By Netera Landar
It’s half an hour before the open mic comes to life at Tiki Grove Resort. Dancing cheek-to-cheek are singer Gabriel225 Greymoon and his lovely lady, Chrys. Gabriel is singing before the audience arrives. He’s been performing in Second Life since 2012. You’ll find him at venues, open mics, and at concerts. He takes a few steps towards the stage. Minutes later, he’s singing “Your Everything” by Barry White. He’s wearing a stylish black jacket, white shirt, and black pants. Greymoon owns La Tangueria, an Argentine tango venue.
It’s half an hour before the open mic comes to life at Tiki Grove Resort. Dancing cheek-to-cheek are singer Gabriel225 Greymoon and his lovely lady, Chrys. Gabriel is singing before the audience arrives. He’s been performing in Second Life since 2012. You’ll find him at venues, open mics, and at concerts. He takes a few steps towards the stage. Minutes later, he’s singing “Your Everything” by Barry White. He’s wearing a stylish black jacket, white shirt, and black pants. Greymoon owns La Tangueria, an Argentine tango venue.
Next in the queue is CeliMarie Orman in a shimmering gold mini dress. She’s singing Sting’s “Every Breath You Take,”
while the Tiki’s owner, Sarge Darkwyr (SgtPinback Darkwyr), plays the guitar and greets his guests.
Ananspaz wears a sweet, strapless pink dress. She’s singing in Portuguese. The audience cheers her on.
After Betty, from the Philippines, sings, Leo Emmanuel, from Argentina, performs. He has a sexy voice and style, garbed in a long coat, matching pants, and a comfortable tan sweater.
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| The entrance to the venue before the show began. |
I return a day later to interview Darkwyr when he isn’t juggling his responsibilities as a venue owner. The tropical setting is calming, and no one is dancing on the large aquarium dance floor. As we sit at a bistro table, his poodle jumps up, excited to be with her dad.
Years ago, Darkwyr managed the ~O~ Lounge on the open sim grid Encore Escape. Clearly, there’s a connection. He goes by the name Cowboy Bob on other grids.
“Canipanic, who owned the ~O~ Lounge in Second Life, recently retired and closed it,” he explains. “He had a venue set up that no one used. I found it and wanted to put it to good use. I started doing an open mic in Encore Escape about six or seven years ago. Canni approved. We had a lot of people who came there.”
Then Encore Escape’s grid closed. Darkwyr said the lounge was moved to a Canadian grid, but it wasn’t the same. When that grid closed, Darkwyr decided to ease back into Second Life. Diesel Muircastle, a friend of his, showed him his sim.
“I asked if I could do an open mic there, at the Hog’s Breath. We were there for a year and a half, and everything was going great. When the land changed ownership, we were nudged off. He moved and went with the name Tuscan’s Island, and I had Tiki Resort there. Then we moved to Zenith Island, and I’d say we’ve been here for five years,” said Darkwyr.
Tiki Grove Resort is located on an eighth of a sim. There’s a smaller stage on the other side for more intimate performances. Urban Harvey and CTM Underwood modified the venue. CTM built the aquarium, and Urban helped with everything.
“It took three weeks to build, reconfigure, to change colors, make the railing, and purchase the furniture,” recalled Darkwyr. “The open mic items on the stage came from Urban, as well as the logo and big banner. He was instrumental in decorating and redesigning. The basic club was bought on Marketplace.”
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| The open mic queue helps organize the event |
The open mic events are on Wednesdays, from 6 to 9 p.m. There have been times when the event has gone longer. Participants can sing one or two songs when it’s their turn. Many attempt to sing in English, or they can sing in the language they are most comfortable with.
Asked what’s involved in running this type of event, Darkwyr said, “Lots of patience. We are an open mic location. You do not have to be a professional performer. It’s for anyone to come here and express themselves. I supply the club stream, which can only be used at the club. They can also use their own stream.”
Darkwyr said that the open mic participants tend to be from overseas.
“We’ve been dealing with them for quite some time. We treat them with respect, help them with their streams, and help them solve problems when they sing. Catdanc can help them more because she’s a singer. We’re both encouragers.”
There are also individual singers on stage on Tuesdays, on alternating weeks: Southcity Genesis and Star-Menna, and Wayne Rhodell sings every week.
As with any venue, click the tip jar to support the open mic. If you need a DJ for your special event, call on Sarge. Not only does he know the popular songs of several eras, he’s also a great entertainer.
Netera Landar
