Taking flight: the Birdland Grand Re-opening

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more.

This weekend marks the Grand Re-opening of Birdland Jazz Lounge, with an open invitation for you to join the celebrations!

I recently blogged about the return to SL of two long-time friends, Alma and Blysse, and the re-establishment of Birdland in SL – a place I long regarded as a second home and Second Life’s premier jazz / romantic dance venue.

Events marking the re-opening will be running right across Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September with a mix of DJ sessions, live singers, and the Birdland Burlesque Showgirls in All That Jazz.

The full schedule for the weekend is as follows (all times SLT):

Saturday September 8th:

  • 11:00 – Misfit DJ – live
  • 16:30 – All That Jazz – the Birdland Burlesque Showgirls
  • 17:00 – Live performance by Tamra Sands (Tamra Hayden)
  • 18:00 – All That Jazz – the Birdland Burlesque Showgirls
  • 18:30 – Misfit DJ – live

Sunday September 9th:

  • 11:00 – Misfit DJ – live
  • 14:00 – Live performance by Phil Setner
  • 15:00 – All That Jazz – the Birdland Burlesque Showgirls
  • 15:30 – Misfit DJ – live
  • 16:30 – All That Jazz – the Birdland Burlesque Showgirls
  • 17:00 – Live performance by Broook Baxton
  • 18:00 – All That Jazz – the Birdland Burlesque Showgirls
  • 18:30 – Misfit DJ – live

Birdland is truly a great venue where you’re assured a warm, friendly evening, good music and plenty of conversation and dancing. Formal wear is requested, otherwise the atmosphere is relaxed. So why not pop along over the weekend and sample it for yourself and help Alma and Blysse celebrate the official re-opening? I’m sure once you do, you’re liable to become a regular!

There’s More…

Birdland features the music of Misfit DJ throughout the week, with sessions as follows:

  • Mondays through Fridays: 19:00 SLT
  • Saturdays and Sundays: 11:00 and 19:00 SLT.

Formal dress is requested at all sessions.

Related Links

Duché de Coeur: third Annual Music and Arts Festival

The weekend of the July 27th through 29th will see the Academies Royale de Musique and Peinture hosting the The Duché  de Coeur’s third are proud to present the 3rd Annual Music and Arts Festival.

The event commences at 13:00 SLT on Friday the 27th July, with Tamra Sands performing at the Languedoc Opera House Ballroom. Events will then continue throughout the weekend at venues across the Duché’s regions in Second Life, featuring a number of familiar artists as well as names new to the Duché, with a grand total of 20 artists performing over the three days of the festival.

The Music and Arts Festival is presented in appreciation for the continued support of our audience and as a part of The Academies Royale de Music and Peinture’s mission to support and showcase fine music and art in Second Life. The Academie itself will be open throughout the festival and well feature many of the artists performing over the weekend.

Schedule of Events

As posted on royalcourts.ning.com and may be subject to update (all times SLT).

Friday July 27th:

  • Languedoc Coeur Ballroom
    • A Reception & Auction Opens the Festival
    • 13:00: Tamara Sands
    • 14:00: Therese Nightfire
    • 15:00: Clarice Karu
    • 16:00: Joaquin Gustav
  • Isla Pequena
    • 18:00: Voodoo Shilton
    • 19:00: SaraMarie Philly

Saturday July 28th:

  • Languedoc Coeur Beach
    • 11:00: JooZz Magic
    • 12:00: Mapoo Little
    • 14:00: Ceci Dover
    • 15:00: WaltKeys Faith
    • 16:00: Maxx Sabretooth
  • Queen’s Hamlet
    • 18:00: Kitty Zeddmore
    • 19:00: Ichie Kamachi
    • 20:00: Noma Falta
    • 21:00: Prowess Rayna

Sunday July 29th:

In-world Contacts

For more information about the Duché de Coeur of any of the festival events, contact Duc Bedrich Panacek, Duchess Tatiana Varriale or Duchess SkyeRyder Varriale.

Related Links

AdMiRe-ing the SL music scene

Given that it is now unlikely that this year’s Second Life Community Convention will take place following the announcement by AvaCon that they have declined organising it, it would seem the Music Jams  – gradually growing in ascendency – are set to become the de facto means of bringing about SL users getting together in appreciable numbers in real life.

In fact, given the reach of virtual entertainment, it’s entirely possible Music Jams could serve to build bridges between the various virtual worlds in bringing together music lovers and entertainers from across the grids to hear their favourite performers and to discuss the virtual music scene.

This being the case – and while it is a little late in the day for me to be getting to it, my apologies for that – it seems only appropriate that I make mention of AdMiRe 2012, which was brought to my attention last week by SL resident and friend, Explorer Dastardly.

AdMiRe – Adorable Mixed Realities – has been hosting a live get-together in the Netherlands since around 2009, featuring artists participating live from around the world and with streaming in-world to Second Life. In 2011, over 100 musicians and SL users attended the event and 2012 promises to be at least as big.

AdMiRe 2012 will be taking place between August 3rd and August 5th in Heiloo a municipal town north of Amsterdam, and it sounds like fun. Things will kick-off on the afternoon of Friday August 3rd, and will comprise a mix of live performances and master classes for those wishing to get involved in the virtual music scene. If possible, the event may also be streamed in-world to SL as well; details on this are still very much up in the air, however.

The venue for the weekend is the Fletcher Hotel in Heiloo, a first class hotel with comfortable rooms, an excellent restaurant and which is only a half-hour bike ride from the nearest beach. The venue offers two wonderful performance areas – an intimate music bar that runs all weekend plus a large stage for the all-day music-event on Saturday.  Both stages are run by professional sound engineers for exceptional sound quality. There will be an AdMiRe desk for check-in and help on-site should you have any questions on your arrival.

I’ve summarised the core details below – please also see the AdMiRe blog and you can contact members of the AdMiRe team in-world with any questions ahead of the event (see Related Links, below).

General information

  • Venue: Fletcher Hotel Heiloo, Kennemerstraatweg 425 1851 PD Heiloo
  • Heiloo is approximately 40 minutes from Schiphol Airport by rail, with a one-way fare costing around 8 Euros. The hotel is some 1.5km from the Heiloo train station. Train times are available on-line
  • Start-time: 15:00 (local) Friday August 3rd, with music sets finishing at 01:30 on the morning of Sunday August 5th
  • Two venues for live performances appear to be available for the event, one of which is described as an “intimate music bar”, while the other is the main stage which will be used for the “all day” aspects of the event
  • Confirmed artists: Kaycee Drayman, Wannahave Ferraris, Xander Nichting, Allergra3 P, Inchino Melson, Tim Anadyr, Franck Molko, Nadine Morani, Ian Bleac and his daughter Ruthy, Babba Ballyhoo, Thera Nayar, Mar Biddle, Bara Jonson, Free Balan, Laralette Lane, Lefty Unplugged, Yip Jannings and Hannes Breda.

Registration and Hotel Booking

Hotel Heiloo
  • Event registration:
    • Weekend general admittance: 25 Euros
    • Friday general admittance: 10 Euros
    • Saturday general admittance (midday onwards): 20 Euros
    • Artists’ registration fee: 15 Euros
  • Hotel room rate: 154 Euros (incl. taxes) plus a 5 Euro booking fee
    • Rate is inclusive of dinner on Friday / Saturday and buffet breakfast on Saturday / Sunday
    • Lunch is not included in the rate, be will be available in the hotel’s a la carte restaurant (or you can BYO)
    • A single supplement of 15 Euros will be applied if you require a single room.
  • Check-in / check-out times:
    • Check-in 15:00 onwards on Friday 3rd August
    • Check-out must be by 11:00 on Sunday 5th August
  • Non-hotel residents can join those at the hotel for dinner on both Friday and Saturday for a cost of 29.50 Euros each (payable to the hotel directly). Dinner places must be booked on arrival at the hotel on Friday, and no later than 15:00 on Saturday
  • Hotel bookings – make sure you make it clear you are booking for AdMiRe 2012:
    • By phone: (+31)725052244
    • By fax: (+31)725053766
    • By e-mail: banquet-at-fletcherhotelheiloo.nl
    • Faxes and e-mails should be for the attention of  Moira Bosch

Related Links

  • AdMiRe blog
  • Facebook group: AdMiRe-NL
  • AdMiRe team:
    • Inchino Melson (a bit of Everything)
    • Kaycee Drayman (Bookings / Music Coordinator)
    • Mar Biddle (Local Coordinator)
    • XanderNichting Writer (Sound Coordinator)
    • Wannahave Ferraris
    • JoJa Dhara (Community Manager)
    • Sas (Fairy Vita)

With thanks to Explorer Dastardly and Kaycee Drayman.  

Upcoming Events, April 14th-15th

I’ve received notecards relating to two events occurring this weekend I’ve been asked to pass on to readers.

Saturday 14th April: LEA Hosts Project 48 Machinima Premiere

From Pete Linden, Linden Labs

The global sensation that is the 48 Hour Film Project comes to the virtual world of Second Life on with an exclusive in world screening of all entries from the 2012 Machinima 48 Hour Film Project, accompanied by film crew interviews and a presentation by Emmy nominated Film SFX supervisor Tony Dyson.

22 teams have entered the world-famous 48 Hour Film Project Machinima, where crews must create a movie within exactly 48 hours: write, shoot, edit and score it. With 3 required elements (prop, character and line of dialogue) and a randomly assigned genre, filmmakers must work fast to create high-speed cinematic history. In the Project 48 Machinima edition, films are created within games and online platforms.

The Linden Endowment for the Arts (LEA) is a resident-managed agency within the world of Second Life, tasked with nurturing and promoting the arts community within the virtual world. LEA’s new Media Arts Center specifically works with awareness, education and development of virtual world-generated video (machinima) and will be hosting this screening within its new LEA Theater, a high-tech facility designed for cutting-edge media events.

The program will also feature the head of jury, noted Emmy-nominated special effects supervisor Tony Dyson (Moonraker, Dragon Slayer, Star Wars, Altered States) delivering his jury keynote speech before the official awards ceremony. This event will be streamed live to the Casula Powerhouse Theater in Sydney, Australia.

Other judges; Sean Callinan, Paul Nunes, Chris Howlett, Dan Graf, Trace Sanderson (aka Lainy Voom) and event host Phaylen Fairchild.

The winning film will represent the 48HFPmachinima at the Filmapalooza Filmfestival 2012, in Los Angeles, and take away a grande first prize of 3,000 Australian dollars.

Event producers: Chantal Harvey and Tom Papas

Event Details

  • Location: LEA Theatre, SL
  • Times: Saturday April 14th 23:00 SLT (Sunday 15th April @ 08:00 Europe; 16:00 Australia).

Related Links

Sunday 15th April: Duche de Coeur: Opera meets Couture Gala

From Baharat Atlas, Duché de Coeur

Duché de Coeur’s Academie Royale de Musique (ARM) and MANIERA LLC present the first annual Opera Meets Couture fashion show and gala. A magical night inspired by Vogue’s Night of a 1000 Stars. Please join us Sunday, April 15th starting at 12pm SLT for an afternoon filled with music, dancing and fashion.

A selection of gowns from some of Second Life®‘s top designers will be sold with partial proceeds being donated to help support the Academie’s education and outreach efforts.

ARM’s director, Marquise Baharat Atlas, “Music education is of course at the forefront of our education agenda, and we offer a series of music education workshops and listening sessions. The Academie however continues to grow and expand beyond music into the performing arts enabling us to produce elaborate dance productions. We also offer immersive educational activities that allow guests to experience 18th century French customs and culture. All of our offerings are open to all”

Academie Royale de Musique supports and promotes superior music and theatre at the Duche de Coeur. The Academie’s mission primarily focuses on classical music however it showcases a variety of genre through several music appreciation and educational workshops and sessions.

The Academie also produces modern and liturgical dance as well as ballet and stage plays. We are proud of our partnerships with Unity Productions (liturgical and modern dance) and KG Shine Productions (theatrical plays). Together we bring spectacular performances throughout the year.

Maniera Inc. is a premier Second Life® fashion and lifestyle corporation with three subsidiary companies including: Maniera Magazine, Maniera Model Management and Maniera Institute of Style. For all business inquiries, please contact Topaz Joubert, CEO of Maniera Inc.

MANIERA MAGAZINE is one of Second Life®’s top fashion and lifestyle magazines with a distribution of over 30,000 in world. We were the first themed magazine in Second Life® and boast a staff of professionals in their field not only in Second Life® but in real life as well. We raise the bar of Second Life®’s magazine publishing industry by demanding excellence in our professional writing, expert photography and sleek design. Maniera Magazine is published in-world Monthly and also on the world-wide web via Issuu.

Event Details

  • Location: Le Musee dans le Ciel
  • Times: Sunday April 15th
    • Pre-show reception: 12:00 midday SLT
    • Auction: 13:00 SLT
    • Gala featuring Aelthing Aeon: 15:00 SLT

Duché de Coeur Whitney Houston tribute

Baharat Atlas from Duché de Coeur contacted me last night concerning a Whitney Houston tribute event being held at the Duchy this weekend, the 18th and 19th February.

Details are as follows, all times SLT:

Saturday 18th February

  • 13:30-14:00: Languedoc Chapel:
    • Unity Productions Presents A Liturgical Dance Service
  • 14:00-17:00: Pavillion of the Heart:
    • 14:00-15:00: SaraMarie Philly (venue tbc)
    • 15:00-16:00: Lauren Ilo
    • 16:00-17:00:Balladeer Resident
  • 17:00-20:00: Queen’s Hamlet:
    • DJ Miles Eleventhauer (venue tbc)
    • Lady Junable Khalim

Sunday 19th February

Duché de Coeur: September dates

Duché de Coeur has released details of further events and dates in their September music schedule, and it promises to be a delightful programme.

September 23 – 14:00-15:00 SLT

A concert by the multi-talented Dani Plassitz. A singer and a fashion designer, Dani will be appearing at Aquitaine Coeur-Isla Pequena (SLurl).

September 24 

13:00-14:00 SLT: Ballerina Flori Muffin, a student at the LPBa Ballet Academy in SL, will be performing at the Languedoc Coeur-Opera House (SLurl).

19:00-20:00SLT: 2009 LEMA Award nominee Pmann Sands will be performing in the Duchy’s Blues night at Languedoc Coeur-Beach (SLurl), as a part of the Duchy’s Tunes Around Town series.

September 25th 11:00-12:00 SLT

Renowned singer Ceci Dover will be attending the Languedoc Coeur-Opera House & Art Gallery (SLurl) for a meet and greet.

September 27th 19:00-20:00SLT

Madame Amoufhaz and hexx Triskaidekaphobia are the Born Again Pagans, who will be appearing at the Duchy’s Reggae Night, hosted at Aquitaine Coeur-Isla Pequena (SLurl), as a part of the Duchy’s Tunes Around Town series.

September 30th 12:30-14:00

A concert by the renowned Joaquin Gustav, who will be performing as a part of the Duchy’s Enchanted Evenings series at Provence Coeur Est-Queen’s Hamlet (Slurl). The event will commence with a belly dance performance by Rachel Corleone.

Related links

My review of Duché de Coeur.