Ministry of Trance

By Netera Landar

You never know where I may pop up because of curiosity. I heard about Ministry of Trance and thought I might check out what it had to offer. I mean, who can say no to Trance?

DJ Ravie was playing the “Other Side of the World Extended Mix” by Craig Connely & Haliene when I walked onto the dance floor. The forest-and-water setting was lovely, with a boardwalk surrounded by pink-leaved trees, each nestled in a planter. There was a big welcome sign and a promotional poster listing the DJs for the day. 

 

Sitting on her unicorn was DJ Puddles, who is a fairy. She’s into tech, and you can tell from how the venues are run.

Before DJ Puddles took over the venue’s ownership, the DJs hosted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They presented high-quality, live-mixed Trance music in a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. When the previous owner decided to close the club, DJ Puddles, who was a DJ there, took over to keep it running. The other DJs and dedicated staff stand beside her in their commitment.

I asked her what changes she made nearly 4 years ago.

“We kept the focus on the music, only Trance (and PsyTrance), that’s the club’s most important identity. But we also put a huge emphasis on community, fun, and friendship,” said DJ Puddles. “We don’t try to fill the club to capacity every night, but we do have a very loyal family of friends, and everyone is welcome.”

She also incorporated AI into the outdoor venue and the Fairytale Palace. DJ Puddles stated that Ministry of Trance was the first club to use AI NCP characters. There’s a grumpy host named “Minime,” Puddles’ vane sister who thinks she’s the boss, “Fairy Puddles,” a polite gentleman bartender “Phoenix,” and a lazy security guard named “Fred.”  DJ Puddles said that some people think the NCP characters are robots. It’s actually brain surgery and fairy dust that makes them work. She’s currently working on a project to have a fully animated club manager. 

“MotBot is the latest project from my Lab,” she stated. “She is a very advanced robot. She will support the managers by assisting staff and guests 24/7 so we can drink Pina, party, and sleep more,” she joked. “MotBot will be able to greet guests and assist them with any questions, but her main duty will be running the staff schedule. DJs and hosts can ask her in our Groups, Discord, or via private messages, using normal speech in any language, to deal with things like holiday cover, and she will take care of it.”

Another interesting fact is that the club runs spaceunicorn.radio. This allows for both an internet audience and an in-world audience. Guests can listen to the club stream and chat live with those in the club on their smartphone, tablet, or computer. This year, 128 countries have listened to the stream.

Those in-world can also visit the main stage, which is the Fairytale Palace. Not only is it the residence for the Fairy Royal family and Unicorn cavalry, but they also host special events there. One of which is Nuvolino’s laser and light shows with his musical sets. There are Cinema nights and live video parties. They watched the Artemis Space launch, moon orbit, and splashdown together. They have a 12-timezone New Year’s Eve party and celebrate regular guests’ birthdays.

Ministry of Trance also has seasonal theme stages, such as Halloween, Spring, Summer, and Winter. There’s also a pirate ship, a hollow asteroid, a space station, and “Bladerunner.”

 

“We are blessed to have a team of skilled volunteers who help build our theme stages. I love seeing their imaginative ideas come to life so we can party in some beautiful and extraordinary places,” said DJ Puddles.

And then there’s staff. Ministry of Trance has 25 resident DJs with sets every week. There are also occasional cover and guest DJs. 

“Our automated system means even when the club is closed, any DJ can start a show whenever they like, and my sister will automatically send out set notices. Our wonderful team of hosts supports our DJ shows, and normally our club’s core hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. All our DJs mix live and have passed a rigorous audition to prove their amazing skills and keep standards high,” said DJ Puddles.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/TRance%20Island/176/82/23 

 

Netera Landar

 

The Willows

 

By Netera Landar

 

I found out about The Willows through the events directory. Faleen Renard, the club’s owner, mentioned they were hosting a pre-Valentine’s Day event and invited me to check it out, which I did, and I wrote a short article about it. I came back to attend their pirate event. Who can say no to stepping back in time when men and women didn’t follow the rules of social conformity?

Within the large venue, men were dressed in buccaneer costumes, with frock coats, shirts, and breeches, and women in corsets, low-cut bodices, and skirts. The DJ was surrounded by an outdoor market run by pirate vendors, whom you wouldn’t want to bargain with for the best deal. You might lose more than just your coins.

What I like about this club is that almost everyone welcomes you to dance with them. They seem comfortable in the setting and with each other.

Before I learned about the club, I wanted to find out what motivated her to come in-world and what her learning process was like. She said she discovered Second Life through her real-life job. 

“I was involved in a project for Teen Second Life, when it existed,” she stated. “I had quite a learning curve back in 2007, because I worked in online community management, but none of it mirrored my experience joining Second Life. It took me some time to convert my mindset from text-based to the visual experience, to experiment with avatars, and also to participate socially. I thought I would be done at the end of that work project, but 19 years later, I’m still here.”

Her exploration in Second Life led her to music venues and social spots. She discovered that she enjoyed meeting new people with shared interests. 

“Within a couple of years, I became a hostess at one of the popular ballrooms. I progressed to training and managing the hosting staff and then became a general manager,” she said.

Afterward, she managed several other venues before deciding to open The Willows. Her launch date was Jan. 16, 2012. Faleen said she learned a lot over the years and felt ready to provide the kind of experience she had grown to love. She continues to pursue her goal of “making the club feel like home,” where people feel welcomed, comfortable, entertained, and included as part of the family.

Faleen said that people come in-world for many reasons and like to be entertained in different ways. One of the first people that she met in Second Life was a woman with physical limitations. 

“She told me that, in Second Life, she could do all the things she couldn’t do anywhere else. I learned that fun and changing experiences made people happy and kept them engaged. I decided that a themed venue was what I wanted. Music, décor, and style of dress would change nightly,” she said.

Faleen designs and builds her settings and has learned, improved, and expanded what is offered. She’s acted on guests’ requests for specific themes. She credits her dedicated team of talented DJs for knowing what everyone will love hearing, and Steverino and Kylie for backing her up and supporting her, especially when real life keeps her off-line.

So, what themes can you expect there? First, there are “fixed nights.” All-Country Monday, Formal Saturday, and Sock-Hop Sunday. Faleen has numerous settings for these events. The themes are categorized by music, decade, and holidays. 

“Specific examples would be 60’s (Feelin’ Groovy,” Woodstock, British Invasion), Disco, several 80’s styles, Biker Bar, Blues Night, beach parties, Tiki and Toga parties…and I try to catch all holidays (even the silliest ones!) from Valentine’s Day through until New Year’s Eve. It’s an extensive list!

You will find The Willows open from 7 to 11 p.m. SLT every night. Also, three mornings a week at The Willows Open Air: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. SLT on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The Willows Winter Serenity, a cozy winter area, is open year-round to visitors. The teleport system is available at the fixed landing to have a look around the area. 

I asked Faleen what her plans are for the club’s future. “Going forward, it is my hope to continue to build, to continue to offer new and expanded themes, to highlight great DJs and to meet and welcome more of the Second Life community, including beyond the North American time zones,” she said.

 

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Donatelli/104/187/3753

Netera Landar 

 

Design 

Cafe Lilardo

 

Friday February 6 was the grand opening of a small new club, Cade Lilardo. Located high above the Crest sim, the music started at 2PM with DJ Rex, and would go on throughout the afternoon and evening, with DJ Juana at 4PM, DJ Whiskey at 5PM, DJ Squeaks at 7PM, and finally DJ Gwen playing from 9 to 11 PM SL time. Several times there were contest with several thousand in prizes given out. 

 

The venue is owned by Ardo Topaz, with LilyBethPatterson helping to run it. "Our grand opening was this evening and our goal is to be a venue for theme events, coffee talk and great vibes," she told me, "I have been a manager at Scorn and co-owner at SIN so with that experience we wanted to own a club or venue that had a feel good vibe. So with Ardo's experience and mine...we were dancing one evening and chatting and decided to give it a try."

Of the club's structure, a green-framed building of glass , Ardo would say, "I was perusing LEONs when I came upon the greenhouse pavilion. I had seen the huge one at Merrymount and I thought it would make a nice cafe and hangout. Extend the idea yet shrink it in scale."  Ardo would also say he's going to install a Bellisserian passport stamp terminal. 

A counter would show 71 people in total dropping in that day and evening.

 

As of now,  a weekly schedule is still being drawn up. Lilybeth says they should have something available soon.  

 

The club is located in http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Crest/98/224/3502

 

Addition: On Sunday, Lilibeth would post this message:

 

The Grand  Opening at Café Lilardo’s was a great success!!  We had around 71 guests (friends and family) who stopped by to support our venture.  The evening was filled with fun, laughter, jokes and dancing.  However, the most impressive moments of the party were the friends and family who took the time and effort with their love, guidance and advice.  I would like to take this moment to give a special shout out to the following people because without them ,we would have not been able to succeed the way we did.

•    Brandi:  You are a beacon of positivity, a burst of energy and an all-around superstar.  We are humbled and thankful for your friendship, support and guidance.  You ROCK on all levels!!
•    Maliit:  Thank you for the time, grace and coaching you have always shown.  We are forever grateful for your love and unwavering support.
•    Juana:  We beam with pride that you carved time to support our goals and vision. We are forever grateful for your love.
•    Whiskey:  Thank you for coming through and always being the supportive back-up that we need.
•    Gwen:  Thank you for your counsel and presence in our lives.
•    Zee:  What a rock she is!! You always bring THAT VIBE wherever you go! 
•    Rex:  We are happy you have been a part of our journey with your love and support.
•    Jade and Noc:  We are blessed for your cheerleading spirit and support.

There are so many more people to put on this list and you know who you are as we extend hugs and love to you all.  Café Lilardo has been placed on the map as we plan and prepare for our next BIG event.  We are READY!!  So, be on the lookout for our next event. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Burnal Equinox

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

 

 

Burn2’s Burnal Equinox opens this Friday at 5:00 pm slt. This annual spring event is so interesting this year since it mixes two seemingly opposing themes into one as you can see in the Poster above. Creators have done a wonderful job of mixing. The whole weekend gives you a chance to experience these builds as well as the parties taking place daily leading up to the 12:00 burning of the effigy on Sunday. Don’t miss it! Fortunately this weekend is also the European change of time and we will all be back together.

In the town of Gerlach, at the edge of the Playa, all is in place. Information about the Principles of Burning Man of which Burn2 is a regional. They are in many languages. There is clothing and help for new residents of SL available there too. Many donated gifts of all sorts are ready for all the visitors so be sure to stop and pick them up. Lots of fire attachments are in some of the boxes. I love the Walk with me Hud so friends can walk together through the streets and roads of the event.

As you walk through the Horseshoe gate a small into a small western town you have the opportunity to rezz a horse to ride through the entire playa or you will also find a variety of art cars designed for the event. They are lots of fun and are created by members of the Burn2 group. Clockwork is evident in the buildings and in the sky. I even found Mesas never seem before on the Playa.

I climbed up onto the Mesa and found SHINY (Shiny Starchild) putting finishing touches on his installation of a steampunk western distillery waiting for customers. Get up there to see it and the others nearby. As I was leaving I found Little Suzi (LittleSuzi98 in her Saloon. She was also getting the drinks and games and stage ready for Friday. Stop by when you come in through the gate.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/147/29/24

Gemma Cleanslate

 

A Song For The Relay, "We Are Here"

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Mattie Carlton/Mattie Foxpaws, is a lady of many talents. A DJ in Second Life, as well as a Relayer, she has raised more money at a few events than some teams. But she has done more than play music lately. Recently she finished a song, and contacted me about it. 

"I wanna donate it," Mattie told me over Discord, "I dunno if its Newser worthy or not, but I knew you would like to have it." Mattie would explain how it was made, "I started the lyrics back in 2020 and set it aside for a bit due to life ... I finished the songs lyrics today, while thinking about my late friend Kei (Kei Haru Paws / dante184). Then for the heck of it i started playing with the song using a vocaloid (basically a sort of synthesized voice) and with the small bits of music theory I know, and a little help from AI (to fill in some instruments I never got to learn to play) I was able to complete a final and usable cut.

"While its not what I would can a studio quality final mix or anything, its in a state it can be used as is and shared for Relay. I want no royalties or anything. This is just a gift.  A small way I can help out. I want to make up for not being there for as many events lately as well. If anyone wishes, they can also use this as framework to make their own covers or derivatives."

 

 [Verse 1]
It takes so many we love.
Others survive, but the pain's always the same.
It never shows mercy, and shows no bias.
A disease so well known, yet a mystery it remains.
No real cure, and many treatments,
It's oh so frightening.

[Chorus]
We are here, for one another.
We are here, to bring and end.
Relay has saved so many,
and with our help,
It can save so many more.

[Verse 2]
Persons so tired and weathered.
With Chemo in the veins, effects that may remain.
Sometimes only adding to the pain. Please God!
So much nausea, hair falling away. Just take it all away!
The prayers of those that are fighting,
May they be answered!

[Chorus]
We are here, for one another.
We are here, to bring and end.
Relay has saved so many,
and with our help,
It can save so many more.

[Bridge]
Alas! When treatments are no longer needed,
Cause a cure one day found,
Harmoniously Rejoicing,
As all can walk free!
For all can be healed!

[Chorus]
We are here, for one another.
We are here, to bring and end.
Relay has saved so many,
and with our help,
It will save so many more.

 

"It may not be the best written song as I'm still learning a lot about music," Mattie added, "especially music theory, and I'm not good at playing instruments so I had to use the help of computer software such but I just wanted to do something to help. I also wanted to try and express how I was feeling at the time. I'm just sick of losing people to cancer."

 

Mattie uploaded the song onto the Internet for people to download. To download the tune, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Renegade Burn

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

Every October, fans of Burning Man, a huge real-life art and music event that takes place every late summer in Black Rock Nevada, gather at a number of sims in Second Life to hold the virtual equivalent. For the virtual world's first few years, it was sponsored by Linden Lab and known as Burning Life. After the Lab discontinued it's sponsorship, the fans reorganized themselves and the event became known as Burn2. In recent years, there have been two noteable Burning Man inspired events. In 2020 and 2021, due to the Pandemic the real-life event was canceled and moved online. So people in Second Life could attend both what was the official event and a few weeks later it's traditional virtual equivalent, or "Octoburn." 

 

In 2022, once again there were two Burning Man inspired events close together. But the cause was not a pandemic, but a human one. As usual, the Burn2 event took place in early to mid October. But there was a second Burner event, the "Renegade Burn." It was organized by the Burn ONe group, who got attention in summer for their beach sim in July which turned into a Waterworld tribute in August. 

 

The event got it's name from the real-life events that took place in Black Rock Nevada during the Pandemic. While Burning Man was officially moved online, some people went to the area anyway, in both 2020 and 2021. 

This year, there was some trouble among the Burners, which got worse when the Deep Hole sim was temporarily closed this summer. There's been an effort to change and add to Burn2's policies. Over the months, a number of people either were dismissed or resigned, many of whom joined Burn ONe. When one of Burn2 spoke in a Q & A article for the Newser, she explained they've been trying to cool things down and be reasonable and trying to improve things for everyone. The comments were full of people stating what they experienced was very much to the contrary of the official word. 

The event took place in the Capri sim.

It ran from Saturday October 15 to Saturday October 29.

 

There were both a number of exhibits around. 

 

 While there were a few displays of anger at the Burn2 leadership, notably the words "F**k Your Burn" near the entrance, for the most part people simply wanted to have fun and show off their art and music. A number of the BurnONe group have been reserved and diplomatic, preferring to be voices of reason.

 

There were also some music events.

Some people took part in both Burn2 and the Renegade Burn. 

 

Grease Coakes had few performances there. 

 

One of the displays was interactive: a boat ride to the Underworld.

There was also a game in which you got points for smashing pumpkins.

On Sunday October 23 was one special event.

This was when the Renegade Man Burn took place.

The figure was a simpler version of "The Man," with the word "RENEGADE" over it.

Which soon burned and crumbled to the ground.

In the end, the Burners in the Renegade event congratulated themselves for a job well done. 

So what does the future hold? At the moment one can only guess. But unless there's some kind of reconciliation, as long as Burn ONe can find places to hold an event, it's safe to assume the Renegade Burn events will continue. And for some of us, that means twice the fun.

 

Addition: In the few days since this went up, I was approached with a couple details. Someone from Burn2 had asked that in future articles that it be more clear that Burn ONe has no connection to either Burn2 or the Burning Man organization. 

The second was that I was approached by one of Burn ONe who stated that the expression "F**k Your Burn" wasn't meant to be an expression of anger, but "another way that burners say welcome home - Welcome Home! or F**k your Burn!"

Bixyl Shuftan