This Weekend in Second Life Dance

Winds of the Sahara - June 6 2018

(This week’s showcase performer is Lynxa Wilde)

Hi there. R. Crap Mariner, your long-lost dance correspondent.

I’ll be posting dance performance schedules, similar to Inara’s posts about Seanchai Library readings.

Let’s get started, here’s the events that I saw on the calendar as of press time.


(All times SLT)

Burlesque Dolls - June 2 2018

Friday June 8 2018

6pm Elysium Cabaret

Elysium Cabaret – Welcome to the Weekend! If it’s Friday, it’s Elysium Cabaret! Fancy some imagination? In The Empire Room at Copperhead Road, every Friday at 6pm SLT the dynamic performers of Elysium Cabaret take the stage to bring you a solid hour of entertainment! Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone. Grab your friends and get their early because the sim fills. Come celebrate Friday! Welcome to the weekend!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/74/64/2754

10pm Guerilla Burlesque

This week we bring you our late Pit revue show filled with jaw dropping original dance performances! We welcome back some of our best original Guerilla dancers to the stage mixed with our newest members all brought together to make one hell of a kick ass show! If you like to stay up late this is the show for you too! At 10 pm we will continue to bring you all brand new acts that will take you up, up and away! Amazing set designs, mood stirring music as well as our beautiful Guerilla dancers! We are happy to have Chrissy Rhiano​ back directing the show this week! Something wonderful happens in the Pits come see for yourself! Doors open at 9 pm for the 10 pm show! Mark the dates, make your plans and get there early we have your seats ready!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Idle%20Rogue/107/189/33


Guerilla Burlesque - June 1 2018

Saturday June 9 2018

1pm Debauche @ Tryst Ballroom

Debauche returns once more to the absolutely gorgeous surrounding of the Tryst Ballroom. Such a grand, wonderful place to perform and we are REALLY looking forward to this one. Debauche – a little naughty, a lot sexy and ALWAYS CLASSY! Come join us and see for yourself – You know you want to 🙂

3pm Men In Motion

I know most of you have been waiting oh so patiently for this post… and well, today is your lucky day. This Saturday, mid afternoon, we are about to have our delights filled with some of Second Life’s most talented choreographers and dancers. They will take you into the depth’s of their mind to show you their vision of their dance. Some might take you into the jungle, some might have you relive high school days, some might even put you in a dark padded room.. when it’s all said and done, the fire department will be called and their hoses will be available to cool off any small fires that might be started.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forbidden%20Fruit/28/74/3034

5pm Burlesque Dolls

Come and enjoy an afternoon of some of the most exquisite and talented burlesque dancers on second life. The Burlesque Dolls will be gracing the stage at the Jefferson Opera house this Saturday at 5 SLT and invite you to join them as they pay tribute to the women of music. Enjoy the sensual tease by Lina, Queenie, Kyshra, Lynxa, Corri, Nara, Vanity and Alexis joined by the sensual tones of our irresistible Dj Diamonique. (Semi formal to formal dress please)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Playa%20dela%20Familia/12/39/2001

7pm Moulin Rouge

Description:LIVE – Disco Fever DATE: June 9, 2018, 7pm SLT The Moulin Rouge Revue will be presenting live a special disco show. We hope you come down and join us for a spectacular performance by our dancers to some fun, upbeat tunes! Hustle on down ready to boogie and strut your stuff with us for a retro good time.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moulin%20Rouge/172/131/31

7pm Paramount Grand Theatre

Description:Summer Nights! Paramount Grand Theatre’s brand new show of the year. Come join us for an evening of classy but sassy entertainment as we the Paramount Players dance for you, June 2nd & 9th at 7pm SLT. The Players are bringing on new and old routines for your enjoyment. Dancer’s Choice type of show!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hell%20Lust/77/83/22

8pm A&M Mocap Maniacs

Description:Our monthly Home Show, showcasing what you can do with A&M MOCAP Animation Workshop dance animations! Join us for the performances, stay for the totally FUN after party where our DJ will dance you on stage!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mocap%20Dancer/51/219/504


https://www.flickr.com/photos/isfullofcrap/41456410115/in/dateposted/

Sunday June 10 2018

7am Club Image

  1. Line up for this Sunday
  2. Misse Tigerpaw “Doll Play”
  3. Coyume Melod “Pure White”
  4. Setsuna Hirano “The cobweb”
  5. Diawa Bellic”Good Vibe” -NEW – with Nara

Team dance Yougao Destiny”Can’t stop the feeling!”

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Laem%20Singh/193/28/2021

12pm Kiki’s Burlesque

No description, but if this is the same show I saw recently, it’s good.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LORII%20CAPRONI%20ISLAND/106/174/24

12pm Oasis Dancers

Description:OOC Event, Goreans and Non-Goreans are welcome, no dress code.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gorean%20Campus/194/72/32

12pm Spirit Light Company

Journey into the worlds of great painters over the last 150 years including Monet, Degas, and Chagall, Boudin, Matisse and Lautrec, to name only a few. SLDC uses dance as palette and brush to honour and celebrate
the artistic accomplishments of the masters.

You will be dazzled as the canvas of famous paintings is brought to life on stage where the two dimension become three in movement and dance.

You won’t want to miss this unique and amazing performance. Second Life is an artist’s canvas, a dancer’s world, and a musician’s hall, each without the limitations of the physical world and with the immense possibilities of a virtual world.

The programme is presented free of charge, however we expect large crowds so come early to assure access to the sim.

Dance is an Art
Paint your Dream and Follow it!
Steven Thompson

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/120/82/3602

5pm Winds of the Sahara

Description:Each Sunday we have a shiny, new show at Winds of the Sahara. Our dances range from burlesque to performance art and you are sure to be amazed at all of the wonder that sets, costumes and music can create. We’ll put sparkles in your eyes and leave sequins on your shirt collars.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aladona/124/193/2001


Check with the Dance Queens event calendar for updates and additions to the weekend’s schedule, as well as the many events that happen during the week.

Full disclosure: I perform with Guerilla Burlesque and Debauche.

Winds of the Sahara - May 13 2018

This Weekend in Second Life Dance

https://www.flickr.com/photos/isfullofcrap/26898127057/in/dateposted/

Hi there. R. Crap Mariner, your conflicted and angsty dance correspondent.

I’ll be posting dance performance schedules, similar to Inara’s posts about Seanchai Library readings.

Things have quieted down a bit, but there’s still a lot of dance performance going on.

Let’s get started, here’s the events that I saw on the calendar as of press time.


(All times SLT)

Friday May 4

Dancing Desires - April 29 2018

3:00PM Crystal Edge Dance Club

Welcome to the Crystal Edge Dance Club, home of the Crystal Edge Dance Troupe.

Dancing at the Crystal Edge has been a long-standing tradition of talented and creative dancers. There is no better way to get to know people and make new friends.

Dancing is like dreaming with your feet, if you stumble make it part of the dance!

Dance with your heart and your feet will follow!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tai/25/199/21

6:00PM Elysium Cabaret

Description:Elysium Cabaret – Welcome to the Weekend!

If it’s Friday, it’s Elysium Cabaret! Fancy some imagination? In The Empire Room at Copperhead Road, every Friday at 6pm SLT the dynamic performers of Elysium Cabaret take the stage to bring you a solid hour of entertainment!

Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone. Grab your friends and get their early because the sim fills. Come celebrate Friday! Welcome to the weekend!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/74/64/2754

10:00PM Guerilla Burlesque

It’s wild, wonderful and worth it! It’s Guerilla Burlesque Friday Revue!

The team from Guerilla Burlesque present originally crafted dance acts built and performed by some of the best dancers on the grid! We strive to bring you our very best and keep it fresh and fun every time! Thea Dee is our director this week and It’s going to be an exciting line up of great acts! The only thing missing is you, our special guest!

So make your plans, grab a few friends and make an evening of it! Join us this Friday night so you don’t miss a thing! Doors open at the Culzean Theatre at 9 pm for the 10 pm!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Idle%20Rogue/107/189/33

Saturday May 5

Debauche - April 29 2018

1:00PM Debauche

Debauche return to the beautiful theatre at VIlle De Couer after a long absence. Such a lovely place to perform with a lovely crowd to match it. Come join us for the thrills, the excitement, the naughtiness and the sheer class of Debauche. Dress smart casual please See you there 1pm Saturday 5th May.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aquitaine%20Coeur%20Nord/125/16/23

3:00PM Burlesque Dolls

Join us at the Jefferson Opera House as we help celebrate 2 years of the Mysterium Masked Mansion.
.
Burlesque Dolls brings you classic burlesque from some of the most talented dancers on the grid. Sultry, tempting and glamorous as they take the stage, each bringing their own style and signatures with them as they entice you.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aldo/113/67/3002

4:30PM RIPA After Dark Theatre Cabaret

River Island Performing Art presents: ‘AFTER DARK’ THEATRE CABARET *ADULT CONTENT WARNING* Full Nudity forms part of this production 18+ ONLY. * Produced by Red & Steve of The River Island Theatre, and Performed by the sexy men and women of The Hot Knights & The Boudoir Dance Troupes @ Les Âmes Sauvages, Cabaret Méchant We Present The Steamiest Cabaret Show In SL. Please arrive early, spaces are limited, entrance is free.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Big%20Bang/44/156/42

7:00PM Paramount Grand Theatre

Brush Strokes, Paramount Grand Theatre’s brand new show for May. Come join us for an evening of classy but sassy entertainment as we the Paramount Players dance for you, May 5th & 12th at 7pm slt.

Brush Strokes you ask? The Players’ new show is about art! Taking some of our favorite artist’s work and interpreting it into dance.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hell%20Lust/77/83/22

Sunday May 6

Winds of the Sahara - April 29 2018

10:00AM Muse Dance Company

Join the Muse Dance Company for this dance musical Chicago. A satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the “celebrity criminal”. You don’t wanna miss this one!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whymsee/117/6/2019

1:00PM Debauche

Debauche come back for a second visit to the wonderful theatre at Bluemood. Its great to be invited back. A lovely place full of lovely people – really looking forward to seeing them all again, plus a few new faces, hopefully. Debauche – a little naughty, a lot sexy, always classy. Come find out!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Saudade/154/236/3563

5:00PM Ballet Pixelle

Ballet Pixelle® will open its production of “Avatara” on Sunday, April 15 at 5:00 pm SLT, Join us for this original composition of virtual dance! What if a real world dancer could dance in a virtual world? What movements would be the same or different? What kinds of different beings could she be? What would be the same? And how would that dancer be changed after her experience? Performances are Wednesdays at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 5:00 pm SLT throughout April in the Ballet Pixelle Theatre. Audience dancing at the after-show party every performance! Join us for an evening of delights. Chat with the performers and crew after the performance for autographs, photos, and a question & answer session.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Quat/32/22/107

5:00PM Winds of the Sahara

Each Sunday we have a shiny, new show at Winds of the Sahara. Our dances range from burlesque to performance art and you are sure to be amazed at all of the wonder that sets, costumes and music can create. We’ll put sparkles in your eyes and leave sequins on your shirt collars.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aladona/124/193/2001


I assume there will be a few more shows this weekend.

I prefer to error on the side of caution, so if your event isn’t listed above, either get your notecard in sooner, or add your show to the comments.

Check with the Dance Queens event calendar for updates and additions to the weekend’s schedule, as well as the many events that happen during the week.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I perform with Guerilla Burlesque and Debauche.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/isfullofcrap/27923613348/in/dateposted/

Do you see yourself in the white spotlight?

Is it worth the time? is it worth the price?
Do you see yourself in the white spotlight?
Then play the game tonight.

– Play The Game Tonight by Kansas

Hi there, This is R. Crap Mariner, your Dance Correspondent.

I’ve been photographing dance shows for over a year, but one thing I promised myself was that I’d stick to shooting dance. I wouldn’t get all involved in the whole scene, I wouldn’t blog any of it, and God forbid I ever think of taking the stage myself, let alone choreograph my own routines. “No, no, no, no, no, no.” I said when people taunted and tempted me. I was not going to give in.

Point. Shoot. Leave. That’s the plan. Stick to it.

Well, I kinda screwed that all up. Because I début at Guerilla Burlesque’s pitshow on April 13th.

You see, in order to better understand dance performance, I figured I had to perform at some point. Especially if I were to get away with some of the jokes with my Don’t Make Me Call The Dance Police column. It’s a case of “put up or shut up.”

But it wouldn’t just do to ride someone else’s mover and be their puppet. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and the times I’ve done that have been fun…

https://www.flickr.com/photos/isfullofcrap/27138148058/in/album-72157674461229002/

(Had to fight Terri to get that last Club Image mover, but she got even with me by shivving me in the lunch line.)

But I felt that I had to try to make my own. Kind of like how Hunter Thompson immersed himself into a story with Gonzo and George Plympton would put on a helmet or strap on some cleats in his participatory style. Or Gonzo the great would… erm… okay, he was a Muppet. Never mind.

Building my own act would give me a better appreciation of what it takes for a choreographer to put together a routine and also to learn the different styles that each director and choreographer brings to the table. Finally, everybody’s got their short cuts, tricks, and signature elements in an act, so building something to work with allows them to say, “Hey, there’s an easier way to do this…” or “I know of a better version of this object…”

Looking back over the process and the plan, I’m going to share my journey with you. It’s the order in which I did things, and not necessarily the right order to follow. Also, it’s not a cookbook with individually numbered steps to follow to build your own act. You’re going to need to fill in some of the gaps and details on your own or in your class or with your teacher.

Most importantly, maybe you’ll read my story and think “If that dingbat can do this, maybe I can, too?”

WARNING: This article is long. Really, really long. I’d break it up into multiple parts, but… nah. Anywhere you slice it, you’re cutting into my soul. Let’s just mark this edge here as the cliff from which you can dive into the madness. Wheeeeeeeee…

… splat.

“You think that something’s happening…”

When I start anything, I watch Internet Genius, Motivator, and Commentator Ze Frank’s Invocation For Beginnings.

Yes, the man who challenged the world to dress up their vacuum cleaners and make an Earth Sandwich. That man. Internet God, he is.

This video gets me in the mindset to be patient, forgiving, persistent, and accepting. If you’ve got a ritual or routine or motivator, use it to get in the right frame of mind.

Plus, he’s got a lot of good quippy quotes over the years of using the Internet as a playpen, even if he isn’t a pretty princess.

“But it’s only what you’re hearing…”

The longest journey begins with a swift kick in the ass, so yeah, I started to watch performers and learned from what I saw, asking questions and opinions from others in private chats for what they thought worked well, what didn’t, my thoughts on the routines and what I took away from the experience.

This was both easy and hard. I mean, yeah, I enjoy going to performances and shooting photography, but I also needed to learn the language of dance and what made a good performance with dances, sets, costumes, etc. And also, learn what didn’t work, such as overwhelming particles, slow-rezzing sculpties, too many textures, dance moves that just didn’t fit the song, acts that were too small for the stage, costume changes that fail due to lag, etc.

The Basics

Here’s the basic components of a dance act:

  • The event list contains the commands for a performance engine to run. It’s a run-down of animations, positions, and shouted commands to various effects or your costume changer.
  • The movers pass along the movements and animations to dancers as well as objects on the set.
  • The way points provide a path along which the movers travel, and they mark the speed and pauses along that path.
  • The packlist contains a list of all the objects for the set, including the movers.
  • The camera list contains all of the camera moves that you want the viewer to experience, but we’re not covering that here.
  • You pack everything into the performance engine, including dance animations and set objects. The engine controls everything in the act.
  • You set up folders for your costume, and RLV folders for any costume changes.
  • The stage contains a centre-point to let the performance engine know where things go or happen.

Put them all together, and… okay, you’re dancing to silence. Gotta hand a song track to the host/deejay/music director too.

We’ll cover all of these things, plus a few frustrations and surprises along the way.

Continue reading “Do you see yourself in the white spotlight?”

This Weekend in Second Life Dance

https://www.flickr.com/photos/isfullofcrap/40987204954/in/dateposted/

Hi there. R. Crap Mariner, your exhausted and somewhat acerbic dance correspondent.

I’ll be posting dance performance schedules, similar to Inara’s posts about Seanchai Library readings. We’ll start with the weekend events for now.

There’s still lots of Fantasy Faire to check out. Congratulations to Aelva for a successful run there. So this run-down is going to keep running me down. Thank goodness for copy-paste, right?

Let’s get started, here’s the events that I had on the calendar as of press time.


(All times SLT)

Virtuoso at Moonstone - Earth - April 23 2018

Friday, April 27

11:00am Changhigh Sisters

Lots of particles and fire and things. They tend to perform at times when I’m at work, so I don’t have much else, really. Sorry.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

12:00pm Nouvelle Follies

I think this is the act that I saw the other day, and I enjoyed this one.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Astrids%20Nemeton/119/247/61

12:00pm Virtuoso

THE ELEMENTS OF LIFE – EARTH: noon SLT on Monday, 23rd. April; Friday, 27th. April; Monday, 30th. April. No seat reservation required. All welcome. Audience limited.

This is K L A R K’s Earth show. I saw it the other day, and I enjoyed it. Limited seating, so get there early.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VIRTUOSO/130/81/4036

6:00pm Elysium Cabaret

If it’s Friday, it’s Elysium Cabaret! Fancy some imagination? In The Empire Room at Copperhead Road, every Friday at 6pm SLT the dynamic performers of Elysium Cabaret take the stage to bring you a solid hour of entertainment! Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone. Grab your friends and get their early because the sim fills. Come celebrate Friday! Welcome to the weekend!

I enjoy going to these shows, and I do my best to go to them. Jilley’s opening music of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck and Babypea’s Billion Dollar Baby let you know something big and bright and boomtastic is coming.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/74/64/2754

6:00pm Misfit Follies

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

9:00pm Monarchs

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It’s dates and times for The Monarchs’ upcoming sim-wide production of SUPERHEROES.

Blog Post: Come see the superheroes of Second Life Dance: The Monarchs!

It’s really good. Go see it. Sim fills quickly, go get there early. If you derender the audience to improve performance, make sure not to derender Fuki. Not only is she a part of the show, but she’s really cute.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monarchs/143/214/454

9:00pm Moonbeam Dancers

No, this is not Governor Jerry Brown’s personal dance troupe. Moonbeam has been the variety show catch-all of Fantasy Faire, so it’s an opportunity to catch individual acts from around the grid.

There’s been some technical issues with the stream and the performance engines, so please be patient and they’ll get rolling when they can.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

10:00pm Guerilla Burlesque

Guerilla Burlesque dance revues show what a great way to kick-start your weekend fun! This week we are heating up the Pit for more of your favorite dance performances in the round! Chrissy is on board directing this show and promises to bring you our best Pit acts! Each dancer brings her own unique style of dancing with intricate sets, evolving before your eyes! Let the music bring you in and raise your spirits because we are going to make sure you have a great time! This is our late show revue so grab a snack, put your feet up and meet us in world for a spectacular night of dancing in the round!

I’ve seen the rehearsals. It’s going to be really good.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Idle%20Rogue/104/182/34


Cossette - April 23 2018

Saturday, April 28 2018

7:00am Mahal

I think this is a group participatory dance event, right? Hop on a dance pad and join the routines that the choreographer has planned to the music. It’s different from a stage act.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

10:00am Moonbeam

Still not Governor Jerry Brown’s personal dance troupe, even though for his age I bet he looks good in a tutu. Moonbeam has been the variety show catch-all of Fantasy Faire, so it’s an opportunity to catch individual acts from around the grid.

There’s been some technical issues with the stream and the performance engines, so please be patient and they’ll get rolling when they can.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

12:00am Second Life Cheerleading Squad

Haven’t managed to catch them yet. Have you? Let me know how they were in the comments.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

12:00pm The Cabaret Provocateur

The Cabaret Provocateur will present its encore performances of the program “Fab 4 You” at Jefferson Opera House on Saturday April 28, 2018 at noon SLT Jefferson Opera House is part of the Mysterium’s Mansion Adult sim. and Fab 4 You does feature female nudity. Fab 4 You is a program in 6 acts feature music performed by Elton John, Robin Williams and Bobby McFerrin, Lisa Lauren, Eddie Izzard, Goldie Hawn, and Phil Collins all originally written and performed by the Fab Four, (The Beatles). The dances will take you on a journey from Manhattan rooftops through Arabian Nights, to Broadway, back stage and in front. The cast consists of 6 dancers, all of whom are relative new comers to SL Dance, but are enthusiastic performers.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aldo/113/67/3002

1:00pm Debauche

Debauche perform for the very first time at The Trophy Room, an amazing place that is somehow relaxing, lovely and thrilling all at the same time. We will be performing in a purpose-built theater at this wonderful venue and we are all SO looking forward to it. It will be a great show so come on and join us at The Trophy Room – And why not take a look around the place and see just why we love it so much? THE SIM IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL ONE HOUR BEFORE THE SHOW – though remains open for members and those wishing to join. Saturday 28th, 1pm SLT.

(PS: Yay!)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Glitnir/160/159/23

1:00pm Elysium Cabaret Matinee

A monthly ‘best of” show for our friends in Euro and similar time zones. Especially for you!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/74/64/2754

1:00pm Red Hot Chili Pipers

Haven’t managed to catch them yet. Have you? Let me know how they were in the comments.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Astrids%20Nemeton/119/247/61

3:00pm Avilion Mer Ballet

I finally managed to see their show. Lots of mermaid patterns in formations in the air… which is the water. (K L A R K can bring the earth, and ChangHigh can bring the fire, right?)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

3:00pm Monarchs

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It’s dates and times for The Monarchs’ upcoming sim-wide production of SUPERHEROES.

Blog Post: Come see the superheroes of Second Life Dance: The Monarchs!

It’s really good. Go see it. Sim fills quickly, go get there early. If you derender the audience to improve performance, make sure not to derender Fuki. Not only is she a part of the show, but she’s really cute.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monarchs/143/214/454

4:00pm FlyGearz

This is a participatory dance group that does a lot of Steampunky things. Hop on a dance pad and join the routines that the choreographer has planned to the music. It’s different from a stage act.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Astrids%20Nemeton/119/247/61

5:00PM Dream Time Theatre

This is the grand opening of this theatre. Variety show acts. I don’t have much else about it, but I will try to attend and see for myself. Join me?

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Valtina/12/32/3002

7:00PM Desire Arts

Desire Arts Dancers do an “after hours” show. Starting at 7pm SLT t on April 21st & 28th. We bring you the performance quality at our Saturday shows, with more skin… little less costume. Some acts do contain adult content. As an “Arts” theatre (and gallery) Desire Arts will be a venue perfectly suited for SL Performers wishing to express themselves through live performances, through Dance, Art Exhibits, Performance Art as well as Dramatic Presentations. Also, Presentations of a controversial nature (including those involving sex, politics and/or religion) will be presented separately from the Dance Program.

I missed them last week, but I’ve got them on my plans for this week. I try to plan ahead when there’s more than one performance of a show.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hell%20Lust/174/78/21


Terpsicorps Pit Show - April 22 2018

Continue reading “This Weekend in Second Life Dance”

This Weekend in Second Life Dance

Ballet Pixelle - Avatara - April 18 2018

Hi there. R. Crap Mariner, your friendly neighbourhood dance correspondent.

I’ll be posting dance performance schedules, similar to Inara’s posts about Seanchai Library readings.

This is a huge week. Lighting the Way and Fantasy Faire are running, and I’m running like a beheaded chicken trying to keep up with the updates and note cards. Hopefully, I caught them all.

Let’s get started, here’s the events that I saw on the calendar as of press time.


(All times SLT)

Winds of the Sahara - April 15 2018

Friday, April 20th

9:00AM – SLCS

The Second Life Cheerleading Squad is the grid’s oldest, largest and most successful professional cheerleading squad. Our members undergo a month-long training, and are some of the most motivated and talented Girls anywhere. We offer large squad cheer performances, event hosting, on-line experience beta testing, etc.

We perform all over the grid, with performances at special events, Clubs, Live music shows and the like. In addition, The SLCS raises a large amount of cash for RFL, with over 10000 USD raised so far.

For more information on how the SLCS can work with you contact Lisa Tredwell

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

12:00PM – Nouvelle Folies

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Astrids%20Nemeton/119/247/61

6:00PM – Elysium Cabaret

Elysium Cabaret – Welcome to the Weekend!

If it’s Friday, it’s Elysium Cabaret! Fancy some imagination? In The Empire Room at Copperhead Road, every Friday at 6pm SLT the dynamic performers of Elysium Cabaret take the stage to bring you a solid hour of entertainment!

Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone. Grab your friends and get their early because the sim fills. Come celebrate Friday! Welcome to the weekend!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/74/64/2754

6:00PM – Misfit Follies

Misfit Dance & Performance Art performs full-scale production shows at our home theatre, other venues, fund-raising events & private parties all over the grid! The theme is a fantastical variety dance show with fun & unusual character /avatar dancers – each act tells a little story. Think Broadway in SL!

We are so proud to present shows continuously for our amazing audience of dance art patrons! With close to 60 (and growing!) story dance art pieces to build our weekly shows that we perform in our Theatre two Wednesdays per month at 7 PM SL, one Sunday per month at 5 pm SL and once per month on certain Fridays at 10 AM SL for our global time zones friends!

Misfit Dance also presents shows “OnTheRoad” at various locations for Cancer/ Autism / Parkinsons’ Disease and More – Awareness & Fund Raising events in SL / year round!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

9:00PM – Monarchs

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It’s an article that you should read to learn more about Monarchs!

(NOTE: I rarely give suggestions, but if you are lucky enough to catch Monarchs on Friday night, you can then be free to catch Burlesque Dolls at 3PM on Saturday.)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monarchs/143/214/454

Saturday, April 21

Debauche - April 14 2018

9:00AM – Misfit Follies

Misfit Dance & Performance Art performs full-scale production shows at our home theatre, other venues, fund-raising events & private parties all over the grid! The theme is a fantastical variety dance show with fun & unusual character /avatar dancers – each act tells a little story. Think Broadway in SL!

We are so proud to present shows continuously for our amazing audience of dance art patrons! With close to 60 (and growing!) story dance art pieces to build our weekly shows that we perform in our Theatre two Wednesdays per month at 7 PM SL, one Sunday per month at 5 pm SL and once per month on certain Fridays at 10 AM SL for our global time zones friends!

Misfit Dance also presents shows “OnTheRoad” at various locations for Cancer/ Autism / Parkinsons’ Disease and More – Awareness & Fund Raising events in SL / year round!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

11:00AM – Winds of the Sahara

(NOTE: This is a rare early performance of Winds for LTW. If 5PM Sundays is a bit late for you, then catch them now.)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/This%20Sim/94/161/2503

12:00PM – Oasis and Debauche

Not one but TWO great dance troupes join forces to create a truly magical experience. Always great to share the stage with such brilliant performers and always a fantastic show for the audience to be a part of.

You do NOT want to miss this great show. Oasis and Debauche light up the stage together.

(NOTE: Yay!)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Puntarenas%205/82/111/22

12:00PM – Night Theatre

A brand new show, made just for Fantasy Faire 2018!

“Where the magic flows free between Dusk and Dawn….and tales take form from pixels….weaving a never-ending tapestry of twilight stories…..”

The Night Theatre has been actively running shows in SL since the winter of 2013. We have been involved in many various events such as One Billion Rising, The MilkyWay Cabaret, Fantasy Faire, LEA, SL B and are honoured to have been part of the Fallen Gods annual celebrations the last couple of years and much more. During these years we have produced several new shows and been a part of various other festivals and celebrations.

Curious? Have a look at our pics in Flickr, subscribe to our blog or join The Dreamers group! Or get on our subscribo list to stay updated on our upcoming events. Want to book us for a show? Or are you burning for SL dance and want to join us? Speak to Aelva and she will weave some magic for you.

Let the Magic Begin…

(NOTE: This is Aelva’s performance group. I talked with her a few weeks ago, and you can read the article.)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Astrids%20Nemeton/119/247/61

1:00PM – Dance Variety Show @ LTW

The special event variety shows are a good opportunity to learn about a lot of different performers, choreographers, and groups at once. It’s like a salad bar, but every bowl is your favourite pudding.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/This%20Sim/94/161/2503

3:00PM – Harleyquin Workshop

Performance Director Class 3: Advanced, Making it Sing

You have the basics down – in this workshop we play with additional features and possible ways to use them! Load another routine note card, derez your set, other ways to use groups, starting animations….and anything else we can think of! We’re even going to touch on layering!

** Requires experience in creating a full PD routine

http://harleyquinadventure.com/

(NOTE: This is a class. I’ll talk more about classes in an upcoming article.)

3:00PM – Burlesque Dolls

Join us at the Jefferson Opera House for a day of teasing and tantalizing by some of the most talented dancers on the grid. Burlesque at it’s best. Now under the direction of Melina Aurotharius (semi-formal or formal dress please)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aldo/113/67/3002

3:00PM – Monarchs

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It’s an article that you should read to learn more about Monarchs!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monarchs/143/214/454

5:00PM – Avilion Mer Ballet

Avilion is a medieval fantasy community, home to dragon and drow, elven, land dwellers and winged fae, creatures of every kind and of course the merrow.

In addition to combat and role-play, Avilionians entertain their citizens with regular performances from the Avilion Merballet Company, Avilion Cameo Theatre and the Bards.

For 8 years the merballet has showcased the beauty and agility of the mer form more than 10 unique performances. Combining mer mystic and magic, we have made waves entertaining with this visually inspiring SL art form.

The Avilion MerBallet Company also performs to benefit Fantasy Faire, Relay for Life in Second Life and other charities.

Share this dream with us!

(NOTE: This group performs infrequently, so this is a good opportunity to catch them.)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

5:00PM – Phoenix Dance Team

(NOTE: They usually post descriptions at the last minute, so check their Facebook group.)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/This%20Sim/94/161/2503

7:00PM – Elysium Cabaret @ LTW

Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone. Grab your friends and get their early because the sim fills. Come celebrate Friday! Welcome to the weekend!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/This%20Sim/94/161/2503

7:00PM – Desire Arts

Desire Arts Dancers

Desire Arts Dancers do an “after hours” show. Starting at 7pm SLT on April 21st & 28th… we bring you the performance quality at our Saturday shows, with more skin… little less costume. Some acts do contain adult content.

As an “Arts” theatre (and gallery) Desire Arts will be a venue perfectly suited for SL Performers wishing to express themselves through live performances, through Dance, Art Exhibits, Performance Art as well as Dramatic Presentations.

Also, Presentations of a controversial nature (including those involving sex, politics and/or religion) will be presented separately from the Dance Program.

You can read the article with Path and Lotta here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hell%20Lust/174/78/21

Sunday, April 22

Elysium Cabaret - April 13 2018

7:00AM – Club IMAGE

(NOTE: Even when Club IMAGE repeats, it’s still a magical experience.)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Laem%20Singh/193/28/2021

10:00AM – Luxe Girls

The Luxe Girls have been entertaining the members of Elysion since 2015. Their shows are most often a mix of individual and group acts around a given theme. Each dancer chooses her music, builds her own set and choreographs her dance. This makes for an entertaining and eclectic mix of acts because each Luxe Girl has her own unique talents to bring to the stage every month.

Syn Beresford, owner of Elysion and Stage Mama to the Luxe Girls, hosts and DJ’s the shows as well as provides creative input and set design for many of the group acts.

The Luxe Girls will be returning to the Fantasy Faire this year with Le Cirque des Reves, their interpretation of Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus”. Music and concept by DJ Lucid Hurricane with set design by Syn and the Luxe Girls and choreography and costumes by the Luxe Girls. This is a show you don’t want to miss!

(NOTE: Luxe is a group that usually performs at the private/paid Elysion estate, but it’s a rare treat to see them in an open access event like Fantasy Faire. What’s killing me is that Muse is doing Chicago at the same time, and Anu goes all-out too, so… Chicago has a second showing soon on May 6 at 10AM, but they fill the sim frequently. This one’s going to be tough.)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

10:00AM – Muse Dance Company

Chicago Musical by Muse Dance Company

Sunday April 22nd and Sunday May 6th at 10 am SLT

Join the Muse Dance Company for this dance musical Chicago. A satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the “celebrity criminal”. You don’t wanna miss this one!

Choreographed by Anu Papp and Cordelia Cerise. I chatted with Anu for an article a while back here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whymsee/117/6/2019

11:00AM – Dazzlers

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/This%20Sim/94/161/2503

1:00PM – Debauche

Debauche return once more to the House Of Jana. New location, new theatre, same wonderful dance show.

It is always such a pleasure to perform here, always such a great crowd and a great atmosphere. Why don’t you come join us and see for yourself?

Debauche. A little naughty, a lot sexy and……ALWAYS CLASSY!!

(NOTE: Yay!)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chaton/193/102/903

1:00PM – Mynx Dance Academy

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/This%20Sim/94/161/2503

1:00PM – Red Hot Chili Pipers

The Chilli Pipers are Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and a show so hot it carries its own health warning. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing with musicianship of the highest order and a passion for pipes that will leave you breathless. The Virtual Red Hot Chilli Pipers was established in August of 2009.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Astrids%20Nemeton/119/247/61

1:00PM – Sky Fire

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

3:00PM – DRUM

DRUM’s goal is to bring the world to you via the power of drumming. Our aim is to have fun and to create incredibly beautiful rhythms – live.

Members of the DRUM group have collaborated to create the unique sounds, drums, and animations that enable us to perform. Our performances are live and are subtly different each time – they are not pre-recorded music. The sounds are created right within Second Life. We then send them out and back in via stream in order to provide you with a lag free experience! We hope you enjoy our performances as much as we enjoy providing them.

Right now our performances consist of 10 different drum cultures, Taiko (Japanese), Native American, African, Latin, Indian, Mallets, Stomp Wall, Rusty Barrel, African Ghost, Brazilian, and Steel Pan drums. We are planning many new exciting sets for the near future!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Story%20Well/99/194/61

5:00PM – Ballet Pixelle

Ballet Pixelle – “Avatara”

Opening Sunday April 15th at 5 pm SLT and every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 through June 13

Ballet Pixelle® will open its production of “Avatara” on Sunday, April 15 at 5:00 pm SLT, Join us for this original composition of virtual dance! What if a real world dancer could dance in a virtual world? What movements would be the same or different? What kinds of different beings could she be? What would be the same? And how would that dancer be changed after her experience? Performances are Wednesdays at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 5:00 pm SLT throughout April in the Ballet Pixelle Theatre. Audience dancing at the after-show party every performance! Join us for an evening of delights. Chat with the performers and crew after the performance for autographs, photos, and a question & answer session.

Formal dress expected.

(NOTE: There’s something raw and organic and special about Ballet Pixelle. Retaining the hand-triggered method of performance makes each performance a cool kind of quirky and dadaesque. It’s a living experience, natural in a digital world. A fractal experience that embraces the lag and latency in a powerful way. I’m really hoping to cover them in an article here.)

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Quat/32/22/107

5:00PM – Winds of the Sahara

Winds is going to take you on a date tonight, want to go see a movie? (NOTE: If you’re a Don Hertzfeldt fan, the proper response is “I’m feeling fat and sassy!” Okay, back to the description.) We do too! We are all dancing to songs from the movies! Each dancer chose a song to dance to, taking their inspiration from the movies. We will delight your eyes and put some songs in your heads from Fifth Element, Copacobana, Risky Business, Xanadu, 50 Shades & Dolphins to name a few. It is sure to be a toe-tapping good time. We will even let you sneak in some candy, as long as you share with us! Come early for some pre-show dancing with us too. We will also have a 500L gift card from Insatiable Dreams to give away. Come join us for a Night At The Movies!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aladona/124/193/2001


I assume there will be a few more shows this week… folks are just taking their time getting the notices in, finishing up their routines… that sort of thing. I’d prefer to error on the side of caution and just post the ones confirmed at press time.

Check with the Dance Queens event calendar for updates and additions to the weekend’s schedule, as well as the many events that happen during the week.

So, folks, is this useful? Let me know. Drop me an IM when you get to a show and that you enjoyed it.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I perform with Guerilla Burlesque and Debauche. Which leads to a funny story… I went to the Ballet Pixelle performance on Wednesday, and at the after party, people keep calling me Star. And I’m like “I’m not a star.” but it continues. Then the next day, when I try to rez something and I fail, I realize I don’t have the right group tag on. I’ve got “Debauche Star” on. I had it on during a rehearsal and forgot to change back. This is what happens when you turn off group tags and name tags in your viewer.

(NOTE: Yes, there are going to be a lot more NOTE rambles and digressions in my articles. Try not to start a flame war.)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/isfullofcrap/27611770288/in/dateposted/

(NOTE: Oops.)

Come see the superheroes of Second Life Dance: The Monarchs!

Superheroes Poster 006

Hi there! It’s your Dance Correspondent, R. Crap Mariner.

There’s big productions, and then there’s really really big productions. Monarchs puts together a few shows a year that are really big, people line up for hours to get into the sim early, and their upcoming Superheroes show is shaping up to be another feast for all senses.

Here’s the show announcement:

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO!
It’s dates and times for The Monarchs’ upcoming sim-wide production of SUPERHEROES.

Join us on a mad dash into the world of ultimate good and evil where superheroes always prevail – even if it means destroying a vehicle, a building, a city…or two.

April 20th 9pm // 21st 3pm // 27th 9pm // 28th 3pm

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monarchs/151/209/453

~ Monarchs

That’s the TL;DR, but I want to know more. Who are the Monarchs? What makes them different from the other dance groups out there? What does it take to put together one of their productions?

I know I want to know. So, let’s go exploring, shall we?

LET’S BEGIN

I sent Diiar Von Shippe a list of questions. She’s one of the leaders of Monarchs. Despite all the craziness of putting together costumes and sets and dance acts and coordinating all of the performers, she still had the time to answer them for me.

So if I were to say “I teleported over into the landing area of Monarchs and met with Diiar and we sat down and…” like I usually do

https://www.flickr.com/photos/isfullofcrap/41478399462/in/photostream/

I’d be lying. This was me being lazy and not really having a true conversation, so why try to hide it, right? I sent her a list of questions, and she answered them beautifully. My faux-journalist heart wept.

Still she was nice enough to answer these, and I’m very grateful for that, and I hope this gives you some insight into the journey Diiar has taken in Second Life and Dance Performance. (As opposed to the road to burnout and misery I’ve been crawling down. Anybody have a bottle of something?)

Besides, her answers were just so… beautiful, I couldn’t bring myself to edit this down and chop it up. (Okay, I’m lying again. I’m lazy.)

Questions in bold, comments in italics, and she’s in plain text.

Let’s roll.

Tell me about yourself, Diiar.

My name is Diiar Vader Shippe, I am co-owner of The Monarchs dance troupe along with Royal Shippe. I’m also a manager, choreographer, dancer, poster-maker, story-writer, alleged slave driver, part-time workaholic, epic rant writer and much more – though none of that is as interesting as this.

I spend my days nagging at people (mostly Royal), sneaking out to listen to some of SL’s live singers perform – a fairly (re)newed interest of mine – or attending to this distracting little thing called Real Life.

(This is where I’d raise an eyebrow at slave-driver and count the number of exits available to me. Because the last thing I want to do is end up enslaved to a dance performance group and doing their bidding, right?)

How did you get your start in Second Life?

I had to take a class at college some 5-ish years ago where we, at one point, discussed on-line communities. Naturally Second Life came up. Now, my teacher made it sound like a dripping hub of malcontent, pervy freaks – so naturally I had to make an account and go check it out…

I was surprised to find that in between all the specimens that proved my teacher’s case were some real characters and some interesting souls and so…I stuck around.

(Please do not undersell the malcontents and pervy freaks. We have our time to shine, too.)

What got you into dance in Second Life?

After about 6 months of general depravity,

(… awesome!)

I found myself at a dance show at Ellie’s. It was much like the ones you find weekly across the grid these days. Smaller perhaps than most – it never seemed like a long show and I think more burlesque-y for sure than Monarchs is. And I remember they had a great host – I forgot her name, but I’m sure people that went there will remember her. I always thought she had a great style and I took a lot from that when I started hosting a show myself a bit later on.

But I saw absolutely no appeal in it. On the other hand, my company did, and before long I was suckered into their plans to open a theatre of their own.

(This is one of my big fears… getting suckered into building my own dance performance theatre. I’ve already got an almost-always empty venue for my storytelling. God help me if I ever put together an almost-always empty dance performance venue. Thank goodness I’ve used up most of my remaining space on an almost-always empty art gallery.)

That’s where I started – as a hostess. Before long though I had the urge to try my own hand at creating a performance and though I didn’t know how to build (like at all), I had my, embarrassing, début back in 2013. It wasn’t until my 3rd set I finally thought I was onto something and from that point, it’s been a slow, but steady journey to where I am today.

(I’ve noticed that a lot of people have mentioned Ellie’s. I should probably hunt her down and find out what the history is there. After a vacation, I think.)

And then came Monarchs, right?

We have to go about 3 years up in time before Monarchs starts taking shape. And then you have to add Royal Shippe and Myth Raven – my better and worse half in SL respectively, hah!

(For the record, I am my own worse half. Which makes for one and a half me. Maybe I need to redo the math.)

For the longest time, we were joking about how nice it would be having our own troupe where we could set the agenda and where we could do things the way we thought they ought to be done. Now, before I go on, I want to make it clear that we didn’t (and still don’t) think our way is the one and only right way, and in many things, we’re still trying to find a way that makes sense. Personally, I think as long as you have something unique to offer there’s room for a new perspective. We wanted a troupe that focused heavily on quality over quantity, and one where you could never be quite sure what you’d be getting, other than a spectacle and a performance.

(SPOILER ALERT: Monarchs creates excellent spectacles and performances. Just wanted to you to know.)

Just before our début show Myth had to poof to RL and with that we also took a step away from solo dances and the naughtier stuff – which quite naturally gave way to the size shows you see us doing today.

It’s quite a way from joking about it to actually doing it, and I’ve forgotten what the deciding factor was in the end. In any case, Monarchs was born in the spring of 2016. And in the time since then, we’ve gathered together a small but fun group of people that can carry the ambition and continuously put up with our unreasonable antics. And a growing fan base of what I personally believe to be among the most patient people in all of SL, waiting months in silence for us to finish anything new for them.

(On top of that, we’re also the most patient because we get to the sim hours in advance and wait because it always fills up quickly. So, I’m a total idiot for doing this article because now you know they exist and you’ll be fighting for those few seats, too. Remember what Blaze said about being very sad if you miss Cirque? Well, you’ll be sad if you miss Monarchs, too.)

Continue reading “Come see the superheroes of Second Life Dance: The Monarchs!”