The Bellisseria Anniversary, PBC Autism Awareness Show, And Other Happenings On April 15 & 16

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

April 15 was a very busy day in Second Life. The main event was the Fourth Anniversary of Bellisseria party. For about six hours from just after 10AM to 4PM SL time at Bellisseria Fairgrounds, both locals and their friends from other areas in Second Life partied it up to celebrate the creation of this continent in Second Life.

Patch gave an opening speech at 10AM. Unfortunately, I was a bit late and missed it, and I have yet to come across a recording of it. I dropped in to see many residents dancing, human and otherwise, to a DJ's music. I didn't get a picture of him as he remained one of the handful of people my viewer just wouldn't rez.

This included the "Bell Hammies," who earlier this month set up their "Hamraiders" event at the Fairgrounds. 

 

 At 12 Noon was the Autism Awareness event at the Premier Business Center in the PBC sim.  

Please join PBC and the Baptiste Family Foundation this Saturday at 12:00 PM SLT at the PBC Performance Hall for Dancing with Donny and The Panda Dance Crew for Autism Awareness!

 

 

 This was a family-friendly event, with numerous child avatars as performers on stage. PBC owner Jarden Alexis was there, welcoming people as they came in, "Thank you all for support of Autism Awareness. We want to personally thank each one of you for being here!" There were no donations being taken as the goal of the event was to raise awareness of the condition, which has been diagnosed more frequently in recent years, "So please make donations to the autism charities of your choice."

"✯What is Autism?
 

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop. We still have much to learn about these causes and how they impact people with ASD."

 

There were free t-shirts for those who wanted them. Dancerina Starlight was there and got one.

 

 Once the event was over, there was much applause, Jarden saying, "I want to thank the Panda Dance Crew for volunteering for this event. Panda Dance Crew, you are appreciated." Then there was a "met and greet" dance, with a DJ playing music. Several people and publications were thanked for publicizing the event, including the Newser.

At 1PM, I headed over to a live music event at Music Island in the Sorbet sim.

Merryjest (Kain Scalia) was returning to singing in Second Life after having to take a hiatus for a while, demonstrating his skill as an opera tenor. Some longtime readers may remember him for his reader submission "My Psychotic Little Friend," which still gets laughter to this day.

 

 From 4 to 8 PM was the Affiliated Ministries' annual Easter dance in the Eternal Life sim. The event took place outside Club United's Chapel. The event was attended by multiple Christian groups. 

 

"I still love looking around and seeing all these various Christian groups all united together and it makes me smile to see our unity in Christ!" "Its always good we come together and worship and thank our Jesus for what He has done for us!!"

 

 On Sunday April 16 at Noon SL time, there was the Grand Opening of the Digital Dream Studios Gallery in FairChang Quebrada.

 

 DJ Maliit opened the event from Noon to 2PM, followed by DJ Snowbuns who played until 3PM. At 4 was DJ Whisky followed by 5 with DJ Anni. The gallery itself offers both PG art, as well as adult-rated.

It was an eventful weekend with plenty of events.

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From Easter

 *
By Bixyl Shuftan

For Second Life residents, Easter is a special time. For the religious, it's time to celebrate the Resurrection. For both churchgoers and the secular alike, it's reminders of memories as kids of the Easter Bunny, finding hidden eggs, and chocolate bunnies.

For the few days before, there were some Easter-themed parties at various clubs, as well as related themes. At the Happy Vixen's Spring event, a bunnygirl appeared, ridding a carrot like a witch on a broom.

Club Zero Gravity had recently renovated the club build. A few joked with the holiday, it now looked like an Easter egg.

Going about, I was seeing more bunny ears than usual.

Thursday April 14 had the theme "Candy and Chocolate" at the Happy Vixen, so out come some chocolate bunny avatars.

A dark chocolate bunny, and a milk chocolate wolf.

"Milk chocolate with a little bite to it."

Saturday April 16, Club Cutlass had it's Easter Party.

With numerous bunny avatars present.

Sunday April 17, it was Easter Sunday. And the Bouncing Bunny Beach Club would have an Easter event.

"Hangin With My Peeps."

There was something "egg" strordinary going on at Burning Man - Deep Hole.

There was an exhibit on Ukrainian Psyanky eggs.

But this egg broke easily.

There was a special egg, that was about to be cooked.

A bit more than over-easy.

Looks like it was all shell, and no yolk.

Group hug.

And finally, one Christian-themed sim, Peace Child, was having a party that night. The SURL look me to the sim's main entrance.

So I went down the path to the event. 

The party was outside the chapel building.

It was a party that was a mix of humans and some furs, one wearing a "Star Trek" uniform (The Original Series did have one episode with a Christian reference).

"The reason for the season."

It was a fun party.

On a final note, I was late in finishing this article. But better late than never.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Passover Service in Second Life (March 2010)

By Bixyl Shuftan

The following article was originally published on Wednesday March 31 2010.

*  *  *  *  *

On Palm Sunday, March 28 at 6 PM SL time, the Eternal Creations sim hosted a Passover service in Second Life. It was held by You Are Loved Ministries.

The sim was packed with many dozens, almost all in the building, 80 counted by SL Newspaper, and another visitor saying there were 86 at one point. To help reduce the effects of lag somewhat, the building was over 2000 m in the air. Those entering were asked to take a seat, and upon doing so were given a “seder plate” and asked to “wear” it. When rezzed, a meal of several dishes, a couple bowls of water, and a goblet of wine appeared on the table in front of the person seated.

Judah and Rivakah Sorbet headed the service, with the help of some such as Eve Clarity. One of the guests named by Judah was from Sri Lanka. Judah then began talking about the story of Passover in Exodus. The Old Testament explains ten plagues were sent by God against Egypt before Pharaoh would finally release the Israelite slaves. Before the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, Moses ordered all Israelite households to take an unblemished lamb, and on the night of the plague slaughter it, avoiding breaking any of its bones in the process, and put it’s blood on the doorframe. This way, the plague “passed over” the Israelite homes.

Why celebrate Passover as Christians? Judah explained there were several reasons, notably the connection of the slaughtered lamb to Christ’s crucifixion, hence Christ is refereed to as “the Lamb of God.” So some Christians hold Passover services, this one in Second Life including the “seder” ritual feast normally associated with Jewish tradition.

Judah went over the order in which a Passover seder meal is eaten, then showed a film to those attending, depicting the Israelites under brutal slavery, then Moses bringing about the ten plagues, the scene of the plague of frogs particularly amusing with Pharaoh waking up finding himself covered in them. The film ended with the Israelites freedom.

Judah also pointed out there was a notecard giver in the corner for the history of the Easter Bunny (http://www.answers.com/topic/the-easter-bunny) and Easter eggs (http://www.answers.com/topic/easter-egg).

It was then time to begin the seder. Step by step, Judah and Rivakah explained to the attendees where to click on the seder plate, and what that part of the meal symbolized in detail. For instance, to the side of the plate was a package of three pieces of flat matzah bread. Following the washing hands and the appetizer, the dipping of vegetables in salt water, people were asked to click on the matzah bread. Doing so, the middle piece appeared on top. Clicking on it again, the piece was broken in half. The larger half was called the “afikoman,” and clicking on the package again, it would appear to be wrapped up in cloth and put aside for later.

Later in the meal, one would click on the matzo bread and the “maror,” horseradish for this particular seder, and on top of the matzo package a sandwich made up of the two would appear, which would take a few clicks of the mouse for it to be virtually eaten.

Some people had better luck in getting the virtual seder plate to work than others. With so many present, lag inevitably froze many at some point. Still, there were a number of complementary remarks from the audience. One spoke out he was planning to use this to help explain Christianity to others. Others saw it as more of looking at the history behind practices.

Once the seder was complete, everyone was asked to get up and walk back to the entrance. With many dozens in the room, most lagged a bit, but eventually everyone gathered there. People were offered a free gift by clicking on a gift bag, then asked to head into the next room. Inside was a depiction of Ancient Egypt, with sand and the pyramids. Everyone was asked to walk up to the edge of the Red Sea. Once everyone was there, it parted (the water gray with lag), and everyone then crossed.

At the end, Judah Sorbet invited those who turned away from church to come back, “maybe this is the first time you’ve ever heard this message.” He began a prayer, and invited all to join in. Following that, a helper named Sonic Ring played some guitar music, singing Christian songs.

An interesting look at a religious ritual, as only Second Life can show it.

*  *  *  *  *

This was the most impressive display of religious education I had seen in Second Life, and in the four years since the original printing of this article I haven't seen anything like it since. That they had managed to keep so many on without crashing was a further example of the creators' skill. I tried to get in contact with Judah and Rivakah Sorbet the following year, but was unable to. It's unfortunate for Second Life's practicing Christian residents, as well as those simply interested in knowing more and not necessarily practicing, that this event wasn't repeated.

Bixyl Shuftan