SL21B Begins Today

 

 

For those waiting for the Second Life Birthday, today is the big day. Sometime today, the sims will open to all, and the music stages, the shop and hop, and the exhibits will be open for all to see.

It is unknown just what time the sims will be open, but the Opening Ceremony will be 2PM, hosted by Patch Linden. It will be at the Aquatorium theater in SLB Mesmerize, SLB Pizzazz, and SLB Spellbound. At 3 PM, the music begins at the three music theaters, The Nimbus, Firestone Keep, and The Stonehold.

 

 

This includes the Newser exhibit, built by Silvia Ametza and her team, located at SLB Incredible (23/26/21).

 

See you at the SLB

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Second Life Birthday, SLB Shop And Hop, Start Tomorrow

 

 

 After weeks of preperation and months of anticipation, the Second Life Twenty-First Birthday celebrations, also known as the SL21B, are almost here. There's the music, the meet the Lindens events, the Shop and Hop (image above), and of course all those exhibits.

For a lucky few, the Shop and Hop has already started with early access. For the rest, it opens fully tomorrow.

 

While we don't have the exact time the sims will be open, the Opening Ceremony will be 2PM, hosted by Patch Linden. It will be at the Aquatorium theater in SLB Mesmerize, SLB Pizzazz, and SLB Spellbound. At 3 PM, the music begins at the three music theaters, The Nimbus, Firestone Keep, and The Stonehold. 

 

Next week, are the Meet the Lindens (and Moles) wvents, from Tuesday June 25 to Friday June 28. On Monday July 1 is the Second Community Roundtable with Chairman Oberwolf Liden and Patch Linden.

 

And don't forget to check out the exhibits. This includes the Newser's exhibit, built by Silvia Ametza and her team, located at SLB Incredible (23/26/21).

Bixyl Shuftan

Reminder: The Second Life Birthday Starts Friday

 

Just a reminder. The Second Life Birthday, aka the SL21B, will be starting in a few days.  On Friday June 21, the sim will open up to the public. Presumably there will be an opening ceremony soon after. The times of both have yet to be announced. 

Later will be the "Meet the Lindens" events, this year known as the Town Hall and Community Roundtable. 

Stay tuned for more details.

Picture from Destination Guide

Ten Years Ago: Linden Lab Steps Away From Birthday Events

 

It was ten years ago today, April 18 2012, that Linden Lab dropped a bombshell on the residents. There was a short announcement from the Lab, "This year we will focus the spotlight on community events." While not spelled out, it was clear that the Linden Lab would not be doing a Second Life Birthday event that year, no SL9B.

Some residents didn't care less, "If Linden Lab doesn't care enough about Second Life to celebrate it's birthday, why should I?" But there were many people who were sad and upset. What would Second Life be with out an anniversary celebration? It wasn't long before certain people were communicating and organizing. And before long, there was a team of volunteers whom were going to do a resident-run Second Life Birthday celebration, on land provided by sponsors. Word was spread in part through some amusing "Prim Reaper" videos.

So why did Linden Lab stop doing the SLB events? The move was done under Rod Linden, a time when the Lab was putting some distance between the residents and itself, such as canceling the "Kiss a Linden" event, the Linden snowball fight, and the Second Life convention. So canceling the Birthday may have been part of the distancing. But that may not have been all. It had been suggested that Linden Lab may have wanted to get away from the drama that some of the more recent celebrations had seen.

"The Birthday" went more or less smoothly, opening on time with numerous exhibits and a few stages, notably the Cake Stage by Mikati Slade. The Newser would have it's own exhibit, an office building with a hat on it. It would go on for a couple weeks, and went off with a bang, with the Lab doing nothing more but letting it happen.

For a few years, this was how the SLB events went. Then the Lab started organizing a paraell music event, "Music Fest." There would also be "Meet the Lindens" events. The Lab was slowly becoming more and more involved. 2018 would see the last of the resident-run Birthday events, the SL15B. In February 2019, Linden Lab announced it would be in charge of organizing the anniversary events. On the whole, the residents were pleased to see Linden Lab once again running The Birthday. But, many did miss the Cake and Stage Left stages that marked the resident-run Birthday events. 
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL19B Update: Exhibitor and Volunteer Applications Now Open

 

Yesterday, Thursday March 31, Linden Lab announced it would began accepting applications from those wishing to be among the exhibitors and of the volunteer staff of the SL19B anniversary event for Second Life. For exhibitors, while going with the theme, Steampunk, is encouraged, it is not necessary to build strictly within it.

The theme for SL19B is Steampunk, but don’t let that make you feel limited! Just like last year, your exhibit does not need to stay in theme. Share your Second Life passions with us. Your interests. Your communities. Your world! Every year we celebrate because of you, the amazing and creative Residents who have chosen to call Second Life home. What has drawn you into this world, and what keeps you here? These annual festivities are an opportunity to show us what fuels your Second Life. Let's celebrate that together!

Those wanting to be exhibitors are asked to fill out a Google docs form (link). There are rules such as no "promoting buying and selling of goods and services" (stores and businesses can still have an exhibit, but have to follow rules), and exhibits need to be within the guidelines of a general-rated sim (for example no adult furniture). Scripted bots are not allowed at exhibits. While having a party at one's exhibit is fine, exhibits cannot "be used as a performance/music/DJ venue for the entirety of the event." Nor can exhibits be political in nature. And as there are a finite number of exhibit parcels, there is no guarantee of being accepted. People can request a larger-sized parcel, but must explain why the size is needed. Exhibitors can have two co-builders with access to the plot.

If you have the Second Life spirit and stamina to promote SL19B events and serve as a guide for huge crowds, we’d love for you to fill out the volunteer application by May 8th, 2022!

Those wanting to be volunteers have another Google docs form to fill out (link). They are expected to be courteous to others and be able to work in shifts of at least two hours. They must wear assigned t-shirts and need to have an overall appearance and profile that fit within the General-rated maturity level theme of the SL Birthday. Applicants are asked if they want to be greeters or stage crew, and if one of the latter which position. Those applying are also asked which type of mesh body they usually wear so a crew shirt that properly fits will be available.

Like with performer applications, those desiring to be exhibitors and volunteers for the SL19B have until May 8 to apply. As a reminder, the SL19B takes place from June 16 to July 5.

To read the announcement on the Linden blog, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL19B Theme Announced, Applications For Musicfest And Performers Open

 

Yesterday, Linden Lab announced the theme for the upcoming Second Life Birthday event. The theme for the SL19B is Steampunk. The event will run for Thursday June 16 to Tuesday July 5.

Save the date! On June 23rd, Second Life will be turning 19! The 19th annual Second Life birthday celebration (SL19B) will be held from June 16th to July 5th. The theme for SL19B festivities is Steampunk! Get ready for three fun-filled weeks of live music, performances, shopping, and amazing community exhibits! 

The Lab also announced applications were being accepted for musicians wishing to play tunes at the three day Musicfest, held June 16 to Saturday 18, and performers whom wished to perform at the SL19B. 

Why celebrate for one day when we can party for a week! We are looking for all types of performers to join the week-long festivities from June 19th-26th. Are you a DJ who can spin up a great party set or a live performer who can jam all night? You might be one of the grid’s amazing Dance companies, or perhaps you’re a Particle Performer? One of the things that makes Second Life so vibrant and exciting is the wide range of performers who share their talent with our Residents. Whatever your medium, we would love to hear from you!  

To sign up for the Musicfest, Click on this Google Doc link for it's application. It is for live musicians, only. Musicians have until April 10 to apply, and are limited to one hour slots, asked to show up an hour early, must have all lyrics and outfits be G-rated, have a 350 land impact limit for props, and other details. Those not on a regular schedule will be asked to show up for an audition.

To sign up as a Performer, Click on this Googlr Doc link for it's application. Performers have until May 8 to apply. Dance troupes may be granted a larger land impact limit than DJs and singers, up to 1000 LI "as deemed appropriate by the Mole Coordinators." While schedules aren't as rigid as the Musicfest, any changes such as requests for a different time or changes in names MUST be made before 48 hours of the scheduled time.

The Lab also reminded that neither Musicfest of Performer applicants are guaranteed a spot.

The Musicfest started several years ago as a separate Linden-run event in the days when the SLB was resident run. But it has become integrated as part of the larger event. 

To read the blog post in full, Click Here. 

To check the SL19B Planning thread in the forums, Click Here. 

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL17B Update: Three More Days

The Second Life Birthday is almost here. After the exhibitors have been building for weeks, the sims for the exhibits have been temporarily closed as the moles and volunteers do their inspections and will lift them tomorrow so the builders can make any needed last minute changes.

As you can see, for now the twenty-one sims that make up the grounds of the SL17B have been split into two groups, the seven exhibitor sims just southeast of the main group, which has the auditorium and stage(s). But they will be combined before the whole area is officially opened. Exactly what's in the Linden build area is speculation, which cannot be confirmed yet. As for the exhibit sims, we can't show as much as a tree outside the resident builds. So pictures there will have to wait as well.

The big day is Friday, June 19, presumably at Noon SL time, though possibly earlier.

Addition: The Second Life Birthday celebrations will officially start at 11AM SL time on Friday June 19, with the opening ceremony by Patch Linden.

Sneak Peek: SL17B SL Newser Exhibit

It's just a few more days until the Second Life 17th Birthday begins. While we can't show you any pictures from there, here's one of the SL Newser exhibit, by builder Silvia Ametza, taken before it was moved to there.

So what is it? Stay tuned to find out.

SL17B Sneak Peek

The Second Life Birthday is coming, and like many others, the Newser has signed up for an exhibit. Like most other times, we've turned to the creative and friendly builder Silvia Ametza to construct the build. So what is it? Well, we're not going to say exactly what it is, yet. But what we can do is provide a small hint. Here's a piece of it while still at Silvia's building area. Have fun imagining just what it is.

See you at The Birthday

Bixyl Shuftan

More SL14B Exhibits

The Second Life Fourteenth Birthday is over. But the sims remain up for viewing for another week. For the Newser, it's a chance to document a few more exhibits, as well as show you the readers what examples await you in the time that's left.

See the pictures in Places.

Journey Across the SL14B on Day One

Gemma Cleanslate has been busy touring the grounds of the Second Life Fourteenth Birthday celebration. Among the places  she visited were three memorial exhibits to two notable residents who passed away.   Two were for Ladyslipper Constantine, noted for her activities with volunteering and the arts. One was for Lumiere Noir, the creator of the Ivory Tower of Prims which instructs residents old and new about creating things in Second Life.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

SL14B Opens, Masquerade Party Today

June 18 was the opening day of the Second Life Fourteenth Birthday, or SL14B, celebrations. And as the clock hit Noon, the sims were open to all and people poured in. Within minutes, there were hundreds around the SL14B grounds.

We'll have more on the SLB later as it has been a busy day, and we need to rest before we can write more. But we can tell you about one Linden-organized event today: The Masquerade Ball. The Lab advertised it as, "where mystique and intrigue are sure to reign supreme! There is also a L$5000 prize for the best at the ball ." The event will take place at the Cake Stage, "stay tuned for details once those locations go live!" The Lindens also promise "a special commemorative avatar and bonus gift from the Lab." 

The event at SL14B Fascinate (202/247/22/) is from 11AM to 1PM.

For more locations for certain SL14B exhibits, theaters, and more, check out the SL14B portion of the Destination Guide at  http://secondlife.com/destinations/sl14b . And don't forget to check out the SL14B blog at: http://www.slcommunitycelebration.info/ .

Second Life Fourteenth Birthday Begins Today!

After months of preparing, planning, and building, the SL14B, the Second Life Fourteenth Birthday finally opens today. The builds are all up, the exhibits have had their last minute adjustments.

The official entrance is at SL14B Impressive (96/122/80), at Dragon Mountain. As the name implies, "Here be dragons." But don't worry, they're used to humans and their antics are more for showing off. There's even a couple you can ride.

There are a couple places here one can find some teleports to certain spots around the SL14B grounds.

There are many, many exhibits available, and we'll get to them later. For now, here is our own. Silvia Ametza's exhibit this year is a futuristic-looking pyramid with a combination of an amusement park water ride, and a solar system model with a Kulper Belt ring. The exhibit is at SL14B Electrify (39/104/22).

See you at "The Birthday."

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL14B Impressive/96/122/80

Bixyl Shuftan

SL14B on Press Day

Press day is always exciting on the SL14B sims because we are all looking for the first glimpse of the wonderful builds scattered across all the regions. It is the time when we can finally publish pictures of the builds themselves instead of just teasers. Since I was not working this year at the event, I let Bixyl do the teasers. 

I absolutely love the entrance this year. It is an amazing creation by Darkstone Aeon . There was a grand greeting for the press when I arrived!  I hope people take the time to examine it during the week .

 There is so much to see there. You can ride a dragon, or take a hot air balloon ride around the outside. One can also sit in the welcome center building and relax, hoping the dragons don’t get you.   But don’t miss the cave! Before you leave the entrance mountain extend your draw line to get a view of the distance at the top of the stairs. 

Not too far from the Dragon mountain is the auditorium, or as it is called this year , the Entertainment Hall, Digital City. The builder for this ediface is  Anthony (ADudeNamed Anthony). All week long meetings and lectures will take place there and you can see the schedule on the website.

Quite visible from this area is the Cake Stage. Mikati Slade has worked her magic again in creating a marvelous build. There will be many parties on this stage. 

We will visit the parties at the other stages during the week when the parties are going on.

                  

Also not far from the auditorium is the Time Capsule. Will Webb is the curator of this parcel. it is here that collector’s items from all the past birthday celebrations are on display.There is a capsule from 2003  belonging to Ryan Linden that cannot be opened until 3001. Amazing. 

  

This will all be yours to enjoy beginning on June 18 at 12:00 noon and will continue with events and games until June 25 . The sims will remain open until July 2 so you can get to explore more of the magnificent builds . Take a pod ride and jump off when you want to see a parcel. 

 The actual birthday is June 23. I warn you , If you really want to see all the builds plan on spending many hours on the all the sims. There is a big hunt going on in all the regions during the time it is open. There are also gift centers where you can pick up your presents from many of the builders. Check out the website to see everything you will encounter so you don’t miss anything. http://www.slcommunitycelebration.info/

Much more to come. Here is where you start at 12:00 noon Sunday.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL14B%20Impressive/96/122/80

Gemma Cleanslate

SL14B Sneak Peek

Taken somewhere in the SL14B sims, this solar-powered boat goes down a waterway that's part of one of the larger builds. As it turns out, there were things to see under the water.

Stay tuned for more to come

SL14B: Pod Travel

"The Birthday" is just days away now. Performers are being notified, and exhibitors and volunteers are busy with last minute adjustments. Here, I'm using one of the "pods" that automatically move one down the roads, as well as providing riders with a little info on some of the exhibits.

Sunday June 18 is the big day, the gates opening at Noon SL time. For more information on the SL14B, check the blog at: http://www.slcommunitycelebration.info/ .

See you there.

Second Life Birthday Celebration Officially Ends

Last night in the Second Life Birthday sims, the last of the official events took place (Sunday schedule). At 5PM, Saffia Widdershins interviewed the last guest at the Auditorium:  Raglan Shire's leader Zayan Till. At 10PM began the last of the DJ performances.

While Yamata36 DJed for the Ixtlan Stage, at the Cake Stage, Laz Dresler spun tunes for the crowd.

 One girl in a Colossus avatar danced with the crowd, somehow avoiding stepping on anyone. No word on if she had to deal with anyone trying to peek up her skirt.

There was also a fireworks show by Bewell Ormega, throwing some pyrotechnics in the air.The Birthday quite literally ended with a bang.

There were a number of personalities there, such as Mikati Slade, Catboy Qunhua, Daniel Voyager (his picture above), iSkye Silverweb, and others. As the minutes ticked down, there were many well wishes, "Happy birthday!" "Happy Birthday SL!!" "HAVE A GREAT SL!"

And at 12 Midnight, Laz finally got off the stage. The week-long celebration was officially over.

While this was the official end of the SL12B, the exhibits will still be up for several days. The schedule shows that the sims will be open at least until July 4. So until July 6 to July 8 when "the breakdown" takes place, feel free to continue to explore the exhibitions.

The sims finally go offline on July 9. Only then will the event truly be over.

Happy twelfth birthday Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL12B: The Welcome Area and Station

 By BloodyKitty

There is an event going on, the SL12B that runs from June 21st to the 28th of June. The information has also included that the sim is also open on the 4th of July for residents to explore the particular location. This event is celebrating the birthday of Second Life, but in a cool way with tons of events. When you first arrive you are greeted with a spooky scene, but also a beautiful one if you change your lighting (or the sun settings). 

There were two people greeting (at the moment I was there) that go by Londyn2, as well as another girl but she had left before I got a chance to see her name. What was a positive for me right away was that they instantly helped me and asked if I needed any information on the sim and the event, I said I do.

Upon getting an info card if you request one by one of the fabulous hosts, it tells you on what's going on, as well as that you get two gifts which include a party hat and a flag. Aside from that there is a map of the whole place via a texture sort of file, landmarks to the major venues, and a schedule for the events going on around the land. It is when you go down from where you are greeted that the fun begins. There are teleports to different locations to different places in the sim to help people easily get around, which is a plus for me. 

What I found the best part in my opinion of the experience was that they had a train station and an actual train. It totally reminded me of Harry Potter, which unfortunately the train does not move, but it doesn't totally take away a good experience. If you look closer though you can see the station is in ruins as well as that the back of the train is all messed up. Just use your imagination on what may of happened!

Overall the world is large in itself if you take time to explore it, and there are different activities to enjoy while searching around. Because of it being a large sim and how many locations there are to teleport to, I haven't had the opportunity to exactly explore everything like I'd hope before this was put up. I believe that just touching base on the important details helps people who'd love to visit and check the place out. Have fun! 

BloodyKitty

Various Happenings at the SL12B

Yours truly spent most of his time at the SLB grounds before Press Day building the SL Newser exhibit, so I didn't get much of a look elsewhere. On Press Say itself, I only had a short time to get around. I didn't get the time of any official tour, so just looked around a little at the entrance sim of SL12B Beguile. The "dream" here looked more like a nightmare with this disturbing-looking train.

Not far from the train into the next sim at SL12B Impressive (224/57/24) is the exhibit of our sponsor M&M Creations, by 10 and Marcthur Gooson with their "Cottage Ma Mason."

Near the Newser exhibit at SL12BWonderous (232/231/22) is the SL Universe Forums exhibit by Soen Eber.

 Just across from the Newser's exhibit at SL12B Wonderous (233/196/22) is the "Spire" by Mac Kanashimi, whom assisted with the Cake Stage and whom some time ago worked on the "Pinwheels."

I happened to run into Mac, and had a few words with him. The hat of course was from Mikati Slade, the main builder of the Cake Stage. "So how was it working with Mikati?" I asked him. Matter of factly, he answered, "Just like 3 years ago (at the) cake stage SL9B. She made a scale 1:10 model of the cake stage, then uses my script to move an object to the right region, to the calculated real stage coordinates, then resize times 10."

Of The Spire, "(The) view from the top straight downwards is very nice." Asking him about it, "Well. take a square, then draw a square in it, but slightly smaller and slightly rotated, continue until the squares are small. Later I added the color effects and the changing from left rotating to right rotating squares, and back."

I asked him what other exhibits attracted his attention, but his answer was, "I didn't write them down, i was just flying around."

I soon had to be elsewhere, but did come across two events that evening. One was a stand up comedy performance at the Cake Stage at 4PM SL time by SL comedian Lauren Weyland.

An hour later at the Auditorium (Dreamatorium), was a group of roleplayers of the "Sanctuary" RP, discussing the history of their roleplay, and a few words from each of the players there.

Among the roleplaters was ZodiacLansing, whose words included, "Sanctuary, like several other sims, is born out of an intense love and it shows. When I arrived in the sim and explained that I was new to CCS, I was taken aside by several of the players who worked with me until I understood how things worked. Even to this day, they are willing to help me with any questions I may have. The environment of Sanctuary is one of help and kindness out of character. The members of the city are always willing to help out each other and new players so that everyone proves to the a be better player.

"When the RP starts, things can happen that are dark, but the people remain the same friendly sort who are willing to help. That's the biggest difference I have found and that is what brings me back to the city over and over again. As many will attest to, in our sim we strive very hard to create an atmosphere that sponsors RP and friendship in OOC. To me, it's the best sim."

More to come later this week. In the meantime, don't forget to stop at the Newser's exhibit at SL12B Wonderous (207/195/21).

Bixyl Shuftan

Eye on the Blog: Linden Lab's Gift SL12B Avatar And Snapshot Contest

It was a bit more than a week ago in which Linden Lab offered this year's gift avatar for the Second Life Birthday a little early to Premium Residents. Now, the avatar is available to all, at least until July 31st. And what is it? Well, it seems the Lindens were inspired by the "Jurassic World" dinosaur movie, as the avatar is a mesh velociraptor, or rather a "party velociraptor."

Imagine yourself in a jungle on a remote island brimming with possible adventures and spectacular flora and fauna to explore. Now, imagine that remote island jungle is what we’ve come to call the Second Life grid, and imagine that you are … a Velociraptor! Sounds a little bit like a pretty weird but cool dream, right?
Well you no longer have to imagine the dream - you can live it with the Second Life 12th Anniversary commemorative avatar! Pick up your free avatar at Hairy Hippo Fun Land or off the Marketplace before this raptor becomes extinct at the end of July!

Hopping over to Hairy Hippo Fun Land, one could pick up copies of the avatar through a vending machine. In a box, it had to be taken elsewhere, rezzed, and unpacked. Being mesh, the avatar was just a few pieces, with detachable sunglasses and part hat.

"But wait, there's more." Linden Lab is also having a 10,000 Linden contest for the best photo of the avatar.

Now that you’ve got your raptor - it’s time to take ‘em for a test drive. Share snapshots of your raptor avatar celebrating SL12B to the Second Life 12th Anniversary Snapshot Contest from now until July 20th, and you could win 1 of 4 incredible prizes - L$10,000 , L$5,000, L$3,000, or L$1,000!
Be creative! This limited-edition raptor has the entirety of the grid to seek out a picture-perfect spot to take a winning snapshot
To see what pictures others have taken, there's an Entries Page, including one from Crap Mariner, "The Very Ugly Duckling."

So there's Linden Lab's present for the residents. Now if they could only give the third party exchangers a break.

Bixyl Shuftan