Category: Events

VWBPE 2019: overview

Posted on by Inara Pey
via vwbpe.org

The 2018 Virtual Worlds Best Practice in Education (VWBPE) conference takes place between Thursday, April 4th and Saturday April 6th, 2018 inclusive. A grass-roots community event focusing on education in immersive virtual environments, VWBPE attracts 2200-3500 educational professionals from around the world each year.

As with recent years, the conference is focused on the 8 core VWBPE regions in Second Life, centred on the VWBPE Gateway.

VWBPE 2019: Main auditorium

Event Calendar

The best way to keep abreast of the full schedule is via the VWBPE 2019 event calendar. By default, this displayed in posterboard (shown below), but can easily be switched to agenda, month or stream views via the drop-down menu in the top right corner. Individual events can also be added to a number of personal calendars – Google, Outlook, Apple – making it even easier for attendees to track the events and activities they particularly want to attend at this year’s conference.

VWBPE 2019 calendar

Event Selection

The following is a (personal) selection of events those curious about VWBPE 2018 might want to attend. All times SLT:

Thursday, April 4th

  • 14:00-14:50 – What’s New At the Lab with Patch and Grumpity Linden in the Main Auditorium.
  • 16:00-17:00 – The Making of Our Digital Selves: My Avatar and Me: at the VWBPE social plaza.

Friday, April 5th

  • 09::00-09:50 – Keynote: Teacher Training with Virtual Worlds – Main Auditorium: Dr. Tuncer Can, Istanbul University looks at how training teachers within Virtual Worlds could enhance innovation in the class and change the lives of real people by ensuring them.
  • 10:00-10:50 – Non-Profit Commons Past Reflections, Future Directions – VWBPE 2019 Quadrivium.
  • 11:00-11:50 – Perspectives on virtual professional learning communities – VWBPE 2019 Lecture Area A.

Saturday, April 6th

  • 11:00-11:50: Keynote: Crossing the Horizon together: Scanning, transforming, and sharing “What Works” in Immersive XR – Main Auditorium: Dr. Jonathon Richter, Salish Kootenai College and Executive Director discusses the Immersive Learning Research Network facilitates collaboration between computer scientists, game developers, educators, learning scientists, and others.
  • 12:00 noon-12:50: Blue Mars on Virtual Harmony for agile mindsets –  VWBPE 2019 Lecture Area B.
  • 12:00-12:50: Re/visioning virtual education – VWBPE 2019 Quadrivium.
  • 14:00-14:50: Catching up with Thinkerer – Main Auditorium.
VWBPE 2019: Lecture Area B

Getting About

VWBPE takes place across 8 regions (including the exhibitors spaces). While exploring on foot is fun, the quickest way to get to event / activity venues is via the VWBPE Gateway and using the teleport boards there, and similar boards at each of the primary VWBPE events areas.

Additional Links

SL16B: applications open for exhibitors, performers and volunteers

Posted on by Inara Pey
Courtesy of Linden Lab

June 2019 marks the 16th anniversary of Second Life fully opening its doors to the public (and, as I’ve previously mentioned, Linden Lab’s own 20th anniversary as a company). As is the tradition, the anniversary will be marked by the Second Life Birthday event, marked by exhibitions, music, entertainment and more taking place across the SLB regions.

On Monday, April 1st, 2019 Linden Lab opened the doors to applications from exhibitors, performers, presenters and volunteers, with the blog post reading in part:

SL16B is coming this summer … This year, we are excited to return to being more involved in the organisation of all the events. In addition to the official Music Fests, costume parties,  and Shopping events, of the last few years, we’re also returning to our roots and participating more in the development and planning of the main SLB celebration.

The 2018 SL15B Auditorium

Those wishing to apply to be involved in SL16B as exhibitors, performers or volunteers should follow the links below.

Notes for the above applications:

  • When entering times in any of the above forms, please ensure you used Second Life Time (SLT).
  • The closing date for all of the above applications is Wednesday, May 15th, 2019.

In addition, on March 14th, 2019, Linden Lab announced the SL16B Shopping Event (read here for more). Those wishing to apply to be a part of this event as a merchant should complete the Merchant Application form, no later than Saturday, June 1st, 2019.

The SL16B Shopping Event: scheduled to run throughout the shopping period, this multi-region shopping event is now accepting applications from merchants. Those wishing to participate should ensure they have applied by June 1st, 2019.

Le Cirque de Nuit in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Courtesy of Idle Rogue

April is upon us, and with it comes a variety of events across Second Life, including Idle Rogue’s Le Cirque de Nuit. Opening on Friday, April 19th, this is one of the most popular of Idle Rogue’s productions, loosely based on Erin Morgenstern’s novel, The Night Circus. 

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazement. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

– Cover copy of The Night Circus

Directed by Blaze DeVivre with the assistance of Sho Kyong, Idle Rogue’s production is described as a steampunk circus in black and white, and uses the novel’s setting as a background. Within the show, Idle Rogue presents dance acts with steampunk, illusion and circus themes. Each is built, as is the Idle Rogue tradition, by the dancer performing it; some of the acts are carried forward from the previous year and some are new to this year’s performance to offer a unique and new presentation for audiences.

A bunch of us in Guerilla Burlesque had read the book, just based on each other’s reading recommendations, then cherryblondscribe (Executive Producer of Idle Rogue and ) and Glorianna Maertens got together and said let’s do a production that draws from the circus at the centre of the story … Acts each take on themes from the novel and putting the individual performer’s twist on it, some that are circus inspired more generally, and some that are a fantasy all their own.

– Blaze DeVivre, Le Cirque de Nuit’s director

True to the novel, the Circus acts, props and costumes are created in black and white. Dance acts are interspersed with viewings of art installations constructed in blazing colour, with both Bryn Oh and Cica Ghost among the artists supporting the show.

Also joining the production once again is Seanchai library’s Caledonia Skytower, who will present selected readings from The Night Circus.

You can read more about the 2018 and in interview with director Blaze DeVivre, as conducted and written by R. Crap Mariner in these pages.

Courtesy of Idle Rogue

Performance Dates

All times SLT.

  • Friday, April 19th and Friday, April 26th: 22:00.
  • Saturday, April 20th: 14:00.
  • Sunday, April 21st: 19:00.
  • Saturday, April 27th: 19:00.
  • Sunday, April 28th: 14:00.

Bookings

There is no admission fee for attending a performance, but seating is limited and must be booked in advance. This can be done by contacting  Saturday Melody in-world stating the date on which you would like to attend a performance. You will receive confirmation of your booking once it has been processed. Timestamps of messages received by Saturday Melody will determine the order in which bookings are processed.

Rituals, aliens, poems and a rebellious rogue

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 at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday, March 31st: 13:30 Tea-Time with Sherlock Holmes’ Greatest Hits

As voted for by Seanchai fans, followers and listeners. This week: The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual, first published in 1893 in The Strand Magazine, and re-published in 1894 in book format as part of the collection The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.

From The Adventure of The Musgrave Ritual, an illustration by Sidney Paget, 1893.
From The Adventure of The Musgrave Ritual, an illustration by Sidney Paget, 1893.

“There are cases enough here, Watson,” said he, looking at me with mischievous eyes. “I think that if you knew all that I had in this box you would ask me to pull some out instead of putting others in.”

“These are the records of your early work, then?” I asked. “I have often wished that I had notes of those cases.”

“Yes, my boy, these were all done prematurely before my biographer had come to glorify me.” He lifted bundle after bundle in a tender, caressing sort of way.

“They are not all successes, Watson,” said he. “But there are some pretty little problems among them. Here’s the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife. And here — ah, now, this really is something a little recherche.”

Thus Holmes introduces Watson to one of the cases his took on before the two became friends, one involving an old acquaintance from Holmes’ university days, Reginald Musgrave, a vanished butler and maid and the mysterious Musgrave Ritual. Just the Seanchai Team in the Fireside room to learn more!

Monday, April 1st 19:00: The World Of Ptavvs

Gyro Muggins returns to Larry Niven’s Known Universe to read the first novel Niven ever set within it  – given it was actually he first full-length novel. Within it, he lays many of the seeds, human and alien that would come to define that universe, its characteristics, traits and races.

A reflective statue is found at the bottom of one of Earth’s oceans, having lain there for 1.5 billion years. Humanity’s experiments with time manipulation lead to the conclusion the “statue” is actually an alien caught within a “time slowing” field.

Larry Greenberg, a telepath with highly developed and honed abilities is asked to participate in an attempt to make contact with the alien. This involves Greenberg and the “statue” being places within a single time slowing field, the effect of which is to nullify the one shrouding the alien.

The the new field in operation, Greenberg finds himself in the company of Kzanol, a member of a race called the Thrint. Powerfully telepathic, the Thrint once rules the galaxy pure through their mental powers and the ability to bend the minds of others to their own will. However, in the time that Kzanol has been trapped the result of a malfunction aboard his ship which forced him to abandon it and fall to Earth protected by the stasis field of his space suit, the Thrint were facing a revolt by all the races they had enslaved.

As a result of this, the Thrint had determined to wipe out every race in the galaxy using a thought amplifier. Now, his own mind mixed with that of Kzanol, Greenberg sets out with the alien with the aim of using the weapon to enslave every mind in the solar system…

Tuesday, April 2nd 19:00: The Fairy Tree

An original story written and read by Caledonia Skytower.

Wednesday, April 3rd 19:00: It’s Poetry Month!

Join Aoife Lorefield, Corwyn Allen, Kayden Oconnell, Ktahdn Vesuvino, Caledonia Skytower and possibly more in a celebration of National Poetry Month as they read some of their favourite poems and verses. Have a favourite of your own? Bring it along and one of the team will read it!

Thursday, April 4th

19:00: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Part 2

With Shandon Loring. (Also in Kitely grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI).

21:00: Seanchai Late Night

Late night Sci-Fi-Fantasy from some wonderful on-line ‘zines and podcasts, in a relaxed late night atmosphere with Finn Zeddmore.

 

Eleven years, sci-fi and very British humour

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 at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday, March 24th:

12:30 Around the World – A Seanchai Library Celebration

Seanchai Library celebrates its anniversary with an afternoon’s journey of imagination and adventure around the world, in partnership with Radio Riel.

Mixing stories and music and presented at Seanchai’s Story Glen, the event schedule comprises:

  • 12:30 – Stories in Voice: taking place at the Seanchai Library Gle, featuring Seanchai Library Founder Derry McMahon with Bear Silvershade, and Shandon Loring.
  • 13:00 – International Folk Tales with Radio Riel: broadcast on the Seanchai Library’s home stream and on Radio Riel, featuring Da5id Abbot, Faerie Maven-Pralou, and Caledonia Skytower.
  • 14:00-17:00 – Around The World, a DJ Challenge: live from the Glen & Broadcast on Radio Riel, with:
    • 14::00-15:30: Elrik Merlin.
    • 15:00-16:00: Ktadhn Vesuvino.
    • 16::00-17:00: Gabrielle Riel.

This is the third collaboration of this kind between Radio Riel and Seanchai Library. In March 2018, as part of Seanchai Library’s Volume Ten tenth anniversary celebration the two produced The Bagpipe Challenge – Beyond Loud. Then at the end of that year, Radio Riel joined Seanchai Library in marking the end of the 2018 Dickens Project with Reflections on a New Year in the same three-hour format.

Join Seanchai Library at the Story Glen as they celebrate their 11th anniversary in-world and with the support of Radio Riel

18:00 Magicland Storytime: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Have you heard? Willie Wonka is releasing five golden tickets in candy bars! Charlie Bucket may have a chance to find one as Caledonia Skytower continues Roald Dahl’s classic, live on stream!

Monday, March 25th 19:00: The World Of Ptavvs

Gyro Muggins returns to Larry Niven’s Known Universe to read the first novel Niven ever set within it  – given it was actually he first full-length novel. Within it, he lays many of the seeds, human and alien that would come to define that universe, its characteristics, traits and races.

A reflective statue is found at the bottom of one of Earth’s oceans, having lain there for 1.5 billion years. Humanity’s experiments with time manipulation lead to the conclusion the “statue” is actually an alien caught within a “time slowing” field.

Larry Greenberg, a telepath with highly developed and honed abilities is asked to participate in an attempt to make contact with the alien. This involves Greenberg and the “statue” being places within a single time slowing field, the effect of which is to nullify the one shrouding the alien.

The the new field in operation, Greenberg finds himself in the company of Kzanol, a member of a race called the Thrint. Powerfully telepathic, the Thrint once rules the galaxy pure through their mental powers and the ability to bend the minds of others to their own will. However, in the time that Kzanol has been trapped the result of a malfunction aboard his ship which forced him to abandon it and fall to Earth protected by the stasis field of his space suit, the Thrint were facing a revolt by all the races they had enslaved.

As a result of this, the Thrint had determined to wipe out every race in the galaxy using a thought amplifier. Now, his own mind mixed with that of Kzanol, Greenberg sets out with the alien with the aim of using the weapon to enslave every mind in the solar system…

Tuesday, March 26th 19:00: The Library is Dark

No stories this evening.

Wednesday, March 27th 19:00: My Word! Frank Muir and Dennis Norden Selected Writings

Frank Muir (l) and Dennis Norden (r) posing for a publicity photo. Credit: Getty Images

Frank Muir CBE (1920-1998) and Dennis Norden CBE (1922-2018) many not be familiar names to many, but they were one of the top comedy writing duos – and successful writers, authors, presenters and entertainers – in the UK working both on radio and television.

Together they wrote BBC Radio‘s Take It From Here for over 10 years, and then appeared on BBC radio quizzes My Word! and My Music for another 35.

Muir was additionally a writer on the 1960s satire programmes That Was The Week That Was, which launched the television career of David Frost (perhaps most internationally recognised for his interview with President Nixon following the latter’s resignation from office), and The Frost Report., again featuring David Frost. Muir went on to become Assistant Head of Light Entertainment at the BBC in the 1960s, and was then London Weekend Television‘s founding Head of Entertainment. However, he is probably most fondly remembered in the UK as a team captain on the  long-running BBC 2 witty comedy quiz series Call My Bluff, and as a voice-over artist in a number of famous UK television commercials.

Norden partnered in writing with Muir for more than 50 years, writing and producing radio and television shows for some of the top entertainers in the UK in those mediums during the 1960s. As a writer in his own right, Norden penned a number of Hollywood film scripts, including Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell and The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom, and wrote, narrated and starred in A Child’s Guide To Blowing Up A Car – a behind-the-scenes featurette showing how a stunt used in the James Bond movie Thurderball was put together, and which now appears on the 2006 ‘Ultimate Edition’ Thunderball DVD. Norden is perhaps most famously known for It’ll be Alright on the Night, his show featuring out-takes and bloopers from film and television, which ran from 1977 through to 2006, much of the material from which was “borrowed” by NBC in the Unites States for Dick Clarke’s Bloopers.

Join with Corwyn Allen. as he celebrates these two great British writers.

Thursday, March 28th 19:00: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

With Shandon Loring. (Also in Kitely grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI).

Celebrating SL Women 2019

Posted on by Inara Pey
Celebrating SL Women 2019

In 2018, as a means of celebrating International Women’s Day, Kyoko (Samara Barzane) and Brooke Brandenburg of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS), established a means of honouring women in SL who have contributed to “making SL a better place through their contributions.”

We wanted to do something a bit more than just a celebration so we came up with the idea of honouring ten Second Life women. And that’s what we are doing. Last year was a roaring success. So here we are again!

– Kyoko describing the Celebrating SL Women event

Nominations for come from a mix of names submitted by the event organisers and their assistants, CDS residents and – for this year, suggestions from the 2018 awardees. Names are then filtered down on the basis of some basic criteria, including the fact that the final list must comprise women who are still active in Second Life, until 10 honourees were agreed upon.

For 2018, those honoured were Treacle Darlandes, Sudane Erato, Rosie Gray, Kikuyu Kikutsuru, Nuala Marcus, Marianne McCann, Caryl Meredith, Bryn Oh, Strawberry Singh and Robin Sojourner Wood.

2019 Honourees

On Saturday, March 23rd, between 12:00 noon and 14:00 SLT, a special event will be held at the Gallery Barzane recognising this years honourees. they are:

  • Callipygian Christensen, an active member of the CDS community, an artist and DJ.
  • Laetizia Coronet: historian, aviator, photographer, modeller, and storyteller through her Flickr pages and her SL profile.
  • Gentle Heron, a founder and volunteer of the Virtual Ability community in Second Life, and mentor to users with disabilities.
  • Delia Lake, CDS resident, landscaper, educator and published author.
  • Leondra Larsson, teacher, mentor, and advocate for people with disabilities, work now works with Guardian At Litum as an advocate for children in dire circumstances.
  • Theresa Linden, Concierge in Second Life Customer Support.
  • Gabrielle Riel, community builder and founder of Radio Riel.
  • Elizabeth Tinsley, executive director of Fantasy Faire.
  • Imajika Wirefly, Director of Events for Survivors of Suicide.

It is my sincere privilege to say that the tenth person selected to be honoured in 2019 is myself.

2019 Honourees

I’m honoured to be included among such a diverse and richly talented group, and would like to pass on my genuine thanks to the  residents of CDS, and to this year’s organisers, Kyoko and Emilia Avindar for considering and selecting me.

I look forward to seeing and meeting my fellow honourees at the reception on March 23rd, between 12:00 noon and 14:00 SLT, and I hope those of you who can will join us at Gallery Barzane.

About the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS)

Currently comprising six regions, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS) is the oldest, continuously-running democratic estate in Second Life.Loose themed on Germanic, Alpine, Tuscan, or Mediterranean styles, the regions present an all-encompassing government based on citizen participation, with elections to the Representative Assembly held each six months, and the work of the Representative Assembly supported in its work by a Scientific Council.  This governing structure is not role play, as might appear to be the case: it is more a residents co-op, not unlike the way apartment buildings are managed in real life, where every landowner is a “citizen” and is granted the right to vote and be elected to manage the overall space.

Among the goals for this project are: to enable ownership of high-quality public, private, and open-space land; create a themed yet expressive community of public and private builds; and implement novel democratic forms of self-government within Second Life.