Drama Libre's Time Traveler's Ball

 

 By Netera Landar

Drama Libre hosted a Time Traveler’s Ball on Saturday, Jan. 10. Xerxes Sismondi, Drama Libre’s founder, and his team of builders never disappoint. These creative individuals excel at brainstorming and transforming ideas into graphic settings. They are the driving force behind 986 parties. The first was held on Nov. 4, 2006.

When I saw the Time Traveler’s Ball listed in Second Life events, I knew that’s where I wanted to go. I put on my favorite flapper dress and clicked on the landmark. After entering Drama Libre’s main door, I clicked on the yellow door, which leads to the venue, and landed on a staircase overlooking the dance floor. 

The event had already started, and DJ Alexis Radikal, a tiny cat wearing what looked like Dr. Who’s TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) British police box. How cute is that? 

 

Supporting Alexis were Beethoven on the piano, Paganini on the violin, Yo-Yo Ma on the cello, Harpo Marx on the harp, and Louis Armstrong, winning the hearts of all present with his trumpet.

 

I noticed some interesting time travelers dancing in the venue. Representing the past, I see Zynthar Zinner in a cage held by a dinosaur. Too bad he didn’t travel in time with Houdini. Rendal Constantineau was an adorable time-traveling raccoon seated in the Time Machine.

 

Cathy Ryder, a Drama Libre builder, wore a Victorian white, gold, and green trimmed gown.

Patty Gummibaum, another builder, sailed through time in a light pink French gown. 

 

From the 16th century, Ami Tamura wore a burgundy gown with white-and-gold patterned sleeves and skirt. 

 

I noticed contemporary time traveler Cereal Milk had parked his DeLorean on the dance floor before heading back to the future.

 

And Xerxes was ready for the Final Countdown. A familiar avatar, Lapis Lazule, an adorable blue robot, represented the future, and a number of Dinkies had a grand old time.

Spock came through the time portal, probably in search of Captain Kirk.

I asked members of Drama Libre on Discord who came up with the idea for the Time Traveler's Ball. Patty replied, “The themes are really a mix of both individual inspiration and team collaboration. Each week, we rotate and have a lead builder, and sometimes the idea comes directly from that person. Other times, we brainstorm together to shape or refine it. By the time the build is finished, we’ve usually taken each other’s input and pushed the idea far beyond what we originally imagined.

A time traveler's clock. Watch the time, or centuries will pass before you know it.

Patty came up with the original concept for the Time Traveler’s Ball, but the final build was a team effort. “Everyone added ideas that elevated it far beyond my starting point, which is one of the things I love most about working with this team,” she said.
 
The event was a lot of fun, and they were friendly, humorous, and welcoming. Keep Drama Libre on your “go to” list. You won’t be disappointed.

Slurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Drama%20Libre/134/229/21

Netera Landar