RFL RelayStock 2015: calling all Relay Teams

relay-rockers2015 will see the return of RelayStock, a weekend of Peace, Love, hope and great music, all in aid of Relay for Life of SL.

Hosted by the indomitable Relay Rockers team, RelayStock, SL’s very own update on Woodstock, will this year take place on Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th at Relay d’Alliez, and is billed as the largest multi-team event in the 2015 RFL of SL fund-raising season.

RelayStock will provide team camp site with either a tent or a minivan, all located around a 60’s style festival stage, and the weather and conditions will be typically “Woodstockian” – so expect rain and mud as well as dancing and fun!

An open invitation has been given to Relay Teams to come along and support the event.  Team can do so by completing the reservation form, in which they can reserve a camp site where they can set-up their kiosks and vendors. In addition, participating teams can volunteer to host a DJ session on the stage of up to 2 hours in duration, and take part in the final round of the Relay Rocker’s Celebrate Remember Fight Back (CRFB) Top DJ Competition.

Those teams interested in running a DJ session over the weekend should indicate their interest in the reservation form, and note the time at which they’d prefer to host a session, which, at the time of writing, were (all times SLT):

  • Saturday, May 23rd:
    • 08:00 – 10:00
    • 10:00 – 12:00 noon
    • 12:00 noon – 13:00
  • Sunday, May 24th:   
    • 08:00 – 10:00
    • 10:00 – 12:00 noon
    • 12:00 noon – 14:00
    • 14:00 – 15:00

RelayStock 2015

Special Events for the Weekend

The complete schedule of events is still being drawn-up, but highlights include:

Saturday, May 23rd

  • 13:00 – 17:15: the Relay Rocker’s 2015 CRFB Top Dj Contest finals
  • 17:15 – 21:00: Saturday BYOK Fever, featuring the music of:
    • 17:15 – 19:00: Madelyn Majestic – Relay Rockers / T1Radio
    • 19:00 – 21:00: Fuzzball Ortega – Steelhead Salmon / T1Radio

Sunday,  May 24th

  • 15:00 – 17:00: Rep Rap
  • 17:00 – 20:00:  The famous T1Radio TIme Machine and a Trip to the Sixties with Trader Whiplash and Team Relay Rockers  BYOK

Commenting on the event, Rockers co-founder Trader Whiplash said, “The Relay Rockers have been fortunate to have participants from many teams in our CRFB Event. RelayStock is our way of saying thank you for the huge support across the grid for the competition.  It  affords every team the opportunity to share in a super fund-raising event. This is just another example of the One Team concept in Relay.  It doesn’t matter whose kiosk or vendor the donations land in, after all we are all on the same team in the end.”

Such is the nature of RelayStock that, in 2014, more than L$ 1.5 million was raised by some 50 teams over the course of the weekend.

So, whether you’re part of a Relay Team or not, make a note in your diary of the dates. All things being equal, and with trader’s support, I’ll have a special preview of the event ahead of the weekend itself.

For More Information on RelayStock, teams should contact  Ariel Stormcrow, Relay Rockers Co-Captain (ariel-at-relayrockers.t1radio.com).

About Relay dAlliez

RelayStock will take place at Relay dAlliez, a region dedicated to the memory of dAlliez Estates estates founder Alliez Mysterio, who along with Nuala Maracas and Trader Whiplash, helped found the Relay Rockers team in 2005. Alliez was lost to breast cancer in 2013.  The region was first made available in 2014 to any Relay Teams wishing to host their own RFL of SL fund-raising events.

Currently, there are still several prime weekend dates open in the 2015 RFL of SL season which can be used by Relay Teams to host their own events. Representatives from teams interested in doing so can visit the Relay dAlliez InfoHub for more information and to submit a reservation request.

Fantasy Faire: ease the waiting

There is now a little over two weeks to go before the largest fantasy-related event to take place in Second Life opens its gates once more, for ten days of commerce, special events, live music concerts and more, all to help raise funds for Relay for Life of Second Life.

Thursday, April 23rd 2015 and will run through until Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 inclusive, the Faire will welcome everyone with a love of fantasy the creators the performers, the designers, the enthusiasts and curious. Across ten themed regions, there will be much to explore, to see and do – but it is still some two weeks away before we can all do so.

So how can the time be made to pass a little easier as the anticipation mounts? The Faire’s organisers have offered a 5-point plan to Faire Happiness:

1. Follow the Fantasy Faire blog

As much as bloggers across the community try to keep pace with news and updates, the best place to get the latest information really is from the Faire’s own blog pages. So if you’ve not bookmarked it or are not following it for updates – now is a good time to start: there’s going to be lots of news and information flowing through it in the coming weeks.

2. Follow Fantasy Faire on Social Media

Fantasy Faire has its own Facebook page –  and the organisers would love to get at least 500 likes on the page before the Faire opens, and you can keep up with news by checking on it.

Don’t forget as well that Fantasy Faire is also active on Twitter, Plurk, Pinterest and Flickr!

3. Take the Why I Relay Challenges

contact Catalina Staheli and become a part of the Why I relay portrait challenge - and perhaps feature in a special exhibition at the Faire!
contact Catalina Staheli and become a part of the Why I relay portrait challenge – and perhaps feature in a special exhibition at the Faire!

We all have our reasons for Relaying, and the Faire already has a challenge open to bloggers  – whether they apply to be an official blogger or not – to write about why they Relay.

However, if you feel the words escaping, you, but still wish to express why you Relay in a picture, Fantasy Faire volunteer blogger Catalina Staheli is offering a challenge of her own. She’s offering anyone who contacts her in-world to arrange an appointment with them and then take their photo as they hold a card expressing their personal reason on why they Relay.  Catalina says of the idea:

This past month, Fashion 4 Life jumped in and all of the Miss SL candidates offered their most couture looks incorporated into the reasons why they relay. I’m going to issue a challenge! I wanna see Fantasy Faire blow them out of the water with amazing looks, outfits, and designs as you show why you relay for life. Let’s see what you can do to showcase just how amazing, imaginative, vivid, and colourful Second Life can be!

Those portraits taken so far can be seen on Catalina’s Flickr stream, and she’s offering the service free of charge, and all participants will receive full perm copies of the their own portraits to use howsoever they wish.

What’s more at least some of the pictures might very well make an appearance in the Fairelands themselves. A possible exhibition of portraits is being planned – but if you’d like your own image to be included, be sure to drop Catalina a line sooner rather than later; April 20th has been mentioned as the deadline for the pictures that want to make it into an exhibition.

4. Sign-up To Help with the Faire’s Literary Festival

Deep within the 2015 Fairelands will lie an enchanted glade, the home to a series of literary activities. Stage readings, workshops, story-telling sessions, discussions groups and more, all focused on the theme of fantasy will be found here. But, in order for it to be found, it needs bards and poets, speakers of words, tellers of tales and weavers of verbal magic.

There is an open invitation to all who enjoy spinning a yarn, telling a tale, reading a story, reciting poetry and more, to join in this literary event, a new feature for Fantasy Faire. If you would be interested in doing so, please complete this simple form, and the Storytellers of the Faire will be in contact with you.

5. Nominate Your Choice for the King, Queen and Chancellor  of the Faire!

When it comes to Fantasy, we all have our favorite characters. Some may be good – Gandalf or Harry Potter, Belle or Menolly.  Or maybe we love the dark side – Maleficent or Steerpike. Or maybe we enjoy the conflicted – Jaime Lannister or Mrs Coulter. Now is your chance to nominate those you most enjoy, good, bad, conflicted or others, to be the Faire’s King and Queen.

And there’s an election for Chancellor as well, for characters from fantasy who have no elements of human appearance. So nominate your choice today, be it Archimedes the Owl, or Ratty, or Pegasus or perhaps even Smaug himself. The choice is yours!

The winning human characters will be crowned King and Queen of the Faire during the fabulous Fantasy Faire Ball, which will take place on Friday, May 1st, between 17:00 – 19:00 SLT, and will also see the announcement of the Faire’s Chancellor!

Find out more and complete the nomination form on the Fantasy Faire blog.

Further Information and Related Links

RFL: Springfest is coming

  This year’s RFL Springfest will take place between Friday, April 3rd through Sunday, April 5th inclusive, and is being presented by the Tribute City Relayers.

The event, which will kick-off at noon on Friday, will have a distinctly futuristic look and feel, with four main activity areas set out across the region.  Over 20 RFL teams will be participating throughout the weekend either directly or through vendors placed in the two event mall areas.

Planned activities across the weekend include paintballing, bumper boats, 7 Seas fishing, music and entertainment from DJs and live performers, all of which will take place across the four event areas.

Everyone is invited to drop by throughout the weekend and join in with core activities or try their hand at whatever else might catch their eye within the region. What’s more, 100% of all money raised through the course of the weekend will go directly to RFL of SL.

Team run events are listed in the Springfest event schedule, and you should refer to that for any last-minute updates. However, at the time of writing, they comprised:

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

  • The 7 Seas Fishing Area:
    • 13:00-15:00: Civil War RP
    • 16:00-18:00: Love Life Relay
  • The Space Carnival:
    • 13:00-15:00: Tribute City Relayers
    • 15:00-17:00: Rays of Hope
    • 17:00-19:00: Team Mingan for Relay For Life
    • 19:00-20:00: Liberty Falls Media
  • Moonlight Dancing:
    • 18:00-20:00: Starry Night Ball
  • Space Skyclub:
    • 14:00-16:00: Relay Ravens
Springfest 2015: Moonlight Dancing
Springfest 2015: Space Mall

Saturday, April 4th, 2015

  • The 7 Seas Fishing Area:
    • 12:00-14:00: Team Mystic Wolfe
    • 14:00-16:00: LV Silver Screeners
    • 17:30-19:00: Tribute City Relayers
  • The Space Carnival:
    • 12:00-14:00: Civil War RP
    • 14:00-14:00: Second Life Cheerleading
    • 16:30-18:30: Team Shadow
    • 18:30-20:00: Harmony of Hope
  • Moonlight Dancing:
    • 12:00-14:00: Fire and Ice Racers
    • 14:00-16:00: BYOK Event with DJ Sandie
    • 18:00-20:00: Relay Ravens
  • Space Skyclub:
    • 12:00-14:00: Starlettes Take A Stand
    • 14:00-16:00: Civil War RP
    • 18:00-19:00: Team Mingan for Relay For Life
    • 19:00-20:00: Liberty Falls Media
RFL Springfest: beneath the Space Skyclub
Springfest: beneath the Space Skyclub

Sunday, April 5th, 2015

  • The 7 Seas Fishing Area:
    • 14:00-16:00: LV Silver Screeners
  • The Space Carnival:
    • 14:00-14:00: Cherubs For A Cure
    • 18:00-20:00: Love Life Relay
  • Moonlight Dancing:
    • 12:00-14:00: Team Mystic Wolfe
    • 14:00-16:00: Civil War RP
    • 16:00-18:00: Team Mingan for Relay For Life
  • Space Skyclub:
    • 12:00-14:00: Tribute City Relayers
    • 14:00-16:00: Torch Warriors
    • 18:00-20:00: Feed your Soul, find A Cure.

Main and Additional SLurls for the Weekend

Main SLurls

The primary SLurls for each of the main event / activity locations in the region are:

Team vendor areas:

Springfest 2015: Moonlight Dancing ballroom
Springfest 2015: Moonlight Dancing ballroom

Additional SLurls

Additional activities and information kiosks can be found at the following SLurls:

 

Fantasy Faire 2015: blogger applications and Words of Power

The largest fantasy-related event to take place in Second Life, Fantasy Faire, opens its portals on Thursday, April 23rd 2015 and will run through until Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 inclusive. It will bring together everyone with a love of fantasy  – enthusiasts, creators, performers and designers  – for ten days of commerce, special events, live music concerts and more, all to help raise funds for Relay for Life of Second Life.

On Monday, March 23rd, the Faire organisers announced that applications for blogging about the Faire are now being taken, with the announcement reading in part:

Faire blogging should stem from the same source the Fairelands do: inspiration and imagination. There are no obligatory assignments. Instead there are challenges. We do not want to force anyone to do anything, we want to inspire, dare, encourage: challenge.

The challenges are three in number, although bloggers are not obliged to follow any of them, nor are they restricted to only official bloggers – anyone wishing to can participate in them. They are:

  • Faire Folk – “create a character from the Fairelands. Pick one of the Faire sims as their home, make a look mostly from Faire items, make the character come alive. Take at least one picture of that character in the chosen home sim and blog away! The more roleplay-style bloggers are invited to write about the character as well, but even those to whom pictures speak more than words can let those pictures speak loud and clear! Sim exploration stories encouraged!”
  • My New Shiny – “find a shop in the Fairelands you have never heard of before and blog something of theirs that you love. This is all about finding and showcasing the hidden talents, the newcomers, the surprises you can find when you explore the Fairelands thoroughly instead of just going through your already familiar favourites. If you know every single shop in the Faire, pick one that you think should be in the spotlight more.”
  • Why I Relay – “this challenge is for those who do have a personal reason to support Relay for Life events and who would like to share it. Obviously if you don’t have any personal tie to the charity or if you’d like to keep your reasons private, there is no need to do this. But those who would like to speak out for the charity, for RFL and for their reasons, they are invited to do so.”

Make sure you read the blogger information in full, and complete your application form for consideration.

The Faery Court, Fantasy Faire, 2014
The Faery Court, Fantasy Faire, 2014

Words of Power

This year, the event organisers are putting out a special call to bards, tellers of tales, weavers of words, purveyors or poetry and prose and storytelling large and small, to volunteer their time and talent to help create special narrative and story events.

Deep within the 2015 Fairelands will lie an enchanted glade, the home to a series of literary activities. Stage readings, workshops, story-telling sessions, discussions groups and more, all focused on the theme of fantasy will be found here. But, in order for it to be found, it needs those aforementioned bards and poets, speaker of words and weavers of verbal magic.

There is an open invitation to all who enjoy spinning a yarn, telling a tale, reading a story, reciting poetry and more, to join in this literary event, a new feature for Fantasy Faire. If you would be interested in doing so, please complete this simple form, and the Storytellers of the Faire will be in contact with you.

Deep in the Fairelands there lies a glade, wherein stories magical and wondrous will be woven by master wordsmiths of power and skill - will you be one of them?
Deep in the Fairelands there lies a glade, wherein stories magical and wondrous will be woven by master wordsmiths of power and skill – will you be one of them?

Further Information and Related Links

 

Fantasy Faire 2015: of regions and music

Fantasy Faire 2015, in support of Relay for Life of Second Life, will open the portals on its seventh successive year on Thursday, April 23rd, 2015, and they will remain open through until Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 inclusive.

The largest fantasy-related event to take place in Second Life, the Faire brings together fantasy enthusiasts, creators, performers and designers for ten days of commerce, special events, live music concerts across the Fairelands, all for a common cause and to celebrate the worlds of fantasy and adventure.

Regions and Designers

The ten themed regions were recently been announced, together with their designers, sponsors and key stores:

An official poster for Fantasy Faire 2015

Aurora: designed by by Beq Janus, sponsored by NeoVictoria. “On a world plunged into ice age, men of science seek answers in the ethereal shimmering of the planets energy field. Meanwhile the Mystics tell tales of the unweaver at whose feet they lay the blame for their ice-age, their hopes for salvation lie in legends of heroes, ancient tales of lands across the dimensions, their faith hangs on finding the lost knowledge that can bring forth the confluence. The two factions, poles apart in their beliefs are about come together as myth and machine meet beneath the Northern Lights.

Ichi-go Ichi-e: designed by Sharni Azalee and Marcus Inkpen, sponsored by The Looking Glass. “Let your imagination fly you to a land where anything is possible. Walk on water among pink clouds in this surreal landscape where large sakura flowers and other exotic flora tower over you in a beautiful dream forest of pinks and grays and fawn.

Odyssey: designed by Alia Baroque, sponsored by Fallen Gods Inc. “As you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that your journey be a long one, filled with adventure, filled with discovery” – Barry B. Powell, Classical Myth.

Poppetsborough: designed by Luna Barak, Alrunia Ahn and Kyra Reiter, sponsored by Dandelion Daydreams Factory. “Enter a storybook world with the emphasis on the book. Have your favorite stories pop to life as you walk into the book and become the characters of your favourite fairytales.

Spires of Andolys: designed by Jaimy Hancroft  and Eowyn Swords, sponsored by Dwarfins. “Crooked little fantasy styled houses inspired by the fairytales of your childhood. Centered around a magnificent castle that would be the envy of Sleeping Beauty. Careful though, the castle guards a secret dungeon hidden deep within its bowels where the darkest villains are forever forgotten.”

Sylvan of Spells: designed by Sweetgwendoline Bailey and Eldowyn Inshan, sponsored by Merchants of Dreams 2015. “Enchanted grove where our stories are collected and nurtured by mystic librarians. Books, scrolls and parchment litter the ground, the debris of the Forest of Enlightenment.

Tangleshimmer Grove: designed by Searlait Nitschke, sponsored by Roawenwood.”Deep in the heart of the wood is the secret place of Fairies. Golden light bathes the lush green as flowers dance and the early morning dew lays a glistening shimmer over the world.

Valacia: designed by Mayah Parx, sponsored by Epic Toys. “A floating market town, a bustling trade hub where denizens of the Fairelands come to trade for even the most obscure of items. Dark & weather-beaten, all matter of constructions criss-cross the waters to keep this hodgepodge of shacks,stalls and barges afloat. Magical mysteries abound in this haven for traders and thieves alike.

Valley of Ish'Nar, Fantasy Faire 2013
Valley of Ish’Nar, Fantasy Faire 2013

Wildehaven Marsh: designed by Rynn Verwood, sponsored by Solarium. “Settled at the edge of a lake, the village was created centuries ago, as a safe haven for those who practised magic. An air of abandonment floats over the town now, however don’t be fooled, its magic is still much alive as one can see in the soft glows shining through the ivy covered windows.

YoZakura: designed by Nya Alchemi, sponsored by Fuubutsu Dou. “In the late hours of the night, visit the Japanese Hanami Festival and dream… Traveller behold As Midnight courts the Moon and Cherry blossoms dance.

Event sponsors for 2015 so far include:  -AZUL-, Boudoir, Curious Kitties, Dark Unicorns of Lovelace, Death Row Designs, Junbug, L’Uomo, The Muses, ORIONITE, OtherSkin, Plastik, Safe Waters Foundation, Sanctuary RP Community, Spyralle, Stitched., The Forge, and The White Armory.

As noted in my last update for Fantasy Faire 2015, store registrations are currently open for those designers wishing to participate in the event – but spaces on the regions are filling-up fast!

DJ Registrations

Music has always been a special part of Fantasy Faire, and 2015 is no exception. Fantasy Faire Radio is now taking applications from DJs who are willing to be a part of the on-air team through the event.

If you are a DJ who can commit time to one of more 2-hour sets on air at the Faire, please fill-out the application form ASAP, as slots are limited!

Jungle Bungle, Fantasy Faire 2012
Jungle Bungle, Fantasy Faire 2012

Further Information and Related Links

 

RFL: Fashion for Life preview and events highlights

Central Park, Fashion for Life: two regions in the midst of seven fashion capitals of the world where you can catch your breath, attend fashion shows and enjoy music and entertainment
Central Park North and South, Fashion for Life: two regions in the midst of seven fashion capitals of the world where you can catch your breath, attend fashion shows and enjoy music and entertainment. Regions designed by Spankmy Boucher and Sofia Corleone; sponsored by Miss SL Organisation

Saturday, March 21st marks the start of Fashion for Life 2015, a full week of non-stop, boundary-breaking, uplifting, shop-till-you-drop, dazzling entertaining events and more, all as a part of the 2015 Relay for Life season.

As I reported in my last update, this year’s event will allow you to visit the great fashion centres of the world – Milan, Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Berlin –  and experience the best and greatest in virtual world fashion and couture. Throughout each region will be lots to see and enjoy, starting at 10:00 SLT on Saturday, March 21st, and ending at 23:00 on Sunday, March 29th.

Paris, Fashion for Life - where better to start your world tour than the glorious boulevard of the Champs-Élysées
Paris, Fashion For Life – where better to start your world tour than the glorious boulevard of the Champs-Élysées? Region designed by Kaya Angel; sponsored by Chop Zuey Couture

I was fortunate enough to be granted a special preview of the regions ahead of the opening, and having toured them I can say quite honestly that where all of the Fashion for Life builds are always as amazing as the event itself, this year is very special. Travelling through each of the nine regions, I felt as if I were on a world tour, starting from my own “back door” of London.

Tokyo, Fashion For Life - a fusion of the ancient and modern in a bustling metropolis just right for shopping
Tokyo, Fashion For Life – a fusion of the ancient and modern in a bustling metropolis just right for shopping. Region designed by Ryo Ixxel and Ouka Ugajin; sponsored by ::Gabriel::

Fashion shows

FFL will feature a series of fashion shows throughout the week, all of which will take place at Central Park South. As usual, all times SLT:

  • Saturday,  March 21st, 14:00: 1st Styling Challenge, MISS SL 2015 by MISS SL Organisation on the theme Why do you relay?
  • Sunday, March 22nd, 10:00: Limited Edition Fashion Show by AIM Impression Modelling
  • Monday, March 23rd, 16:00: Fashion show by BLVD Fashion House
  • Tuesday, March 24th, 16:00: Fashion show by aQuarela Models
  • Wednesday, March 25th, 16:00 Fashion show by SCALA Models Agency
  • Thursday, March 26th, 16:00: Fashion show by PENUMBRA
  • Friday, March 27th, 16:00: Fashion show by The queenS
  • Saturday, March 28th, 10:00: 2nd styling challenge MISS SL 2015 by MISS SL Organisation
Milan, Fashion For Life - the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II awaits you! Region designed by
Milan, Fashion For Life – the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II awaits you! Region designed by MaximilianIII Massenberg; sponsored by Sage

Music and Entertainment

The entertainment through the week promises to be something special as well, and I’ve been given some highlights of the activities which will be taking place at Central Park North. Again, all times SLT:

Saturday March 21st

  • 10:00: Opening
  • 12:00 noon: Seth Regan
  • 13:00: DJ Blake Hambleton
  • 16:00:  BBOY_DAN dance group

Sunday, March 22nd

  • 12:00 noon: DJ Boniefacio
  • 13:00: Kyle Sbra angel – live
  • 15:15: T1 Radio
Hollywood, Fashion For Life - "Come fly With Me", Frank Sinatra once sang while signed to Capitol Records, and you can go flying in Regi Yifu's stunning Los Angeles build
Los Angeles Fashion For Life – “Come fly With Me”, Frank Sinatra once sang while signed to Capitol Records, and you can go flying in Regi Yifu’s stunning Los Angeles build, sponsored by Zaodyeck Magazine

Monday, March 23rd

  • 13:00: Currently TBD
  • 14:00:  DJ Blake Hambleton

Tuesday, March 24th

  • 13:00: DJ Theo (Zimny)
  • 14:00: “The Jersey Boys” by the  Kittens and Tigers Dance Group
Berlin, Fashion For Life - The Brandenburg Gate stands tall over proceedings. Region designed by Setsuna Infinity
Berlin, Fashion For Life – The Brandenburg Gate stands tall over proceedings. Region designed by Setsuna Infinity; sponsored by Yasum Designs

Wednesday, March 25th

  • 13:00: DJ Boniefacio
  • 14:00: Lady Garden Cabaret Dance Troupe – Chandra Meehan

Thursday, March 26th

  • 13:00: Anek Fuchs – live
  • 14:00 pm DJ Zimny Zane
London, Fashion For Life - cross Tower Bridge as you make your way around the world, but don't miss the Gachas when you do! Region design by Rebeca Bashly
London, Fashion For Life – cross Tower Bridge as you make your way around the world, but don’t miss the Gachas when you do! Region design by Rebeca Bashly; sponsored by Argrace

Special Events

In addition to the above, the Fashion Hunt will be held across the two Central Park regions, and include many items generously donated by creators and designers. so – Happy Hunting!

The London region is home to the FFL Gachas for 2015 – so don’t forget to visit Tower Bridge!

The SLurls Together

Please note that all SLurls contained in the article will not be open to the public until Fashion For Life officially opens its doors on Saturday, March 21st, at 10:00 SLT.

New York, Fashion for Life - round off your trip in support of FFL and RFL of SL with a bite of the Big Apple; region design by ; sponsored by
New York, Fashion For Life – round off your trip in support of FFL and RFL of SL with a bite of the Big Apple; region design by Sofia Corleone; sponsored by Zanze