Debi Latte Closes Mystery Anniversary Week in Fun-Filled Event

On Sunday at Noon, May 23rd, the 4rth Anniversary week of events at Mystery was all set to close as it began: with Debi Latte singing live aboard the Queen of Hearts riverboat club. Her velvet voice would be what was needed for a memorable finish.

It didn't quite turn out as planned.

The event was almost finished before it started with Debi crashing. And then an odd thing happened. Debi was able to log back in, but her avatar didn’t appear. It was like a disembodied voice speaking from nowhere.

With no Debi on the stage, Tygeria put something else on the stage: “newbie Linden” mannequins. After a few minutes, she put other things on the stage. For a corny but slightly macabre touch, three singing skulls rezzed over the stage, along with another blowing into a saxophone, and another on bongo drums. Then came a dancing leprechaun, smiling, which would occasionally stop for a sip of dark beer.

Eventually, Debi reappeared, flying back onto the deck. She had gone away some distance from the crowd to try to rezz. But having no luck, she had to dig out a newbie skin. She poked fun at her own predicament, then saw what Tygeria put on the stage, and laughed. Mystery staff member Ayjay Carpenter commented, “Who said variety was dead. Ventriloquism, a chorus line, great singing, a vanishing act. ... all in the first 25 minutes!” With all the crashes, Ajay was wearing a helmet. Someone else remarked, “Only in Second Life can your back up group be skeletons - some newbies - and a drunk leprechaun.”

And so, the event continued, with Debi occasionally chuckling about the menagerie on her stage, which soon included a rustbucket robot that later fell to pieces, and otherwise looking at the good side of things, “What a terrific day.” Tygeria put back a few of the newbie mannequins, but left some up. Debi sang her music like only she could, songs such as “Daydreaming,” “I Will Be Here Waiting For You,” and the club’s trademark song, “Queen of Hearts.” Someone in the audience muttered an emote: “D-E-B-I SL DIVA GODDESS.”

Debi sang for an hour, then the event came to a close. Despite the technical glitches and having to use a newbie avatar, she enjoyed herself that day. Tygeria’s sense of humor helped. She would later describe the event on Facebook, “Seems that SL wanted to be crazy today and not let my avatar back in after a crash.... but... the show went on.... my amazing audience stayed til I got in with a freebie avatar... and we had fun aboard the Queen of Hearts in spite of the technology!!!!”

Just in case this does happen again, someone passed her a package of freebie “Wingless” furred avatars. So perhaps next time, Debi really will be a “foxy girl.”

“You've been talking to Tygeria toooooooo much. LMAO!”

Bixyl Shuftan

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Mystery Celebrates Four Years in Second Life

It was four years ago this week that the Mystery sim was founded. And to celebrate, Tygeria Mirabeau and her staff are throwing a week of special events. They started out with a bang with Debi Latte singing live from the Queen of Hearts riverboat club. But Mystery has much more to celebrate besides the parties. There are new attractions, and even a sister sim appearing.

To read the story, go to Community.

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Particle-Parachute Jump at “The Pocket” for RFL

Particle artist Tyrehl Byk has recently gotten together with Musician Maximillion Kleene and the staff at “The Pocket” club. The people have planned a unique event in Second Life, one that makes the use of their noted talents. They’ve given it a somewhat long name: the “Maximillion/Tyrehl Phantasmagora Particle Parachute Jump/Show/Stunt for Relay for Life.”

Delinda Dyressen, whom is among the staff at The Pocket, promises it will be “the biggest ever mass particle jump in Second Life history!”

At the location at 8 PM SL time, Tyrehl will perform the particle show that he’s gotten raves for. After the show, free “particle parachutes” will be passed around. Then the participants will jump and drop down “in a glorious mass of particle-ized parachutes,” and after pulling the ripcords float down to the dance club (which has had a bulls-eye whimsically painted onto the deck), where Maximillion Kleene will be playing. Relay for Life Kiosks will be set up around the place.

Delinda suggests that those interested try to show up a little early, “The Pocket and Freestar Bay Island are not responsible for anyone who forgets to pull the cord. On the other hand, Max and Tyrehl ... well you can talk to their lawyers.”

The SURL given for the event is Here at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Freestar%20Bay%20Isle/194/89/316 .

Source: Delinda Dyressen’s Blog

Bixyl Shuftan

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The Wearers

Gemma Cleanslate interviews Marmaduke Arado and Kikas Babenco, whom have come up with a unique show. They don’t set any of their props on the ground. What one would think would have to be set down is all worn by the actors.

For more, go to Community.

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Live Music - Theo Tams in Toronto

It's been a while since I've posted anything about Theo Tams, and I really do like his music, so when I got the links to a couple of live performances that are very good, I figure now might be a good time to bring him back to the blog.



Theo took part in a charity event called Busking For Change, an event for War Child Canada, a group devoted to raising money for children affected by war worldwide. Several musicians took to the street, playing to raise money. Donations could be made online before the event, and I assume while playing on the streets. The event was held September 29th of this year. I will admit, I made an online donation because it was a good cause, and to support Theo, since I am not sure when or if I will ever get the chance to support him live and in person. Here he is playing Five For Fighting's Superman during the event.



While he was in Toronto, he had a couple of promotional spots, acoustic shows playing his own music. The following clip is I'm Gonna Say, from his debut album Giving It All Away. It was recorded October 7th.



For those of you who might not remember, Theo is the winner of the Canadian Idol, and whe won as an openly gay man. Most important, however, is Theo is a talented musician and performer to earn the title. The debut album is something I listen to on a regular basis, and still find it interesting and exciting. You can buy it on iTunes, or visit Theo's website here for more information.

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Live Music - Matt Alber & Jake Walden

In June of this year, Matt Alber appeared at the World Cafe in Philadelphia, with Jake Walden opening for him. I missed it, but wished I had gone. Matt has a gorgeous voice, just soft, warm and sweet as a kitten's belly. Rivers & Tides is a sort of aural landscape by the artist.



You can find out more about Matt Alber here and Jake Walden here.

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Friday Night Party - Ivri Lider

Well, it is Friday evening, and I thought perhaps it was time to have a good time, dance and forget the troubles of the week. For that, I present a video that always makes me feel so much better, Bo. The music makes me move, the song charms my heart. And, of course, I also have a long-standing crush on Ivri Lider.



In my first post about Ivri [found here], I posted the more conventional radio version of the song, sung in English. This is the long-play dance version, sung in Hebrew. And God only knows, I am trying to be patient as I wait for Ivri to release the English-language album. And to see him perform live. And maybe, just maybe, for him to realize he wants to fall in love with a man 14 years older than him. Wait, did I just go one step too far?



Ivri has already released a couple of songs in English, mostly songs from movies he has worked on. And Jesse. I love this song very, very much. I swear it has wormed it's way into my head, and I must listen to it every so often.



So I do understand Ivri will never fall in love with me, but I still adore his music, and would just love to see him performing live. You can hear more of Ivri's music at his official website here.

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Party Time - Paolo Nutini Cover

Paolo Nutini is a new favorite of mine, and I thought his cover of Amy Winehouse's Rehab deserves to be part of the Saturday night festivities. This is a fan video captured at a show at Carling Academy in Glasgow, Scotland, his native land.



He did the song as an encore, and it is fantastic. Enjoy!

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New Video - Tom Goss & Jeremiah Clark

Tom Goss left, and Jeremiah Clark on the right.

Tom Goss released this video of him playing with singer/songwriter Jeremiah Clark singing Back To Arkansas, a truly beautiful song from Tom's Back To Love CD. Of course, I am a huge fan of Tom, so I might be prejudice, but I love this.



You can find out more on Tom Goss by clicking here, and about Jeremiah Clark by clicking here. Tom is running a great creative arts contest and the winner will get a house concert. Check it out on his site and you never know, you might get a chance to hear Tom in your living room!


Jeremiah Clark left, and Tom Goss on the right.

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Worth Another Listen - The Cure

I have been a fan of The Cure for far too long. I remember going to see them play in the 80s, going to a variety of locations. In the early 80s, I was finishing up college, coming to grips with being gay, and loving 'New Wave' and punk music. Started out with The Police and Horselips, and moved on to The Cure. I owned Boys Don't Cry and went to see them when I could. Living in NYC, I remember seeing them at Madison Square Garden, which had the most magnificent sound system, and at Pier 84, located on the Hudson River near the Intrepid museum and the departure of the Circle Line Tours. I think it was the summer of 1986 I went to Pier 84 alone to see The Cure, and 10,000 Maniacs [with Natalie Merchant] opened for them. This was an odd pairing, and the large number of goth boys and girls looked lost as Natalie sang their particular brand of California Angst. The line to buy beer was long, I should know, I was in it a few too many times. But when the first strands of the particularly peculiar meld of pop, rock, angst and Jean Genet popped out of the speakers, all was right with the world.


A view of Pier 84 from the Hudson River

Earlier that spring, I had broken up with my boyfriend of six years, and was asserting my independence. I was going out alone, drinking, and living the life of a New Yorker. I drank a bit too much - which was fine, I was taking the subway home to Brooklyn - and remember cozying up to the speakers and feeling the base making my chest vibrate. Of course, I wasn't giving any thought to the walk from the piers to the subway, but who cared, I was loving life. If I remember correctly, they opened with Inbetween Days.



Fast forward 22 years, and I went to see the Cure last year, this time in Philadelphia with my niece, whom I had made into a Cure addict way back when. I can't tell you how excited I was. 65daysofstatic opened for them, and were really incredible. But then the boys of The Cure hits the stage, with their trademark light shows and killer sound system. They were outrageously great and played for just over 3 straight hours. There was the great old stuff, and some cool new songs. Sure they looked older - I wasn't exactly drinking from the fountain of youth the past two decades - but the show was fantastic. The following is a video from the very show we attended.



To remember the good old days with The Cure, you can visit their website.

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Live Music - American Idols 2009 Act 2

Top: Me & Rickey; Rickey & Blake; Big effects. Bottom: The band.

In a previous post, I had recapped the first act of the American Idol Season 8 tour, leaving me to tackle the top 4 here. But for those who missed that, I went to the American Idol Season 8 tour with my friend Rickey from Rickey.Org. The first act consisted of the performers who finished 5th thru 10th on the Fox reality show, and the 2nd act were the top 4, Allison Iraheta, Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert and eventual winner, Kris Allen. Below are my thoughts on the performances, and my pictures. If you'd like to see them bigger, click on them.




Allison Iraheta is 17 years old, but sings like a soul much more mature. She covered Janis Joplin's Cry Baby, and it was exceptional! She still maintains the charm of a teenager, with a raw and at time frenetic energy. I really enjoyed her time on the stage. Could she be the next Daughtry, and ride her 4th place finish to fame and fortune? Could be.




Danny Gokey has caught much grief this season, the story of his wife's passing almost as well known as his singing. I was not a fan while he was on the show, but he did show more energy live, and a lot more charisma. I never got what the judges were saying about him, but have more of an appreciation now. That said, I really find him to be more of an anachronism, more dated than he is retro. Can't say I see a place for him in modern music, but I could be wrong. Several times he did acknowledge Rickey during his set, which was fun.




Adam Lambert is a huge talent. On stage, he has charm and charisma in abundance, and a voice that is tough to top. He opened with Whole Lotta Love, the Led Zeppelin song, and it was outstanding. It was raw and sexual, just as the song intended. The ease of his performance was great to watch, moving from covers of Led Zep to Muse to Tears For Fears to David Bowie like he was putting on some eyeliner. I am not sure where or if he will find a place for himself in the music business, but it certainly won't be for lack of ability.




Kris Allen was considered an underdog, but still managed to win the title this season but all accounts with ease. I enjoyed him this season, as he seemed to be cut from the singer/songwriter cloth I enjoy so much. That being said, I was a bit disappointed with his performance, as I didn't feel he took command of the stage or the audience the way I would hope. He seemed tethered by the intrument he was playing, either the piano or the guitar, and didn't utilize the stage. He maintained a greater connection with the song than the audience. He sang his songs well, and played nicely, I was just hoping he would invite the audience to join him in the journey, not just watch him from a distance.




Then all 10 performers to come back and do a group song, a cover the Journey's Don't Stop Believing, a song making a resurgence as of late, much due to the use for the Fox series Glee, complete with a reappearance of the dueling pianists Matt & Scott. The number was quite fun.



Another bright spot for me was during Adam's set, when he brought out Allison to breathe new life into Foghat's Slow Ride. They were right on the money, being playful and strong, feeding off one another and elevating their performances.




In a side note, there was an extreme amount of smoke used during the show, and kinda grew tired of it by the third time Adam Lambert disappeared behind it. Sometimes, you just wanna explain that a little goes a long way.

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