“In one kiss, you’ll know all I haven’t said”; Pablo Neruda. In Second Life, a date at a ballroom is a romantic adventure. It all the romance in one stop; the kisses and the dances of a well-earned night out. I spend time in ballrooms during the year. This past year has been the most dramatic changes in my SL history. SL has lost two of the top ballrooms in the past year. One of those was the lovely Rose Theatre Ballroom. In its day, if you asked anyone for the best ballroom “Rose Theatre” was either the first or the second one mentioned. Angel Manor was a cultural hub of art and performance that is missed. Bogart’s is another loss to the grid. To me, losing Bogarts hurt badly. You could always could on Bogarts. The walk through the shops to the marquee. At Bogarts you could have the formal stylish surroundings of a traditional ballroom, with an atmosphere that welcomed the single as well as the couples.
SL has retained a couple of “tried and true” ballrooms. Each providing different opportunities to the visitor. I recommend visiting these ballrooms at different times. Each one that I am writing about has a wealth of fun to discover provided by the thoughtful and the clever owners. And as is always true of SL, things change…..a….lot. One of those tried and true is the Avilion ballroom. Formal dress required, clothing provided, this continues to be a place of magic and of romance. I find that when I truly want the most romantic possible evening, of all the places on the grid, you will find me at Avilion. Sometimes I visit alone, walking through, watching other dancers or dance alone. This is a peaceful place with rich colors and lighting that dances around you. It is a delight to hear romantic music playing, as I ascend the main staircase to the ballroom. There are a couple of nice couples poses along the way. Inside walk to the railing and the ballroom opens in front of you in all directions. I recommend sunset or midnight lighting. Let your eyes swept the view for a moment, it is in a word spectacular. The older stationary dance pose balls have been replaced with easy to use dance balls and dance hearts. The real magic in this location is that even though you are immersed grand beautiful ballroom, when you look to your date you will realize that he/she is the true beauty in this room. Simply magical. After the dancing, when you take your date home, if you are not rewarded with the delicious naughty parts, after an evening at Avilion, it will NEVER happen. This ballroom is the litmus test for a relationship.
Frank’s Place Jazz Club provides different settings for a formal night out. With Bogarts gone, there remains the Jazz Club and the Elite Jazz Club. Beyond the sexy sounding jazz, Frank’s hosts DJs and cover band concerts. I always think of SL Resident and living large personality Johnathan Hiess when I visit Frank’s. Jonathan is the grid’s cutting edge to music; at Frank’s he DJs, he produces cover band concerts and generates quite a following. If you are luck to see him in his military dress, that is just a bonus. Frank’s is a place you may meet Mr. Right Now if not Mr. Right. It is enjoyable to be in a vast room of avis donning their best clothing. Pan your camera around, use your free What is She Wearing HUD and see who is designing these outfits. See someone who interests you? Go ahead and IM them, that is what people DO at Frank’s so meet, chat and dance.
Foxxies ballroom and Jazz club is a treat. Beyond the elegant ballroom you will find a hot air balloon ride and a horse drawn carriage. Explore and be rewarded at this gem. Foxxies has been on the grid for well over nine years. The traffic is lower here than Frank’s so if you want to have some snuggle up, one-on-one time with that special person try the atmosphere at Foxxies. They also have DJs, music, romantic gardens, waterfalls and several romantic cuddle spots.
How would you like to enjoy some 40s swing dancing? Teleport to the Creationspark SIM. This is the SIM created to facilitate knowledge and support for Parkinson’s disease. None of those limitations of the physical realm in the CP Swing Dance Hall. A bit more casual that most ballrooms, this one sits in a SIM chock full of things to do beyond dancing. Start at the main center and you can visit an art gallery and many interesting boutiques for shopping. In the beach and yacht areas you will find romantic hot tubs, sailboats, row boats, windsurfers and more water activities. There are swimming animations, tubes and a waterslide. Bring your free Dutchie’s wearable towel to dry off. Explore the vast expanse of the underwater paradise. Truly vivid colors and interesting sea life to be found throughout. I love the underwater paradise! Finish your visit at the Celestial Realm visiting the Spiritual Circles in the sky.
There are some other great places for an elegant night out on the grid. Phat Cats Jazz Club Ballroom has a very romantic feeling and host live music. Regency ballroom is one of those that provides clothing for those who don’t have a formal outfit. A nice up and comer ballroom, I hope they get more traffic to enjoy what the offer to the visitor. Many of the ballrooms on the Second Life search are not at their locations any more. Before that special date, make sure the ballroom exists before going out. Save yourself the last minute fumble of finding a replacement location.
Take a moment and sift through your messy inventory. Do you have a couple nice formal outfits? It is worth the time to make a couple. It is a great treat to go out in SL to a nice romantic ballroom where in the arms of that special someone you may lose yourself, if only for a while, life can be magic, let it.
Links;
Ballroom pictures and more: https://www.flickr.com/photos/140164441@N08/
Seersha Heart [saoirseheart resident]
Photos by Karmaghna Ulrik
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