Cultured The Magazine January/February 2015 by Cultured The Magazine

Vol. 1

No.6

January/February 2015

GOHA Sports Complex Menswear Fashion Week Hesperia of Templemore Avatar Repertory Theater

MANIERA DISTRICT:

Bianca Xavorin

From SL to RL

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

CTM Publisher’s Note: Hey guys! Thanks for picking up another issue of Cultured The Magazine! We wanted to start the new year right with a winter publication spanning January and February that will help inform you on some of the hot topics of the season. Some good news is, we now have a second location for our magazine! We are still laying it out, but we can’t wait to see it come together. Some fun things are heading our way as well as my way in terms of big events coming up. On behalf of Cultured The Magazine, iNOVARE Magazine, Siren productions, and I, we will be opening up Menswear Fashion Week 2015! We also have our heads in Miss Royalty! Cali will be a judge at the event and I will be voice hosting with a little DJ’ing for the events coming up. Stay tuned for more info on that. Something I think everyone should do is to write down their goals or resolutions for the year and then to display them where they see them everyday. I’m going to be doing this myself in the coming days, and I have a few ideas to help us all stay accountable. I want this to be a journey we all can take together because no one ever has to be alone and with the advent of technology it truly allows us to do amazing things and connect with people from all over the world. On behalf of the team, readers, advertisers, and Cali and I, thank you for another great issue.

Zephyr Windgate

(Zephyr0090 Resident) C.E.O & Publisher

Photo by Pam Astonia

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

CTM Editor’s Note: With our January issue, we bring in full swing a teaser for Menswear Fashion Week coming in March, by Siren Productions, we feature Global Online Hockey Association and let’s not forget our winter decor with Brie Maisel! We had a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with Topaz Joubert or Thelma Lay in real life of Maniera, an originally SL based magazine that has moved to real life online and now real life print! She reigns on our cover story this issue, and we really try to bring out her spectacular success story in our pages. Thank you Topaz for giving us the time to feature you and your brand. Cultured and iNOVARE will be opening Menswear Fashion Week in collaboration together! We also reformatted our website and are directing all news of our advertisers and sponsors from Facebook and Twitter to there. In music, we feature Marky Helstein, a very old and known musician in the community, and Luis Lockjaw of Hesperia of Templemore. We also had the true pleasure of interviewing Bianca Xavorin, a very kind and helpful artist on the grid, and showcasing the Avatar Repertory Theater. On a more serious note, last year when we founded CTM, there was going to be no more sitting around, wishing and dreaming. I was going to set my mind on something and just do it. This has been the best year of my life, I would be nowhere without my rock, my partner-in-crime, and my best friend, Zephyr Windgate, and my astounding layout lady, Miwa, her tough love, and smacks when I screw up has always been appreciated. I always valued her insight she brought from her experiences in real life print. She is a one of a kind lady. 2014 was my year of change, so 2015 is my year of improvement. My New Year’s resolution is to improve on all things Cultured The Magazine. Watch and see.

Cali

in s r Ka Photo by Pam Astonia

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

Staff & Contributors Publishers Zephyr Windgate Cali Karsin Editor-in-Chief Cali Karsin Layout Director LovelyMiwako7399 Menna Cover Photo LovelyMiwako7399 Menna Photographers Jackson Redstar Brie Maisel Cali Karsin Miwa Prisilla S. Avro Roman Godde Sanjaria Desantos Writers Cali karsin Lorcan Boru Miwa Pete Profaci (Peteinca Resident) Prisilla S. Avro Sarahelisebeth Brenham Models Kramer Snookums Trouble Dethly

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

CONTENTS

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT A Sporting SL, Jericho Hill Sports Complex Menswear Fashion Week is Here! Cover Story: From SL to RL, Real Life Stories Uncovered! Topaz Joubert of Maniera! Hanging With Brie

26 38 54 64

MUSIC Into the Mind of the Entertainer, Marky Helstein 78 Venue Spotlight, Hesperia of Templemore 86

ARTS Avatar Repertory Theater : Live Theater on the Virtual Stage 94 Art Comes to Life with Bianca Xavorin 102

COVER STORY 22

66 88

102

CONTENTS Cultured The Magazine is owned and operated by Zephyr Media Productions. Online issues: http://issuu.com/ culturedmagazine Website: http://culturedthemagazine.com/ Visit us inworld at http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/The%20Centurion/113/202/22 For all the latest updates, events, and promotions, join our inworld group at secondlife:///app/group/5f7661c4-42d2fd53-1591-6efecd67752f/about Ad Queries: culturedmagazine@ zephyrmedia.org Advertising Requests: Cali Karsin or Zephyr Windgate (Zephyr0090 Resident) ISSN 2375-0871 Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

CTM: CULTURE A Sporting SL,

Jericho Hill Sports Complex Writer Pete Profaci Photographer Jackson Redstar

When asked to write about ice hockey in Second Life®, I was both hesitant and excited. If you’ve ever witnessed NHL Hockey, particularly in the post-season, you’d know that there is nothing more exciting in professional sports. Even though I’m a Californian, we do have some pretty spectacular National Hockey League teams here, including the most recent winner of the Lord Stanley Cup, the world champions. Upon landing at the sim at Jericho Hill, I was hit with a surprise. Not only is there ice hockey, but Jericho Hill has facilities for basketball, tennis, soccer (futbol) and the creme de le creme of all sports, female wrestling. This merits a more comprehensive look. The soccer stadium is spectacular and jumps out at you upon landing. It could be a state of the art stadium in Buenos Aires or Berlin or London. It’s that good. It does say futbol on it, so I’ll go out on a limb and even though the Spanish teams are among the best in the world, I’ll say

this is one of the fine facilities in one of my southern neighboring countries. There is GREAT detail here. From the spot where one would take a penalty kick or a shootout, to the see-through aspect of the stadium mezzanine, and overhang at the top of the upper bowl, or even the long tunnel to get inside to the seating area, the builder of this facility deserves some kudos. The basketball court is a little quirky for a few reasons. There is a small seating area like one would see at an AAU or middle school basketball game. It has good detail on the backboard and net, as well as the scoreboard. Authentic. That’s ok, not everyone needs an NBA sized arena on their sim. However the actual court has a proportional and accurate representation of an international court. It has the international three point line, which is shorter than the NBA, but further from the basket than College, High School, or Middle School. The court is probably assumed to be made of hardwood because it is bordered by a hardwood texture. It would be unusual to Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

lay down hardwood borders around a cement court. So, logically assuming it’s a hardwood court, I have to wonder why in the hell it’s an outdoor court with no roof. What if it rained? What would that do to the wood? Faux Pas. Finger of Shame to you for violating what I consider to be the greatest game in the history of mankind. Tsk Tsk. Ok, I’m an extremist when it comes to hoops.

note, I asked him how long he played for, and would he both recommend it as well as do it again, and this is what he said. “I played, I can’t exactly remember but from late Season eight to Season 18. Only one season completely missed, I think it was Season ten, if I had time to do it again, I would return once more and if you’re in SL and you like hockey, I recommend GOHA.”

The Tennis court is a pedestrian clay court, though it is a little brownish compared to what you would see and Roland Garros or something of that ilk. I won’t be too picky here, as you can only spend so much time and space on every sport, and the tennis court has no spectator seating so it’s obviously not the focal point. However, I’m betting you can have a nice game here. Don’t wear your tennis whites when playing on the clay courts.

The arena looks very much like the newer hockey arenas in the National Hockey League. Well lit, big scoreboards, easy access. Great attention to details on the ice, and seating. Very well played, just like the soccer stadium. You can also see Women’s Wrestling here at the arena, but that is such a complex discussion I feel that it is its own story, worthy of interviewing each and every female wrestler one on one to do it justice. You know where to find me ladies.

The Global Online Hockey Association arena, or GOHA for short, is the focal point of the sim. I interviewed Blackjack Kowalski, who is a veteran of the sport to get some insight into the league by asking him what was his experience like playing in GOHA. He told me, “It was great time, though sometimes lack of ice time was frustrating but overall, I enjoyed it.” I then went on to ask him how would he say the actual playing experience on the ice compared to real ice hockey, realistic or not? He told me, “Not so realistic, but it’s fun. But I believe fun should come before realism.” On a last 28

This is a fantastic sports complex overall, and I highly recommend that you drop in if you like any of the aforementioned sports. A word about access. There is no place for parking your car, so you can either TP here, or you can take the subway, which drops you off in the courtyard between the arenas. Again, nice detail. Jericho Hill is a winner. http://www.globalonlinehockeyassociation.com/ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Jericho%20Hill/80/91/1512

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

CTM: SIREN Productions

Menswear Fashion Week is Here! Writer Cali Karsin Photographers: Headshots by Sanjaria Desantos. Model Spreads: Sanjaria Desantos & Cali Karsin

Menswear Fashion Week is coming! March 27th through April 4th 2015, Siren Productions will be sweeping you off your feet in Bali and dropping you head on in a tropical setting. Mixing casual beachwear like board shorts, trunks, puka beads, and t-shirts, to more dressy elements like jackets, blazers, and leather, Siren Productions is raising the bar on all things! This year is going to top all previous years because of their pairing with RFL for fundraising efforts. BIG things are coming! Siren's new goal is to raise 200,000L, and trust us, they will be doing tons of spectacular events to get there, including a dance marathon, game night, and Jazz by the Sea with multiple artists and live performers. Spreading across two sims, with a speculation of over 85 designers taking part, fashion shows from Gabriel, Zanze Men, & Bravura Homme, this is one event you do not want to miss. We were able to snag a few designers taking part in the event this year, Takuya Jinn of Gabriel, Gianni Broda of David Heather, and Zzoie Zee of Zanze, who all will be doing fashion shows in this year's MWFW 2015, as well as show off some of their newest creations. Here's what they had to say.

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MWFW: David Heather

CK: What plans do you have in mind at this year's MWFW? GB: My collection will be extremely stylish this year at MWFW. I'm going with more of a layered look this time around. Last year was my debut but this year I plan to cement my status in men's fashion. CK: How do you plan on making it both unique and different from not only the other designers at this year's MWFW, but from products at previous years of MWFW?Â GB: My collection will be high fashion with simplistic elegance. I can't really be boastful enough to say it will slay the other designers but I just want to inspire men who love fashion. I want to exhibit creativity in its purest form. CK: When did you discover you "made it" in the fashion industry? How did this revelation go for you? Thoughts? GB: I couldn't put a date or a time on it because I'm not sure if I've made it. I feel like there is so much more for me to do. I know David Heather is a big success and that's all I wanted. Only time can tell if I've truly made it.

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Photographer: Sanjaria Desantos Kramer Snookums: -David Heather- Seventeen Black Suit Includes Shirt Jacket and Pants -David Heather- Gongini Oxfords Trouble Dethly: -David Heather- Eaton Fur Coat (Black) -David Heather- Gongini Oxfords (Black) -David Heather- Yves Pants (Black) -David Heather- Yves Shirt (Black) -David Heather- Yves Bag (Black)

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MWFW: Takuya jinn

(gabriel)

CK: What plans do you have in mind at this year’s MWFW? TJ: I’m so excited to join the annual event and I have in mind to mainly release casual items so that people can enjoy them freely. CK: How do you plan on making it both unique and different from not only the other designers at this year’s MWFW, but from products at previous years of MWFW? TJ: In this upcoming spring collection, I plan to bring out a new line of items which are a bit different from past ones. Don’t miss it! CK: When did you discover you “made it” in the fashion industry? How did this revelation go for you? Thoughts? TJ: It hasn’t hit me yet that I am doing so well in a fashion industry, but I am extremely grateful for the admiring responses from a lot of people, especially those requesting for Gabriel to be in events and to be a blogger. I am going to make stunning products cultivating my skill and good taste. I would like to be in a constant state of evolution.

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Photographer: Sanjaria Desantos Kramer Snookums: ::Gabriel::Stripe 3 piece Suit Black/Purple ::Gabriel:: Double Long Black Coat with White Stole ::Gabriel:: Basic Dress Shoes Trouble Dethly: ::Gabriel:: Stripe Three-Piece (Black/Purple) ::Gabriel:: Double Long Coat (Pearl Gray) ::Gabriel:: Coat Stole (Black) ::Gabriel:: Dress Shoes (Black)

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MWFW: Zzoie

(Zanze)

CK: What plans do you have in mind at this year’s MWFW? ZZ: While MWFW is still a few months away, I have already envisioned a line of men’s clothing that is heavily influenced by the K-Pop phenomenon. Taking inspiration with their use of colors and very unique style, I also strive to put a Zanze twist on it that I feel will appeal to the majority of male shoppers. CK: How do you plan on making it both unique and different from not only the other designers at this year’s MWFW, but from products at previous years of MWFW? ZZ: When I set out to begin designing a new collection, I look to real life fashion trends for my starting inspiration. As the fashion industry is ever-changing, my designs evolve comparatively. CK: When did you discover you “made it” in the fashion industry? How did this revelation go for you? Thoughts? ZZ: I can’t say that there was an instantaneous moment, where I felt like I “made it” in the fashion industry. I feel that I have so much more room to grow, especially at looking at all the amazing designers here on SL; however, I do recall feeling great the first time I TP’d to an event that I was not participating in and saw another shopper wearing one of my designs.

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Photographer: Cali Karsin Kramer Snookums: [zanze-Men] Troubled Suit with Suit,Shirt and Tie Hud Trouble Dethly: [zanze-Men] Ji Yeong Chained Pants [zanze-Men] Ji Yeong Sweater [zanze-Men] Ji Yeong Strapped Boots 50

Surplus Motors Caymen Black Widow

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

Original Photo by Monica True http://www.monicatrue.com/

CTM: COVER STORY

From SL to RL

MANIERA DISTRICT’s JOURNEY INTO THE REAL WORLD Writer Miwa Photographer Tasha Page

In a world where the printing press and fashion designers are moving with the flow to be in the know by digitalizing content, sharing thoughts and releases through social medias, being in more contact with the fans by setting up websites that allows them to feel like they are more approachable there is one magazine that decided to go against the flow, become the salmon of the digital press and move from a virtual game platform, to a reallife based content digital magazine and finally a printed magazine. This is the case of MANIERA DISTRICT.

as of November 2014 was ignored by the same world that it talked to when it first started. “There are four types of business in Second Life” Miss Lay tells us “those that are just a hobby, those that make enough money to keep afloat, those that make an impact on the RL income and those that come out of Second Life and make it into Real Life, like MANIERA DISTRICT” In July 2012, MANIERA set apart from Second Life publications when it released the first digital magazine that started inworld and now moved to RL where it aimed to a real life audience, with a very small part of the SL staff helping and creating articles for this new format the preview issue of MANIERA Magazine had collaborations from Vivienne Westwood and other artists that were both in SL and RL.

In 2009, Thelma Lay, better know in Second Life® because of her avatar name Topaz Joubert joined a small magazine in-world that was just starting, the name, MANIERA which in italian means my way. This simple, yet strong word set the path for what would later become the biggest, most incredible story of perseverance and endurance that anyone in Second Life never heard of, that‘s right, By September 2012, the first full feature the SL-based magazine that swam against issue was ready and was to be recognized the tide and became a printed magazine by the Digital Magazine Awards in the Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

Digital Magazine Launch of the Year (new format), losing to Men’s Health but non-theless important. As time went by more and more people who didn’t know what Second Life was or even knew that the magazine was created in a virtual world decided to take an interest in it and became part of the staff helping the company reaching new levels until eventually someone who believed in it so much decided to help it become a printed magazine for the audience in a real life world, and so on November 7th , 2014 the preview issue came out under the new name MANIERA DISTRICT a magazine more focused on the District of Columbia’s fruitful and exciting life that it has to offer. “What was really amazing was how people that have never heard of SL, virtual business or virtual currency were so interested in becoming a part of this project that was coming up, this interesting opportunity that was up for grabs” Miss Lay comments. According to Miss Lay these people that have never heard of SL were the most interested in helping out the start of the magazine like the person who approached it to take it into publishing and The Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row in DC that decided to back up the event and held it in their hall.

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Now this doesn’t mean people in SL weren’t happy for the success of the magazine but it also didn’t mean they were thrilled, comments could be heard all around that MANIERA going into real-life was a hoax or that it would never happen while others honestly congratulated the staff and Miss Lay herself, but while they were happy for the success some people in staff were on the fence about letting people know their RL names, some others jumped on board as soon as it was announced. And just like a lot of the staff wasn’t sure of wanting to take part of this new venture what amazed Miss Lay the most wasn’t the lack of interest from the SL Fashion World, but the lack of interest from Linden Labs® and others who claimed to be all about original ideas and content, that what was really disappointing. “Not to sound harsh, but some people in the fashion world, blogs, agencies, designers are a part of the egocentric system that is all around SL fashion, they look out for theMisselves, so why would they care what one magazine is doing if they are leaving the SL fashion world, they are no longer of their concern” a member of the MANIERA DISTRICT staff commented to Cultured. “Yet, it felt like they decided not to support because it wasn’t affecting, nor helping them out.” This could be because MANIERA was never like a regular SL magazine, when one person thought of MANIERA you didn’t immediately went to think of the editor or the owner or the CEO, instead people either thought the magazine or someone they know related to the magazine, Miss Lay made it her mission to make MANIERA known for the quality, the writing, not the drama or the people behind it, but the stories. “Maybe that’s the reason why we ended up calling ourselves the Manimafia, a group so tight and hardworking looking out to make MANIERA the best magazine in SL known for the quality” Miss Lay comments. 58

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Regardless of all the ups and downs through the whole process, MANIERA DISTRICT is now available in print and digital version for all the world to share and love. “It was hard work, along the way we met people who wanted to help out because they believed in the magazine and wanted to become a part of this new project, others were left behind, others simply didn’t care, but in the end, everyone helped out, they helped us get where we are, the Mani mafia.” Miss Lay comments. mymaniera.com

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Hanging with Brie Spaces designed by Brie Maisel Photos by Brie Maisel

Sari-Sari - Â Snow Friends +Half-Deer+ Northern Cardinal [FATPACK] PILOT - Victorian Snow Plow [Black] Hayabusa Design - Winter Trees {verspertine-} - skippin stone dock/ driftwood Studio Skye - Rock Real Waves - The Real Aurora 65 Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

::TeddyJr:: - Aileen House Version 1.0 The Loft - Stonework Firepit PILOT - Victorian Snow Plow [Black] Hayabusa Design - Winter Trees Real Waves - The Real Aurora Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

Carpe the diem - Ravynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roost Bazar - Toronto - Living room bookshelf 2 floorplan - eat sign floorplan - change fun/ save the goondocks Trompe Loeil - Retro Diner table and stool / yellow 69 Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

Bazar - Toronto Kitchen set Second Spaces - Spices and oils -Well stocked pantry - gacha Second Spaces - Canister set -Well stocked pantry - gacha PILOT - Sugar and Eggs Bazar- Toronto - study shelf The70 Loft - Gerzzo Kettle Black

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Bazar - Toronto - Dining Table set with tulip decor Bazar - Toronto - cabinet and shelf decor floorplan - i love you frame/ languages 73 Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

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CTM: MUSIC

Into the Mind of the Entertainer:

Marky Helstein

Writer Cali Karsin Photographer Brie Maisel Marky Helstein, a singer/songwriter who has graced the grid since 2010, sat down with Cali Karsin, and discussed his journey promoting his music in Second Life®, his promotion of his real life band, Sonix, and his ultimate decision to step back from SL to focus on promoting his real life band. Step into Helstein’s mind, as we pay tribute to one of SL’s most beloved veteran musicians, and pay homage to his four spectacular years of performance in SL. CK: Tell me about the most selfless moment in your career. Did you sing for charities? Which ones? How did it make you feel? MH: My high points on that score are definitely the shows I and my RL bandmates do for Feed A Smile. We try to get one in every couple of months. The program itself is great as it’s not just trying to throw money at the problems in Kenya. It’s educating the kids, and looking after their general health and well-being so that they emerge with qualifications that can enable them to make a real difference in their communities. Brie (Helstein’s previous SL partner) and I also sponsor one of the children on the program. We get regular reports on how he’s doing at school and other general updates. I can’t wait to get over there and meet him and all the other kids. CK: The most embarrassing moment in your career. What happened. How did you recover? MH: I fell off of a stage one night, back in the 90’s. I was pouncing around on top of a box at the front of the stage, while wearing leather soled shoes, and slipped and fell off, guitar in hand. Thankfully, the stage wasn’t that high and I landed on my back. I just laid there 78

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and kept on playing, in agony, but determined to save face. It’s just possible that I might have had a few drinks that night. Well, while the alcohol probably contributed to the incident in question, it also had somewhat of a numbing effect. CK: Tell me all about a funny story that happened in both your real life musical career and SL musical career. MH: The Sonix shows in SL are always fun. None of my bandmates had ever seen or heard of SL the first time we ever did one. A friend of mine had built an old Roman amphitheater on my sim. We made it into a huge live venue and did the show there. We ended it with a half hour Pink Floyd set. During the first song, our bass player was frantically pointing at the screen and mouthing, “Pigs...omg...pigs”. The audience had attached huge pink floating pigs to their avatars. He thought it was so cool. CK: Is this your real career or do you have a day job? MH: I’ve been a full time musician since 2009. Most of my time right now is being spent on promoting our RL band, Sonix. That’s what’s earning me my bread and cheese at the moment. I am hoping to start work on some new songs in the new year, and get some recordings. That’s the main reason I’ve had to take a break from SL shows. My schedule isn’t conducive to late night gigs at three am and then sleeping until after midday and missing the most productive part of the day. CK: Tell me more about your journey to get to where you are today. And how has SL shaped that in your journey? MH: Well, in addition to a whole bunch of fun shows, SL provided me with a platform to try out all of the original songs I had. I had never played them live before so it was great to start slipping one or two into the set. Before long, I was doing whole shows of original material. It also inspired us to do Sonix acoustic sets on SL, which has been a lot of fun for us all. We now also do acoustic sets in RL as a result, not playing original material or anything but it adds an additional string to our bow from a professional standpoint. CK: What is the highlight of your RL career? What’s next? 80

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MH: Well, a few days before the recent Scottish Independence referendum, we decided to get around a studio mic and record a version of the song, Caledonia. I posted it on my FB and on one of the debating groups and it went viral. It had around a thousand listens in the first day. Then on Sunday, we played a set at an event to raise money for our local food banks. When we got to Caledonia, the audience went crazy and started videoing us. We’re about to shoot a video for our website too. We’re probably the biggest live band in this area and are quickly becoming one of the most sought after bands in Scotland, which is nice. It’s not a rockstar lifestyle by any stretch, but it’s just great to be able to make my living doing what I love most...playing music.

CK: Give me some advice for people trying to make it in both RL and SL. MH: Well, for those who are nervous about their first outings in either SL or RL, all I can say is to be the best you can be and just go for it. All the rehearsing in the world wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make you ready for your first live gig. Learn by doing, and do at every opportunity. http://www.sonixband.co.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRAagELRxM

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CTM: MUSIC

Venue Spotlight:

Hesperia of Templemore Writer Sarahelisebeth Brenham Photographer Roman Godde

Do you think everybody and everything has a story? I do. But what about when one tale is a part of several others? Sounds like the plot of a crime drama, huh? Well the place that I’m about to take you to doesn’t fall into that genre, but still is a part of many layers as well as being one on its own. Hesperia of Templemore, owned by Luis Lockjaw, opened its doors in 2011. The path for this sim to debut wasn’t easy. When Lockjaw got tired of the music venues in Second Life®, he decided to open his own, calling it Templemore. He opted to start his venture in a skybox. A few months later, Lockjaw choose to get some land of his own in September 2010, setting out to find that perfect piece of property. After locating it, he wasted no time in starting his lease on it and in choosing to name it Templemore, to welcome the venue that he started in a building in the sky home. Seeing that his business was booming, he

went ahead and bought another sim, but this time directly from Linden Labs, planning on calling it Hesperia. Luckily for Lockjaw, the decision to purchase an additional piece of land was wise, as the sim that he was paying rent on folded, as the folks that owned it lost all of their properties. To honor the sim that he lost and to welcome the future of the one he still had, he choose to rename it Hesperia of Templemore. Hesperia of Templemore is so much more than your standard place to listen to tunes at. Let’s take a mini tour of this sim. We’ll begin at Hesperia of Templemore’s landing point and for those that might think that this is a boring spot to start looking around a piece of land, it’s so not! You are welcomed to this fabulous sim with a drink from the old fashioned bar. But don’t just take your beverage and leave, take some time to peruse the books and knickknacks that are around waiting for you to check out.

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Once you have finished your refreshment and are ready to explore, open the door and you are greeted by a world that has been infused with the best parts of city living and coastal life. Telling you about every amazing detail that Lockjaw put on this sim would be exhaustive, so I encourage you to block out a good two hours to roam around this land. With 12 different themed stages, you might think that the area leading to the specialized sections might not mesh with each, but surprisingly it does. And as a FYI folks, I’m told that each of those decorated areas has a story, so be sure to ask Lockjaw about them. Although Lockjaw built a gorgeous sim, his main goal has always been to provide a place for people to come to listen to great music. With that said, you can find a variety of singers, bands and backtracks here. “We also help upcoming artists get started that want to start performing in SL,” explains Lockjaw. Still curious what type of artists play at this sim? Here’s just a small sampling, GraveyJones, Jase Turtleface and Mimi Carpenter. Although you will find an array of performers here, what you won’t see are DJ’s. Events are currently Friday through Sunday. Times vary, so be sure to join their group and Facebook page to stay updated. Hesperia of Templemore is definitely a place that you need to visit. With its varied atmospheres and music types, there truly is something for everybody here. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Muzik%20Isle/114/182/42https://www.facebook. com/TemplemoreCitySL?ref=br_tf

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CTM: ARTS

Avatar Repertory Theater

Live Theater on the Virtual Stage Writer Prisilla S. Avro Photographer Prisilla S. Avro & Cali Karsin

“We as human beings relate to each other by telling stories.”

Second Life® has no shortage of resident creativity and the Avatar Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) is another excellent example of that fact. Founded in 2008 and led by MadameThespian Underhill, A.R.T. has - MadameThespian Underhill been performing original works, as well as adaptations and holiday programs in every genre imaginable ranging from comedy to drama. Previous productions have included, Shakespeare’s, “The Tempest”, Howard Barker’s, “13 Objects”, “Oedipus,” and their own adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classics, “Alice in WonderSLand” and “Through the Looking Glass”. It is part of A.R.T.’s mission to bring live theater to a wide array of people, and SL is the perfect platform for achieving that goal, with thousands of residents from all around the globe. A visit to the A.R.T. is guaranteed to be a pleasant one. The actors are welcoming and their acting impressive. Some residents may be familiar with text based theater in SL, but A.R.T. is different in that its actors are voice performers and often have real life experience as actors and actresses. Members of the troupe hail from all over Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

Cultured The Magazine - Issue 6 - January/February 2015

the world, much like the residents of SL themselves. Underhill is quite captivated by the fact that SL provides its members a way to interact with others in a way that they might not be able to otherwise. SL is a blank canvas, as are our avatars, and we can make the world and ourselves anything we wish. Underhill remarked that when you are engaging others, “you are being judged by what you say, the pure essence of who you are.” Underhill, a resident of SL since 2002, is passionate about her work in SL. “This is just another avenue that has been opened up to live storytelling,” she informs. Residents from all over the grid have been coming to see the performances of A.R.T. for years. Underhill refers to the work of the actors in the A.R.T. troupe as, “electronic puppetry.” A.R.T. actors are not only voice acting, they are reading the script and managing their avatars. The work of the members of the company, along with the presence of the audience make a visit to the A.R.T. a truly immersive experience. A.R.T., “strives to be on the cutting edge of theatrical developments within the metaverse,” Underhill expresses, and hopes that one day technology will make it so that the actors behind the avatars will not be tied to their computers in order to perform on the virtual stage, but that they may use their bodies to bring their avatars to life. A.R.T. Plays Around performances occur bi-weekly on Friday nights at 5pm SLT at the New Theater on Cookie sim. Be sure to visit their Facebook page for the latest information.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cookie/198/205/21 http://www.avatarrepertorytheater.org/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avatar-Repertory-Theater

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CTM: ARTS

Art Comes To Life Writer Lorcan Boru Photos Provided

As I walked through the art gallery, I felt myself drawn to the hushed atmosphere all around me. Other people around me spoke in quiet tones, admiring the work on the walls. Paintings from some of the world’s most well known artists; Michelangelo, Raphael, DaVinci, and even more recent artists, such as Kincaid decorated the walls. My eyes were drawn to the lighting and the shadowing of each of these different artists, admiring the way the strokes of their brushes created such mind-blowing works of art. After seeing such beautiful art in real life, I needed to take a look in Second Life®, to see if anyone there could compare. After strolling through several galleries, I finally came across one that had some incredible works of art. One particular portrait caught my eye, of a man in a loincloth, dancing. His muscles covered in sweat, the feathers on his arm swooshing through the air. I could almost hear his breath coming in hard gasps from his exertions. I could almost hear the drums he was dancing to. Then my mind snapped back to reality, realizing it was just a painting. My heart could still feel the pounding drums that had come to mind from looking at this painting. I had to find out who did this remarkable work. A small brass plaque under it said the artist’s name was Bianca Xavorin. I looked further to see what other works of art she had produced and I was stunned at the beauty on the walls before me. She knows how to use light and shadow perfectly. The colors she brings out, the softness of them, contrasting with the hardness of the subjects, reminded me strongly of some of the art I had seen in the real life gallery. 102

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I got in touch with Bianca, needing to know more about her. She told me she grew up in Pennsylvania, not far from myself. Bianca studied at the Philadelphia College of Art. Not only is she brilliant at photography and painting, she also studied dance and piano. “I want people to be able to create a story when they see my art. Evoke a feeling. I truly like to bring out the soul of a model. The place in our own hearts that make us smile and think,” said Bianca when asked about what she wants people to feel when they view her work. That certainly is what happened with me when I noticed the Gorean dancer in the first portrait! Bianca has always been inspired by the works of DaVinci, Michelangelo and Kinkaid. She compares her work to that of the softness of Chagall, the contrasts of El Greco, as well as the detail and subjects of Raphael. She joined SL® at first to try her hand at machinima. After that, she got interested in the photography aspect. Another resident of SL®, Graham Collinson, took Bianca under his tutelage and showed her how to use her skills from real life in SL®. Once perfecting her technique, she began showing her work in art shows and galleries around the grid. Currently her work can be found in several shows. You can find out where her shows are by contacting her husband/ manager, Captain Sir Walter Gedenspire. You can also check out her Flickr. Even more exciting for Bianca, is she is currently getting ready to show her work from SL® in a real life gallery! “When I went to have my work printed out for the first time, it was very surreal,” said Bianca. She has also been asked to illustrate a book in real life. I don’t know about anyone else, but I know I’m very drawn to her work. From Gorean dancers, to female warriors, to faceless people in another galaxy, her work calls to me, and makes me feel deep emotions. I plan on keeping up with her shows, because art like that needs to be seen. flickr.com/photos/bianca_xavorin/ 107

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