Fantasy Faire Starts Today

 

 After weeks of preparation and months of anticipation, the Fantasy Faire is about ready to start. Today, Thursday April 23, The Fairelands will open to the public at around Noon SL time. Faireland Junction is the main entrance, so expect that sim to be a bit crowded (and laggy). But once everything loads, the fine details will show.

 

Every year, this mega-event by the Relay for Life attracts top builders of many stripes, and each of the twenty sims promises great detail, and much to explore. Besides that, there are music and dance parties, many shops to buy items (with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society), events such as discussions and book readings, the Children of Stories roleplay, and of course the Fairelands Quest.  

 

For more information, check the Fantasy Faire blog: https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/  

 

Stand by for updates as the Faire goes on,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

The Lost Gallery

 

Netera Landar recently went to the opening of an art exhibition going on to January 3, "The Lost Gallery." Set in a wintery outdoor area, the place was "beautiful and realistic." She would talk to some people and take a few pictures of the displays. So which artists were there and what did they have?

 

Read Netera's article, and see the pictures, in Design.

 

Addition: Part of the article was accidentally left out earlier. It's now up. 

Announcement: Registration For 2026 SL Living Expo Opens

 

🎉✨ The wait is over... Registration for the SL Living Expo 2026 is NOW OPEN! ✨🎉 

🌟 This year is BIGGER than ever — the SL Living Expo is combining with SL Fandom Con and the SL Renaissance Festival, creating a spectacular mega-event with a variety of themed regions for you to explore, design, and showcase your work in.

💜 Together we create.
💜 Together we inspire.
💜 Together we Relay.

👉 Ready to be part of something unforgettable? Register here: https://sl-living-expo.org/

 

R&N Photography And Art Gallery

 

The staff of Club Lion recently opened an art gallery on their sim. On Thursday July 10, they held a party to officially open it, as well as celebrate the birthday of one of the staff. Bixyl Shuftan was there, and took a few pictures.

 

Read and see more in Design.

 

The Belli Office Opening Party

 

 

 On Saturday December 2 at 1PM, the Newser officially opened it's Bellisseria office. To mark the occasion, we threw a party. DJ Charlee was spinning the tunes, and a number of residents from Belliseria and elsewhere came by. Besides music, there was pizza, and of course coffee.

 

Gemma had done much of the decorating of the place, "Nice to have an office on Belli." Dancerina helped greet people coming by. Charlee played a number of tunes news related, or somewhat news related, such as "I Read The News" by Peter Frampton , "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Photograph," "Huey Lewis And The News," " Working For The Weekend," Pete Seeger's "Newspapermen," "Taking Care of Business," and others, which got cheers from the listeners, "Great music selection!" "Wow! I have not heard this in decades!"

A number of personalities showed up, such as noted resident Prokofy Neva, Nydia Tungsten, Ranchan Weidman, the builder of the main SL Newser office, and one of the Lindens, Steeltoe Linden. Someone mused if he got the name from kicking griefers out of SL. Steeltoe never did answer that. Prokofy would say of the paper, "SL Newser is critical when it needs to be and not gratuitously."

Talk ranged from the fountain down the road and a neighbor or two, "I see a house down the road behind us that is VERY colorful! ... With lots of snow (chuckle)." Some articles were mentioned such as my commentary on the gatcha ban and one article on women's wrestling "Fight Like A Girl," which got jokes about hamster wrestling, DJ Snowy's seasonal reindeer look, and more. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wallingford/128/40/32

 

Bixyl Shuftan

The Newser Bellisseria Satellite Office Opening Party

 

Since it first appeared on the map several years ago, the continent of Bellisseria has been the source of many news stories. Finally, it's been decided to set up a small satellite office there. This Saturday, we're throwing a party to celebrate it's official opening. And the party is open to all residents and visitors, and of course the Lindens and Moles.

The party is at Saturday December 2 at 1PM SL time. DJ Charlee will be playing the music. Be there or miss out on the great tunes, as well as the free food and coffee.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wallingford/128/40/32

 

Note: This is a satellite office. The main office will remain in HV Community.

Whole Brain Health Opens New Underwater Sim

 

 

On Sunday September 17, there was the opening of a new underwater sim. Inspiration Bay, also known as Wild Fairy Pond, was open to visitors, and there was a live music event to celebrate. The area is part of Whole Brain Health's land, and the event announced by Wisdomseeker (Lissena Resident).

Come celebrate the opening of our new sim with its massive underwater environment, designed and developed by landscaper Luna Bliss!  Includes a special performance by Aubryn Melody at our underwater stage!  We hope to see you there!

 

Dropping by, the place was well-designed with plenty of underwater plants, rocks, fish, and occasional stone structures. It was all quite colorful. And it wasn't just one small area in the sim, but walking around I found much to explore. There was a place were one could get a snorkel if they wanted. In others, one could get a swimmer's AO.

In a notecard, the place was described as a collaboration with the Safe Waters Foundation. It would also say of builder Luna Bliss, "Luna has supported our classes in the past, generously donating her creations for students to build their projects, and we invited her to develop Inspiration Bay." The notecard also described the smaller surface area, "We have horses to ride the trail, rowboats, sailboats, canoes to tour the surface. You can spot the very fun Riverboat at Southwest corner, which also has a high-dive!"

 

I missed the tour that was offered, but did see the start of the live music event. Aubryn Melody was on stage, singing while playing her guitar, while the various people in the audience, merfolk and human, danced away. This included Luna, who was among the mers with her tail.

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Bay/27/141/26

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Linden Lab Touts Motown Area in Second Life, Holds Big Opening Party

 

 

 While the Lab has made something of a deal over a new place in Second Life, it was doing moreso than usual yesterday, Tuesday June 20. Not only did they announce it in the Linden blog, but also did a press release, and the news was posted in four news sites online.

The legendary music label Motown has officially opened its doors with an all-new presence in Second Life – and we are ready to celebrate!

Please join us inworld at Motown today between noon-3 pm PT to meet and interact with Lindens, Moles, and other members of the Second Life community in this soulful music experience, launched in partnership with Capitol Music Group and STYNGR.

This is your chance to hear some great music, hang out, and dance during the opening day at Motown, which features multi-station radio streams of classic and contemporary Motown songs, animated gestures, and much more! You can learn more about Motown in Second Life at second.life/motown.

Besides the preceding on the official SL blog, the Lindens would also do a press release, post it on their website (image at top), and have the news in four other places online: Billboard, Blockbuster, Music Business World, and Yahoo Finance. 

The Motown sim was part of a nine sim area, one that includes the Social Casino that first appeared last month in the southeast. They were a short distance north of central Bellisseria. The one in the middle was "WelcomeHub." Sending an alt there, there were a number of Mentors around there, Linden Lab bringing back the program earlier this month. There were a number of blue signs around pointing out different areas. Going north, there was one pointing out Motown. 

 

 

The place had over a hundred avatars in the sim, someone was saying 131 at one point. This included a number of Moles and Lindens, including Patch Linden. I happened to see one lady greet him, " You know I have been in Second Life since 2006 and this is the first time I think we have met. Definitely on this avatar, I think. But I just wanted to say that to me Second Life is still the best MMO. Looking forward to SL20B as well." Patch responded warmly, "Awe thank you!   It's a big year for us at 20.... we're almost full adults now  (21)!" "On this avi I will be forever 21!"

 

The party would last for a while. I didn't stay the whole time, but the place was crowded for some hours. There wasn't time to look at everywhere in the area either. That will be for another time.

There was a thread in the official forums about Motown's opening. Response was overall positive.

Was the opening of Motown at this particular date to attract attention to Second Life's Twentieth Anniversary? Probably. But for residents already anxious for a big party, it was very much a welcome event.

Bixyl Shuftan

Bellessarian Embassy Opens at The CDS

 

The Bellissarian Bureau of Bureaucracy, or BBB, is known for building embassies on other mainland continents. But the other day, it made one on one of the more notable community lands. The Confederation of Democratic Simulators, known as Second Life's oldest practicing democracy, had a grand opening party on Sunday April 23 for it's new Bellisserian embassy, with both members of the BBB and noted locals attending. Gemma Cleanslate as among those there, and had a few details to report.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

SL Video: "Fantasy Faire 2023 - The 15th Age of the Fairelands Cometh!"

 

 (Click here to see the video)

After weeks of preparation, the Fantasy Faire finally opens today. At 12 Noon SL time, head of to Faireland Junction and the 19 other sims of this major Relay for Life event. 

For more information, check the blog: https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/

 

Various Second Life Happenings In October

 

 It's October, and well, a LOT has been happening. There's the Burn2 art and music festival that took place earlier this month. There's the Halloween season, in which various communities and clubs will be celebrating in their own ways. There's been other events happening as well, such as the opening of a new Bellisseria embassy in the Jeogeot continent. Gemma Cleanslate looks back at her time at Burn2, as well as the embassy opening and a couple Halloween parties, including one at the Bellisseria Fairgrounds.

Read Gemma's article in Events. 

Sci-Fi Expo Opens

 

 On Friday October 14, the Sci-Fi Expo officially started. This event supporting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer had it's opening ceremony at 10 AM SL time. Benjamin Brougham, the Lead Cordinator, greeted the crowd that was a mix of humans, furs, tinies, robots, and other avatars.

"Greetings everyone, and welcome to the 2022 SciFi Expo! I’d like to firstly thank our entire team of volunteers who have worked tirelessly, and constantly to make sure that we give you the best event we can each and every year. ... a massive thank you to all of our sponsors, without them the event would simply not be able to be put on at the same level, so thank you for your support. ...

"We are all here to fight back against cancer, specifically Breast Cancer. All of the proceeds raised during the Expo will continue to go to funding Breast Cancer treatment and research. Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, it has likely had an impact on nearly every person alive. Whether it be you, a parent, a sibling, a child, a neighbor, a co-worker, cancer has no bounds, and it won’t stop until we are able to stop it. 

 

"This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed, and over 600,000 thousand cancer related deaths in the United States alone. This is why we fight, why we celebrate all those who have survived, honor those who have sadly lost theirs, and continue to fight back against this faceless killer. If you are interested in learning more about the services the American Cancer Society has to offer, there is an information center along with the Memory crystal garden in Aperture with posters with information and links to resources. We are also connected directly to the American Cancer Society region, which has additional resources and contacts on hand.

"Are you or a loved one battling cancer? Find out how many ways the American Cancer Society is there to help. Visit cancer.org or call (US) 800-ACS-2345. 

"Before we officially declare the 2022 SciFi Expo open, I would please ask that everyone join me in taking a brief moment of silence so that we may honor all those we may know who have survived, or sadly lost their battles.

"Thank you, I truly hope that you all will enjoy this year’s Expo. Without any further ado, I do hereby officially declare the 2022 SciFi Expo open!"

The event goes on to Sunday October 23. There will be music events, movie showings, shopping, discussion of things sci-fi, and the quest.

For more information on the Expo, check out the blog at: https://scifiexpo.org/

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Nexus/158/98/4001

 

Bixyl Shuftan

SL19B Opening Ceremonies Hit by Technical Difficulties

 

On Thursday June 16, the Second Life Nineteenth Birthday celebrations began. At Noon were the opening ceremonies at the Arboretum, which was a speech by Patch Linden. As the event can get crowded, the Lindens and Moles made the area their high-capacity sims. But things did not go as planned. 

Read the story in Events. 

 

The Heterocera Embassy Opening, And A Glance At The SLEA

 

Gemma's been getting back into business from her recent leave by diving into a few events. After a stop at the Cuban Cafe, she headed over to the Second Life Endowment for the Arts, her first visit in a while, and was pleasantly surprised by what she saw. Then she attended another Bellisserian Embassy opening, this one in Heterocera.

Read Gemma's story in Events.
 

Bellisseria Rings In The New Year, Two Mainland Embassies

 

With the New Year ringing in, Gemma Cleanslate took a break from her checking out winter places. For New Years Eve, she spent the night at the party at the Bellisserian Fairgrounds. She would also check out the new embassy in the mainland continent of Nautilus, which opened a few days before the year ended, and the opening of the one in Gaeta last week.
 
Read Gemma's story in Events.
 

Bellisserian Embasy Opens in Continent of Corsica

 

The Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy has long been known for it's issuing of passports and stamp locations. But recently, they've been getting involved in something new. Embassies from Bellisseria are springing up in mainland continents, with the first appearing on the land of Corsica last week. Gemma Cleanslate was there, and wrote about the embassy and it's opening.

Read Gemma's story in Places.
 

Survivors of Suicide Closes, Impact Mental Health Opens

This weekend, the most well-known of mental health support groups, the Survivors of Suicide, had it's last meeting. Soon after, the sim was closed, and the group was closed to new messages. But while this group was closing, another was opening. Impact Mental Health was another mental health support group that was created in response to the closing of SoS, and had taken on many of it's members. Their grand opening event was also this weekend.

Read the story in People.
  

~ * Of Masks and Lions, A Birthday Celebration * ~

 

The all furry Ravenswood Theatrical Company will be holding a performance to celebrate the Artistic Director’s 33rd birthday and to re-open our doors after 8 long years!  We will be presenting scenes from our past repertoire, which includes a special performance of Act One from their smash hit, The Phantom of The Opera, scenes from their upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz, plus many more surprises to come!

This grand event will be held on Monday, August 9th at 7pm SLT.
To reserve your seats, please submit a notecard to Alexiel Czaczkes.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alterra/128/165/1531
 

Club Xanadu Reopening Tonight

 

The Sunweaver community's classic rock club is back in business.

Club Xanadu has been on hiatus. But earlier this week, Perri Prinz, the co-owner and manager of Club Xanadu announced that the venue would be reopening on Thursday June 17, today. The event will be from 6-8 PM, and this will be the first of events every week at this time.

Due to the fact that The Happy Vixen made a prime time slot available to us, we're going to give another shot at keeping Xanadu open for weekly events.  That will be Thursdays 6-8 PM SLT.  Starting this week.  We are now hiring staff, and we currently don't have any.  So if you think we won't hire you, think again.  We need DJ's, hosts, pole dancers, advertisers and teachers for the newbies.  I would also pay a lot for someone who could track down bugs in the sim and keep it running smoothly.

Xanadu is co-owned by Perri Prinz and Recoyote Mindes. The club is located at HV Community (67/207/4051). It has been around since 2009.
  

SL18B Opens Tomorrow

 

Yesterday, Tuesday June 15, the sims of the Second Life Eighteenth Birthday, which had a number of sims separated from the main group, were once again all back together. As of the writing of this article, yours truly is unable to get in. Of the exhibits I did see when I could, there were some good ones. 

While no one's getting in, or is free to go into details about what's on the SLB grounds, there's still some fun chatter in the Second Life Birthday group. And at one point someone had a free gift. Epeya (Epeya2 Resident) was offering unofficial SL18B hats to anyone in the Second Life Birthday group who wanted one. 

It's unknown when the exhibitors will be allowed back onto the sims. One of the moles did confirm that those in the Second Life Birthday group will be allowed early access in the Shop and Hop areas at 9AM. 

The Second Life Eighteenth Birthday grounds are scheduled to open to all on Thursday June 17 at 9AM SL time. At 11AM, Patch Linden gives the opening ceremony at the Main Stage. Linden Lab would announce this in the official blog, plus give a link to the Calendar of SL18B events: (Click Here).
 
Bixyl Shuftan