Scenes From "Lovefest" At Inspire Space Park

Inspire Space Park, located high above the Shinda sim at (33/218/1560), is one of those "must see" places in Second Life that has been around for over a decade. Hardly a realistic depiction of space, it's more like a dream or fantasy brought to life, or rather virtual life, in the form of an asteroid field you can watch the planets, stars, and other cosmic objects float by, or perhaps float in space among them yourself.. The following description in the Destination Guide probably sums it up best.

Meditate in a cosmic sci-fi ambient natural space galaxy. Relax to psychedelic, inspiring chill tunes while you fly through the stars and hug the universe at Inspire Space Park. ISP was recently updated with new park areas, hidden caves to explore, an emporium with spacey themed merchandise and more!

While the place is always worth stopping by, on Thursday September 14 there was a reason that made it better. The park was having a twelve hour "Lovefest" with music and particle shows.

Inspire Space Park is one of SL's longest running hangouts and the centre for a great community of people. They are a having a fundraiser event Thursday Sept 14 from 11am to 10pm.

For me, it was a chance to head back to this classic location that I hadn't visited for a while.

 And the show I saw was spectacular.

Some people were dancing to the music that was being played. One had "Dreamer" over her head, which was the name of the group a few of the people had highlighted.

DJ Grafx provided the tunes for the event. I didn't see who was doing the light show.

Some there had dressed themselves fancy for the occasion.

The light show continued for a while, the crowd continuing to "Ooooooo" and "Ahhhhhhh,"

A view of high above the park.

 Now this part of the show fit the name.

Eventually, it was time for me to go. I enjoyed the show while I was able to be there.

When the next light show at Inspired Space Park will be remains to be known. But it's still a nice place to just drop by and visit when the place is it's usual space dream brought to life.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shinda/33/218/1560/

Bixyl Shuftan

The KT Autism Festival

By Bixyl Shuftan

At the Rosemist Isle sim, the KT Autism Festival is taking place. At the event, there is music, shopping, and things to see. Raising money for the World Autism Organization, the benefit will go on to July 31st. The fundraiser is unusual as that it takes place underwater, with sea grasses, starfish, coral, and other things from the sea around the place.

I dropped by the day before the event started, and had a few words with Amythe Moonlight, the head of Made By Moonlight Rosemoon Designs, who was part of the staff of the fundraiser. "It got so big this year we had to take a whole sim," she told me after I arrived, "and make a map of the stalls. We have four hunts goin gon, one in the stalls, one to find a fifty Linden box of textures every day, one where things that shouldn't be under the water will give you a word when you click then so you can make a sentence, and a last one where you will find song reference in the decor round the sim."

But not everything was underwater Amythe pointing out, "Up on the water's surface we have a party boat with a bar and restaurant,and more dancing of course," later pointing out there was a teleport point up to it. She pointed to some vendors, "The gacha machines are held in place by crabs down this side. And most of the stalls are set up now. On the other side of the dance area we have one of a kind auctions."

Amythe then invited me to go on a ride. We walked over to a sea turtle and both got on, recomending I change the sun setting in my viewer to Midnight, "makes a huge difference. You don't see the lights without Midnight (smile). She joked that this was the first time she had tested it. The ride was very detailed, going into a cavern, then down into a whirlpool vortex in the middle and into another cave. The turtle sailed out into a larger cavern where there was a forest of kelp and some luminous plants that glowed, some fish darting around between them. Eventually, the turtle circled around, and we went back up the vortex from whence we came and back out of the first cave, "So that's the underwater ride."

Amythe then continued about the festival, "We have around 100 stalls this time. People have been offering help and items. It seems Autism is something many like to support." She personally had been helping out that day for over nine hours and would probably be around for several more. I asked how much of the items was going to charity. She answered, "We have several ways of donating from sales as well as the auctions and the exclusives and festival bargains set for 25L. Some of our merchants are giving 100% of sales.  If you walk round you will see the special vendors in the stalls. And those who don't have them have provided exclusive one off auction items or  donated in some other form. Several have given items to be used for raffles or hunts and/ or made exclusives items just for the festival. The merchants have been a lovely crowd.The Kushitales store is mine (giggle) with the 'Lizard of Oz' book and collectibles. ... The donation boards give gifts- different in each one and changed at milestones. ... We hope to make a really good amount for Autism. " She pointed out that the land had also been donated for use by the festival by "one lovely lady," Hanta.

Amythe introduced me to one merchant, KitKatPerrin Resident. When I asked how she found out about the festival, she answered, "Firestorm had an announcement that they were looking for designers. I ran the idea across my business partners and we decided that since it went towards a charity that touches us, we'd try it." Of her business, "Shadow Creationz is a group of three people, me, Ronin Furyo, and Luna. The products I myself have up are the lyrical tease outfit, what I'm wearing now, which is for sale for the 25 Linden sale price with all profits going to the charity." I noticed she had the Relay's UAC Medieval Faire in her profile and asked her about it. Smiling, she told me she had products on sale for charity then, "I was working under my Feline Fine Fashions name there." Switching back to the festival, "The other outfit we have for sale is 100% to chirty - it's the fancy top and skirt that Luna is wearing for 65 Linden. We also have two hunt items for 10 Lindens apiece."

Amythe pointed out the three mascots of the festival, "The Elephant the Rhino and the Holy Goat. ... When Kushi Mitch and I do an event, we put them out. But I put snorkels on them this time so they didnt drown." KitKatPerrin joked, "Ehh it's SL, they'll respawn." that was followed by more laughter.

Amythe emphasized, "I want to flag up the enthusiasm  and helpfulness of all the merchants. Without them there would be no Festival, and no money for Autism. They have all been so patient and nice." KitKatPerrin went on to say, "If anything I'm doing here at the festival spares one person the struggles I've dealt with in my life, then it's worth it."

"It's going to be fun the next two weeks," Amythe told me, "I hope the merchants will come and spend time here too and mkeet some of the customers and do some networking and bring everyone they know."

Amythe would later tell me via a notecard it wasn't just a hundred stalls, but almost a hundred different merchants involved at the charity, with room for others should they wish to join during the event. "Many merchants have offered a percentage of their sales to the Charity. This varies from 25%-100%! Merchants have also donated one of a kind items for Auction which will be ongoing throughout the Festival and exclusives items with a minimum of 50% going to the Charity. Some have put out 25L Bargains or 10L hunt items others have simply offered a percentage of anything they sell during this time. We have so many different kinds of merchandise being sold. Clothes and Jewellry, art and photography, wedding items, furniture, things for home and garden, gifts, textures, full perm items even rollercoasters. Although the shopping is amazing and there are some wonderful bargains to be had we also have hunts going on, djs and live singers at set times in the day, a treasure chest with a different texture pack each day, a hunt with song title references to spot, an out of place hunt where you'll see things that wouldn't normally be on the sim, a restaurant and bar up on our party boat and a turtle ride that takes you down into underwater caves."

They were also keeping track of the money, "We have a banker alt to keep the donations seperate and are able to check all transactions to ensure we have  everything documented properly.two to three weeks after the event closes we'll be sending out a copy of the receipt for the donation to all merchants and anyone else is welcome to request a copy of it."

And when is the next festival? "Ah now we need a little time to  recover from this one first but I would not be at all surprised to find another festival sometime between October and December."

The KT Festival is at Rosemist Isle (126, 128, 21)

Bixyl Shuftan

Reader Submitted: Burnstock 2017

By Klaus Bereznyak

Burnstock is a full 36 hours of music from DJs and live performers at the Burn2 Deep Hole Sim this weekend. It's a final, major fundraising event to raise lindens for the week-long Big Burn in the fall. Quite simply, the more money raised the more sims and prims can be available for anyone who wants to contribute builds to the festival in October.

I rezzed at the official landing spot and had to walk a little way to reach the Burnstock stage, heading for all the green dots on the minimap. Having recently hosted a communal installation of art and building celebrating the "conception" of Burn2. The dry, cracked desert surface of the 'playa' has been cleared in accordance with the Principles of Burning Man to "leave no trace," and a stage has been put up in the NW corner to host the event. There's an option to rez an Art Car and drive down there, but the warm desert felt good under my bare feet, recently liberated from the historical garb I prefer to wear around New Toulouse.


Dotted about the playa are kiosks where visitors can donate to "Fuel the Burn" in October. While the Deep Hole Sim itself is sponsored by Burning Man for community building and creative expression throughout the year, money must be raised for the extra sims required during the Big Burn or "Octoburn". Burn2 is an officially sanctioned Burning Man Regional festival. It promotes the Ten Principles of Burning Man, which include an aspiration to "Decommodification" and mean that the festival is intended to be free of commercial sponsorship and advertising.

Other principles of Burning Man include "Radical Inclusion", "Radical Self Reliance" and "Radical Self Expression". In the spirit of these, there was an open invitation for avatars to contribute their own-designed posters for the Burnstock Event, and these are displayed all over the sim en route to the stage.

I arrived to sound of mellow world-fusion vibes on the airwaves as DJ Gleanr rounded off a set. Avatars were dancing in front of the stage, and on the roof of a bus, amid bursts of flame. Burn staff Mia Wallace and iSkye Silverweb were on hand to greet avatars while another veteran burner, Pianoman, took to the stage with a huge, pink piano to play some of his original solo piano compositions.

I suspect he was getting help from the parrot on his shoulder, as some of the pieces had bass or string-section accompaniments.

A laid-back atmosphere settled over the listeners, and many of us sat down in the dust and let our minds cool to the transportive melodies. This was just what I needed after another busy day in this extraordinary world.

The performance program continued through Sunday the 23rd July:

08:00 -10:00am    DJ Rockridge Constantine
10:00 - 11:00am   Al Hofmann Live
11:00 - 12:00am   DJ Cuga Rajal
12:00 - 01:00pm   Yman Juran: the ChangHigh Sisters Fireshow Performance
01:00 - 02:00pm   DJ Retune
02:00 - 03:00pm   Guitarhero Dougall Live
03:00 - 04:00pm    DRUM (Divine Rhythms Universal Music) Live

I'm especially excited to see that Yman Juran's group was performing. They are always a treat.

For the Octoburn, the theme that artists and builders are being invited to interpret is "Radical Ritual". Plots can be bought at kiosks on the playa and there's a 10% extra prim allowance for the early birds who bag theirs before the 31st of July. You don't have to be amazing to participate; it's all about Radical Inclusion.

Visit burnstock here:http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/55/216/24

There is more information on the Burn2 Website: http://www.burn2.org/

Klaus

Reader Submitted: Relay Rockers' Relaystock - A $1.5 Million Linden Weekend

This past weekend the Relay Rockers hosted Relay Stock a multi-team event headlined by the conclusion of the team's Celebrate Remember Fight Back Top DJ Competition.  The event which raised more than L$1.5 million, was held in Relay dAlliez, the team's Relay For Life dedicated sim. The sim was transformed to a 60s era outdoor rock festival complete with Hippie VW buses, tie-died tents and yep.. Mud!

More than 30 teams participated with vendors and kiosks galore.  Teams hosted DJ shows on the event's concert stage and the sim was filled to capacity almost all weekend!

On Saturday afternoon the Rockers took over the stage with the semi final round of their signature CRFB Top DJ Competition.  The event which is in its 3rd year drew 18 DJ's from 14 different teams. Each DJ competed for 'votes' in the form of donations to the RFL kiosk or team convio during a series of 1 hour sets.  The semi finalists were Jay Sparrowtree of Goreans For Life, Chevelley Silentghost of Hearts Hands Hope, Dee Wolfe of the Relay Rockers and Jordan Morgenrote.  Jordan had set a preliminary round record raising more than L$531,000 in 1 hour. The top 2 DJ's would move on the Finals on Sunday. Jay set the bar high, raising L$241,050, but Dee Wolfe responded with L$250,500.  Anticipation was high for another incredible turn out for Jordan, but she withdrew after 15 minutes fighting a major software error that prevented her from continuing..

On Sunday, the festival goers discovered the 'rainmakers' and mud tattoos available for free in the sim, and the skies opened up.  Throughout the day relayers danced in the rain and mud, most eschewing umbrella's.

By 1pm the crowd was again swelling to near capacity and Jay Sparrowtree took the stage for his 2 hour final.  He played many inspiration songs, explaining his reasons to Relay and by the end of his set his total stood at  formidable total of L$370,555.

Dee Wolfe took the stage with a difficult task ahead of her and she opened her set with driving rock n roll.  The 2012 Champ was not going to let up, and donations began to pour in. With 'matching' challenges being announced regularly she quickly passed L$150,000 and again L$200,000.  About 90 minutes into her set she eclipsed the L$300,000 total and her supporters didn’t stop. With still more than 30 minutes remaining her kiosk total soared to L$400,000 and the Trophy was hers. She finished the day with an amazing L$422,501.

The awards ceremony held at the conclusion of the event recognized each Competitor, all of whom received an award.  Ariel Stormcrow, Trader Whiplash and Nuala Maracas were joined on stage by RFL of SL Event Chair Nikki Mathieson as the team recognized not only the competitors, but also presented special thank you's to Richardina Petty and Kiff Clutterbuck of Junkyard Blues and Sue Peregrine of dAlliez Estates, who hosted preliminary rounds at their Venues.

The 4 Semi Finalists received their awards: Purple Marble trophies topped by a glistening gold microphone.

The 2014 CRFB Top DJ Competition raised more than L$3,333,000 and the top fund raisers were Dee Wolfe, L$933,601; Jordan Morgenrote L$805,801 and Jay Sparrowtree L$726,355.

The weekend finished with a "Bring Your Own Kiosk featuring" Trader Whiplash of T1Radio and his ever popular Time Machine 60's Classic Rock radio show and dozens of happy Relayers dancing in the mud surrounded by their team's Kiosks.

Trader Whiplash

Roselinda’s Paradise Party

Roselinda’s Paradise was the fantastic setting for a whole day of party on Sunday July 18th. Eymerich Lane and Roselinda Mayo graciously opened their home for the event. There was music from an array of DJs including Arcangelo Hellmam, and Qwark Allen who entertained the guests with their music for dancing. In between Eymerich Lane himself took to the airways with his streaming.

The elegant sim was open for visiting. The private Art Gallery is amazing, filled with a collection of pieces gathered over the past four years. After the DJs, there was a live performance by Skye Galaxy, songster, whose music is lovely and enthralled the guests.

There was more to come! PA DeCosta sang next and was well received. He was followed by CraigLyons Writer. He was ready at the top of the hour and the crowd started to build up right away. The large screen over the lake was set up for CraigLyons live video feed of his real life performance.

The affair began at 8am and went on until 5pm. All enjoyed visiting the sim and listening and dancing to the wonderful music.

Gemma Cleanslate