Spotlight on the United Federation Starfleet: A Star Trek Community Like No Other. Moonite1687 Reporting...

In the vast virtual world of Secondlife, one community stands out for its dedication to science-fiction roleplay and the Star Trek universe—the United Federation Starfleet (UFS). Established in Second Life circa 2006, UFS is the longest-running Star Trek roleplay and fan-based community on Secondlife, offering an unparalleled immersive experience for Trekkies around the globe.

UFS transports its members into a meticulously crafted Star Trek environment, complete with ships, stations, and roleplayer missions that bring the beloved universe to life. Set in Sector001, this "Trek-themed playground" allows members to live out their Starfleet dreams, participating in various activities that enhance the roleplaying experience.

What truly sets UFS apart is its strong sense of community. Members from all corners of the world come together, united by their passion for Star Trek, creating a supportive and friendly environment where lasting friendships are formed. Regular events, such as Fleet Week, running from November 17th to 23rd, foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among members and celebrate and reward outstanding contributions to the role-playing experience.

UFS encourages creative expression through roleplay, storytelling, and character development. Members can create their own Starfleet characters, complete with detailed backstories and personalities, and engage in collaborative storytelling. This not only enriches the roleplaying experience but also helps members develop their creative writing and acting skills.

Moreover, the community offers a variety of educational programs and training sessions. Members can learn about Starfleet operations, from command and engineering to medical and science divisions. These programs are designed to be both informative and enjoyable, providing members with a deeper understanding of the Star Trek universe and its components.

Joining the UFS community comes with numerous benefits. Participating in roleplaying helps develop valuable skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and communication—skills that are not only useful within the community but also transferable to real-life situations.

UFS also provides a platform for social interaction and networking. Members can meet like-minded individuals, share their interests, and build meaningful relationships. This can be particularly beneficial for those looking to expand their social circles or find a supportive community.

Above all, UFS offers a fun way to engage with the Star Trek universe. Whether participating in a mission, attending an event, or simply exploring the virtual world, there's always something exciting to do at UFS.

The shared passion for Star Trek creates a strong bond among members, making UFS a welcoming and inclusive space for all roleplayers of all creeds, backgrounds, orientations, gender identities, and racial categories.

In conclusion, the United Federation Starfleet is more than just a roleplay community; it's a place where Star Trek fans can come together, share their passion, and create lasting memories. Whether you're a seasoned roleplayer or new to the world of Star Trek, UFS offers something for everyone, making it a truly unique and rewarding experience.

Please drop by the inworld headquarters to gather more information here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/UF%20Starfleet%20Headquarters/128/241/66

You may also want to follow the UFS community in their journey across all their social media forums here:

Group: secondlife:///app/group/72f97092-8448-92b8-c9db-b0e074403cf1/about

URL: https://www.ufstarfleet.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ufstarfleet

Twitter: https://x.com/ufstarfleet

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/unitedfederationstarfleet/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAhKMb8OI_TUd0eq3N_rAfg

Preferred contact: Evelyn Rieko (UFS Joint Chief of Communications) 

Read More

Seanchai Library Boards The Orient Express

On Sunday, July 8th Seanchai Library embarks on a literary adventure with their summer series TEA TIME on the Orient Express.  The Sunday afternoon "Tea Time" sessions are among the most popular the Library presents, known mostly for the nearly two complete circuits of the Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories, presented in the Library's casual Fireside Room.  The six week Orient Express series will be an additional departure, inviting audiences into a custom created skybox setting complete with a train.  A special project page is available on the Seanchai Library website including details about Christie's great train adventure, video resources, and the slurl to the series location. http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/te.html

Read More

Bookings Open for Le Cirque De Nuit 2018

Magic sparkles across the skies above Idle Rogue as the beloved production, Le Cirque de Nuit awakens for 2018.

Basing their work on Erin Morgenstern’s novel, The Night Circus, dance entertainers, Idle Rogue Productions lead enchanted audiences back into a steampunk circus that is traditionally performed over the Easter break, this year on March 30 and 31 and April 1 at 7pm , with an additional matinee performance on March 31 at 3pm.

Read More

Seanchai Library Celebrates a Decade of Stories with "Volume 10"

On March 20, 2008 Shandon Loring presented the very first story in voice at the West of Ireland Library and Cultural Center, which would become Seanchai Library. A decade later, Seanchai Library is still presenting literature, stories, and poems live in voice every week. March 15th begins Seanchai's ten day celebration of stories brought to life in virtual worlds, featuring a light-hearted quest, music events and, of course, stories. "Volume 10" kicks off today with the opening of a quest, and at 7pm PDT with Chief Storyteller Shandon Loring beginning the first of a two part presentation of Frank Delaney's The Architect of Newgrange.

Read More

Seanchai Library's Gets Their "Spook" On!

Looking for ghost stories?  As All Hallows Eve approaches, Seanchai Library will be abroad this weekend on the Second Life grid, presenting ghostly tales of Halloween and frightful delights of literature:

SATURDAY, October 28th

TALES & TUNES OF THE HAUNTING SEASON at Noon 

A stories for H.P. Lovecraft! Are you mad?!  If you know your Lovecraft, then you know that madness might very well be involved.  What better time of year to share Lovecraft and Lovecraftian tales.  Seanchai Library and Friends bring selected works to the Innsmouth Opera House, live in voice. BYOS = Bring your own Scream. Followed at 2pm by musician Wald Schridde with "unsettling songs of death and beyond." 

Stories in voice, music on stream, at the Innsmouth Opera House

Read More

PIRATE SUNDAY at Holly Kai Park with Seanchai Library

They are dusting off their cutlasses, refreshing their command of "The Code" and getting ready to celebrate an event that marks the beginning of the "High Story Season" for one of Second Life's oldest spoken word programs -  now in its tenth year.  Seanchai Library will celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day  with Pirate Sunday on September 17th beginning at 1pm at Holly Kai Park, followed by music and dancing across the region at the Holly Kai Park Pavilion.

Read More

Caravanserai 1: A Silk Road Celebration of the Arts

East and West meet along the Silk Road in a project to be featured during this month's MOOC 2017 in Second Life.

"The desert sands lead on, but look ahead -

a palace of bright tents and green date palms

where camel backs can crumple knee bones down.

An oasis waits beneath the desert moon.".

Dr Chris Mooney Singh (Singh Albatros) of The Writers Centre, Singapore and Scott Grant (Kaylee West) of Monash University in Melbourne Australia come together to create an event celebrating the connective cultural thread that is the legendary Silk Road - Caravanserai 1.  In a desert oasis setting, they have brought together artists from around the grid for storytelling, drama, song, and machinima, to be followed by a panel discussion of the value of virtual arts in education.  The performance will take place Saturday, June 24th at 7am slt. 

Read More

Seanchai Library On The Move

Seanchai Library, one of Second Life's oldest spoken word programs -  now in its tenth year, is relocating from its current home on the Bradley University, hosted by the Community Virtual Library (CVL), to Holly Kai Park on the Blake Sea, part of the vast USS Regions and Estates.

"Both Seanchai and the CVL are currently facing crossroads in their organizational lives" said Caledonia Skytower, representing Seanchai Library, "Such transitional times involve challenging processes of review, reflection, and analysis in our best efforts to keep our presences in the virtual world relevant. Done well, it leads to healthy change."  Seanchai Library engaged in just such a review and discussion process, and decided to take advantage of an offer to join the arts programming on Holly Kai, which includes the Art Hill, music events at The Pavilion, regular DJ gatherings at Catinara Bar, and larger community events such as the recent "Filling the Cauldron" fundraiser in early April.

Read More

DUBHNA RHIADRA - With the Dream Factory part III from The Brave- Live at the Magic Tree Feb. 8th at 3pm SLT

Join us for an hour with the engaging writer and storyteller Dubhna Rhiadra. She wrote a special story for the stunning installation THE BRAVE, and the tale told in three parts; relates how two children escape a world where their dreams are stolen for power. These clever children defeat evil to escape. Come enjoy this special and soulful reading by this outstanding author and reader at The Magic Tree.
Check our blog for details at http://cesoirarts.com

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ce%20Soir/166/135/32


* retrieved from SL events

Read More

Seanchai Library Wraps Up Successful Series with "The Sign of Four"

Seanchai Library's presentation of A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA last June

UW Avalumni, Second Life - Seanchai Library will commence Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign of Four on Sunday, November 6th at 1:30pm. The entire novel will be presented, with minimal adaptation, in one hour episodes through November 27th at Seanchai's Baker Street build, which has been in guest residency at the University of Washington iSchool in Second Life since June.

The story is set in 1888. The Sign of the Four has a complex plot involving India, the Indian Rebellion of 1857, a stolen treasure, and a secret pact among four convicts ("the Four" of the title) and two corrupt prison guards. It presents the detective's drug habit and humanizes him in a way that had not been done in the preceding novel, A Study in Scarlet (1887). It also introduces Doctor Watson's future wife, Mary Morstan. Kayden Oconnell, John Morland, and Caledonia Skytower will present the story, voicing the characters and providing narration, live in voice.

Read More

Pirate Invasion Benefits SU2C, September 18th

Every year, on September 19, people around the world celebrate International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Because that's a Monday, and a lot of people will be too busy at work to tip flagons of grog and mead while dancing with fifteen of our cohorts on a dead man's chest, The Storyteller's Sandbox will offer the opportunity to get in the spirit of the high seas a day early.   The Lake on Kultivate Magazine’s home region of Water Haven will be transformed into the Quay at the infamous Shipwreck Cove, where the Pirate Lords have landed to celebrate with tales and high seas hijinks. Seanchai Library is teaming up with the popular Second Life arts publication to present this piratical celebration on Sunday September 18, 2016 from 3 - 5:30 PM SLT.

The stories will be live, presented in voice. Guests are strongly encouraged to come dressed for the occasion, whether as brigands or wenches or whatever outfit they've got stashed away in Davy Jones' Locker.

Read More

Seanchai Library Partners With Firestorm Community Gateway for Spoken Word Venture

    

Firestorm Gateway, Social Island -photo by Caledonia Skytower 

Firestorm Social Island, Second Life – Among the longest active literary programs on the Second Life grid, Seanchai Library will be partnering with popular Third Party Viewer developer Firestorm’s Community Gateway to bring spoken word events and content to their ever-growing audience of new users.

The project will begin with the return of the popular Storytellers’ Sandbox series, which Seanchai Library recently launched, producing three sessions as part of their Crazy Eights project with a Linden Endowment for the Arts grant. The series provides a forum for new stories, new storytellers, and new ways to present them. “We have been brainstorming for a home for this event ever since we closed Crazy Eights,” said Seanchai Lead Caledonia Skytower, “It is a great forum for introducing new voices to the virtual spoken story community. It also provides more experienced voices a chance to explore the incredible possibilities for immersion in a virtual performance experience.  Sets, avatars, effects - there is excellent work being done in all these areas, both from the story-initiated creators, and by visual artists sharing the narratives of their work. The limitations are always time, prims, and the ability to draw an audience.”

 

Firestorm Viewer Project Logo - provided by Firestorm Project

On Sunday, August 7th at 3pm slt, the first Storytellers’ Sandbox at Firestorm Social Island will mark the launch of this new partnership with six voice performers presenting a mix of original tales and short stories in a showcase of live virtual storytelling.  Long-time voices, such as Dubhna Rhiadra and Shandon Loring, will present tales, along with the relatively newer voices of Bryn Taleweaver and Hana Hoo. “This first session is meant to accent the variety of tales and possibilities,” Skytower explained, “ so we have deliberately chosen to avoid a theme.” 

 

Seanchai Session Audience View (png) - photo by R. Crap Mariner

“Crap Mariner and Caledonia have been around forever, are so well-connected in their community, and their skills compliment each other. They are the perfect team to be leading this.” added Firestorm Founder, CEO & Project Manager Jessica Lyon. “We really want to expose new residents to the broad possibilities of what they can be involved with in Second Life: music, role play, art, and of course spoken word is a part of that.  I am really excited about what Seanchai Library, with these two coordinating this particular effort, can bring to our Gateway.”

 

Seanchai Session with Kayden Oconnell (png) - photo by R. Crap Mariner

Seanchai Library has been an active presence in Second Life since 2008, with Caledonia Skytower and Shandon Loring as its Lead Staff since 2012.  In addition to Seanchai, Caledonia also produced StoryFest Events, which presented four annual festival style live story events: StoryFest, Bard on the Virtual beach, BOOFest, and The Dickens Project.  In 2015, StoryFest Events was merged into ongoing Seanchai programming.  Skytower has worked with Fantasy Faire,Magicland Park, Avatar Repertory Theater, the University of Washington iSchool, and was the chief architect behind the recent Crazy Eights project at Linden Endowment for the Arts region 9.  She works with Shandon Loring in developing the Library’s branches on InWordz and Kitely, taking the lead on the “Explore” projects which partner with real world organizations to develop virtual learning tools for audience augmentation of performing arts experiences.

The Firestorm Community Gateway userbase poses a new challenge for the Seanchai storytellers. “Most of the audiences at our events are veteran Second Life users, who have to deal with the occasional frustrations of Voice issues in Second Life. Firestorm Community Gateway introduces hundreds of new and inexperienced users to Second Life. We’ll find ways to leverage the power of Second Life and the skill of the ever-present and patient Firestorm Support Staff to quickly diagnose and assist these users with Voice so they can enjoy these performances as part of their early Second Life experience.”

Longtime Second Life resident, spoken word veteran, and Seanchai Friend and Performer R. Crap Mariner of the 100 Word Stories Podcast joins the partnership as an organizer, planner, and all-around grunt-of-all-trades. “I heard Jessica Lyon in an interview at the 13th Second Life Birthday, and she called for performers and events at Firestorm’s Community Gateway. She even invited me to perform there, but my material doesn’t quite fit the G-rating of their regions. I turned to my friend Caledonia Skytower and suggested that we put together a greater Spoken Word Project. We both look forward to bringing workshops and other events that will introduce the new users to spoken word, and introduce spoken word communities to new audiences, members, and participants.”

 

Seanchai Library @ Bradley University (png) - photo by Derry McMahon

Plans for additional events that introduce poetry, writing, and other spoken word and literature opportunities are in development. More details will be available on this partnership over the next several months.  Seanchai Library will continue to present their weekly story sessions, Monday through Thursday at 7pm slt, and in various weekend sessions on their home parcel at the Community Virtual Library on the Bradley University sim (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bradley%20University/100/209/28) as well as their branch on the InWorldz grid, and on the Kitely grid on the open metaverse. R. Crap Mariner will continue to produce his daily 100 Word Stories Podcast and conduct readings inworld at his Clocktree Reading Room (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Edloe/128/128/29)

Information on Firestorm Viewer, as well as links to their social media presence can be found online athttp://www.firestormviewer.org/

Information on Seanchai Library schedules and programs, as well as links to their social media presence can be found online at http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/

Information on R. Crap Mariner and the 100 Word Stories Podcast, as well as links to his social media presence can be found online at http://oneadayuntilthedayidie.com/

Storytellers’ Sandbox at Firestorm Gateway, Social Island http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Firestorm%20Social%20Island/71/127/32

MEDIA CONTACT

Caledonia Skytower, Seanchai Library
thedede@comcast.net

Read More

Seanchai Library Enters Final Month on LEA 9

LEA 9, Second Life – "The Kraken has arrived at Crazy Eights on LEA Region 9, so it must be near the end."  Seanchai Library will be wrapping up its residency among the core regions in the Linden Endowment for the Arts Estate this month. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA9/128/94/31

Crazy Eights opened on LEA 9 January 31st, billed as a celebration of the art of stories and spoken word in Second Life.  To date, there have been 31 individual events, presenting over 40 hours of live voice presentations, featuring over 30 storytellers, authors, poets and voice performers.  Over one thousand individual residents have visited LEA 9 for events, or to wander and explore. Many returned and Crazy Eights is proud to report a 2:1 ratio of unique to return visits.

Read More

THE CRAZINESS CONTINUES on LEA 9

The Craziness has only just begun on LEA 9, as the first month of Seanchai Library's celebration of stories and spoken word continues.

Special Events still to come in February include:

* Sunday, February 21st at 3pm slt in the Crazy Eights Arena:

The very first ever STORYTELLERS' SANDBOX session; providing a forum for new stories, new storytellers, and new ways to present them.  The first Sandbox will feature Artist and Storyteller Hana Hoo, self-published author Dulcie Mills with her newest work, and the ever creative Trolley Trollop with "The TAO of Martha."  Crazy Eights Arena

Read More

Seanchai Library Opens "Crazy Eights" Celebration on LEA 9 January 31st at 1:30pm SLT

LEA 9, Second Life – Seanchai Library is kicking off its 2016 celebration of stories and spoken word on Linden Endowment for the Arts region 9, which has been granted to the Library for the winter and spring months.  The grand opening of "Crazy Eights" on LEA 9 has been announced for Sunday, January 31st at 1:30pm featuring Miguel de Cervantes "Don Quixote" and the work of Seanchai founder Derry McMahon: Don Quixote in Words and Images.

The event is open to the public and will include English-translation selections from the classic story presented by Ms. McMahon and Bear Silvershade in the Crazy Eights Eastern Meadow.  Guests will be free to sit near a tempting windmill, or wander among McMahon's photo series inspired by the great quest of Cervantes' hero.  The collection of Second Life photography was first seen as part of the Fine Arts Tour (FIAT) in 2014.  The Crazy Eights installation includes some of the original show, and additional images which were not part of the FIAT exhibition.

"Living at the intersection of reality and illusion, Don Quixote is one of the most beloved literary characters. On his eternal quest to make the world a better place, he sees the world as it should be: peasants become gentlefolk, windmills transform into evil giants and in a barmaid he sees the soul of the lady of his dream.

"Where we see darkness and despair, he sees light, hope, and always, adventure. What better character to explore Second Life, probing a world created entirely from the stuff of our imagination? Truly a stranger in a strange land, these images take Quixote on a journey from the comical through the heartrending.  Travel alongside the Don as he tangles with The Great Enchanter (windmills), and discovers SL sights that are familiar, and yet...not.”  

February will commence weekly live programming by Seanchai Library at Crazy Eights, while continuing programming at their home parcel on the Bradley University region.  All times SLT and all events in voice.  Events include: 

• The Featured Book Area will begin its first book series at 7pm on Thursday, February 4th with Chief Storyteller Shandon Loring and Tracey Garvis Graves' NYT Best-Selling "On The Island." Loring has created a 360 degree environment inspired by Graves' work, filled with links and scripted surprises.
• The popular "Tea Time at Baker Street" Sunday series will begin "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" with it's first adventure "The Empty House" on February 7th at 1:30pm. The Baker Street area of Crazy Eights will include the "Holmes & Watson Gallery", a book shop with links to Conan Doyle's canon, and references to other Holmesian locations around the grid.

Connecting the six different venue areas on Crazy Eights is the Story Forest. "It is the connective tissue that brings all of this together," said lead Seanchai staffer Caledonia Skytower." We were looking for a means to draw all the different story venues together with a visual reflection of our journey of the last eight years."  The staff created that environmental representation inspired by artworks created for books, especially the chromatic richness of N.C. Wyeth's illustrations.

A winding path of books leads explorers through a wood and meadow populated with "Story Stations." At each station are visual story elements and a link post. By clicking on the image at the top of the post, guests can be connected with either the text of the story, or information about the story online.  Skytower relates, " Some of the stories may be familiar, some may not, and some may be stories that people have forgotten that they knew. Some are folktales, and some are beloved works of literature. Its a mix of tales from around the world, and we will trade different stations in and out even after opening. So the journey will always be a little different."

Information on Seanchai Library schedules and programs, as well as links to Seanchai's social media presence can be found online at http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/

Seanchai Library (Shanna-key, which means "Storyteller" in Irish.) was founded in March of 2008 in Second Life. Thousands of stories, and hundreds of authors later, the program remains dedicated to promoting the power of stories to transform and inspire through live voice presentations: "We bring stories of all kinds to life, in Second Life." "Crazy Eights" refers to the Library celebrating its eighth anniversary this year.

Location:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA9/129/94/31

Read More

Branwen Arts Presents “Bilbo Baggin’s Birthday” to Benefit Creations for Parkinson’s in SL

Bran, Second Life – The famous literary journeys The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy both began with the character Bilbo Baggins, and parties: one an unexpected dinner party with dwarves, and the second an intentional birthday bash to punctuate Bilbo’s dramatic exit from the Shire.  Virtual Storyteller’s Dubhna Rhiadra and Caledonia Skytower have organized a celebration of “special magnificence” by Shire standards, and invited some of their storytelling friends to join them in raising funds and awareness for the work of Creations for Parkinson’s in Second Life.

The party starts at 11:30 am SLT this Saturday, September 20^th at Rhiadra’s Hobbit Home on Bran, and will feature selections from the adventures of J.R.R. Tolkien’s hobbit hero, presented live in voice. (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bran/27/56/24)

Read More

STORYFEST Celebrates Fourth Anniversary – Sunday!

Today, Sunday, March 23^rd marks the fourth anniversary of StoryFest, the annual gathering of story tellers, presenters, and great stories to celebrate the power of stories to inspire us, and help us understand and delight in our world.  StoryFest 2014 begins at 11:00 am SLT and is free, with donations going to benefit War Child North America.  It is presented in a partnership between Branwen Arts, Stories Unlimited! and Seanchai Library.  A detailed schedule and content are available at http://storyfestsl2011.blogspot.com/.

Read More

Are you aware of events held in SL Enquirer Media Center? Mehseti Resident Reporting...

SL Enquirer is one of the most popular media networks that helps makes our SL journey much more interesting and fun by providing news straight from the avatar’s mouth since 2005.

Anyone can find their own opportunities in SL by marketing themselves and developing successful business relationships and participate in wonderful events, contests and much more. Proud owner of SL Enquirer, Lanai Jarrico does her best to provide readers with interesting and entertaining news.

The Independent Ballet visited The SL Enquirer earlier this month and SLE’s stage was taken over. Lead by Dubhna Rhiadra and Deyna Huet, this team created a production that became very popular in SL and receives multiple invitations to perform on stages across the grid.

Read More