It Was A BOO-tiful Thing!



Dubhna Rhiadra as "Bill Door" from "Reaper Man" ~ Photo by Crap Mariner



What a great day!  We had a great range of stories from the humorously macabre to the out-and-out gruesome.  Great scary fun!  Great crowd, appreciative audience.  Good times!

Thankks to Dubhna for hosting us on her lovely land again.  Thanks to all the presenters for great jobs done, one and all.  Thanks to the folks who showed up, some of whom spent the entire day with Dubhna and I ... soup to nuts around the fire!  Thanks for all who were able to donate to War Child, and the 2451L that will go to the charity.

Check out Crap Mariner's Flickr Photostream to see the wonderful 40+ shots he took of the event, bless'im . . . and he "mobility impaired" as it were.  Thanks Crap!

Information will be up on the blog in the first week of November about the next StoryFest Event: The Dicken's Project.  Come back and check it out!  The Dickens Project will open December 14th, with its final day on December 27th.

BOOFest! Sunday, October 21st

Over a dozen voices performing spookable tales of the season around the blazing fire at Bran NON-STOP at BOOFest! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bran/78/141/24

This year's BOOFest benefits War Child North America, and is produced in partnership between Stories Unlimited! and Branwen Arts

~~ 9:30am – Introduction & Welcome – Hosts Dubhna Rhiadra & Caledonia Skytower

~~ 9:45am –  REAPER MAN by Terry Pratchett

 A Selection from Terry Pratchett’s grim and delightful novel.  Death has been told he has lost his job, because he has been showing disturbing indications of individuality. The Auditors, who appear as grey floating faceless figures, have therefore appealed to Azrael himself to banish Death and allow a new Death to take his place, who will emerge after a period of … readjustment. Death then becomes subject to his own death, he is given a lifespan, in the form of a timer, to live out as he sees fit. He and his horse, Binky, must come to live as mortals in the world.  Presented by Caledonia Skytower and Dubhna Rhiadra.

~~ 11:00am: THE WATER GHOST OF HARROWBY HALL by John Kendricks Bang

A classic ghost story from the past which can still raise a smile at that perpetual battle between the sexes -  even from beyond the grave. Relax and listen to this short charming and unusual tale of one man’s attempts to relieve his family of the legacy of a watery annual visitor, and said visitor’s tenacity at not being dismissed.  Presented by Queen Bluestar.

~~ 11:30am: THE MONKEY’S PAW by W. W. Jacobs

Kayden Oconnell presented this bit of early 20^th Century classic horror.  The story is based on the famous "setup" in which three wishes are granted. In the story, the paw of a dead monkey is a talisman that grants its possessor three wishes, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate.

~~ Noon: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE FREAKY IN 100 WORDS

The Prim Reaper Returns!  Always unpredictable and irreverent, no subject is too sacred, no cow too holy for Crap not to pull it out, examine it, and bang it on the table a few times before putting it back where he found it - albeit slightly crumpled.  Long ago, he swore an oath to write a 100 word story every day until the day he died. He's not dead yet.  And no, he NEVER has opinions! http://firstlife.isfullofcrap.com/  (photo of Crap as "The Prim Reaper" by Bear Silvershade)

~~ 12:30pm: NIGHTMARES with Hakeber Haber

Have you ever wondered what nightmares are made of? Listen to Hakeber Haber's tales of horror and find out. Don't worry, nightmares can't hurt you, right? Featuring three of her original works:  Nighty Night, Yes, Master and Memory of the Sun.

~~ 1:30pm: THE CASE OF LADY SANNOX by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In this tale, Conan Doyle pits the reputation and intelligence of a medical man, trained in clinical discourse and behavior, against his all-too-human failings: lust, greed, even curiosity (recalling the "curious cases" of the pre-clinical era).  The famed surgeon Douglas Stone flaunts his notorious affair with Lady Sannox, although his professional reputation begins to suffer. One night a mysterious Turk asks him to attend his wife, who has cut her lip on a poisoned dagger.  Presented by Corwyn Allen.

~~ 2:00pm: TALES with Lycanthia

Once you have heard one of Lycanthia Wolfhunter’s stories, you never quite forget it.  They are gruesome, sensual, and posses a righteous sense of justice that is delightfully unique.  Today she presents four original short stories: Zombies Can Scream, You Always Kill the One You Love, Get A Head, and Trick or Treat.

~~ 3:00pm: MICROFICTION with Brokali

It is a chance to reach inside your day, their day, and everyones night. The coldest, warmest, darkest night without the over use of adjectives and never an adverb.

The best part is when we paint with microfiction what we see is obvious and real. Let's splatter it across our hearts and then share more. And more. More.

~~ 3:45pm: UNWIND by Neil Shusterman

Selections presented by BigRedCoyote.  In a world where medical science made it possible to replace any part of the human body by transplanting the part from a donor.Healthy donors were those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen who society determines were expendable.  An unruly child would be retroactively aborted.  Of course the child's life does not technically end.  The child's parts would be used for transplants.  And the child would continue to "live" as part of another body.  The process of harvesting the parts was called Unwinding. This is the story of how one boy is Unwound.

~~ 4:15pm: GHOSTS ON A BUMBOAT with Singh Albatross

Singh presents a selection from his Singapore novel: When Ralph Drummond steps on a curbside Hungry Ghost Month offering he collapses into a coma. Will he survive the psychic battle when the Gates of Hell open? Can his wife Winnie and their new Singapore friends Alvin and Fay save him? What is the Water Clan and who is the Geomancer?

ALL Times SLT

ALL presentations are live in Voice Chat.

BOOFest Preliminary Schedule

Oy!  What a challenge!  So many great people wanting to participate.  This schedule is preliminary, and subjectt o change and revision, as everything in life seems to be.  Check back on the day of the event for the most up-to-date posting.

BOOFest 2012 ~ Sunday, October 21st at Bran:  9:30am to 5:00pm SLT

~  9:30am:  Welcome and Selections from Terry Pratchett's Reaper Man with Host Dubhna Rhiadra & Caledonia Skytower

~  10:30am:  Shandon Loring

~  11:00am:  Queen Bluestar with an original story - The Water Ghost

~ 11:30am:  Kayden Oconnell

~ Noon: Crap Mariner with the Good, the Bad, and the Freaky in 100 Words.

~  12:30pm:  Habeker Haber with her own original spookiness: Nighty Night, Yes, Master, and Memory of the Sun
~  1:30pm:  Corwyn Allen with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Case of the Lady Sannox
~  2:00pm:  Lycanthia Woolfhunter with more orginal works of horror: Zombies Can Scream, You Always Kill the One You Love, Get A Head, and Trick or Treat

~  3:00pm:  Brokali with Spooky Flash Fiction

~  3:30pm:  Monday Jinx

~  4:00pm:  Big Red Coyote with Selections from Neal Shusterman's Unwound

~  4:30pm:  Singh Albatros with a Selection from his novel Ghosts On A Bumboat

All times SLT.  All Sessions will take place around the Fire at the Story Circle on Bran's terra level.  SLURL, And more information of Individual sessions will be posted here on Wednesday.

Donations received during BOOFest will benefit War Child North America

CALL For Presenters for BOOFest 2012

Soon it will be time again to gather round the crackling fire as the air crisps with Autumn, and tell ghosty-ghouly tales.  We'll gather at Bran on October 21st for the 2nd Annual BOOfest.  The sim is planning on holding BOOStock the day before on Saturday, October 20th, so it will be a big weekend.

BOOFest will be held in a single day this year, like last Spring's StoryFest.  Submissions for story presentations will be accepted for 30 minute and 60 minute time slots and there will be a mid-day break.  Tentatively, stories will begin at 10am SLT and conclude at 5pm SLT, but that may be subject to change.  Story presentations must be live, not pre-recorded.  Those interested in Presenting should contact Caledonia Skytower or Dubhna Rhiadra in world via notecard (PLEASE!). 

Include the following information in your notecard:

• The size time slot you need (30 or 60 minutes)
• Your name. Whether you are performing solo or with others (please include their names),
• The piece you intend to present if you know it (not required till we actually get to October). 
• Time of day preference or any time constraints we need to consider when scheduling you.

As with StoryFest, there will be no stream available, and limited rezzing.  Just your voice in the dark . . . Mwwwwahahahahahahahaah!

Submissions to present will be accepted through the end of the Virtual Day on September 30th.

Tips from BOOFest will benefit War Child North America, and Branwen Arts.

BOOFest 2012 is excited to already include these storytellers:

• Crap Mariner
• Singh Albatros
• Freda Frostbite
• Corwyn Allen
• Dubhna Rhiadra
• Monday Jinx
• Lycanthia Wolfhunter
• Queen Bluestar
• BigRedCoyote
• Caledonia Skytower
• Kayden oConnell
• Hakeber Haber

MORE applications coming in every day ... we are in for some GREAT stories this year!  Final list to be published aftert the DEADLINE OF SEPTEMBER 30TH

THE BARD TIMES ARE ROLLING!



Crap Mariner IS "The Prim Reaper"!!!

Whew!  Who would have imagined that we'd actually have been on time and ahead of schedule!  BOTH DAYS!  Thanks to all of today's performers and thanks tot he great audience.  Over L$5800 in donation to War Child North America from our efforts during this great weekend!  Thanks one and all for the support and the fabulous time!  
Enjoy these photos of BARD courtesy of  BEAR SILVERSHADE
And here are some great shots by CRAP MARINER

BOOFest '12 is coming up soon!  Call for Presenters will post here on September 3rd and be available in world in notecard form from Stories Unlimited! and through Caledonia Skytower and Dubhna Rhiadra.  be sure and check back!

BARD ON THE BEACH '12:Schedule

Saturday, August 18^th – 3pm to 4:30pm:

·        Welcome and Intro: Caledonia Skytower

·        “If You’ve Ever Said…”: Corwyn Allen

·        "Anatomy of a Murder or, the Macbeths at Home": Madame Thespian Underhill as “Lady MacBeth” & Joff Fassnacht as “MacBeth”

·        Sonnets! Sonnets! : Klannex Northmead

·         “As You Like It” - Act I, Scene 3: Dubhna Rhiadra, Lycanthia Wolfhunter, & BigRed Coyote

·        “The Tempest” – Prospero : Corwyn Allen

·        The Prim Reaper  Presents Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Crap Mariner

·        Ariel’s Song from “The Tempest” : Singh Albatros

Sunday, August 19^th – Noon to 1:30pm:

·        Welcome and Intro: Caledonia Skytower

·        “The Tempest” – Caliban: Corwyn Allen

·        100W Shakespearean Stories “Keep It Brief” – Crap Mariner

·        Portia and Her Suitors from “The Merchant of Venice”: Derry MacMahon & Bear Silvershade

·        “A Shakespearean Romance”: Sonnet and Story: Ludo Merit

·        “Twelfth Night” Viola & Feste the Clown from Act II, Scene 1: Caledonia Skytower & Crap Mariner

·        More Sonnets!  More Sonnets!: Klannex Northmead

·        “Richard III” Act I, Scene 2: Caledonia Skytower & Corwyn Allen

All times SLT and everything subject to change.
The Festival takes place, once more, on the scenic sands of Mango in the Fruit Islands
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mango/87/136/23

Tips from this year's BARD will benefit War Child North America

War Child strives to empower children and young people to flourish within their communities and overcome the challenges of living with, and recovering from, conflict. To achieve this, War Child works collaboratively with those communities to increase access to education, overcome the obstacles of poverty and create a protective environment for the rights of children and youth.  The ultimate goal of War Child is that someday we will live in a world where no child knows war. 

There is no obligation to tip at BARD.  It is offered freely to the SL Community.  All tips received will be forwarded to War Child through the West Of Ireland in SL, which collects and forwards donations to the charity monthly. Donations go directly to the charity, and none are used to pay overhead or other expenses. Ninety cents of every donated dollar received by War Child goes directly to programs.

THE PLAYERS

Alpha by First Name ...

BIGRED COYOTE:  High School Teacher, Sage, Apprentice Bard.  He brings a great passion for stories to his presence on the SL grid.

CALEDONIA SKYTOWER loves language, music, and stories of all kinds, regardless of their source: theatre, poetry, literature, traditional telling. Story Staff of the Seanchai Library, Manager/Producer of Stories Unlimited Subscriber Group and StoryFest Event Group, Landscaper, Builder, "Artist."

CORWYN ALLEN is a poet and actor. He is a member of the Avatar Repertory Theater troupe and the host of Poetry on the Halfshell, an open mic for poets, Thursdays at 4pm SLT.

CRAP MARINER - Always unpredictable and irreverent, no subject is too sacred, no cow too holy for Crap not to pull it out, examine it, and bang it on the table a few times before putting it back where he found it - albeit slightly crumpled.  Long ago, he swore an oath to write a 100 word story every day until the day he died. He's not dead yet.  And no, he NEVER has opinions! http://firstlife.isfullofcrap.com/

DERRY MCMAHON & BEAR SILVERSHADE bring good literature to life at the Seanchai Library.  They present a wide range of stories from the classics to chick lit; including science fiction, fantasy and food stories.  Watch for their gallery shows, as they are quite addicted to SL Photography.

DUBHNA RHIADRA Doov-na (It's Irish).  Where else but in SL can a Blackfoot elven celt find a home?  I'm a wild woman of the woods, a storyteller, a dancer,or a pixie who'll drop twigs in your hair and run away giggling. Both of these are me: Elf and Pixie: you may see me as either.  Founder and co-director of Independent Ballet Company.

JOFF FASSNACHT is a well established presence in the Virtual Theatre Scene, having performed with the former SL Shakespeare Company, and Coventry University.  Joff is a company member of the Avatar Repertory Theater, and may be most recently remembered for his performance in the title role of ART’s Oedipus Rex, and as “Humpty Dumpty” in Through the Looking Glass. For more on Joff, visit his Actor Bio page at the ART Website:  http://www.avatarrepertorytheater.org/

LUDO MERIT came to Second Life to develop a role playing game, but she keeps getting distracted by things like Shakespeare, acting, philosophy, spirituality, psychology, other roleplay, and all sorts of fun. She is a JOAT, Jill Of All Trades, master of fun.

LYCANTHIA WOLFHUNTER Writer, guerrilla  poet, creator, folklorist, storyteller, mythographer  and eternal student.

MADAME THESPIAN UNDERHILL (a charter member of SL since 2002) has been working in virtual theater since 2008, beginning with the SL Shakespeare Company in HAMLET and TWELFTH NIGHT.  Since 2009 she has been a member of the Avatar Repertory Theater Company performing and/or directing in THE TEMPEST, SHAKESPEARE AT THE PAVILION, 13 OBJECTS, OEDIPUS REX, THE VIRTUAL SHORT PLAY BUFFET, ALICE IN WONDERSLAND, ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS,  and many Friday Night A.R.T. Plays Around pieces.  Also with A.R.T. she was involved in virtual theater demos for the 2010 SLCC Convention, the Virtual World Best Practices in Education 2010 event and two different years for the SLBirthday events.

 

SL Machinimas includeToxic Menges' "Little Red Riding Hood" and Phaylen Fairchild's "DIVAS" series (season II, episode 4) as the voice of Onyxia.

KLANNEX NORTHMEAD.  Pirate Neko Poet against Bad Things.  http://www.piratenekopoet.com/

SINGH ALBATROS (Chris Mooney-Singh’s) recent poetry collection: ‘The Bearded Chameleon’ (2011) explores cultural adoption as a convert to Sikhism. ‘The Laughing Buddha Cab Company’ (2007) looks at Asia through a series of taxi rides. His fiction has appeared in ‘The Best of South-East Asian Erotica’, ‘The Best of Singapore Erotica’, ‘Love and Lust in Singapore’ and ‘Crime Search: Singapore’. Two short plays were produced for the Singapore Short and Sweet festival in 2008 and 2009. He is presently a post-graduate research scholar at Monash University, Melbourne. He has been in world as Singh Albatros for nearly 3 years and since then a part of the literary scene here. He recites and sings his poetry and has just completed a ‘psychic realist’ novel set in Singapore.