LLedge Eames: "Why I'm Passionate About Second Pride"

LLedge Eames is the chair of Second Pride. This statement was posted on Facebook today. 

I am completely in support of all that LLedge has to say on the reasons we have - indeed why we need - Second Pride in SecondLife and wish to share it with you all.

---

LLedge Eames, Chair of Second Pride

"So the Second Pride Festival is almost over, and what a ride it is has been. The festival is already well on it's way to become one of the most legendary seasons of Pride yet. 

With amazing DJ's and Hosts coordinated by Viktor Sandman our Event Director, Content creators from the A-list, volunteers Kahvy & Garret Smith wrangling social media, Lee Mckay's website designing, Tootsie Nootan our Security chair and her team (Levi & Kit) keeping the festival safe and so many sponsors helping, this Pride Festival could be nothing other than a great success!

As donations are poring in I want to take a moment to talk about pride, and about the money involved in second pride as well.

I myself and the members of my board team have donated many beautiful party decorations to the Festival to make it amazing and Jak Calcutt our Building Director really outdid himself! T L C Home Collection donated a lot of new animals to the Japanese strolling garden, and many others have helped make this years festival amazing!

Yet, many ask me: Why Second Pride? Why donate?

I've recently read a blog by one of Pride's Bloggers, Bailey Saxmundham. Being Transgender, who better to ask?

"People ask "Why Pride?". There have been so many advances over the years since the Stonewall Riots in 1969, but there is still a way to go. Some of the advances have been overturned.

Pride isn't about parties - it is about visibility and solidarity. It is about community and belonging. It is about not giving in and not giving up."

http://baileysaxmundham.blogspot.nl/2017/06/pride.html

And that hits it right on the mark for me. It's not about the parties. It's not about the honor and glory of those that shine on the stage, or those that didn't make it to the schedule this year. It's about coming together and forming a front. It is about not giving in and not giving up. About providing a place in SecondLife where we can be safe. Safe to be ourselves, all year round! A place to come back to when the going gets a little tough. A place to relax in the park or to remember in the memorial. And yes, a place to party and celebrate!

Some say, Pride is commercialized. But in reality, those sponsors and vendors show their own pride the best way they can: by bringing their business. By saying, we don't care about the haters, we are rising above. Buy my Pride? PLEASE do!!!

Because with that money, we can have this sim. This place in this virtual world called Second Pride. Not just during pride week, no, all year round! We are featured in the SecondLife destination guide and have had Lindens visit our festival. We will work with Linden Lab to list our sim as a permanent gay destination after the festival. That is where the money goes first of all: that place we can call Home. And we are proud of it, and of everyone donating their time and funds into this. Second Pride is owned by the community, and paid for by the community. And that, is a beautiful thing.

And the surplus? The Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Rainbow Roads, they all benefit. Second Pride is working with the Madonna show on a huge 4 hour benefit for Rainbow Roads this coming July 22. Also there's the nonprofit charities that we have given space on the sim: UCC SL, TAVA (Transgender American Veterans Association) TRC (Transgender Resource Center), and SOS (survivors of suicide / depression support project). New this year for the festival we invited the Care and Hope Center (awareness and support for victims of domestic violence)

Yes, there are many ways to support the community in the real world as well. But not everyone is able to participate in the real world, the same way they can in SecondLife.

At Second Pride, we can be who we want to be. In whatever shape or form. We can help, reach out, come together and make sure none of us gives in, or gives up. And that, makes me PROUD!

Happy Pride Everyone!
LLege Eames
SecondPride Chair

Second Pride Festival 2017 - The Closing Party

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Second Pride Festival, Thursday June 29

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Second Pride Festival, Wednesday June 28

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Second Pride Festival, Tuesday June 27

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Second Pride Festival, Monday June 26

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Sponsored Event: The Sunday Tea Dance

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Second Pride Festival, Sunday June 25

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Another day loaded with events. I would like to direct your attention especially towards two events.

Firstly there is The Apple Fall Party at 10 AM SLT with DJ Kess and host Divos. The press release from Second Pride promises that there will be giveaways and also hints at the possibility that Apple Fall himself may attend.

As the amazing Apple Falls indubitably biggest fan in SecondLife I am going to make certain to be there for the chance to meet him close up and to get some of his freebies.

Secondly there is the Sunday Tea Dance with DJ McKay and host Garrett at 12 PM. This event is sponsored by Bock in SecondLife. I hope you will enjoy it! (If you don't have a Flat Bock 2017 already, I am certainly going to give them out sometime during this event...)

Take me to the Second Pride Festival sim! (SLurl).

Second Pride Festival, Saturday June 24

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Second Pride Festival Grand Opening Party

This is from a press release by Second Pride (NB! I have modified the message slightly as I have an aversion against an abundance of exclamation marks and random capital letters popping up all over the place. So sorry!)

Poster by Kahvy Smith

Check the schedule on www.second-pride.com

Are you ready? Ready to Resist, Rise Up, Be Proud?

It is time! Time for you to join us in SecondLife as we celebrate Second Pride with the amazing opening night! We are going to party from 12 PM (noon) 'til 10 PM SLT.

Amazing DJ's, live vocalists, top notch content creators, rides, park, hangouts by Apple Fall and T L C Home Collection and so much more!

¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨
╔════════
║ ♫ Who? DJ Thorn | DJ Shepherd | DJ Yify | DJ Dillon | DJ TarzanTom
║ ♪♪ When? Noon - 10 pm SLT - FRIDAY
║ ♫♪ Where: Second Pride Main Sim (SLurl)
║ ♫♪♫ What: PRIDE & PROUD Music and so much more!
╚════════
¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨

The Boys of Summer 2016

From the press-release:

"The Boys of Summer is a Depraved Nation Fair centered around men's appearance, fashion, accessories and this year we will welcome furniture/decor!

This fair will have a very basic summer theme, and of course, be centered around men. Participating brands will be given a shop space to display their store content in, all content must be related to or designed for the Male Avatar. 

Here are the event details:
¤ Event will run from July 16 – 31, 2016
¤ Participation in this event will require one NEW release that will remain EXCLUSIVE to the event until the event ends.
¤ Only men's items will be allowed to be displayed at this event. That may include skins, hair, clothing, accessories, or anything that will alter or enhance the avatar's appearance or furniture / decor."

Take this teleport: to the Boys of Summer event

Sweden's Got A New Stamp

Sweden got a new postage stamp on May 4th, 2016, when a stamp was issued with the Pride flag. The stamp is - according to the press release from PostNord Sweden - designed by the artist Lisa Rydell.

"By issuing a postage stamp with Pride flag, we want to stress the equal value and strength of people's unique characteristics and differences. The Pride flag has to our knowledge never been reproduced on a stamp before, and it feels great that it is now possible to send physical love greetings using the Pride flag over the world", says Per Ljungberg, Communications PostNord Sweden.

PostNord Stamp annually receives hundreds of suggestions for stamp designs. The idea for the Pride stamp was sent to the council that chooses new stamps by Lisa Rydell, who was also commissioned to design the stamp.

Lisa Rydell is an artist and has worked extensively with the design of, among other books and exhibition posters. She got the idea of ​​the Pride flag stamp during a long stroll in the summer of 2014.

"Swedes very much like to both receive and send stamped letters and postcards. The selection of the stamp is for many an extension of the greeting, which will be extra strong with the new Pride stamp. A subject that is also in line with PostNord's internal work concerning diversity", says Per Ljungberg.

---

I love the idea, but am a bit puzzled about the credit given to Ms. Rydell for designing something that was already designed.

"Strange, very strange!", I say to myself with a phony Clouseau-ish French pronunciation. I wonder how much she earned for that brilliant, inspired and truly original bit of copying?

Madonna in Concert@Provincetown

From a press release. 

"It is Provincetown's 9th Anniversary.  Provincetown (PTOWN) is the oldest LGBT friendly sim in Second Life.  To kick off a week of celebrations, "Madonna : The Virtual History Tour" will be in concert tomorrow (Sunday July 26, 2015) at 1PM SLT.

New numbers, new sets, hot dancers, and of course Madge herself!  Come join us as we celebrate Ptown and rock out to Madonna!

P.S. Please avoid scripts (shoes, hairs, clothes)

Join us, Sunday July 26, 2015 at 1PM SLT"

Historic Provincetown sim - Madonna Concert (SLurl)

Keep Safe with Tom of Finland

I don't usually run first life product advertisements, but once in a while I may be convinced to do so without monetary gain.

Nonetheless, when this press release from Jalo Helsinki appeared in my email, I knew I simply had to run it.

Tom of Finland and Jalo Helsinki are ready when things start getting hot at home

"Finnish fire safety company Jalo Helsinki and Tom of Finland Foundation have teamed up to create a new line of red-hot fire safety products. Four of Tom of Finland’s iconic drawings will appear on Jalo Helsinki’s fire blankets, raising the temperature on interior design goods.

The blankets can extinguish small fires, but while there are no flames, users can have Tom’s art on display to enjoy, within easy reach and in case of emergency.

“A fire blanket by nature is quite a practical application, but we also want it to be beautiful and meaningful beyond its primary function” says Olli Nuutila, CEO of Jalo Helsinki. “By launching, we want to communicate Tom of Finland’s message of love, respect, tolerance and freedom through display of our fire safety products” he adds. 

The Jalo Helsinki team worked with Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles to identify inspiring and iconic drawings to grace the fire blanket covers. Dubbed The Leader, The Aviator, The Hero and The Dog are quintessential examples of the Finnish artist’s work featuring men depicted as powerful, distinctive and unafraid - notions that ran counter to the prevailing sentiment in the late 1950s when Tom of Finland drawings first started appearing.

“This collection of fire blankets is a wonderful hybrid between art and design, and further elevates Tom’s work to heroic proportions. We are honored to partner with Jalo Helsinki in making Tom’s drawings and message easily reachable and always available.“ says S.R. Sharp, Curator at Tom of Finland Foundation.

“When we started our collaboration project with Finnish designers and artists - some iconic, some emerging - we knew that we wanted Tom of Finland on the list. He represents freedom, pride, and promotes a respectful attitude towards other people. His body of work embodies this universal message that we also stand for as a company” says Nuutila.

Jalo Helsinki’s fire blankets comply with EU fire safety standard EN 1869:1997 and are available to buy online through the Jalo Helsinki shop."

Press contact:

Olli Nuutila,

CEO & Co-founder

 olli@jalohelsinki.fi

+358 40 578 0109

Media Kit

About Jalo Helsinki Jalo Helsinki is a Finnish design company turning fire safety products into beautiful design objects and improving user experience with the help of internationally famous designers. The company’s current products range from smoke alarms to fire blankets. Jalo Helsinki was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. More information: www.jalohelsinki.com

About Tom of Finland/Tom of Finland Foundation (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish 1920 - 1991), is the creator of some of the most iconic and readily recognizable imagery of post-war gay culture and is regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. He produced thousands of images beginning in the 1940s, robbing straight homophobic culture of its most virile and masculine archetypes (bikers, hoodlums, lumberjacks, cops, cowboys, and sailors) and recasting them through deft skill and imagination - unapologetic, self-aware, and boastfully proud enthusiasts of gay sex.

In 1984, the nonprofit Tom of Finland Foundation was established by Durk Dehner and Touko Laaksonen. As Tom had established worldwide recognition as the master of homo-erotic art, the Foundation’s original purpose was to preserve his vast catalog of work. Several years later the scope was widened to offer a safe haven for all art in response to rampant discrimination against work that portrayed sexual behavior or generated a sexual response. Today the Foundation continues in its efforts of educating the public as to the cultural merits of erotic art and in promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality. More information: www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org

The Oval Studio Performs "Glee"

My old friends Othon Weiland and Garth Raleigh have kindly provided me with a press release of their upcoming production of "Glee".

"Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that aired on the Fox network in the United States from May 19, 2009, to March 20, 2015. It focuses on the fictitious William McKinley High School glee club, New Directions, which competes on the show choir competition circuit while its disparate members deal with social issues, especially regarding sexuality and race, relationships, and learning to become an effective team."

The audience can dance or be seated while they watch the show in the Art Deco styled Oval Studio (SLurl).

Show dates are Saturday June 27th and Sunday June 28th, both performances start at 1PM SLT.

Last Chance to See "Visions of Hope"

From a press release kindly forwarded to me by Ricco Saenz, who together with his partner Randy Firebrand, is the organizers of this event.

"Visions of Hope", which is a silent auction benefiting Relay for Life of SL. closes tomorrow Sunday May 31.

 
Cupric Router will spin the tunes @ 1 PM SLT, so we can dance and get those last bids in. The auction results will reveal themselves @ 4 pm SLT.

The organizers wish to thank the amazing artists: Ziki Questi, Tomais Ashdene, Ricco Saenz, Em Larsson, Hills, Trinity Yazimoto, Boudicca Amat, Pusher, Bijou, Morgan Kincess, Skippy Beresford, Dru G. Eiren-Milneaux, Bear Silvershade & Serei Guena for having joined forces on behalf of RFL of SL.

Hope Haven Heroes Gallery (SLurl)

Visions of Hope - Silent Auction in Benefit of RFL of SL

From a press release

Ziki Questi, Tomais Ashdene, Em Larsson, Hills, Trinity Yazimoto, Boudicca Amat, Pusher, Bijou, Morgan Kincess, Dru G. Eiren-Milneaux and other great photographers and visual artists are joining forces on behalf of Relay For Life of SL (RFL of SL). Some of their original and unique works will be part of Visions of Hope, a silent auction starting on May 3, 2015.

Yes, that's it, an auction with some of the most renowned photograph artists in Second Life - and you can take one of them, or more, home with you (I mean their work, of course).

All the money raised with the activity will go to RFL of SL, which helps gather funds for the American Cancer Society's programs to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their caretakers.

Visions of Hope will be held at Hope Haven Heroes Gallery (SLurl) during the whole month of May. 

DJ Cupric will be responsible for the tunes during the opening party, on May 3rd, at 1 PM SLT, and everyone is invited to join.

The Silent Auction
For the auction, one just has to click on the title boards and make an offer. The minimum bid is just L$ 400 and the amounts can be increased by at least L$ 100 each time. At the end of May, we will learn who acquired what.

So, if you'd like to check the works of some amazing photographers in SL, and maybe acquire some of them and help the efforts of RFL of SL, go visit Hope Haven Heroes Gallery during this May, and join us for the opening party.

Visions of Hope is hosted by Hope Haven Heroes. Hope Haven is where the survivors and caregivers support groups meet. Hope Haven Heroes is the Relay For Life of SL team that represents it (more info on Hope Haven support groups at the gallery).

Summarizing:
Event: Visions of Hope, Hope Haven Heroes' silent auction on behalf of Relay For Life of SL

Date: From May 3rd (official opening) until May 31. Soft opening for the press on May 1st.

Artists already confirmed:

• Bijou
• Boudicca Amat
• Dru G. Eiren-Milneaux
• Em Larsson
• Hills
• Morgan Kincess
• Pusher
• Randy Firebrand
• Ricco Saenz
• Tomais Ashdene
• Trinity Yazimoto
• Ziki Questi

(Others will possibly join the list soon)

Opening party: May 3rd, 1 SLT, with DJ Cupric.

About RFL of SL:
- The first Relay For Life of SL was held in 2005. It was attended by a few hundred avatars and raised about US$ 5,000.
- In 2014, RFL of SL raised US$ 415,000.
- 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of RFL of SL.
- This year the Relay weekend will be held on July 17th and 18th. Other activities, such as the silent auction, will also be organized during the year for raising funds.
- The theme for RFL of SL 2015: The future is now.

About Hope Haven Heroes:
- The RFL of SL team that represents Hope Haven, where the survivors and caregivers support groups meet.

Contacts for further information:
- Randy Firebrand (in world) and Ricco Saenz (in world and via email ricco.saenz@gmail.com).

GA Announces New Lead and Vice Lead

Today I received some long awaited news from the Gay Archipelago group.

Several months ago Rico Bluestar stepped down as Lead of the GA, since then there has been a selection process in the owners group to find a new Lead to replace him. The selection has now come to a successful conclusion with today's announcement.

The new lead-team of the Gay Archipelago will consist of Chris Magic as Lead, Weylin Vale as Vice Lead and with Parvin (Xcept Atlas) continuing as Public Relations Lead.

The new GA Lead-team courtesy of the GA WeBlog
Chris (center), Parvin (left) & Weylin (right)

Today's full press release:

Three years ago we mourned the passing of our founder, Fabrice Snook. Days ago we grieved with our friends when we learned that Avacar Bluestar had also left our Earth. 

Today, we welcome long overdue good news, the appointment of a new Gay Archipelago Lead and the creation of a new role, the GA Vice Lead.  They will join the current GA Public Relations Lead to serve our growing community.

We are proud to announce that after months of searching and vetting candidates for the positions the leadership committee completed their arduous task and have selected our new GA Lead and GA Vice Lead. 

Our GA Lead, Christope Magic, of Britain, has a long history of service to the Gay Archipelago and our LGBT community.   His roles include events manager for GA Summerfest 2014 and Winterfest 2014, our master of ceremonies for Miss Wigstock, a performer with Corinthia Isle Concerts, owner of the Remix Room, DJ, and host. 

Our GA Vice Lead, Weylin Vale, of Australia, brings real life LGBT event management experience to our team.  His resume includes participating, event managing and a Director of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, as well as event management for multiple governmental agencies. In Second Life he is owner of the sim Lycan Moon, a club owner, DJ, and established member of our community.

Together with our current GA PR Lead, Xcept Altas, of the USA, these appointments will give our community access to leadership without the boundaries of timezones, and clear, consistent responses to hurdles we will overcome together.

They are tasked with promoting unity and inclusion across our diverse international LGBTIA Second Life community. Each are committed to utilizing their skills to foster acceptance, offering support, and guiding teams and volunteers so that we may plan for and together embrace our future.   

Gay Archipelago brand represents our shared values, the knowledge that we are stronger together, and our belief that we can assist our member estates and our community, as well as our supporters, to live and grow in an environment that is tolerant and accepting of our common goals.

We thank the leadership committee; Garth Raleigh, Savannah Christensen, Leroy Voorhees, Evan Greymyst, Sangi Phaeton, and Draghan Marksman, for their service. Their diligence and care has given us leaders who will set us on a defined path towards tomorrow. 

In a two short weeks we will celebrate together as a community at our annual Winterfest. Please join us in welcoming our leads as they embrace their new roles.  

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” [Address in the Assembly Hall at the Paulskirche in Frankfurt, June 26 1963] ― John F. Kennedy

----

Greetings GA. 

I would like to introduce myself as your new GA Lead. Thank you so much to the GA Lead search committee, for all their hard work and time over the last few months. Thank you to Parvin for his hard work and amazing dedication to the GA, as interim Lead. You are truly awesome, never change. Today, i accepted the chance to guide the GA into the future. I feel very honored, and humble to be given this amazing opportunity. I have a huge task ahead of me, but one i will gladly take. I will not being doing this alone. Weylin who will be my vice lead, along with Parvin who will stay as PR Lead. Together, we will strive to constantly improve, strengthen your experience as member estates, sims and owners. 

Every estate, sim, owner will play an important role in the future of the GA. You are all vital to the GA. Without you, there is no GA. You will be heard, your voices are what we need to bring forward the organization. Let us work as a team, in harmony.  Together, we are one. United we stand. As the Lead team, settle into our new roles, please do bear with us over the coming weeks. I look forward to meeting you all to start this journey together.  Never change, be you.  Stay fabulous. 

This is your GA. Thank you, for your amazing support. 

"The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance" ― Brian Tracy

 Sincerely,
 Chris Magic

SecondLife's Got Talent - 2014

I was talking with my dear friend Garth Raleigh, the former Lead of Gay Archipelago and now an esteemed statesman, when he sent me this press release for "GA's Got Talent". It takes place on December 20th 2014 and is one of the events of this years GA WinterFest.

Garth has assured me that the contest is open to all residents of SecondLife (whether or not you live in the Gay Archipelago), hence my choice of title for this post.

GA's Got Talent - The official rules for all contestants

1. This event is for contestants to get experience with performing and of course to have FUN. And for the audience to see a great show and watch the talented contestants.
2. Drama and 'cat fights' are not allowed. All contestants are equal and we expect them to play fair (this includes ALL 'People's Choice' audience voting' issues. no exceptions)
3. Contest management reserves the right to eliminate any contestant(s) not following contest regulations properly at all times

The Application

• Make a choice what act you want to do at stage. It can be a SOLO or a DUO. Because we expect a big crowd, the second performer can be a duo singer, a dancer or assist with a magical act. 

• For the background of the stage we need a texture or snapshot (landscape format), NOT low pixels. else it looks blurry. 

• Some objects can be rezzed on stage if you are not a pixel size queen. We ask that you avoid heavily-scripted items completely (note - Contest managers will monitor prim usage and take appropriate actions to ensure stable prim counts & scripting behavior during the contest, including immediate return of unauthorized items or heavily scripted items) 

• Please choose a 'stage name' for this performance. Your 'Stage name' can be the artist name or be related to the kind of act you do. 

• Music can be the song you like to perform OR the background music of a magical act. Your music choice should be in MP3 format and will be given to our host DJ to assemble the show stream.

• Your performance/act should be no longer in time than 5 minutes and 50 seconds

• There is no theme... so you can be opera singer, rapper, dancer Rudolf Nureyev or Houdini. 

• This contest bears a 'Mature' rating, as does the GA Coronal Estate in general. Contest management reserves the rights to reject any submitted applications for performance that are deemed in poor taste (see "Community Standards' guidelines in Second Life should you have questions. 

• You will need to schedule rehearsal times for your performance well in advance of the final performance. This will be done through the Contest managers so as to allow normal stage operations, maintain fairness of competition and quality of the overall show.

• COMPLETE AND RETURN the application provided below BEFORE NOVEMBER 20TH, 2014 to Othon Weiland 

The prizes

The winner can win L$5000, the first runner up can win L$2500 and the second runner up can win L$1000.

If two or more contestants get the same votes they have to share the money (for instance: 1 and 2 get each 3750 (5000 + 2500).  

The prize money is donated by the GA community. The hosting estate will supply the technical equipment.

The voting

A contest board will be rezzed for the people's choice. This will be 1/5 of the total votes.

Four judges with knowledge of fashion/costumes, animations/dancing, performing will watch the show and send their votes to Othon Weiland.

The show

GA's Got Talent will take place on December 20, 2014, as part of the Gay Archipelago WinterFest. 

At the start and also at end of the show, when the judges are sending Othon Weiland their ranking, performers of Theater on the Hill will perform. These performers are permitted to take part in the contest.

Othon Weiland

The event is sponsored by the Gay Archipelago and the GA Coronal Estate.

---

Contestant Application
Create a notecard named "GA's Got Talent (Your name here)" containing the following information.Name Contestant:
Stage Name (artist):
Song :
File music:
Background set :Set object(s):

Send your application to Othon Weiland at the latest on November 20th, 2014.

Vistas & Blossoms 2014

Today I received this wonderful invitation through my dear friend Garth Raleigh.

VISTAS & BLOSSOMS 2014

~A GA multi-sim, juried Landscape, Garden & Destination Exhibition

A GA 7-Year Anniversary Event

In conjunction with the GA SummerFest 2014

JULY 11 - JULY 20, 2014

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT: The concept is to feature multiple GA properties of varying LANDSCAPES, GARDEN SPOTS and UNIQUE DESTINATIONS throughout the Gay Archipelago. In effect......a 'multi-sim' event! This one-of-a-kind event will officially open grid-wide on July 11th and will run thru July 20TH. The regions are linked to all other sim/estate entries via an LM-GIVER BILLBOARD - allowing touring guests to jump from location to location (23 diverse regions to explore this year!) to enjoy all the Exhibition has to offer.

Touch a picture tile on one of the billboards located at each region entered and you will receive an LM to tour that estate. You will also receive a note-card that each participant has prepared describing the areas interest and varied attractions that VISTAS & BLOSSOMS tourists will be experiencing. In their own words, they will tell you about what they have created; sometimes their approach to creating the landscape/garden areas; their philosophy on presenting their creations to sim/estate residents and visitors, etc.

The featured entries need NOT be professionally landscaped, nor gardened - only a presentation from a sim/estate owner/manager who is proud of the work that has been done to terraform, landscape and garden in order to beautify and add interest to the property. Displays do NOT have to be huge and awesome....merely inviting and complimentary to the surroundings.

Our Top Three Winners from 2013 will be acting as the judging panel and will be awarding L$34,000 in cash prizes at an Awards Gala on July 20th in the following arenas: 

Best in Show: L$15,000
1st Place: L$7,500
2nd Place: L$2,500

Best use of water feature: L$1,000
Best urban setting design: L$1,000
Best rural setting design: L$1,000
Best 'Themed' design: L$1,000
Best use of a dedicated structure: L$1,000
Best 'Commercial' setting design $L1,000
Best 'Residential' setting design $L1,000
*New: BEST use of wildlife/animals $L1,000

PEOPLES' CHOICE AWARD: $L1,000

AFTER you have toured the regions exhibiting, we invite you to VOTE (free) for your favorite overall region at the voting board on GA Coronal Estate.

Vistas & Blossoms 2014: People's  Choice Voting (SLurl).

During the 10 day exhibition, these regions will be visited by people from all over Second Life! This event is listed with Second Life - Linden Lab - as a 'Featured Event' in the Destination Guide! 

Vistas & Blossoms 2014 is presented to you by the Estates of the Gay Archipelago and is a friendly competition amongst neighbors. We welcome you to this event of exploration and discovery through July 20th!

Begin your Vistas & Blossoms Tour here (SLurl)

Enjoy your tour! 
Garth Raleigh & Othon Weiland 
Vistas & Blossoms 2014 Coordinators