"Spring Awakenings" at Ce Soir Arts

Gemma Cleaslate recently stopped by Ce Soir. There, she found an exhibition with a number of artists, “The spring season is our primary inspiration, but artists have been invited to explore the meaning of AWAKENINGS for themselves. What inspires, what moves the spirit? What opens the mind and broadens the horizons? What shakes one free from the doldrums that sometimes come from a long winter - or other darker time? Consider all - and express it artistically, using a range of media. Enjoy SPRING AWAKENINGS at Ce Soir Arts! “

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

Still Around: Duran Duran Universe

Longtime readers may recall the Duran Duran Universe sims, also known as "The DDU." Khanada, Azizi, Tlon, and Sanhedralite. A project between the music band Duran Duran and their fans, it was opened in 2011 and enjoyed some success, bolstered in part by the band which took interest in Second Life. One example of this was their performance in Hyde Park in the 2012 Olympics.

Several years later, the four sims and their builds, the Lipstick Tower, the Skin Dive, and other places are still up. Besides the Hyde Park concert, they were used to make a few videos. Perhaps they'll get some use soon.

https://secondlife.com/destinations/duranduran

Press Release: Live Bennefit Concert at Veterans isle

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2019’s February for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life! 

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the 2019 March  benefit in Second Life for the Veterans Support Organization  Home For Our Troops . 

Frets Nirvana states:  “HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans are multiple amputees, paraplegic, quadriplegic or suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Since its inception in 2004, over 90 cents of every dollar spent by Homes for Our Troop has gone to directly support Veterans. DURING THAT TIME HFOT HAS BUILT OVER 274 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS.”

In 2018 the community in Second Life sent over $13,000 to Homes For Our Troops, thanks to may kind hearts and great Second Life performers.  HFOT built 34 homes for extremely wounded veterans in 2018.  We hope to help them exceed that in 2019!

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The concert on March 31, 2019 is scheduled from 11 AM to 4 PM PST.  Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Erin and Satin, Melenda Baptiste, Wolfie Starfire and Mavenn.

Sponsored by Frets Nirvana and the U.S. Military Veteran’s Group of Second Life.  To learn more about Homes for Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org

Reader Submitted: Dogs On A Cool Tin Roof

Taken at Club Cutlass by The Orange Floof (FriendlyDaWusky Resident). These five doggies are enjoying the view from above the dance floor.

Announcement: Gofundme For Illya Leonov (Morgan Freepony)

Illya Leonov, or Morgan Freepony, is well loved for his voice work narrating My Little Pony fanfictions for the pony community and for the library. Of course he also does other voice work such as the audiobooks "Selkies' Skins: Castle and Well" and "Pearls of Sea and Stone: Book of Seals." You can listen to him on his Youtube, his Soundcloud, and usually on Thursdays at 6 PM Pacific/Second Life time in the Trotsdale Library and over his stream.

Right now he needs help handling his medical bills stemming from his fight with cancer. Even if you can't help out financially with a few bits you CAN pass word around about his Gofundme. When a pony like Illya decides it is time to actually start one then that tells us he truly does need help.

Illya's GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/surgery-is-magic

Illya's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHmZW2ThMRGG1nLWVxIqgEg

Illya's SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/illya-leonov

~Amehana Arashi/Ishtari
Curator of the Trotsdale Library, Astral Sector Alpha Library, Ibexian Library, and member of the Intersim Library Network

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Miyuki Naidoo is sporting a "battleship girl" avatar. Looks like she won't have much of a problem with sexual harassment.

By Bixyl Shuftan

GoSpeed Racer On Her Published Novels

While some in Second Life are content with their accomplishments inworld, some strive to make success in real life. GoSpeed Racer, known as a DJ inworld and Internet radio station owner, has taken her hand to writing fiction. Having recently published her third novel, she contacted the Newser. So we sat down, and talked some about her stories.

Read the interview in People.

Interview With Six String On Being An Aspiring Musician

Second Life has a number of noted musicians. But one has to start somewhere. Looking for someone with dreams of making it big on Second Life and already has been playing live music, Deaflegacy didn't have far to search as her friend Six String has been playing music at one venue, and hopes to find others.

Read Deaflegacy's interview in Extra.

"A Dark Day For Internet Freedom" : EU Passes Vauge Copyright Bill

On Tuesday March 27, the European Parliament voted in favor of the "Copyright Directive," a controversial bill that advocates of Internet freedom charge is vague and threatens public rights of expression online. The vote was 348 to 274.

While not an immediate blow to those wishing to express themselves online, there are still a number of steps before the bill becomes law in Europe, the bill is still a threat. Particularly worrisome are Article 11, the "link tax," which could make it impossible for websites such as Wikipedia to function in countries affected, and Article 13 (which has been changed to Article 17) which would require websites and platforms that allow for content to be loaded to install "upload filters" as a preventive measure to stop copyrighted content.

The law is vague and subject to interpretation, but the potential consequences to Second Life are very bad. Linden Lab could be given a stark choice: the instillation of expensive and clumsy upload filters that would certainly anger it's users due to content creation becoming far more difficult if it involves bringing textures and other things into the virtual world and the fees jacked up greatly to make up for Linden Lab's expenses, or block the IP addresses of the affected countries.

The next step for the bill is when it goes to the European Council. While it previously looked like it would pass there easily, "one of two countries responsible for the final wording of Article 13 (/ 17) ... Germany is having something of a change of heart, with their Minister of Justice publicly opposing the idea of upload filters. ... five other member states – the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland, Italy, and Finland – have voiced public opposition to the Directive the vote. So should Germany, a key nation behind the legislation and of the EU, change its mind between now and April 9th, it would prevent a Council majority being reached." This would mean the bill would need to be renegotiated, and activists would have a chance to vote a number of legislators supporting it out of office.

As Inara Pey of Modem World put it, "while a significant battle against the EU Copyright Directive has been lost," the war's not over yet, but "it is going to be significantly harder to win."

Sources: The Verge, Modem World, BBC, CNet,

Image credit: Nydia Tungsten 

Bixyl Shuftan

Events This Week at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, and Furry Fashion Clubs

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs and Furry Fashion's Furscape

Club Cutlass: Best in "I" and "J", TBA, TBA

The Happy Vixen: Big and Strange Hair, Pool Party, TBA, Fire and Ice, Magic vs Tech, Bunnies and Feathers, Goodbye to Winter

Club Zero Gravity: DJ JB, DJ Snowbuns, DJ Naughty Nydia, DJ JB

Montecito Bay: Under the Sea/Ocean Creatures, Relax, National Noodle Month, Lem N Em, After Dark,

FF Furscape: CAYA, Disney, Neons, Fandoms, Rainbow, Sci-fi, Videogames, Elements, 90s, Disco

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

Reader Submitted: "Save Your Internet"

From Snowbuns (Skylark Lefavre). Looking up what this Chibi Noodle Dragon's tag meant, she cane across (https://saveyourinternet.eu/act/). Last September, I had written about the proposed European Union legislation that would mean crippling censorship for the Internet in the countries that passed it, and possibly those countries being blocked from Second Life. Seems the vote is today.

Tarot Reading by Grease Coakes

Most everyone wants to know what the future holds in store for them. For Deaflegacy, she pondered over a couple issues. Someone whom offered a few predictions was friend of the Newser Grease Coakes, whom has been doing some tarot card readings. She decided to see what the cards had in store for her.

Read Deaflegacy's article in Extra.

The Yinglet Avatar Release Party

For fans of Fantasy online comics, there was a treat at Montecito Bay's Avagora shopping mall, the Yinglet avatar release party. What is a Yinglet? They're the small furry folk with a talent for getting in trouble and a taste for clams in the online comic "Out of Placers." So how would the avatar sell in a population of foxes and wolves? At the party, it did pretty well.

Read more in Design.

A Busy Weekend

There were a number of events this weekend. Among them, the "Celebrating SL Women" event in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators on Saturday from 12 to 2PM SL time, and the joint SL Cheerleading Squad and Safe Water Foundation fundraiser event for the Relay for Life.

The Relay event raised 12,400 Lindens, and put the SLCS over 50,000 Linden dollars raised in total, and into Silver Level. Other events on the weekend included a festival in the ROMA community, and a Relay fundraiser by Cobras MC.

Video: "I Spent a Week In a VR Headset, Here's What Happened"

(Click here is the video does not play)

From Disrupt on March 7, "On February 20th, 2019 we put a guy in a headset for 168 hours. Hosted by: https://twitter.com/jakwilmot." For one week, Jak Wilmont was constantly wearing VR headsets, save the couple seconds it took to change from one to another.  While the video doesn't mention Second Life, it does involve virtual worlds.

His response when the challenge is finally over, "Oh my gosh, the graphics are so good."

Hat tip: Nydia Tungsten

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Club Cutlass. Two little dragons, one small, the other a chibi noodle.

Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Announcement: SLCS and Safe Water Foundation Underwater themed Funday Concert

Tomorrow from 9 am sl to 9 pm sl SLCS will be teaming up with the Merfolk of Safe Waters Foundation for a 12 hours Relay for Life concert. Singers Slated to attend are the following. I have included the LM for the event and bios of all the singers in the NC

9-10 Lisa Brune
10-11 Harmonia and SS
11-12 Lyric Serendipity
12-1 Phemie Garfield
1-2 ChicagoSax
2-3 Luke Auster
3-4 Luvofmusic
4-5 Laidback Celt
5-6 Hojo Warf
6-7 Jimmy Soundz
7-8 Ronnie
8-9 Mark (singingit2ya)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/214/220/2

Press Release: Cobras MC Rally This Weekend

By Wesley Regenbogen 

Cobras MC is holding a Rally this weekend.
Everyone is welcome to join in.
Here’s a complete schedule about the whole Cobras Rally weekend :

COBRA BIKE RALLY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MARCH 22-24

Rally MC tents are free on a strict first come first served basis.
Tents and trailers may be claimed from Wednesday March 20 bright and early,
There is a 50 prim limit on the free tents provided.
If you would like to set out a trailer, you can rent a space by buying the pad for 150L for 100 prims.
CONTACT:  TAMMY UNDERWOOD OR GAMBIT JENKINS

*Sorry, no child avatars allowed on Cobra sim (Pins), however we are having a Kids Rally on the adjoining sim (Needles) with concerts, a bike show, lots of carnival rides and games and a prize hunt!  Below the main schedule is the Kids Rally schedule.

SPONSORS PLEASE CONTACT TAMMY UNDERWOOD

Vendor tents are free to sponsors, however, if not sponsoring, vendor tents are 100L for 50 prims.  Purchase the tent to reserve your space.

All GAMES MONEY TO BE SENT TO RELAY FOR LIFE
(Kiosks will be available)

RALLY GREETER IS WESLEY REGENBOGEN


SUNDAY MARCH 24TH EVENTS

SAT-SUN 9:00AM - 9PM - DJ's  (QIRKY & DAMIEN)
8:00 Till NOON BIKE SHOW (75 PRIM LIMIT)  (SHAYNE)

8:00 Till NOON FANTASY BIKE SHOW (200 PRIM LIMIT)  Highest votes as well as highest RFL donations (kiosks provided for each bike placed) will determine winner.  (SHAYNE)

8:30-9AM Cage of Death  (BIG ED)

9-10AM Bull Riding Contest  (SARA)

10-11  WET T-SHIRT/BOXER CONTEST  (BIG ED)

11 - NOON PIT PARTY.  ALL PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED  (MIGHTY)

KIDS RALLY @ NEEDLES

CARNIVAL RIDES/GAME/FUN OPEN FROM 10 - 4 (CARNIVAL CLOSES AT 4PM SLT)

NOON 1:30 Kids Hamster Ball Races  (EDWIN)

NOON - 2 Kid's Bike Show  (SHAYNE)

2-3PM Children's Concert ICE  DINKY  (BIG ED)

3 PM Kids Bike Show and RODEO DOLPHIN Riding Winners Announced after the Dinky Concert   (MIGHTY)

** All Times and Events are subject to change**

***No avis under 10 days or children avis allowed on the Pins (Cobra World MC Adult sim), they will be kicked. Child avis at Needles and Heartfelt Ridge sims ONLY!**

Cobra`s is neutral territory, so in order to keep down on the lag please take this into consideration wearing huds, guns, scripts, etc.

Rally coordinator  Big Ed  (Stormrunner1)

Bike contest coordinator  Shayne Winslet 

Sponsors coordinator  Tammy Underwood

Announcement: Limerick Contest Results

The Limerick contest went well and I am pleased that there were so many submissions. Each participant will receive 25L dispersed from my alt Kirsty (Hanaarashi Resident). The winner will receive an extra dispersal of  1500L as the prize pot was increased over the term of the contest by donations sent to the prize pool.

=Limerick Contest Participants=
Max (Fluffyquokka)
NightTrotter
Flutters (Derpyhoofesy)
Bixyl Shuftan
Zayfod
Rainbowdashsw

=Winner=
NightTrotter

The submissions will all be read on Amehana's stream for the library Sunday during the 6 PM Pacific Story Hour. It will also be available on Youtube starting March 24 at 11AM.

Library stream #2: http://us2.ishout.net:8403/
Youtube video: https://youtu.be/9valPiX4PXQ

I have not yet chosen the next writing or art contest for the library. Illya Leonov (Morgan Freepony) is currently running his own costume contest for the library for the Thursday music/story sessions. His contest spans 21 sessions in the library, more on the Newser at (http://slnewser.blogspot.com/2019/03/announcement-library-costume-contest.html) , or the forum thread (http://intersimlibrary.freeforums.net/thread/70/past-sins-fanfiction-costume-contest).

~Amehana Arashi

SL Video: "Secondlife Music Video | Sugar Robin Schulz"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From YKZ Productions in August 2016, "ReqBy: xOxSUGARxOx Director/editor : YKZ4 No Copyright Intended, For Entertainment Purposes Only"