.. the fairelands will rise again ..

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 / Sunshine / Leave a comment

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Fantasy Faire has just announced very exciting news! 2019 marks the eleventh year for this amazing event which is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life of Second Life. The theme or tag line for 2019 is “Builders of Hope” and indeed this event brings together the best builders and fantasy creators each year! Not only are the Fairelands’ regions built with such care and creativity, but the designers that fill the shops also bring some amazing creations to the grid. There are performances, role-play workshops, music, laughter, auctions and general a very special and challenging quest to be found at the Faire. The dedicated Fairefolk gather and plan so that the enthusiasts, role-players, shoppers, music-lovers, performance junkies and supporters can all find something of interest nearly every day of the event!

This year, Fantasy Faire will open the gates on April 18th. In the past, the event was scheduled for 11 days and generally due to popular demand, it would stay open for just a few days longer. The exciting news this year is that it will remain open officially until May 5 – that’s 18 days! Planned performances and programs will end on April 29 with the all-day One Team marathon dance party honoring all of the Relay For Life of Second Life teams but shopping will continue until the following Sunday. And you never know, there might be some crazy pop-up party in that last week!

In 2018, the Fantasy Faire event raised around $50,000USD for Relay For Life of Second Life and the American Cancer Society. In the past 10 years, the total raised equals $290,000! This is truly an amazing group of people that organize and support this effort each year. One of the unique things about last year’s fundraising is that it was earmarked for the Hope Hostel that is being planned in Nairobi, Kenya. That effort continues in 2019 with all funds raised going to build this new Hope Lodge!

From 2013 Fantasy Faire – Alia Baroque’s Build “Magnificat”

All the information you need to know can be found via these social media links:

Website: http://fantasyfaireSL.wordpress.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/fantasyfairesl/
Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/FantasyFaireSL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FantasyFaireSL
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/fantasyfairesl/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FantasyFaireSL

Start saving your linden and planning your adventures – watch the calendar for the planned events and scheduled performances that will take place during the event!

.. united we relay ..

July 13, 2018 / Sunshine / Leave a comment

Team Sol Existence Campsite

Tomorrow, Saturday July 14, the 2018 Relay For Life of Second Life event opens at 10am SLT. The opening ceremony will be followed by the Survivor/Caregiver Lap – the Honor Lap. Everyone stands along the side of the track to cheer these amazing people on as they make that first lap. The others will step onto the track after the Honor Lap and the Relay event is on! In Second Life, the event is 24 hours from opening to closing. Throughout the 24 hours – there are activities, entertainment, and continual laps around the 30 regions. At 9pm SLT on Saturday night, the regions will go dark and the luminaria bags will glow while we listen to the names of those that we honor and remember are read across the stream. The Luminaria Ceremony is one of the most touching and emotional parts of a Relay event. The activities and entertainment will continue until the closing ceremony at 9am SLT on Sunday morning.

One of the Activities Regions

Entertainment Schedule

Survivors/Caregivers Region

Relay For Life is a signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Each year, thousands of Relay events are held in communities across the US and 27 other countries. The funds that are raised go towards services and research. This includes services specifically for cancer patients and their loved ones – Hope Lodge where the patient and their loved one can stay while undergoing treatment away from home; Road To Recovery offers transportation to/from treatment for the patient; National Cancer Information Center – the 24/7 call center where you can call for info whether you have been diagnosed, you are a caregiver or loved one, you are a researcher, you want to volunteer or maybe even donate… the helpful, knowledgeable staff will help you with your query.

Scorpion Stingers’ Campsite – doing it right (they have a fundraising kiosk for every team rezzed) ❤

Designer region by Stingray (at entrance to Activities region)

I have been involved with Relay since 2008 when a new friend invited me to join their team. Throughout that first year and event, I was amazed to see how people come together for such a good reason in our virtual world. Over the years, I participated at differing levels from team member to committee member and sponsor. Because of my involvement in Second Life, I decided to jump into volunteering in my first life too. Since 2015, I have been volunteering at a local community, state, regional level. I am currently the Event Lead for the 2018 and 2019 Relay For Life seasons with my local community. I also serve as the SE Regional Communication/Online Lead working with a national team to provide “news you can use” in various mediums to volunteers nationwide. Volunteering for Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society is always a very rewarding experience. Walking around the track at any event, you will see the community spirit in the interactions and environment. Hosting survivors and caregivers at our local event is so heartwarming. But no matter what event I’m attending, it is the Luminaria Ceremony that means the most. It might be different within each community but all the same – emotional, touching, meaningful and the reason we need to be out on that track and raising funds year-round.

Game of Thrones Cooperative team campsite

Consider visiting the Relay For Life of Second Life regions this weekend. More information can be found via my fundraising dashboard << HERE >> just check out the Event page. Of course, I’d be honored if you felt inclined to donate too 🙂

my campsite from the track 🙂

The Activities Regions are where the ceremonies will take place >>
Activities 1 and Activities 2 and my campsite is << HERE >>… I’ve love to see you!

.. art auction benefiting RFL ..

April 8, 2016April 8, 2016 / Sunshine / Leave a comment

Art is the desire of a man to express himself,
to record the reactions of his personality
to the world he lives in.
~Amy Lowell

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The Inspired Dreamwalkers are a Relay For Life team in Second Life. This team has been active for several years and annually present silent art auctions to raise linden for Relay For Life of Second Life. As you might know, Relay For Life is the premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and has had a presence in Second Life for 12 years. Their team captain, JT Marchant, honored me by asking if I’d submit a couple of pieces for their art auction that starts today (April 8, 2016) at 9am SLT (PDT). There are many pieces to be bid on and the bidding will close on Sunday (April 10) at 3pm SLT (PDT).

Live entertainment is planned for opening day:

Friday 4/8 – 4pm SLT – Whirli Placebo
Friday 4/8 – 5pm SLT – Eliz Watanabe

Drop by Dancing Swan Island and remember to win an auction, you must bid early and often so that you can get the piece that you desire. There are some beautiful pieces available from some of the wonderful SL photographers/artists you know.

The two pieces that I’ve donated were created exclusively for this event. Both were recently captured at Everlong, a lovely sim for relaxing and snapping pics.

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I hope you will stop by the auction and find a piece that will look perfect on your wall! Or just drop a few linden in a kiosk to support this awesome group of people – the Inspired Dreamwalkers.