Reader Submitted: Anzac Day Veterans Concert

 

By Charlotte Williams

 

Anzac Day, observed on the 25th of April, is a national day of commemoration in Australia and New Zealand. It honours those who have served and sacrificed in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, as well as recognising the ongoing contribution of members of the armed forces.

The date itself marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915— the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the First World War.

On this day, Australians and New Zealanders gather to pay their respects by attending Dawn Services, where the Last Post is played, followed by national anthems and a minute of silence. Commemorative marches are held in cities and towns, featuring veterans and their families. Traditions also include wearing poppies or sprigs of rosemary, playing Two-Up at local RSL clubs, and baking Anzac biscuits.

In Second Life, the day was honoured through a special event featuring local Australian artists performing over five hours in a beautifully designed sim. The space featured a central stage at one end and a detailed replica of the Australian War Memorial at the other.

The lineup included Bright OH, DJ Spike, Downunder, Silverlight, and Johnny Bellows. More than 60 attendees filled the sim, enjoying a vibrant mix of Australian and Kiwi music—sometimes blending both styles seamlessly.

The event also supported the charity Soldier On, whose mission is to enable veterans and their families to thrive. Their services focus on building resilience and strengthening connections within families, communities, and workplaces. Their HELP program encompasses Health and Wellbeing, Employment, Learning, and Participation initiatives.

A sincere thank you goes out to the creators of this impressive build, as well as the organisers, for delivering such a meaningful and engaging event to mark an important day in Australian and New Zealand history.

If you would like to donate to Soldier On, please visit their website: https://soldieron.org.au/supporting-us/donate/

 

Charlotte Williams

 

Editor's Note, the Newser in 2015 would post an article by Jessicabelle Dayafter about a 100 anniversary Anzac Day commemoration. 

 

Nuvolino At Inspire Space Park

By Netera Landar

Nuvolino, an Australian electronic musician, performed at Inspire Space Park on Saturday, Jan. 3. “His music is wonderful” was the shared opinion during the laser light show featuring Trance and electronica music. He was positioned at the center of what seemed like a huge space array.

Inspire Space Park has been my favorite sim for over 16 years. I love the space setting for writing my manuscripts. I claimed one of the seats on the moon, clicked the stream, and was surprised to hear a live performance. 

 

My radar showed the set was on the ground, which I seldom visit. I contacted a few people, and one person replied. He sent a TP. 

 

Once on the ground, I enjoyed listening to Nuvolino’s music. He’s a natural, and his fans love him. Trance, electronica, and ambient music have a life of their own and often can inspire a writer or artist. How appropriate for a sim named Inspire Space Park.

The official SURL is http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shinda/33/223/1560 

 

Netera Landar 

 

Reader Submitted: Rock Band Tribute Concert At Steelhead

 

On October 20th, The Johnathan Heiss Project held Scorpions Tribute Concert to promote Steelhead. 

They dedicated their time to help Steelhead out, and gave everyone a rocking good time. 

 

 

 

 

It was probably the biggest event to happen in all of Steelhead's history.

Steelhead Mayor Fuzzball Ortega (in a Trek Captain uniform), Genie Ortega (Trek officer's uniform), Zaida Gearbox, and Stereo Nacht

Deputy Mayor Zantyago Mannonen enjoying the show

More people showed up after these pictures were taken, and everyone enjoyed themselves, the event went smoothly, and Johnathan Heiss has shown an interest in returning to Steelhead for more events.

Just the start of more positive changes coming to Steelhead

Fuzzball Ortega

Scenes From Bay City's Tenth Anniversary

By Bixyl Shuftan
(with pictures from Dahlia Jarham and Daniel Voyager)

On May 20, the Bay City area and community celebrated it's tenth anniversary. Bay City is Second Life's largest urban area, and one of it's better known places. It also has the distinction of being the first major project of Linden Lab's Department of Public Works, the idea of creating a place where residents could live "the American urban experience, between 1940 and 1965, perhaps best typified by Chicago circa 1950 and marked by a distinct deco influence." Starting on it's second anniversary, the community has held an annual street parade, the best known on the grid, and a music and dance party to celebrate it's opening.

Yours truly didn't quite make the parade (you can see the pictures Gemma and I took in last year's). Dahlia Jarham and Daniel Voyager did, and posted some on their Flickr pages. Before the parade started, participants gathered in the Harwich sim.

There would be floats and vehicles of all kinds, though some would be on foot.

The parade started at 12:30PM SL time, and judging from the pictures, there was quite a lot to see.

The parade would go by places, such as this motel.

By the time I finally arrived, the parade was all over. But the concert was starting up, "Welcome to Bay City's 10th anniversary celebration!" With my choice of outfit being a bit limited due to a fundraiser, I went with a different avatar than usual, which confused a few people. But they were happy to have me, and my friend Shadow, join in the celebration.

Kennylex Luckless was among those most enthusiastic, "There is not a party without Bixyl.!"

GoSpeed Racer was the DJ for the first hour of the party, sporting the "Miss Bay City" crown she currently wears at events in the area.

GoSpeed has recently been writing fiction about characters in a virtual world. Although Second Life isn't mentioned, it's fairly obvious what the inspiration was, "For those who may not know, I named my second novel, 'We Built This City.'  You can buy a paperback or eBook version."

 Ucello "Uccie" Poultry was looking a little blue, though not feeling blue.

Daniel Voyager was also there. Marianne McCann was out of sight and behind the curtain on stage.

 And like most parties at the North Channel stage and dance floor, there was a conga line dance.

And some of the moles showed up. Abnor Mole joining the conga line.

 Others were Hexidecimal, Ginger, and Garden Mole.

Eventually, GoSpeed played her closing tune, "Man or Astroman," picked up her equipment, and got off the stage.

She was followed by live singer Parker Static.

At one point I ended up crashing. When I came back, my viewer was conserving memory by not showing the stage. The other moles had joined the conga line, Garden Mole apologizing for her tail getting in the way of the person behind her. Abnor Mole joked, "This is a little known fact, but if you can make a conga line in SL wrap all the way around in a complete circle Philip Rosedale will appear in the center and tell us if there will be 6 more weeks of lag. Or that might just be a rumor I made up. It's hard to tell."

At one point, someone began dropping chickens onto the dance floor. Abnor Mole remarked, "Is it bad that I suddenly have a craving for chicken nuggets?" "I want to do the chicken dance for some reason," another remarked.

And after a minute or so, they exploded into a cloud of feathers.

What was the "porpise" of this?

Eventually, it was time to leave. Although I was a little late, it was a great party. But my all means this isn't the end of the events here. Later this summer is "Hot Bay City Nights," and other events this year.

Happy Anniversary Bay City

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From The RelayStock

On Saturday May 22 and Sunday 23, the "Relaystock" in Second Life took place in the Relay dAlliez sim, with some unplanned parties taking place on Friday May 21. The third of what has become an annual event in the Relay for Life's season, the event is a tribute to the 1969 "Woodstock" festival, considered by a number to be a major pop-culture event in history.

Although organized by Trader Whiplash and the Relay Rockers team, it is a multi-team event where multiple teams sign up for campsites, either a tent or a van done up in 60s colors and patters, and for hour to 90 minute long periods on stage for live musicians and DJs representing them.

The event was set up in the Relay dAlliez sim. Unlike the "Three days of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll," however, being an official Relay event there was no sex, and this being virtual reality there were no drugs (although there were a few jokes that if Tuna Oddfellow was performing some would be getting high). But there was plenty of great classic rock n' roll music by the various DJs and live musicians on stage.

Among the teams there was the Sunbeamers, whom had a tent. One of our numbers whom was around at the time commented that the tents at the real Woodstock were much plainer, for those whom brought tents at all as most just brought a sleeping bad or nothing at all. But the design was all in the name of fun, some Relayers born much later chucking at the designs.

There was one sad detail, Nikoli Redmayne of Team Spirit of Sherwood Forest had been murdered when his plane was lost in what is believed to be an act of terrorism. His Relay team put up a picture of him for others to remember his contribution to the team and the Relay.

There was a hospital tent, where some information about the Relay for Life's mission was available for newcomers dropping in.

There were a number of musicians each day (click here for the schedule). Those earlier in the day had smaller numbers watching.

But as time went on, more people would drop in.

 With the mud, many were ankle deep while dancing away, though didn't seem to mind.

Those dropping in for a little music and dance came in all varieties of avatars from normal human to pixie, to tiny, to furred, to pony, to children, and a certain dark unicorn.

Rita Mariner and some of Team Sunbeamers were there, the team coming out of it's slump. and would reach Gold about a month later.

The weekend would see the team nearly doubling it's total raised so far this year, 50,000 coming from one donor. The Sunbeamers would reach Gold almost a month later.

Among the musicians there was DJ MrsSpooky (Spook Maroon).

After her was Dolleyes Barbosa, whom started her hour as describing the 60s as an adventurous time with the Civil Rights movement, the space program, and of course rock music.

With large numbers of avatars, some had problems with slow to rezz objects and other technical difficulties. Some such as this fellow made the best of things with a little humor.

At 3:30 PM was the Relay Rap, with the Committee members on stage.

Later, Trader Whiplash would take the stage.

It was that moment the rain started up again.

But eventually, it would stop.

It was a great Relaystock, and part of a great Relay season this year.

Bixyl Shuftan.