linden Bald, which this year see four teams for Linden Lab participating – see 2020 Bid a Linden Bald for RFL of SL for more.

RelayStock 2020

The event’s activities line up as follows (all times SLT – check the official event page for any late updates):

Friday May 15th:

  • 13:30 – 15:00: DJ Stephanie – Bellisseria For Relay For Life.
  • 15:00 – 16:30 DJ DollEyes Barbosa – Too Tough To Die.
  • 16:30 – 18:00: DJ Evee – Spirit Of The Dragon.
  • 18:00 – 19:30: DJ Dredd Rocktatansky  – The River Rock Club.
  • 19:30 – 21:00: DJ Melina Firehawk –  Heroes Helping Heroes.

Saturday May 16th:

  • 12:00 – 13:30: DJ Angel Blossom – Seekers Of Hope.
  • 13:30 – 15:00: DJ Gem Sunkiller – Team Shadow.
  • 15:00 – 16:00: Max Kleene – Live Singer – Relay Rockers.
  • 16:00 – 17:00: Todd Rumsford – Life Singer – Cure Chasers.
  • 17:00 – 18:30: DJ Scott – Harmony Of Hope.
  • 18:30 – 20:00: The A Team – Friends For A Cure.

Sunday May 17th:

  • 09:00 – 10:30: Tommy James & The Shondells – Tribute Band – Rocking Sands.
  • 10:30 – Noon: DJ Holocluck Henley – Aether Chrononauts Tiny Steps.
  • Noon – 13:00: Turner Harborough – Live Singer – Relay Rockers.
  • 13:00 – 14:00: DJ Nuala Maracas – Relay Rockers.
  • 14:00 – 15:00: CRFB Top DJ Finalist – DJ Baggie.
  • 15:00 – 16:00: CRFB Top DJ Finalist – DJ Kayla.
  • 16:00 – 17:00: DJ’s Nikki, Sting, MamaP, Trader – Cancer Gets Stung.
  • 17:00 – 19:30: DJ Trader Whiplash – The Time Machine Show – Relay Rockers.
  • 19:30 – 21:00: DJ Kayla – Roos With A Dream.

So, let the age of Aquarius enter your life this weekend, don your kaftan (and galoshes!), put flowers in your hair and head on over to RelayStock for get music, great dancing, great fun – and all in a good cause!

Event SLurl

The 2020 Second Life SciFi convention touches down

Posted on by Inara Pey

via Second Life SciFi Convention

On Friday, May 15th, the 2020 Second Life Science Fiction Convention, raising money for Relay for Life of Second Life and the American Cancer Society, opens its doors to sci-fi enthusiasts from across virtual worlds.

Running through until Sunday, May 24th, 2020, the convention is spread across eight regions packed with all things science fiction, and offers insight into sci-fi goods and services, role-play, communities, and more, whilst also including a range of entertainment, talks, readings, hunts and activities to keep people engaged throughout the event.

Information on the event has been sketchy in places during the run-up when compared to other major RFL events (how to attend the blogger’s day was only published on the day, for example, which left some wondering that – while the date was known in advance – would it require registration beforehand, and if so how they might register in the run-up to the day).

2020 SciFi Convention – Electric Sheep, a suitably cyberpunk / Blade Runner settings, given the region name

Of course, now the event is rolling along, the core details are there, including a complete calendar of events (although information on hunts, etc., is best obtained from the information boards within the convention regions), and information on the region themes, the latter being:

Scifi Con 12 Hub (Time) – Abyssal Depths (Underwater) – Electric Sheep (Cyberpunk) – Orion’s Landing (Ancient Aliens) – Pangaea – Tesla Park (Steampunk) – Thunderdome (Post Apocalypse) – Tomorrowland

2020 SciFi Convention

Details of exhibitors / vendors participating in the convention can also be found on the website.

When exploring the regions, you’ll find the usual interesting mix of merchants and role-play groups, all with something to offer. All of the major franchises from media sci-fi are represented – Star Trek in its various forms, Docotor Who, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, etc., together with the likes of Gundam, Babylon 5 while there are some nice references to Buck Rogers, Space 1999, etc., awaiting discovery, with even what might be a nod towards the short-lived Terra Nova, with much more besides. In touring, I admit to particularly liking Waxen Works’ The Life and Work of Gerry Anderson.

2020 SciFi Convention – the Gerry Anderson exhibition

So, whatever your interest in science fiction, be sure to set your phaser on fun and head back to the future with a visit to the SL SciFi convention. So say we all!

Related Links

2020 Bid a Linden Bald for RFL of SL

Posted on by Inara Pey

Bid A Linden Bald 2020

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020, marked the start of the 4th annual Bid A Linden Bald event organised by the Relay Rockers in support of Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

First held in 2017 as an extension to the Relay Rockers annual Bid Me Bald challenge, in which people are invited to bid (make donations to RFL) to see a well-known Second Life resident go bald for a period of time in-world

For Bid a Linden Bald – as the name suggests – a number of teams from Linden Lab challenge one another to see who can raise the most in Linden Dollar donations for RFL of SL. At the end of the event, the team raising the least amount of money see their avatars get their hair shorn. Or as the event advertising puts it:

Top team gets the scissors – lowest team gets the haircut!

This year sees four teams from the Lab taking part in the week-long event. They are:

  • Team 1: Darcy, Jet, Oz, Spots, and Volo.
  • Team 2: Derrick, Kit, Patsy, TJ, and Wendi.
  • Team 3: Dottie, Kristin, Rocko, Vanessa, and Whitney.
  • Team 4: Izzy, Madori, Patch, Roran, and Vix.

For 2020, the team that is “bid bald” will have their avatars remain so through until the RFL of SL Relay Weekend of June 6th and 7th, 2020. They will receive their haircuts at a special events to be held at 15:00 SLT on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, on the Relay Rockers region.

The team donation kiosks for Bid A Linden Bald 2020

Should you wish to place a bid, drop in to the Relay Rockers’ home region. The kiosks for the event can be found in the south-east corner of the region by the barn (just follow the signs). You can make your donation based on the team you’d like to see win – or against the team you’d like to see lose!

Additional Links