Attention Opera Lovers!

During the coming week the Theater on the Hill will premier the third - and final act - of Richard Wagner's epic opera Die Walküre (The Valkyrie). This is the act that is many opera lovers favorit.

I am alas not at liberty to reveal the date of the semi-closed premier, however, after that the regular performances will commence from March 29th and onward.

In an exclusive interview Othon Weiland-Nootan revealed to Bock in SecondLife,
- "Bock,  even  opera  haters  will be  amazed! Nothing like this show has never been seen before  in  SecondLife."

ACT III: On the Valkyries' Rock, Brünnhilde's eight warrior sisters - who have gathered there briefly, bearing slain heroes to Valhalla - are surprised to see her enter with Sieglinde. When they hear she is fleeing Wotan's wrath, they are afraid to hide her. Sieglinde is numb with despair until Brünnhilde tells her she bears Siegmund's child. Eager to be saved, she receives the pieces of the sword from Brünnhilde and ecstatically thanks her rescuer as she rushes off into the forest to hide near Fafner's cave, a place safe from Wotan. When the god appears, he sentences Brünnhilde to become a mortal woman, silencing her sisters' objections by threatening to do the same to them. Left alone with her father, Brünnhilde pleads that in disobeying his orders she was really doing what he wished ("War es so schmählich"). Wotan will not relent: she must lie in sleep, booty for any man who finds her. But as his anger abates she asks the favor of being surrounded in sleep by a wall of fire that only the bravest hero can pierce. Both sense this hero must be the child that Sieglinde will bear. Sadly renouncing his daughter ("Leb' wohl"), Wotan kisses Brünnhilde's eyes with sleep and mortality before summoning Loge, the spirit of fire, to encircle the rock. As flames spring up, the departing Wotan invokes a spell forbidding the rock to anyone who fears his spear.

The actors
Brünnhilde: Oliver Elton
Wotan: Silvano Korobase
Sieglinde: Yanneck Docherty

Valkyries: Joshua Swords, Louie Bisiani, Rick Carson, Richardson Nootan-Weiland, Remi2000, Ronny Swords, Wolfhard Gelman Chaffe, WildSummer Destiny

The production

Produced and Directed by Immerdar Fredriksson

Scripting by Blaise Timtam

First Life Ring Machine designed by Robert LaPage for the Metropolitan Opera and adapted for SecondLife by Immerdar Fredriksson and Blaise Timtam

This production has been made possible in part by a generous grant from THE CHETZ R. SZONDI FOUNDATION

Executive Director Garth Raleigh

The recording

Brünnhilde: Birgit Nilsson
Wotan: George London
Sieglinde: Gre Brouwenstijn

Conductor: Erich Leinsdorf
The London Symphony Orchestra

Recorded 1961 by Decca Records

Absolutely Fabulous!

The delicious Tomais and his spouse Bock, the laird of Southern Charm

The delicious Avacar and his spouse Rico, the Lead of Gay Archipelago

On Sunday evening I dragged the second most patient man in SecondLife with me to the finals of the Miss Wigstock 2014 contest. I mean, isn't it wonderful how things work themselves out - sometimes with a little help from close friends - here I am madly in love with a man almost as patient as myself and he is in love with me too?

Anyhow, the Gay Archipelago, through the combined forces of nature Othon Weiland and Oliver Elton, had yet again put together a great show for us to enjoy.

There were five finalists, the fabulous Fanny Flamingo (Richardson Nootan), the Divine Dame Black (Waveyjustin), the delectable Cieline Dionysis (Ciel Silentghost), the delicious Donatella (Didier Rascon) and the peerless Paige Turner (Hobbit Zenfold).

The Fabulous Fanny Flamingo with escorts

The Delectable Cieline Dionysis with escorts 

The bygone drag queens, from left to right
Hottie B Lockjaw (winner 2010), Juve Wheelwright (winner 2013) and Oliver Elton

The Delicious Donatella with muscular escorts

The Peerless Paige Turner
who had the most stunning entrance

Judge Mimi Juneau

Judge Rene Bonaparte

Judge Owl Braveheart

Rico and Parvin on the podium for the prize ceremony

Parvin dashing as always

Some poor sods who could not get a table in the V.I.P. section

The results of the contest turned out like this.
Winner (score 93 points) Didier Rascon
1st runner up (score 91 points) Hobbit Zenfold
2nd runner-up (score 81 points) Waveyjustin

I agree with the judges that it was indeed a toss-up between Didier and Hobbit, congratulations to both of them and thank you to Gay Archipelago and all the other organizers and contestants for giving us a wonderful show!

The Finals of Miss Wigstock 2014

Are you ready?

The big event is today at 12 PM (noon) SLT.

Join us at GreyMyst Rainbow Pavillion (VIP Seats) to see the Miss Wigstock 2014 contestants compete for the sash, tiara and L$22.500 in cash.

DJ Evan will spin the tunes for the show.

There will be special performances by past and present Miss Wigstocks, Juve and Hotboy and the divas Othon and Oliver.

Thanks to our sponsors: Hug's Clothing, RGDW, Robys Style, N4RS, JCNY Jewelry, Greymyst Estates and Corinthia Isle.

Miss Wigstock 2014 - Seeking Contestants, Bloggers, a Videographer & Sponsors

I am pleased to share this press release from Gay Archipelago with you all, as my family has a stake in this contest ever since my brother Dejerrity Mycron won third place a couple of years ago. (Between us, he should have won of course!)

Dates to remember for Miss Wigstock 2014  

• March 21 - Contestant entries due
• April 19 - Preliminary events  
• April 27 - Miss Wigstock 2014, final event

Contestants 

Sign-ups for Miss Wigstock 2014 contestants are due by March 21st, 2014.  

Please fill out a notecard that you have named "Miss Wigstock 2014 Entry (your name)" with the required information (see below) and send it to Ricogenu and/or Parvin (a.k.a. Xcept Atlas) prior to March 21, 2014. 

SL Avatar Name: (your name)
Drag Stage name: (your preferred stage name) 

PRELIMINARY EVENTs on Saturday April 19 at 12 PM and 4 PM SLT, theme Burlesque:

1. Your choice of time for the preliminary event  12 PM or 4 PM SLT?:
2. Pick two songs you will perform at the preliminary event. 
3. Add a file of both the songs for the preliminary:

FINAL EVENT on Sunday April 27 at 12 PM SLT, theme Disco:

1. Please pick three songs you would be willing to perform (Only one will be performed)
2. File of the 3 songs for the final:
3. Do you require any background set or props?:
4. Additional notes for the organizers?

Oliver Elton will assist each contestant to get them ready for the shows.

Bloggers & a Videographer

Gay Archipelago are also seeking a videographer for the final event as well as bloggers to live blog the events.

Please contact Ricogenu and/or Parvin (a.k.a. Xcept Atlas) if you are interested in participating.

Sponsors

Gay Archipelago thanks its current sponsors who have signed on. They have donated cash, gift cards, their sims, and items:  GreyMyst Estates, JCNY, RGDW, Roby's style, Empire Emporium, N4RS, Corinthia Isle, GAYstar and HUG's.

Please contact Ricogenu and/or Xcept Atlas is you are considering sponsoring this event.

---

*Two preliminary Miss Wigstock shows at Corinthia Isle's "Cawk & Heels Drag Club"*

Each contestant will participate in one of the two shows where they will each perform two songs.

When: Saturday April 19 at 12 PM and 4 PM SLT

Theme: Burlesque

Host:: Edwin Wilmot of Corinthia Isle

DJ: TBD

Voting: Audience favorite, the contest board will be set to group allowed voting only. (Group tags will be given out during the show.)

Builder: Rene Bonaparte

Prize: Gift Cards/Gifts

                  

**  Miss Wigstock Finals will be on the big stage at GreyMyst **

We will have two full sims together, contestants on one sim, audience on the other. Each contestant needs to pick three songs, however they will only perform one at the finals. (This is to prevent duplicates among contestants.)

When: Sunday, April 27 at 12 PM SLT

Theme: Disco

DJ:  TBD

Builder: GreyMyst's builders

MC: Chris Magic Blackheart

Prizes: 

• L$15,000 First, 
• L$5,000 Second, 
• L$2,500 Third 
• Gift Cards/Gifts 

Judging: 

Judging will be handled by three impartial judges to be determined. Anyone connected to a contestant or a sim will not be permitted to judge. Each judge will have a scorecard, with scoring guidelines. The judges will give their scores to a scorekeeper who will total the points independently.

Last year's Miss Wigstock video 

If you have any questions or comments please contact Parvin (a.k.a. Xcept Atlas).

Ricogenu & Parvin

Opera in SecondLife

I attended the premiere of an opera at the Theater on the Hill yesterday. The company performed the first act of Richard Wagner's "Die Walküre" with Silvano Korobase, Oliver Elton and Richardson Nootan.

The storyline of the first act (according to Wikipedia) with pictures from yesterdays performance:

"During a raging storm, Siegmund seeks shelter at the house of the warrior Hunding. Hunding is not present, and Siegmund is greeted by Sieglinde, Hunding's unhappy wife. Siegmund tells her that he is fleeing from enemies. After taking a drink of mead, he moves to leave, claiming to be cursed by misfortune. But Sieglinde bids him stay, saying he can bring no misfortune to the "house where ill luck lives".

 Returning, Hunding reluctantly offers Siegmund the hospitality demanded by custom. Sieglinde, increasingly fascinated by the visitor, urges him to tell his tale. Siegmund describes returning home with his father one day to find his mother dead and his twin sister abducted. He then wandered with his father until parting from him as well. One day he found a girl being forced into marriage and fought with the girl's relatives. His weapons were broken and the bride was killed, and he was forced to flee to Hunding's home. Initially Siegmund does not reveal his name, choosing to call himself Wehwalt, 'filled with woe'.

When Siegmund finishes, Hunding reveals that he is one of Siegmund's pursuers. He grants Siegmund a night's stay, but they are to do battle in the morning. Hunding leaves the room with Sieglinde, ignoring his wife's distress. Siegmund laments his misfortune, recalling his father's promise that he would find a sword when he most needed it.

Sieglinde returns, having drugged Hunding's drink to send him into a deep sleep. She reveals that she was forced into a marriage with Hunding. During their wedding feast, an old man appeared and plunged a sword into the trunk of the ash tree in the center of the room, which neither Hunding nor any of his companions could remove. She expresses her longing for the hero who could draw the sword and save her. Siegmund expresses his love for her, which she reciprocates, and as she strives to understand her recognition of him, she realises it is in the echo of her own voice, and reflection of her image, that she already knows him. When he speaks the name of his father, Wälse, she declares that he is Siegmund, and that the Wanderer left the sword for him.

 Siegmund now easily draws the sword forth, and she tells him she is Sieglinde, his twin sister. He names the blade "Nothung" (or needful, for this is the weapon that he needs for his forthcoming fight with Hunding). As the act closes he calls her "bride and sister", and draws her to him with passionate fervour."

It was overall an extremely interesting experience to watch and listen to the performance, although I am not an opera buff myself and cannot tell you who the singers were. Opera is in itself an acquired taste and will, in my humble opinion, most likely prove to be so in SecondLife also.

Those of us at the premiere and sharing the experience with the cast and crew were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, but more so for the effort the company had put into this production than anything else.

You have a chance to catch the performance on Sunday September 22, 2013, at 12:00PM SLT. Your limousine to the opera (SLurl)

"An Overwhelming Experience"

The Theater on the Hill Company has given its guests many wonderful and entertaining musicals, shows, cabarets and plays through the years, but now they are pulling all the stops and going all out and promise their guests "an overwhelming experience".

For - perhaps - the first time in SecondLife The Theater on the Hill is going to treat its patrons with a full blown dramatic opera with stunning effects. The opera is Richard Wagner's "Die Walküre", act 1.

"Siegmund" will be portrayed by Silvano Korobase, "Sieglinde" by Oliver Elton and "Hunding" by Richardson Nootan.

Subtitles in English will be provided for those who are not fluent in the German language of the opera.

The opera premieres on Tuesday September 17, 2013, at 1:00PM SLT. If you cannot catch that performance you have a second chance on Sunday September 22, 2013, at 12:00PM SLT.

Your limousine to the opera (SLurl) 

"Duelling Divas"

When I logged into my second life yesterday I was in a rather foul mood. Nothing important at all, I was just feeling sort of generally annoyed with a few - temporary - bastards at work.

Garth Raleigh must either be really intuitive or knows me well enough to ascertain my current mood from reading my posts. Well, almost as soon as I had logged in he contacted me and suggested two great mood enhancers, 1) shopping and 2) a bit of light entertainment.

I was very grateful for both tips and jumped right into shopping, where I managed to get my son Guyke and my friend Butch to accompany me on the shopping trip. (The two are actually co-founders of SecondLife Shopaholics Anonymous). When I after a while of shopping suggested that they come with me to a show the two uncouth philistines flatly refused and called me pretentious. Moi pretentious, is that fair I ask you?

Well anyway, I left them at The 24 still shopping away like crazy and teleported to the Theater on the Hill all set to enjoy the company's production of "Duelling Divas". The show starred Oliver Elton and Juve Wheelwright, with Othon Weiland as a lesser diva and a whole lot of cute child avatars as supporting acts.

The enthusiastic audience were treated to a string of songs and show tunes - including but not limited to - "The Winner Takes It All", "Performance of My Life", "Gracias a la Vida", "Someone Like You", "This Is My Life", "Out Here On My Own", "Il n'y a pas d'amour heureux" and "You'll Never Walk Alone".

Juve Wheelwright

Oliver Elton

Juve

Oliver

Juve

Oliver

The kids

The finale with Othon center stage

I had an excellent time and was in completely different mood when I logged out than when I logged in. Thank you Garth, Guyke, Butch, Othon, Oliver and Juve for salvaging my Monday!

GA Community Mall - Grand Opening

"A FIRST-EVER within the LGBT Community in Second Life!  GRAND OPENING, SUNDAY MARCH 17TH, 2013

After many months of planning and construction, the newest service offered by the GA Coronal estate is a mall  dedicated to non-for-profit organizations in the LGBT Community.  These organizations are not asked to pay any rent or lease for the spaces provided, however they can sell some of their  products to help raise funds to maintain their varied goals and pass out their information to everyone.  We've got some of these groups installed comfortably - and more on the waiting list as we continue to build!
The GA Community Mall (SLurl)

The new GA Library is ready to receive visitors as well with it’s welcoming space for people to relax in the new Community Mall complete with video-streaming of LGBT events courtesy of videographer and VJ, Teno Theriac.
The GA Library (SLurl)

The Gay Land Office / Travel & Tourism Center is set to go for this weekend as is the outstanding Fine Art exhibition at the GAllery nearby!   􀀈
The GA Land Office and Travel & Tourist Center (SLurl)

You are all invited to the Grand Opening Events to celebrate this achievement and help support this growing venture for the LGBT Community in Second Life!

Garth Raleigh, Lead, Gay Archipelago"

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

12:00PM (noon) SLT      

To kick off this day-long celebration, the one-and-only Oliver Elton from Theatre on the Hill, headlines the stage at the Oval Concert Hall to get you in the mood for St. Patrick's day.

The Oval Concert Hall (SLurl)

12:30 PM SLT   

A very special live performance by Second Life performer, AM Quar.  Come hear AM rock the Oval with his hot guitar licks in Blues, Latino, Rock and Love Ballads!

The Oval Concedrt Hall (SLurl)

1:30 PM SLT  Posh Plaza Party

Posh Club continues the upbeat festivities with a 'Naughty Paddy Plaza Party' on the GA Coronal Plaza -  featuring the awesome DJ Alum with leprechaun hosts Lickinu and Megan. There's $L500 on the contest board for (what else?)  'Best In Green'  

The luck of the Irish to you all!

The GA Coronal Plaza (SLurl)

(Thank you Garth for this press release!)

A Note Card From Dej

Yesterday I had an offline message from my brother in-law Dejerrity Mycron in my e-mail, saying that he had something important he wanted to talk with me about. Knowing me as well as he does, he also added that it was nothing urgent or bad.

When I logged in we met and talked a little. During the conversation he brought up the subject of the upcoming third anniversary of Ars' passing. I had already been thinking about that so we were on the same page. We both agreed that a casual get-together of Ars' immediate family and friends on Sunday March 10 would be the best. Weekends are better because it alleviates some of the hassle with coordinating the the timezone differences between Australia, Europe and America. The time was to be settled after I had spoken with Sarco to see what would work for him.

After settling that business, Dej told me that he had been in the middle of writing me a note card to clarify the important matter he wanted to talk with me about as a basis for our talk, but he gave me no clue as to what the subject was going to be. He also told me to remember that he loved me when I was reading the note card.

With growing anticipation, but no major worries, I left him to finish the note card and went to Oliver Elton's Valentine Show.

At Oliver's show was approaching the end, I received Dej´s note card and started reading it.

It was one of the most intensely personal and deeply moving messages I have ever received, in any of my lives. The message was loving, caring and extremely considerate. It had me in tears from start to finish.

I will never share the bulk of it with anyone, but this is an excerpt from the end of the note card that also shows the essentials of what Dej wanted to convey to me.

"... . But grief has to end, and we cannot torture ourselves all of our lives. We're all human, and all humans die.

We lost Ars almost 3 years ago. Some days I see you sitting all alone at his memorial and that makes me so sad. Ars would want you to move on, and 3 years of grief is enough for anyone. I suggested a remembrance service next month because I think you need to say a last goodbye. (***) isn't coming back, neither is Ars. You need to move on with your life, you have so much love to share. 

You have to let him go, and no matter what you say, you haven't done that yet. And I say this from experience, that's why I wrote all I did above. I know how much you loved him. I understand the pain because I went through it 6 years ago. And you know I loved Ars too. But it's time to let him go, Bock. You have to say goodbye. 

I know this is not what anyone wants to hear, but I write this with love and the best of intentions. We'll always remember them, but we have to let them go."

Unlike the previous time two years ago when a stupid "shieldmaiden" (who did not know me or care for me and whom I despised intensely) blurted out on her blog that it was time for me to let go and move on, this came from someone I love and trust, someone who I know loves me back and someone who also knew and loved Ars.

I knew I had to come to grips with what Dej was asking me to do. The subject was not something I had not thought about, but you must understand that for two and a half of my first three years in SecondLife my Ars had been the absolute center of my universe, in both lives.

When we discussed his message to me, I told Dej that I was grateful to him for writing me the note card. for sharing his experiences and that I had remember that he loved me while I was reading it.

I saidj, "I have always needed 'separation time', unlike others I cannot go from one to the next, it makes me confused."
Dej said "Babe, the whole point of my note....it's been 3 years now. We have to move on"
I agreed and said, "Yes, but that doesn't mean we throw ourselves at the first possible option that arrives. And I KNOW you don´t mean that."
Dej answered, "True enough. I just want you to be happy"
To which I answered, "I would say I am happy now, sweetie, happier than in a very long time. I am just going to enjoy life and see what happens."
Dej told me sternly, "No. We make things happen, with our choices and our regrets and mostly with our hopes.  Seize the moment, throw caution to the wind and take a chance that your heart could be broken again. (...) Because sometimes, things work out.  But you'll never know if you don't try :) It's ok to fall in love again."

I am still thinking about what Dej wrote and said. I realize that what he told me is true, but I am still not sure if I am ready to fall in love again. It gives me some food for thought.

Oliver Elton's Valentine Show

I have encountered the talents of Oliver Elton three times in a very short period of time.

The first occasion was at Miss Wigstock 2013, where Oliver was the stage designer and one of the entertainers. The second time was at Messrs. Garth and Mitch Raleigh-Underwoods´s wedding where Oliver was the entertainer at the reception party and the master of fireworks. Today Oliver was an entertainer, a set designer and the master of fireworks.

The main set was magnificent and reminded me of the scenographies in the musicals from the late 50' s and early 60's. The talented Oliver loves "larger than life" productions and has charisma enough to carry it off.

Although he is quite a small person, he has a large presence even in his huge sets. He is like a glamorous Edith Piaf, if you can imagine such a strange creature. Today he offered his captivated audience a string of love songs - of course - mostly alone but in two songs with the support of Juve, the winner of Miss Wigstock 2013. It was a highly memorable exhibition of excellent showmanship and the audience was thrilled throughout the show.