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Sunday, June 14, 2020
Music Venue Ownership and A Popular Singer: Scarlet and Jeffah- Fynnyus Resident Reporting
Saturday, June 13, 2020
LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR BRAVO to the 3rd GROUP of SEMIFINALISTS!
Six more beautiful and stylish women have been selected as SEMIFINALISTS for the contest LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR! Bravo to Avalon Chrome, Becky Kenaan, Laura, Sholee, Tiy and Vocale!
There are now 18 SEMIFINALISTS in the race but it is still time to enter because two more groups of six semifinalists will be selected in the next weeks!
STILL TIME TO ENTER EASY To PARTICIPATE FABULOUS JACKPOT
You got style? Show it off! You might be the gem that LUXE Paris is looking for! The famous fashion house is looking for an elegant woman who will represent the brand with grace an charisma. First prize: L$50,000 cash! L$10,000 to each of the two runners up. A total of L$175,000 in prizes!
This contest is open to amateurs and professionals. A special training will be given to the finalists without experience of the runway. So stylish women, do not wait any longer! Wear a LUXE Paris outfit, style it, snap a picture, put your name in the title and send FULL PERM to luxeparislookoftheyear resident in world. Gift to all contestants!
The LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR style contest is presented in collaboration with the SL Enquirer, Swank Event, Womenstuff, Tone Makeup, Zuri Jewelry, In-Nova Modeling Academy, ProPose Modeling Poses, Bon Amour Avant-garde Hair, SL Confidencial magazine, L'Amour Diversity magazine, Stavros Hexem Photography and Villa Media Broadcaster.
More information at LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR.com
Friday, June 12, 2020
GeekSpeak – Game of Thrones in RL: Where will world power shift next? Joiin the discussion Saturday June 13th at 12pm SLT
We are at the beginning of big geopolitical changes. Which country will be on top in the next 20 years? Or 50 years?
Most people will say China, but China has a host of problems. Could it be Australia? Or Brazil? Or Norway? Or is it possible that we will see a shift that no one expects? Weird things happen in the real world.
Come and discuss world politics in GeekSpeak. With a smile towards our unexpected future. Bring your friends and a crystal ball!
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Kultivate turns 5 this year and the annual anniversary weekend is returning June 12 to 14, 2020!
This special weekend will feature a special art exhibition, live music, & giveaways!
Slurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Water%20Haven/136/135/24
EXHIBITING ARTISTS: aht1981, Akiko.Tripsa, AlexAvion, Angel Heartsong, Anibrm Jung
Anouk Lefavre, archgothica, DrusillaGwind Resident, Elle Thorkveld, Francis Bagration, Hana Hoobinoo, ilyra chardin, Inara Pey, Jamee Sandalwood, Johannes Huntsman, Kapaan, Karma Weymann, KismaKSR Resident, Myra Wildmist, Reycharles Resident, Rissy Feiri, Sabine Mortenwold, Sheba Blitz, SkinTrader Greyskin, softandred, Syphera Inaka, talligurl resident, Tempest Rosca-Huntsman, Vanessajane66, Veruca Tammas, Vita theas, & wintergeist
Kultivate 5th Anniversary Photo Challenge Information
SCHEDULE:
-Friday, June 12, 2020:
-8am slt – Exhibition Opens, Photo Challenge Begins
-4pm to 5pm slt – live performer Nina Setner (10 slide show frames giveaway, 1 Templar Poses poseback giveaway, & 1,000L’s Trompe L’Oeil Gift Card giveaway)
-5pm to 6pm slt – live performer Melenda Baptiste (10 slide show frames giveaway, 1 Templar Poses posepack giveaway, & 1,000L’s Trompe L’Oeil Gift Card giveaway)
-Saturday June 13, 2020:
-4pm to 5pm slt – live performer Samuel James (Ten lucky winners will win 250L’s each & Templar Poses posepack giveaway)
-5pm to 6pm slt – live performer Aislen Sings (Ten lucky winners will win 250L’s each & Templar Poses posepack giveaway)
-Sunday, June 14, 2020:
-1pm to 2pm slt – live performer Max Kleene (1 LumiPro giveaway)
HAPPY 10TH REZDAY WOLFIE MOONSHADOW!
Destiny, Wolfie, Lanai, Orion |
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Music in Second Life: A First Take with a Look at Maximillion Kleene and Kaleb Avedon- Fynnyus Resident Reporting
Being an academically trained media researcher, I’ve often wondered about various aspects of Second Life. The questions are numerous and never-ending. In fact, the longer I’m in Second Life the less I think I know. I ask, why do people come here? What do they get out of it? Why don’t male avatars have a penis? Why would you choose to be a furry, or why would adults want to represent themselves as a child avatar? Why is there food in Second Life? I see it everywhere. And what is the deal with music in Second Life? It’s everywhere, too, and comes in many forms. In many ways, music is a defining aspect of Second Life in the way it aurally shapes the virtual environment and sculpts emotions. Music gives our avatars something to do. Deejays create playlists, musicians play live for fans, and dance animations enliven our avatars to provide visual enjoyment. There are performers of all musical genres, clubs with live deejays who play a vast variety of musical styles, radio-like streams for our Second Life homes, and businesses, and much more.
I own a piece of virtual land and it has a music stream that I and my partner listen to. Most of you also listen to music streams. Sound streams are used by live musicians, deejays, and other denizens of Second Life. The music stream is the bedrock for all music in Second Life. But what is a music stream and how is it used? That’s another question I have and hope to get into at some point, but I want to mostly talk about the music in Second Life: those who play it live, deejays who mix it, and all the people who dance to it. My hope is to write about a wide range of musical aspects in Second Life and to give a personal touch to what I write, but also, hopefully, provide some insights to the many and variegated aspects of virtual world music. And so, this first article is about a new music venue in Second Life and a couple live performers I happened to catch.
I arrived a little late to Maximillion Kleene's live performance on Sunday, June 8th at the grand opening of the Mad Twist. I teleported there and move out of the landing zone and wait for things to rez. Meanwhile I open my inventory and go to the Animations folder and pop open a few of my favorite dance animations and click one to get my avatar going; dancing, not quite on the beat, but close enough.
Then, because I'm writing this article, I want to be as informative as possible, so I click the About Land tab and see that this new place is a live music club with club events , art gallery and many more twists! So, the theme is music and various twists . . . hmmm . . . will this bring me back here to see what sorts of twists there might be in the future? I'm not sure. What would a Second Life music club twist be? I rarely plan things out in Second Life, so it's unlikely . . . unlessssss . . . I join the club group to get group announcements. Okay, I think, I’ll do that. Well, at least I tried to join the group, but the damn group joiner did not work when I right clicked on it and all I got was the landmark to the place. Oh well, whether I return here is a crap shoot, then, unless Max comes back here. I'm in his group and go see him now and then because yes, he's really good.
Maximillion Kleene |
The next thing I do is pop open my mini-map to see if anyone is too close, I'd hate to be dancing on top of anyone. That happens from time to time in Second Life. One of the quirky things about virtual life is you don’t always see another person’s avatar right away and you run right over the top of them, or stand right on them. Anyway, I note that there’s about a dozen or so people here when I arrive, and that number will increase as the hour-long performance goes on. I also look on my mini-map to see if any yellow dots are around. Friends (people on your “Friends List”) show up as yellow dots and people who are not are green). Then I open my World tab and click on "Nearby Avatars" to see who else might be here, former friends, former lovers, exes, or whomever, but I see none. All the while, Max is doing his thing, playing music, so I settle in and delete a few of the HUDs blocking the view of the venue on my screen and go on with my analysis.
Listening, Max is a really fantastic musician and it feels like he is really into what he does. He is very professional. He strums along on guitar, has smooth key changes, and the tunes are mostly up-tempo with an occasional slow tune. He sings popular tunes by Tom Petty, the Foo Fighters, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Duran Duran, and more. But Max is highly versatile, he has a repertoire of hundreds of songs and works in more than just guitar accompaniment. There is what sounds like a prerecorded music track of a Hoobastank song, and multi-tracking for harmonizing effects. He also plays electric guitar, and wow, it’s really good stuff! It's understandable why he's so popular. Digging into information about Max a little more, I look at his profile page. It says, "I stream into SL from Niagara Falls, Canada and sing Rock/Pop/Alternative solo acoustic tunes covering old classics (CCR to Johnny Cash) to fun, newer hip stuff (Jack Johnson, Foo Fighters, Green Day and Jason Mraz)." And he also quotes Jimi Hendrix, "The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye...The story of love is hello and goodbye... ...until we meet again."
I’ve seen and heard Max play live in Second Life many times and will see him many more times, I’m sure. His performances are always fun and never the same.
Next was Kaleb Avedon. He performed right after Max at the same venue. His group information describes him as, "a Hispanic Singer/Songwriter in SL. He has been writing songs and playing the guitar since he was 14 years old. His repertoire is filled with romantic songs from his bicultural heritage and his own inspiration. They include songs from Garth Brooks, Jewel, Elvis Presley, Hinder, Enrique Iglesias, Jesse and Joy and many more. So come, sit by the fire, listen to him sing and be transported to a place of romance."
Kaleb Avedon |
And here again you have someone who genuinely sounds like he enjoys what he does. I would say that there's happiness in Kaleb’s voice. Today he is singing songs by Tracy Chapman, The Beatles, and some other more obscure (to me anyway), but beautiful acoustic pieces. His tenor voice with hints of falsetto, is clear and has a nice vibrato. He does one of the most beautiful renditions of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah I can remember hearing, on par with Rufus Wainwright's version as sung in the movie, Shrek. His is falsetto vocals shine in this song, especially.
Hallelujah is an interesting song with obvious religious overtones. In Hebrew it means to rejoice in praising god. But Leonard Cohen was a clever song writer who taps into the human condition and the sexuality that goes with it. Indeed, the song alludes to the rush associated with an orgasm. We see this in the lyrics:
Well there was a time when you let me know
what's really going on below
but now you never show that to me do you
But remember when I moved in you
and the holy dove was moving too
and every breath we drew was hallelujah
“Below” is a reference to the female sex organ. She has, however, grown cold and holds back her feelings. Perhaps the relationship is dying. Thus, the meaning of love and intimacy lost emerges. It’s a complex song full of multi-layered meanings and when sung well, like Kaleb does, those meanings are further distilled and given their true essence.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the entire hour of Kaleb, though I would have liked to. But real life called me away and we all know real life comes first. So, it’s time to fire up the grill for dinner. Salmon in a nice marinade, yummy. Hey, I wonder if I can get that in Second Life?
Until next time . . . I remain the Wannabe Music Critic, Fynn.
Runway Modelling in Second Life- GiaBlossom Reporting.
Often you must have heard about Fashion Pageants and Fashion Shows in Second Life. You might have noticed Pageants being held every year by different organizations to bring in new talent to the Fashion Industry. You might have also attended a fashion show that showcased high ended brands. Throughout the year we see women being crowned. Recently the results of Miss SL were out. AviStars and Mr SL applications will open soon. Miss Globe Universal is accepting applications for this year. Miss Virtual World will open its applications in June-July. Have you ever wondered what if this was me?
SoulCrack3r Resident, Model- GiaBlossom, Location- Backdrop City |
Men and women alike there are two ways to enter the Runway world of Fashion Industry in SL. Either you participate in a few of the pageants or you can join a Modelling House. A modelling school teaches you the intricate details of how to be an Editorial Model and a Runway Model. And there after you are either recruited directly or you enter the Pageants to be recruited. This article can not be a substitute for a modelling school. However, to the very least, if you are trying to participate in the pageants in future; this will help you as a guide to follow.
Petr Denis, Model- GiaBlossom, Location- AviStar ♛ 2019 Grand Finale |
Last year I participated in AviStar ♛ 2019 as Miss Afghanistan and bagged the 2nd Runners Up position. It was my first time walking as a Runway model and also participating in a challenge as Editorial Model. Runway modelling as the name suggests are the models who walk the runway. Editorial modelling is taking still images. More like what fashion bloggers do with photography and image editing skills. These images could be used by designers on their vendors. This time I will only focus on the Do’s and Don'ts of Runway. Here are a few things I learned during the pageant.
Apart from your fashionable outfit, there are three things you will need for the walk -
Pose Hud - The most used by runway models is the “Strut It Model Hud” by Mango. It’s fairly easy to configure. It can hold 3 sets of 10 poses and a walking pose in each set.
Animation Overrider for the modelling poses - Any modifiable AO can be used and configured. I used Zhao II MB Hud and configured with my own default standing pose and walking animation.
Private Chat Channel Hud - You could use a relay chat Hud as well or Virtual Private Chat Hud. This helps to follow the queue as directed by the Runway Director.
Theme Kattaca Challenge in FASHICON 2020 |
When the show begins, you are expected to have judges and an audience. This means that not only you are wearing scripts but the guests who have dressed up for the event are also wearing scripts which might affect the show. Things to remember before the show begins which will help reducing the lag-
Derender every object other than the stage. You can do this in Firestorm (FS) Viewer by going to Area Search. I usually blacklist decor and seats before the show. To know-how to watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53qIM0lyw4I
Reduce Avatar Complexity. I keep the maximum complexity to 30. Anyone beyond that will appear as jelly beans in my FS. It’s important to keep the avatars in jelly beans state or you will not know who is in front of you in the queue. To know how to do this follow this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxWrqd0o3dc
Make a copy and remove all scripts from all the wearables, attachments and body. The more scripts you are able to remove from yourself, the less you will lag during the show. The only scripts you are wearing are the Huds.
Freeze eye blinking and any facial animations, hand movements. This is because when the audience takes a picture, it will be without any imperfect movements.
Remove all other Huds or chimera that are not useful on stage.
Choose or make an AO that has a walk animation and a default pose stand only. These animations must not interfere with what you are wearing.
Check for spayed hands and your attachments, double check for possible mesh glitches. You do not want to be viewed naked due to such glitches.
Most pageant organizers will tell you that poses are not important. However, it is as important as your ensemble itself. You must be ready with 10 poses batch and change them every 10-15 seconds. Runway poses are more realistic and the transition from one pose to another is very smooth. It's best to choreograph a set from one creator. Runway poses can be used for editorial needs as well. However, editorial poses can not be used on a Runway. The pose set you choose should say a story to enhance your ensemble. For example Geisha styling poses can’t be used for hip hop styling. Try not to repeat the poses. Always face the audience, unless your storyline has a reason to look either up, down, right or left. Unless told otherwise, make sure you are doing a 360 degrees choreography.
Petr Denis, Models - AviStar ♛ 2019 Finalists, Location - AviStar ♛ 2019, Image has been cut to meet image requirements. |
Lastly, your ensemble must follow the rules of a challenge. It is good to ask if you do not understand a theme. Research about the theme. Never give a modern look to a traditional wear, you might affect the sentiments of the viewers from that country. Your accessories must have a reason to be worn. For example, you can't wear a digital cord with a primitive camera. All attachments must fit correctly. None of the layers of should be overlapping or embedded with each other.
The next time you are participating in a pageant, follow the above guidelines for the runway. Be polite, be helpful, be beautiful and good luck in your future fashion endeavours.
Additional Information -
Strut It Model Hud by Mango- https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Strut-It-Model-Hud-by-Mango/152487
Virtual Private Chat Hud - https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/VPC-V10-Virtual-Private-Chat/152402
Zhao II MB Hud - https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Free-ZHAO-II-MB-HUD-sD-Look/729885
YouTube video tutorials - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53qIM0lyw4I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxWrqd0o3dc
Miss Globe Universal - https://missglobeuniversal.com/
Miss Virtual World - https://boslmvw.wordpress.com/
Miss SL Organization - https://missslorganization.com/
Backdrop City Landmark - https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Backdrop%20City/176/37/21
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Help me save the World-sarahelisebeth Brenham Reporting
Evil Bunny Presents Under the Sea June 6-16th- 11 days of Exclusive Sales
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Petra's Re-Opening and Steele Live Music
2:00 pm Lisa Bruen
LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR SOUND THE TRUMPETS!
Your picture is not there? You still have chances! 18 other semifinalists will be selected in the coming weeks.
Remember: LUXE Paris is searching the grid to find its LOOK of the YEAR, an elegant woman who will represent the brand and win L$50,000 cash! Open to ALL stylish women, amateurs, and professionals!
Easy to participate: Wear a LUXE Paris outfit, style it, snap a picture, put your name in the title and send FULL PERM to luxeparislookoftheyear resident in the world. The deadline to submit your photo for the next selection of semifinalists is Thursday, June 11th at midnight. A gift to all the participants!
Interested? See all the details on our website at LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR.com
The LUXE Paris LOOK of the YEAR style contest is a presentation of the SL Enquirer, Swank Event, Womenstuff Group, Tone Makeup, In-Nova Modeling Academy, Zuri Jewelry, ProPose Modeling Poses, Bon Amour Avant-garde Hair, SL Confidential magazine, L'Amour Diversity magazine, Villa Media Broadcaster and Stavros Hexem Photography. These sponsors will distribute L $ 175,000 in prizes including the pretty sum of L $ 70,000 in cash (L $ 50,000 to the winner and L $ 10,000 to each of the two runners up).
Stylish women, do not wait any longer! YOU could be the gem we are looking for!
Saturday, June 6, 2020
GeekSpeak – Will all languages disappear? Join the discussion Saturday May 30th at 12pm SLT
IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday at the GeekSpeak auditorium at 1pm SLT, if you have ideas for new subjects.
Danmu
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
KUSHI TEXTURES HOSTS COCKTAIL HOUR CREATORS MARKET FROM JUNE 6TH-13TH
Kushi textures is hosting a Summer Creators Market in June! We have the most wonderful cocktail themes for our event! Zingy, Decadent, Luxurious, Refreshing - cocktails can be all that and more! Whether it be a classy dress for a summer's evening or something for the beach, or a wonderful tropical night our market designers and texture makers
have been working hard to bring them to you!
Set on a small tropical area with pool and cocktail bar the stalls surrounding it. It's a great place to take a break and feast your eyes on some new products and delights.
Come and take a break! Wander round the stalls and see what they have brought to help you unwind. Feel that sun on your back, breeze in your hair and that ice cold drink in your hand!
Open from 6th -13th June to the public
Creators you still have time to apply while we have stalls available! Contact Amythe Moonlight for more details or pick up an application at the slurl below.
Let's make this summer hot and relaxing! Holiday in SL with us and pick up a bargain today!
SLURL:
http://maps.secondlife.com/sec
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