"Fran Serenade’s Celebration Of Life" Raises Over 350,000 Lindens For Parkinson's

On Saturday May 11, The Savoy Ballroom at Creations for Parkinsons was the scene of a memorial concert and dance event. The event was done in honor of Fran Serenade, whom had passed away on March e at the age of 92. Named "Fran Serenade's Celebration of Life," it went from 11AM to 9PM SL time, a number of singers performed for the crowd, which at one point numbered 64.

The event was organized by Fran's real-life daughter, Barbie Alchemi. Besides celebrating the life of her mother, it was also to raise funds for Parkinson's research.

some of the very best live singers in Second Life will be performing in her honor. Most knew Fran and some had performed at her 90th birthday party, also at Savoy. All talent will be perfoming for tips only, and like all events at Creations Park, this will benefit Team Fox for Parkinson's Research.

The goal of the event was to raise 250,000 Linden dollars. But by 6:42PM, the amount had passed 300,000L. And the total continued to grow. Almost 40,000 Lindens were raised in one single hour period. After the last singer performed, a few people made last-minute donations. The final total was  353,800 Linden dollars!

With the event finally over, there were messages of congratulations, "What a joyful day for Fran." "Fran is smiling tonight." It certainly has been a fantastic night!!! Thank you," Barbie told.

Although Fran has departed, Barbie and her real-life brother AlmostThere Inventor will continue running Creations for Parkinsons and it's events. It's mission remains to be a place of comfort and beauty, and raising funds for Parkinson's.

Bisyl Shuftan

Reminder: Fran Serenade’s Celebration Of Life Today

A Celebration of Fran’s life will be held at Savoy Ballroom in Creations Park on Saturday, May 11, 2019, from 11AM to 9PM SLT.  Some of the very best live singers in Second Life will be performing in her honor. We hope you can stop by at some point during the day.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creations%20Park/5/49/28

Press Release: Fran Serenade’s Celebration Of Life

A Celebration of the life of Fran Serenade at Savoy Ballroom 
in Creations Park on Saturday, May 11, 2019, from 11AM to 
9PM, featuring some of Second Life’s very best performers.

On March 3rd, 2019, Creations Park lost its original inspiration, 
and Second Life lost its most celebrated senior.  Fran Serenade 
passed away at 92 after a lifetime of loving and serving others 
in both of the worlds she lived in. Fran was beloved by all who 
knew her, including her Linden friends. Her daughter, Barbie 
Alchemi, and son, AlmostThere Inventor, built Creations Park in 
Second Life to be a wonderworld to stimulate the mind, specifically 
for Fran and others with Parkinson’s.   The Draxtor video about 
Fran and the medical research into Parkinson’s done at Creations 
Park was called one of the most important ever made about 
Second Life by Linden Lab’s CEO Ebbe Linden.  

A Celebration of Fran’s life will be held at Savoy Ballroom in 
Creations Park on Saturday, May 11, 2019, from 11AM to 9PM 
SLT.  Some of the very best live singers in Second Life will be 
performing in her honor.  Most knew Fran and some had 
performed at her 90th birthday party, also at Savoy. All talent will 
be performing for tips only, and like all events at Creations Park, 
this will benefit Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research.

By June 1, 2019, a memorial honoring Fran and this celebration 
will be located in-world at the  Savoy Swing Era Museum, and 
will be available online at SavoyBallroom.org/fran

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE                        More Available Online

TIME        ARTIST            AGENT/SL CONTACT

11:00 AM    Samm Qendra            direct

12:00 PM    Putri Solo (putrisolosinger)    Jamila.lanley         

1:00 PM    Luciano Lionheart        Helen (Helendar Bailey)

2:00 PM    Phil Setner            Alessia Setner (alessia.rodeyn)

3:00 PM    Agatha Knowles        Troy Nelson (troyjaimes)

4:00 PM    Savoy Dance Troupe        Jackie Brown (antarctica.ferraris)

5:00 PM    Max Kleene            Kat Vargas           

6:00 PM    Ronnie Artano            Missy (lilmiss54)

7:00 PM    Savoy Stars Showcase    Carlyle Chaparral

8:00 PM    JaeSands            direct

Fran Seranade Dies at 92

Some sad news for Second Life. One of it's oldest and inspirational residents, Fran Seranade, has passed away. She had celebrated her 92nd birthday just a few days before. She was the inspiration for the Creations for Parkinsons sims and group, run by her real-life daughter Barbie Alchemi.

*  *  *  *  *

Our family is so sorry to share the sad news that our mom, Fran, passed away on Sunday morning March 3rd.

As you know our dad died with Parkinson's 16 years ago. Much to our surprise, one year later mom was also diagnosed with the same disease. In spite of the challenges, Mom gallantly kept going, enjoying her life right up to her 92nd birthday. A few days later we shared an especially happy and precious day. She said "Today would be a good day to die." I asked if she would like to move into my home and have me call Hospice. Her face lit up with a smile and she told me it was the right time.

For 15 years Mom has been a Hospice volunteer. It was my honor to care for her as she had cared for so many others at the end of their lives. I spent the last 84 hours by her side, nursing her round the clock with the guidance of Hospice. I will be forever grateful for the precious opportunity to be with her for this time.  During her final hour as I held her hand, I could feel love and wisdom pouring from her heart and flowing into my own heart. As she exhaled for the last time, I knew her spirit was lifted into perfect peace and she was united again with our dad.

We will be planning a memorial service in SL in about a month. I will keep you informed as soon as we know the date. I will set up a special L donation Kiosk in her memory.

Please read more about her life of love and service at this link https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/tf-2019/FranSwenson
If you wish, you may make a RL donation in her memory.

Here is the link, if you would like to watch the remarkable video made 6 years ago about the benefits of SL for our RL Mom. This will touch your heart! The Drax File: World Makers- Episode 13 Creations for Parkinsons
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyiiWxNguGo&feature=youtu.be

Please share this note card with your friends so we can reach as many people as possible.

We are so grateful for your caring and love,
Barbie Alchemi and AlmostThere Inventor

Creations for Parkinsons

Creations for Parkinson's stands out as a location in Second Life in a number of ways. One is the place is very detailed in it's design, not just on the surface, but also it's skybox and underwater locations. It's also the location of many events that feature some good talent. And then there is the purpose of the place. Creation for Parkinson's is the location of Team Fox in Second Life which raises money for research on the disease for better treatments and one day a cure. Deaflegacy recently went there, and had a few words with Barbie Alchemi, the owner.

Read Deaf's story in Places.

2017 Person of the Year Runners Up: Barbie Alchemi and Fran Serenade

The Newser's choice of Man of the Year for 2017 as Ajit Pai, as expected, did not sit well with everyone. Several people talked to me or otherwise left messages, saying either our concerns on the issue of Net Neutrality were misplaced, or that the title should have gone to someone who made a difference for the better. But Time Magazine's Man of the Year annual magazine, which was the inspiration for our annual article, does not always chose a force for good, just the person, persons, or object that has done the most to influence events, for good or ill.

Still, there were plenty of movers and shakers in Second Life that made an impact. And so we can chose someone for runner up. It was not an easy choice, but we have picked two.

Barbie Alchemi and Fran Serenade are the women behind Creations for Parkinsons. While Barbie is the owner and leader of the sims and the groups involved, Fran is the inspiration for them. Having been earlier aflicted with Parkinson's, her time here has been atributed to not only halting the progress of the illness, but reversing it.

This year, they were mentioned in the Newser a number of times, such as when a 90th birthday party for Fran was held inworld, and they held their Gotham Island Hallowen fundraiser for money for Parkinson's research. And earlier articles and videos, notably Draxtor Despress' video of them, continue to draw attention to both them and the virtual world of Second Life. In the case of the latter, it offers people a view of the virtual world that's world's apart from the tabliodish depiction the public has often gotten.



So for their continued work for charity, for their continuing to be an inspiration for others in Second Life and showing people unfamiliar with the virtual world the good it can do, the Newser names Barbie Alchemi and Fran Serenade as it's runners up for Person of the Year.

Bixyl Shuftan
Editor
SL Newser

Fran Seranade of Creations for Parkinsons

Deaflegacy recently went to Creations for Parkinsons. There she met Barbie Alchemi, who wanted to talk about the person who was the real driving force behind the place in Second Life: her mother Fran Serenade. Fran, who recently turned 90, has been an example of how Second Life can help those with disabilities as despite her Parkinson's, she describes herself as getting better in recent years, attributing the improvement in her well being to Second Life and the friendships she has made there. Her daughter Barbie talked about the Parkinson's Support Group, of which Fran has made a number of friends, and the two birthday parties she had, including one in real life which included some she knew from Second Life.

Read Deaflegacy's story in People.

Fran Seranade's 90th Birthday Party

On Saturday February 18, Creations for Parkinsons was the scene of a 90th birthday party for Fran Seranade. The party actually got an early start the night before for a couple hours. But the main event was from 3PM to a bit past 8PM SL time. At one point, there were close to forty people crowded in the CP Swing Ballroom, which unfortunately resulted in me crashing before I could get a good picture. Yours truly would have to wait until later for a clear one without they grays and glitches.

Barbie Alchemi, Fran's daughter, had stated her mother wasn't planning a party in real life. She would just enjoy the event with her friends in Second Life. The theme of the party was 40s sing and big band. And people either dressed in formal outfits, or in clothing that could easily have been of the era. There would be various live performers singing throughout the party, such as Max Kleen, "We had so many great performers here today."

While at the party, I would see the black and white photos of Fran and her family change like a slide show.  "Fran was the 6th of 7 children," Barbie told the crowd, "she was born in Brookly New York in 1927." Other pictures included her and a childhood friend, "they were both very limited sight and were considered blind at that time," and her high school photo, "she was the first in her family to go past elementary school and graduate."

While most of the musicians were experienced performers in virtual reality, one was making his Second Life debut as a singer: Ron Rosa. A singer in the style of the "Rat Pack" yours truly got a couple requests to mention him in the article, saying for a beginner he was too good not to name, " his voice is nuanced and spot on.  I think he is going to really do well when he gets tuned up."

Following Ron, it was time for the party to wind down. And Fran herself was ready to head to bed herself, "Good night everybody! Thank you all for a GREAT night!!!!!!!!"

Creations for Parkinsons raises funds for Team Fox, a Parkinson's charity. During the course of the party, a substantial amount of Lindens were raised.

Creations for Parkinsons has events on a daily basis, sometimes a few to several on a day. The CP Swing ballroom itself has events just about every day.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creations%20Park/35/52/28

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: "Birthday Bash" at Creations For Parkinsons

Birthday Bash Benefit - Fran Turns 90
Saturday February 18th 3-9pm slt
6 Hours of Live Music
CP Swing Ballroom on Creations Park
All donations go to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Attire: Formal or 40's vintage
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creations%20Park/35/52/28

3:00 Max Kleene
4:00 Agatha
5:00 Greg Kat
6:00 DirtyDee Sweetwater
7:00 Robbie Downing
8:00 Quartz

Fran said she did not want a 90th Birthday Party in Real Life, she only wanted a party in Second Life. And this will be a Birthday Bash to remember with 6 hours of live music.

Fran became famous in Second Life through this heart touching video: The Drax File: World Makers- Episode 13 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyiiWxNguGo&feature=youtu.be

Fran says "I may have Parkinson's, but it does not have me." At 90 "years young," she is active in Second Life and is thrilled to see herself running and dancing again.

Fran's daughter Barbie Alchemi tells us that their RL Dad died with Parkinson's. Exactly one year later Mom was diagnosed with the same disease. However due to the time Fran spends in Second Life her progression has been noticeably slower.

In honor of this remarkable woman, five years ago their family started Creations for Parkinson's and has raised 9.5 Million Linden which is approximately $38,000 US Dollars for the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. "We are hoping to raise another 500,000 Linden this week to reach our 10 Million Linden goal." The Creations Park sim has was built with love to include all of Fran's favorite activities. We hope you can feel that love while you are enjoying yourself here.

Fran's party will have six live singers performing during the day at Creation Park's newest addition, CP Swing Big Band Ballroom. It is a 40's era ballroom built as a re-creation of the Savoy Ballroom which was the birthplace of swing dancing. Here we can all enjoy the wonderful music of Fran's teen years. It brings back happy memories for Fran of "taking air" which are those amazing areal Swing dance moves. The crowd used to make a circle around Fran and her partner as they became the floor show.

The Birthday Bash Benefit will be held in this Ballroom. Attire for the event is formal or 40's vintage. There will even be a short slide show of Fran in the 40's.

Actually the festivities will start the night before on Friday February 17th 7-9 with a tribute to Vaugn Monroe and the Moon Maid. One of Fran's closest friends Tinker was one of the original Moon Maids.

We are thrilled to have this wonderful article release 2 days ago in BackChannel:
https://backchannel.com/first-they-got-sick-then-they-moved-into-a-virtual-utopia-1dc6c165f3e9#.o6sz3eo2t

Press Release: Creations For Parkinson's Red White and Blue Event

DATES: May 27, 2016 to June 6, 2016

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creations%20Park/234/137/3301

WEBSITE: https://creationspark.wordpress.com/

Creations For Parkinson’s, an official charity of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, is pleased to announce it’s very first annual Red, White, and Blue event! This event will take place from May 27, 2016 to June 6, 2016 and will include live djs, live performers, tribute concerts, an art auction, shopping, gachas, a hunt, and a special carnival!

The event is sponsored by Windlight Magazine, Azul, and Chop Zuey Fine Couture Jewellery. The following merchants are participating: alme, Azul, Entice, KL Couture, Like Design, Meshopotamia, Miss Darcy, Paris Fashion, %Percent Furniture and Lighting, Spyralle, Tashi, TRS Designs, Whimsical Happenings, & Windlight Workz.

A special art auction will feature work by the following artists: Barret Darkfold, Carley Noonan, Cherrycar Resident, Eleseren Brianna, Jamie86 Resident, Johannes1977 Resident, JolieElle Parfort, KodyMeyers Resident, Muse4u Resident, Myra Wildmist, Otcoc Resident, Rage Darkstone, Rinzlerkitty Resident, Sheba Blitz, Syphera Inaka  & Theda Tammas.

About Creations For Parkinson’s:
100% of all donations go to our official Creations for Parkinson's Team Fox for The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Please be sure to watch our award winning video about the benefits of SL for my 87 "years young" RL Mom who has Parkinson's. This will touch your heart! Ebbe Linden (CEO of Linden Labs) has called this the most important video ever made about Second Life!  The Drax File: World Makers- Episode 13 Creations for Parkinsons:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyiiWxNguGo&feature=youtu.be

For More Information:
https://creationspark.wordpress.com/

http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?pg=team&fr_id=1890&team_id=19152

Press Release: Happy Holidays From Creations For Parkinsons

Happy New Year to our Friends and Supporters. We thank you for another amazing year.

We are thrilled to let you know we have reached our donation goal of 2,500,000 Linden ($10,000 US Dollars) again this year. That brings our grand total to over 6,250,000 Linden ($25,000 US Dollars) in 2 1/2 years!!!! This would not be possible without your love and support of the wonderful work we are doing here in SL!

We want to assure you that our family continues to personally covers all tier and other expenses out of our own pockets so that 100% of ALL donations go to The Micheal J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research through Team Fox. And we are so thrilled that Team Fox has a private donor who covers all their expenses also!

Creations For Parkinson's Raises Over 800,000 Lindens

Although the Relay for Life has been going in full gear with plenty of fundraisers and events, other charities have not only continued to hold events, but also do well in raising money. Earlier this week, the Creations for Parkinson's group held one of it's main events, its third annual benefit at the Sweetheart Jazz club. They were all out in trying to break their old record, and for thirteen hours their musicians performed for the crowd.

Read more about the fundraiser in Events.

Third Annual Benefit For Parkinson's at Sweetheart Jazz Club

In a press release, in addition to on the Second Life destination guide, it was announced that Creations for Parkinson's would be holding their third annual fundraiser event at the Sweethearts Jazz Club today, Tuesday, May 13, 2014. The event is twelve hours long from 8AM to 8PM.

Please join us for the biggest event of the year! 12 fun filled hours of contests, live singers, Dj's, and more! Sweethearts is all heart. Please join your heart with ours!!!

Creations for Parkinson's stated last year, they raised 756,000 Lindens. This year, their goal is a full one million Lindens.

Besides the event, one can also donate to Creations for Parkinson's through the "Team Fox" website (link), or their sim's donation globes: Creations Park (151/90/24).

Creations for Parkinson's is headed by Barbie Alchemi, whom started the organizations in honor of her parents, of whom her real-life mother appears in Second Life as Fran Serenade.

Sweethearts (42/147/23)

Grand Opening of Peace Nation at Creations Park

Last weekend, The Creations Park sim opened a new area, Peace Nation, with a Grand Opening party. Sim owner Barbie Alchemi was there along with her real-life mother Fran Serenade, and a number of friends. Besides announcing a new place to explore and relax, the event was also to raise funds for Parkinsons.

See more in Events. 

Press Release: Creations Park "Calling All Angels"

CREATIONS FINE ART GALLERY
PRESENTS *CALLING ALL ANGELS*

JOIN US FOR OUR SHOW OPENING
DECEMBER 3rd - JAN 30TH
Celebrating the season with the Grand Opening of the
*CALLING ALL ANGELS* Fine Art Exhibit
Come experience the magic!

DECEMBER GALLERY EVENTS INCLUDE ART, MUSIC & DANCE, POETRY SESSIONS
DECEMBER Tues, Dec 3rd, 2013 6-8pm slt ANGELS THEME DANCE
DECEMBER 17th, 2013 6-8pm slt *CALLING ALL ANGELS* GRAND BALL
[january *ANGEL* events to be announced]

Come see how our artists have interpreted the Angel theme

Group Show Featuring the work of many well known and emerging SL Artists, including:
Barbie Alchemi, ButterflyAire, Cane Sutter, Emmalena Damour, EvanArt,
Rex Mulblewood, Roman Godde, Shambala Kimono, Sheba Blitz, Starheart Erdhein,
Susy Halcali

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creations%20Park/16/22/37

CREATIONS FOR PARKINSON'S" is a top quality venture to raise awareness and donations for Team Fox to benefit The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. 100% of all income goes to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Team Fox.

VIDEO- "LEARN GROW AND HEAL TOGETHER"
Please watch this inspiring short minute video about the benefits of SL for my RL Mom who has Parkiinson's. You will be glad you did!
The Drax File: World Makers- Episode 13 Creations for Parkinsons
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyiiWxNguGo&feature=youtu.be


CREATIONS PARK STORY
After 2 years in Second Life, Barbie Alchemi and her brother felt a desire to give meaning and purpose to the hours we spent in-world. "Our dad died with Parkinson's and our mother, Fran Seranade, has it now." To quote Fran, "I may have Parkinson's, but it does not have me." At 85 years young, Fran has entered Second Life and is thrilled to see herself running and dancing again.

PLEASE EXPLORE OUR BEAUTIFUL SIMS        
Fun, friendly, romantic, Japanese gardens, meditation, tropical beach, boats, mermaid underwater, horses, designer shopping, live music, dancing, ballroom, photo spots.

These sims were created for everyone to enjoy. Those of us in Second Life can have fun while knowing we are making a difference in the real world. Those who are affected by Parkinson's can learn about SL, a world where they can be free of physical limitations.

Shambala Kimono, Creations Fine Art curator & Artist in Residence
Shambala Resident, Creations Fine Art contact person.

CREATIONS PARK, Creations Park (18, 23, 29)

The Drax Files: "World Makers - Episode 13: Creations for Parkinson's "

(Click Here if the video fails to load)

"My avatar represents how I truly feel inside" says 86-year old Fran Seranade. And despite her Parkinson's condition she navigates her blond, blue-eyed and stunningly dressed digital alter ego with bravura through the immersive universe of Second Life: one moment she is a mermaid and another she ice skates with her friends in winter wonderland.

"The effect of engaging in a virtual world on her condition is being closely studied by her personal doctor and although conclusions can't be drawn without further research, the exhilaration of being able to engage in activities like horse back riding and boating in SL suggests that so-called mirror neurons are at work here: identifying with the avatar and the action happening on the screen makes Fran's muscles feel less rigid and increases dopamine production in the brain.

"'Second Life just might be the fountain of youth' Fran is saying with a smile and the in-world community 'Creations for Parkinson's' run by her daughter is trying to make this statement a reality by bringing people together to celebrate the power of creativity every day, regardless of age, origin and physical location."

Direct teleport to Creations for Parkinson's is at Creations Park (149/94/23)"

 Second Life Newser wrote about Creations for Parkinsons about a year ago in October 2013.

Update on "Creations For Parkinsons"

In October, Second Life Newser did an article on the "Creations of Parkinsons" sim, ran by Barbie Alchemi. She was inspired to create the place due to her mother, known in Second Life as Fran Seranade, whom had the illness. Recently, Hamlet Au interviewed Fran, which can be seen Here, in which she talked about how her journey in Second Life has helped her recover much of her physical ability.


Speaking to Barbie, she was happy for the attention this new article brought, and informed the Newser there would soon be some new developments at "Creations." In the meantime, they were still running events there, in addition to the Sunday night "Demo Derby" in Random.

Stay tuned for more.

Image credit: New World Notes