Since the Early Days of SecondLife, Sim creators have sought
to build and maintain the perfect “Formal Ballroom”, capturing the grace and elegance possible
only in the Virtual World. In the
past 17 years, there have been over 583 attempts to do so in SecondLife. (OK…so I made that number up…but I do know it
is LOTS!)
Places come into being, amid a big splash, supported by
residents (or not), only to have to close their doors within weeks, or at most,
months. The venues that survive are
those that manage to appeal to a strong base of support among both the North
American and European audiences.
In SL builds as in other places, the cream rises to the top,
and the Crem de la Crem of Formal Ballrooms in SecondLife is without a doubt,
Foxxies Ballroom. The Ballroom of choice by the most discerning of audiences,
Foxxies Ballroom is also the exclusive home of the award-winning DJ, FoxxeeLady. The sultry-voiced FoxxeeLady entertains
audiences and dancers nightly with selections from a song list of over 10,000 of
your favorite songs, love ballads, and musical arrangements.
I caught up with FoxxeeLady while she was relaxing following
a very busy Valentine's Day Weekend, and she graciously agreed to answer a few
questions.
Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB): So then, which came first? Did Foxxees Ballroom join forces with
FoxxeeLady, or did FoxxeeLady inspire the creation of Foxxies Ballroom?
FL: FoxxeeLady
(FL): Foxxies Ballroom came first. It was established and owned in 2009 by Allison
Lannock, followed by Michel Mills who was joined by Don Suebert as a business
partner about 8 months ago. FoxxeeLady
began her DJ career at Foxxies Ballroom about 7 years ago.
JB: An operation
the size of Foxxies certainly does not run itself. What size staff do they employ here, and who
are some of the prime “Movers and Shakers” here?
FL: Foxxies is run by
Michel Mills and his business partner Don Suebert, both of whom are
owners. Tabatha Brinton and Audrey
Trellis are long-time hostesses and assistants.
Over the last eight years, FoxxeeLady has assumed more and more DJ
responsibilities. She's now the main DJ
at Foxxies Ballroom working 7 nights a week about 3 to 4 hours per night.
JB: How did you
initially develop an interest in DJing?
FL: I have loved
music all of my life. Beautiful music
has constantly been a part of my heart
and soul as long as I can remember. I
was given an opportunity to learn how to DJ in SL by Michel Mills. Initially, I was one of many DJs at Foxxies
and worked just a few hours per
week. But as a result of my hard work
ethic, love of music, and respect for my guests and fans, I have excelled in my abilities, reaching for
the top in my past 7 years.
JB: I know you
play a wide variety of musical genres.
Do you have a favorite? And how
have your musical tastes changed over
the years?
FL: I love all genres
of music, but I must say, my favorites are romantic tunes. Romantic tunes touch everybody's heart. We all want to love and be loved and romantic
tunes brings that dream closer to each of us.
I have always loved romantic tunes, but also enjoy country, oldies, and
other genres.
JB: You have been
in SL for a number of years. What is it
that keeps you going? Coming back night
after night after night?
FL: I have been in SL for almost 9 years. I love playing music for
my fans, helping them feel love, and helping them enjoy their time in the arms
of their beloved ones at Foxxies Ballroom.
What motivates me to return to my work as DJ at Foxxies' Ballroom night
after night is making sure love is in the air, making my fans happy, and playing
the tunes my guests request. It gives me
tremendous satisfaction to make my guests happy.
JB: Tell me about
the SL DJ Hall of fame? Who runs it, who are the judges, and what are the selection criteria for entry?
FL: Dia Dufaux
(DJ.3D) and Chris62 Greybeard (DJ Chris) are the founders of the SL DJ Hall of
Fame. There are 257 inductees as of
now. Anyone can nominate an SL DJ with 2
or more years of experience, but few are inducted. A random collection of 3 SL DJ Hall of fame
members will visit the nominee during their work hours. These individuals will determine if the DJ's
performance is consistent with the criteria that DJs at the top of the game
exhibit. If a majority votes to induct
the nominee, that DJ will be informed and an induction ceremony with be
scheduled.
JB: What does it
mean to you to have been inducted into the SL DJ Hall of Fame?
FL: For me, having
been inducted into the SL DJ Hall of Fame is a great honor and means that my work as a DJ has received the
recognition of those DJs who are at the top of their game, meaning my work is
consistent with the highest standards of excellence for work as a DJ in
SL. It makes me happy to know that the
best DJs in SL recognize that I work hard to give my fans a quality performance
night after night. As a perfectionist, I
want nothing but the best for my guests and I work hard to give them the best
music, atmosphere, and gratitude, night
after night
JB: Soooo..tell us
about “The Foxxies Difference” How is
Foxxies unlike any other Ballroom anywhere on the SL Grid today?
FL: Foxxies is the
classiest, most formal, and most elegant Ballroom in SL. When Allison started it in 2009, she wanted
to create a grand ballroom of the highest quality. Adam was the 2nd owner, who kept the venue
going for the next 4yrs. Michel, the 3rd
owner, has for the past 8 years continued that tradition. Don has joined as Owner/ Partner for the past
8 months, a great addition to this awesome venue. The build is precise, beautiful, and elegant. This has resulted in an atmosphere for our
guests in the tradition of 5-star establishments in New York, Palm Beach, and
London. People sense this difference the
moment they enter the venue. Everybody
loves the class, quality, and elegance.
The staff is polite, precise, and perfectionist, all in the interest of
providing the highest quality service and experience to all of our guests.
JB: How might
someone learn what, if any, special events are going on at Foxxies?
FL: The best way to
find out about special events at Foxxies is through the event search
board. But honestly, most people these
days learn about Foxxies and its special events by word of mouth. People visit Foxxies Ballroom, fall in love with it and tell their friends about it. Our
group has grown exponentially and continues to grow every day also we have been in the SL Destination Guide since 2010.
JB: Is there
anything else you would care to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?
FL: We encourage all
residents of SL who appreciate the finer things, be it music or the glittering,
high society of SL, to visit Foxxies
Ballroom and DJ FoxxeeLady. We guarantee
you will be delighted.
LIMO:
secondlife://Foxxies/219/191/21
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Foxxies/219/192/22
So there you have it, Folks.
Romance in the Virtual World. And
in SecondLife, romance is spelled “FOXXIES”.
I’ll see ya there. I’ll be the guy in the black Tux…trying to blend in.
Be There
Aloha
JB
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