Category: Reviews

Update, February 21st, 2025: Note the clubs mentioned below have relocated.

I recently had the pleasure of dropping into Stardew Meadows, a Full region leveraging the Land Capacity bonus. Split into four primary parcels, the region is home to a burgeoning music community, being the home of three individual venues – [Refuge], Deep Box and La Fée Verte.

While all three clubs are highly individual in look and feel, their owners – Benny Vortex of [Refuge], BookaB of Deep Box and Babe Whimsy of La Fée Verte (or absinthe, if you prefer) – share a vision of community, and music and work co-operatively to allow this to happen. During my visit, both Benny and Booka tour me on a tour of their clubs (Babe has been caught with matters in the physical world, and so wasn’t available), and answer my questions – my thanks to both for doing so.

[Refuge] Offers a PBR-rich environment on two levels. On the ground it offers a swamp environment, tall swamp cypresses courtesy of Cube Republic raise an umbrella of foliage over the circular wetlands. To the east, the trees part to offer an opening to the sea whilst at the centre of the grove atop a flat plug of rock sits the lower-level [Refuge].

This takes the form of a large tropical cabin (via Cory Edo), an upper floor glass dancefloor suspended from the upper deck of the club building. Events at [Refuge] are Euro-centric in time, taking place every Saturday at 04:00 SLT (12:00 noon UK; 13:00 CET). At the time of my visit, the ground level pace was a little bare – but benny was still in the process of setting-up – while the swamp offers numerous little spots awaiting discovery, including a fine dining space within the bole of one of the trees. Do watch out for the alligators, however!

Whilst visiting, Benny offered me the chance to visit the [Refuge] sky venue. This is again a PBR setting and wonderfully minimalist; the dark walls, floors and ceiling contrasted by the white fluorescent lighting. The result is chiaroscuro in effect; a place of contrasts stark in their extreme. Yes, it gives the setting a dark tone when seen using the intended shared environment, but this is entirely intentional.

I thought I would do something a little less avatar focused, because we all know people like to look at their avatars; so I hope it encourages conversations over just cam-perving folk. 

– Benny Vortex, owner of [Refuge]

Moving between the two settings within [Refuge]  will be via teleporter; this is not currently open to all, as the sky venue does not officially open until February 9th, 2025, when Niccolo Ellisson hosts an event. However, when it is open, visitors will initially arrive in a white mist, the club revealing itself as they walk through it, and teleporting back to ground level will be by jumping into the arms of an Animesh character.

Across the bridge from [Refuge] is BookaB’s Deep Box.

Presenting a more tropical-feeling environment compared to [Refuge], this is again a venue in two parts. On the ground level and within the rotunda of a large greenhouse, the first venue presents a central dancefloor surrounded by seating areas. Some of the seats are hanging, allowing them to combine with the lush vegetation hanging from the ceiling and lighting rigs and the general décor to offer a unique ambience perfectly lit under the Shard Environment. A teleport disk located behind the DJ’s booth presents the way up to the Deep Box sky venue.

The latter continues many of the themes found in the rotunda, expanding on them to mix-in elements suggestive of rainforests, and tribal heraldry in an intoxicating mix, the eye being drawn to almost every corner.  The entire feeling is less impersonal club space and more that of a shared social space: somewhere to feel comfortable and safe within; a place for sharing with friends. And friendships and community very much lies at the heart of Deep Box.

Deep Box is five years old now. We stick to our style in music and I think that’s what people like; it so special with the community here, friendly people and very good DJs. We operate every Sunday from 03.30 to 08.30 SLT within the ground venue, and every Friday 10.30 to 13.30 SLT in the Box up here.

– BookaB on Deep Box

The level of sharing and community found within both Deep Box and [Refuge] can be found in the fact that both Bennie and Booka hold sets at one another’s venue, and they share a vision of providing quality and engagement over trying to run events within their clubs seven days a week. This is furthered in the fact that Deep Box also leans towards euro-centric times for events: Fridays between 10:30-13:30 SLT (18:30 UK / 21:30 CET) and Sunday between 03.30-08.30 SLT (11:30  UK / 16:30 CET).

That said, the contrast between the two venues couldn’t be more apparent; where [Refuge] is marvellously minimalist; Deep Box has a sense of bric-a-brac we might associate with homeliness; the plants, the décor, the objects scattered about, all give a sense of warmth and fullness. Each has a sense of personality that is engaging in its own way. In other words – I really like the aesthetics of both.

Back on the ground, a path from the Deep Box rotunda will lead visitors up over a ridge to where a balloon-supported bridge connecting Deep Box with La Fée Verte.

At the time of my visit, La Fée Verte was caught in the midst of winter. As Babe was unavailable, I did my best to fin my way around, and I believe the venue here is just on the ground (but I’m obviously open to correction on this).  The club offers two levels, the dance space on the lower floor, and a lounge above, complete with an outdoor terrace.

Surrounded by fir trees, the space outside of the club offers seating for those wishing to relax outside of the music. I’m afraid I have no idea as to when events are held at the club; as noted, Babe has been away from SL and caught with matters on the human side of the screen, so I didn’t have the opportunity to meet her during my visit. However, La Fée Verte fits well with both Deep Box and [Refuge] and the bridges mean that travelling between the three is easy, making any appreciation of all three possible in a single visit.

With there UK / European-centric event times, both Deep Box and [Refuge] have a clear appeal to those of us on this side of the Atlantic – but this shouldn’t prevent anyone else from visiting.  Note again that the skyborne space at [Refuge] opening in February 2025.

My thanks to Benny and Booka for their time.

SLurl Details

• [Refuge],  Deep Box and La Fée Verte (Good Vibe, rated Moderate)

Aisling Shade invited me to visit the new home of Coda Haze and the Coda music venues ahead of its official opening on Monday, January 20th, 2025.

Occupying half a Full private region leveraging the Land Capacity Bonus, the new iteration of Coda Haze, offers an expansion on its former quarter-region, with some redesign work put in around the town space and which includes the Myrdin Motel, which Aisling  describes as “a nod to Lynchland”, the former artistic setting depicting the works of David Lynch; a particularly poignant inclusion, given the sad news of his recent passing.

Four of the major music venues within the setting comprise the Park, which at the time of my visit was set as the Landing Point (not enforced) and the eastern beach alongside the park and reached by a bridge spanning the local stream.  There’s also Code Red and Coda Black, occupying the large building in the centre of the local town.

Coda Haze is an alternative to the busy, competitive and sometimes confusing club culture in SL. We provide the venue, good music and happy vibes, but really this is about you… on your terms. We respect all of your free time and there’s never any obligation to support us. We won’t use gimmicks or high pressure tactics to increase traffic. Come because you want to be here.

– Aisling Slade on the music and culture at Coda Haze

However, before going any further, I should note that Coda Haze has been rebuilt using PBR materials, and while Aisling has tried to provide fallback Blinn-Phong (“legacy”) materials, this has not been possible throughout the setting; therefore it is best experienced using a PBR-enabled viewer. I would also recommend using the Shared Environment whist exploring, although admittedly I did play with the position of the Sun is a couple of images here.

To ease getting around, a teleport network is provided, with stations available at all major points of interest; however, it is easy enough (and more pleasant) to wander on foot from place to face and full appreciate all Coda Haze has to offer (that said, you will need the teleporter system to reach the skyborne Cosmic Factory tavern). There’s also a hover bike rezzer located on the edge of town alongside the steps up from the park and outside the Tea Room. This will carry you around all of the ground-level areas on the setting on a guided tour.

As well as the club venues and motel mentioned above, the setting offers two large swimming pool / spa locations, one overlooking the the beach to the east side beach and its music venue, the other (indoor) pool to the west, standing with its back to one of the two private areas within the setting: the western beach. The other private area is the large town house alongside the swimming pool’s greenhouse-like structure.

Alongside the private beach on the west side of the region is a rocky lagoon that is open to the public and linked to the rest of the public areas in the setting by a couple of rocky tunnels. It forms a neat little hang-out with a neat sense of isolation from the  rest of the setting whilst still being a part of it, and offers the setting’s final music venue.

The first sets – and opening – of Coda Haze will commence at 18:00 SLT on Monday, January 20th, 2025, and will feature DJs Kaylee Wickentower (through to 19:00 SLT), followed by DJ Aisling Shade, both of whom will provide a mix of music genres, including psychedelic and dance. After the opening, weekly events will be held as follows:

• 18:00-20:00 SLT, Mondays, and Wednesday through Friday.
• 10:00-12:00 noon, Sundays.

Mixing music with places to see and venues for general socialising, the new Coda Haze makes for an engaging visit – and I’ll leave it to you to find the hidden bunker 😉 .

SLurl Details

• Coda Haze (Illusion Forest, rated Adult)

I was surprised to see that it’s been over a year since I last visited Yoyo Collas’ Homestead region of Borkum (see: Borkum’s Winter in Second Life); so long, in fact that I gather the region may have vanished for a time from the grid. However, it is now back within a new location, and I’ve been keen to make a revisit.

As I noted back in November 2023:

Drawing its name from the Lower Saxony island which forms the largest and westernmost of the East Frisian Islands as it sits alongside the border with the Netherlands, and caught between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, Yoyo’s Borkum has always been a place that is both photogenic and a reminder of how good it is to spend time away from the bustle of life and simply be.

This remains the case now as much as it did then; the major difference being that with this iteration of Borkum, spring has once again returned, allowing it to offer a welcome promise of what is to come for those of us in the northern hemisphere as winter moves increasingly behind us and spring draws ever closer.

One of the delights of Borkum is that whilst the island many change in its overall look and feel with each iteration, it retains many elements from past designs – such ats the Apple Fall Old Manufactory -, so as to always hold the feeling that one is returning to  familiar and comfortable place.

With its central upland grasslands and surrounding beaches, this iteration of Borkum is very much a haven for both wildfowl and domesticate animals – horses, sheep, cattle, chickens. The latter are all clearly ruled over by the island’s felines (just as cats hold sway over our physical lives, whatever we might think; as the saying goes – dogs have owners, cats have staff!).

The wildfowl and birds range from geese through seagulls, cormorants, egrets, cranes and even swans. Together with the animal life they offer many opportunities for photography; but so to does the natural beauty of the region. The grasslands of the hills are awash with colour thanks to the meadow flowers, poppies and other blooms which almost completely hide the grass, whilst the scrub trees, buildings and other structures all add to the picturesque nature of the setting.

I’m not going to describe how to explore the island – it is easy enough to work out for yourself; the paths offer hints, pointing places of interest, but really, Borkum is a place to simply wander and to sit and allow the time to pass, either on your own or in company. For those so minded, there is a sailing boat slowly circling the island visitors can sit upon, but there are more than enough places on land for people to enjoy if the boat is already occupied when you visit.

The sense of solitude present on the island is enhanced somewhat by the hints that it might be the retreat for an artist, and which also happens to offer opportunities for visits dropping by, thanks to the beaches and the little café.

Rather than say anything else, I’ll close with the words Yoyo has written for the region, as they are the most fitting:

Far out in the endless northern dance,
where waves weave patterns in a timeless trance, lies an island, where winds still play,
Borkum, a gem in the ocean’s sway.
The gulls sing clear, a hymn to the skies,
of horizons that promise where the future lies. The briny air speaks bold and free,
of ventures shaped by the restless sea.

Upon the shore where stories remain,
where amber gleams in a golden chain,
an eternal symphony calling us all.
When the night lays out its starry veil,
and the breeze unfolds its ocean tale,
you’ll dream of Borkum, the boundless strand, the island of wonder, the promised land.

So, go visit and enjoy.

SLurl Details

• Borkum (Poetry, rated Moderate)

Occupying a Full region leveraging the Land Capacity bonus, Ruehaven Village is a rural setting mixing private residences with public spaces visitors are invited to explore and enjoy.

The best way to describe the setting is by using the description presented via the Destination Guide:

Ruehaven Village is a quaint, small family-owned village set in an English-style Victorian era. It features lots of beautiful scenery, functioning businesses, happy and friendly residents, and more. 

The Landing Point is located towards the south-west of corner the region, alongside the local churchyard. Before it, the paved road of road of the village runs northwards, braced to either side by village shops and houses.  The first of these is the local pub (no village in England is really complete without having at least one pub!).

A road showing signs of heavier use points eastwards from the Landing point, and has a short spur stretching to the village harbour quay sitting behind the pub and village businesses.  This is also the arrival / end point for the local railway.

The private residences are spread across the region, one within the village (and marked as such); the others along the remaining sides of the setting. They belong to the Second Life families who live within the region, and are clearly separated from the public spaces by fences and hedgerows.

Central to the setting is a lake – froze for winter at the time of my visit, the island rising from its waters the home of a cosy pavilion where afternoon tea and pasties might be enjoyed, together with music from the piano.

The dock and boat to one side of the lake suggest that trips out on the water might be encouraged when the weather is more amenable, while a carousel sits across the water to offer rides of a different kind. Meanwhile the road running east away from the village actually passes around the lake, offering a route of exploration that will lead visitors to the major points of interest.

The latter include the church mentioned above, the dance pavilion, the various stores in the village, and the local sled run (well, while the snow lasts!). Those who enjoy horse riding should also pay a visit to the local stables as there’s a rezzer there with open use, and the roads are well-suited to horse riding.

I assume the seasons with the region change through the year,  but the current wintery look and feel to the region give it a romantic look and feel, adding to its overall photogenic beauty. And when you’re done exploring, don’t forget to spend a little time relaxing at the local café.

All-in-all, a delightful and easy-on-the-eye setting.

SLurl Details

• Ruehaven Village (Fleurs bleu nuit, rated Moderate)