The Chilbo Road Press

Images from the Virtual Praxis conference organized by
Chilbo Connect! member Ellie Brewster.

File in the “better late than never” category:

Friend, colleague and fellow Chilbo Connect! community member Sharon Collingwood (SL: Ellie Brewster) wrote an article in the Winter 2009 edition of  On the Issues: The Progressive Woman’s Magazine discussing the Virtual Praxis conference she founded in 2008.

The article discusses how the platform has become an empowering tool for women, and how the concept of community plays out virtually.

Community was at the heart of the presentations given at the Virtual Praxis conference (archived here). For the most part, speakers either explained how their own community has grown within Second Life, or they studied communities that interested them.

The article goes on to describe some of the presentations given at the conference, including Fleep Tuque’s presentation about The Women of Chilbo.

Linda Rogers (known in Second Life as Kate Miranda) and Chris Collins (Second Life: Fleep Tuque) are founding members of two prominent Second Life communities, Cedar / Sea Turtle Island, and Chilbo,respectively. As Executive Director of the Toronto Philharmonia, Rogers was able to rely on her real-world organization for contacts in developing a series of live music events in Second Life. Collins, an IT analyst at the University of Cincinnati, relied on her own community, a loose association of online friends who moved from posted chat to virtual interaction and established Chilbo as an important cultural center for artists, architects, musicians, educators and others to gather.

The conference was a great examination of how virtual worlds like Second Life can provide additional tools to feminists and activists for many issues:

There are many possibilities for feminist organizing in this new virtual world, but there are also difficulties. The technology is developing very quickly, but there can still be frustrating systemic problems. Although use ofSecond Life is free, it does require a recent computer and a fast Internet connection. Some problems of accessibility and disability exist. However, organization at a grassroots level is growing and these small communities are now reaching out to each other to negotiate a larger social framework.

As in the early days of the women’s movement, this negotiation is taking place outside institutional control, and it is based on trust and cooperation. It is too early to make predictions on where this social framework will lead the citizens of Second Life, but the inherently egalitarian nature of this new technology could provide fertile ground for feminist activism.

Be sure to check out the full article and congrats to Ellie!

Historical perspective.. think how much has changed since this presentation was given – though the Women of Chilbo are still a driving force in our community, that hasn’t changed at all!

Take a field trip with the ISTE Newcomer’s Committee! Join us for a dance party and outdoor cafe at the Educator’s Resource Room in Greater Chilbo on the Mainland. Hosted by Maggie Larimore of the Newcomer’s Committee and ISTE Member Josain Zsun, the Chair of the Chilbo Education Committee. The Educator’s Resource Room is full of great freebies and other resources for educators. So come and dance, snack and “shop” with us!

ISTE Newcomer Social
Thursday, February 18th, 2010, from 5-6pm, SLT

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Madhupak/128/48/2

On Tuesday, February 9th, the Insight Virtual College Community Centre will host a gala ball and auction benefit in hopes of raising funds to offset tier fees. All monies raised during the event will be used to keep the IVC free for all residents.

The event schedule:

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm DJ Bcreative Wilde
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Auction!
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm DJ Dakota Christensen

Formal attire is requested. A copy of the auction catalog is up for view at the Education Resource Center:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Madhupak/76/81/65

Location of the Gala Ball:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Insight%20Virtual%20College/40/130/33

The International Society for Technology in Education will be hosting a Newcomer Social tomorrow evening at ISTE Island.

Maggie Larrimore, a Chilbo community member who is affiliated with the organization, says it will be “a picnic/county carnival kind of thing with a merry-go-round and cotton candy…,” and that it is “a way for newcomers to get together, practice some skills and have some fun.”

The Newcomer Social starts at 5pm SLT at ISTE Island.

SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/ISTE%20Island/128/128/2.

Information on ISTE can be found inworld at ISTE Island, or on their website.

Earlier today, two separate donations in the amount of USD$230.88 were made to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders organizations. The money, which was collected during the January 16th Chilbo benefit in Madhupak, was finally released and has been successfully transferred without incident.

Documentation of both donations is available by contacting Chibi Lexenstar. Please note that the donation heart is still available for those who wish to contribute inworld. You can visit the Chilbo Road Press office here to add to the ongoing contributions.

Yesterday, the Chilbo community played host to a benefit concert and block party in an effort to raise funds for the victims of the January 13 earthquake in Haiti. The benefit raised over L$130,000 in funds with some 500 individual contributions made to the cause.

Ictus Belford plays to a crowd during the live music portion of the fund raiser.

The four-hour event was held at the Madhupak sandbox next to the Chilbo Museum, and was organized by MS Hawker, Chilbo Events Co-chair and Germelshausen Coffeehouse owner, with logistics by Chilbo Residential & Commercial Chair, Kristine Kristan. Kristine also owns Mad Wax Records and K2 Gallery in Madhupak. The Chilbo Road Press provided signage, and will oversee the transferring of funds to the organizations.

The first half featured music acts Kellee Blaylock, Ictus Belford, Avatar Quinzet, Untolerable “Bo” Bohemian and Johnny99 Gumshoe who performed 30 minute sets. DJ Chingy Chun of the Blackhearts Cafe played popular 80’s rock tunes for the second half. In addition to donating their time, all of the performers added their own contributions to the fund. Artist Tegan Jenvieve created a one-of-a-kind auction art piece that garnered additional money.

Artist Tegan Jenvieve creates auction art piece while Untolerable “Bo” Bohemian performs his set.

Several extremely generous contributions were made that ranged up to L$6,000, with event-goers continuously donating throughout the event. The set goal of L$100,000 was reached during the DJed portion of the event, and with 30 minutes left,  supporters dug deep and came through with an additional L$29K, easily surpassing the $L100,000 mark. Additional amounts were also donated after the event.

The L$100,000 goal was surpassed by the end of the show.

The donation heart will be left at the sandbox for the remainder of the long weekend and will be available for donations until Tuesday, January 19, when it will be moved to the Chilbo Road Press office for ongoing contributions. Those who would like to make donations can contact the organizations directly, or visit one of the many benefits that are being held this and next weekend around the grid.

All proceeds collected for the benefit will be split between the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders organizations. For the sake of transparency, documentation of fund transfers will be made available at the Chilbo Road Press office.

In an effort to raise much-needed funds for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, the Chilbo community will host a benefit concert and block party on Saturday, January 16 from 12-4 SLT at the Chilbo Community Sandbox in Madhupak.

The current line up includes Kellee Blaylock, Untolerable Bohemian and Ictus Belford, who will all be playing from 12pm-2pm. From 2pm, the sandbox will turn into a dance floor for the second half of the benefit as DJ Chingy Chun from the Blackhearts Cafe spins the deck.

Please join us for an afternoon of music as we try to raise $100,000L to donate to American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.

There will be two donation jars set up at the sandbox for your inworld contributions. However, you can donate directly to the organizations as it is urgently needed.

For more information, please contact Chibi Lexenstar or MS Hawker.

Chilbo Benefit Concert and  Block Party for Haiti
Date: Saturday, 1/16
Time: 12-4 slt
Place: Madhupak Sandbox

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Madhupak/120/216/2

If you walk by the charming adobe building in northwest Madhupak, you’ll likely be drawn in by the comfortable looking seating area, the delectable edibles displayed in the bakery, or by the friendly face of MS Hawker herself, on barista duty at the espresso bar.  Germelshausen Coffeehouse and Bakery is a relaxing comfortable hangout whether you’re a Chilbo local or a weary traveler from the grid. If you come by on a Tuesday or Thursday, you might be surprised to suddenly hear some great live music…but where is it coming from? Here’s a hint: JOIN US ON THE ROOF!

AMFORTE Clarity rocking the roof at The Haus

Every week, the rooftop at Germelshausen AKA “The Haus” has been drawing big crowds to see great live music in a realistic comfortable setting right here in Chilbo. Both performers and patrons enjoy the comfy cozy atmosphere, quality dances, and the friendly vibe created by your enthusiastic hostess, MS Hawker. The Haus has hosted popular acts  strum Diesel, PM Bookmite, Alex Parsons, Kelvinblue Oh, Engrama and AMFORTE Clarity – all of which will definitely be back in the future.

All week long, Germeshausen is a great place to meet new friends and old, have a cuppa and a nice chat. The Haus also has a new webcafe, and is Tiny Friendly!

Artists scheduled for the first week of October include Kelvinblue Oh, and Avatar Quinzet. Get notified of upcoming events (including something very special and fun planned for the end of October!), and the release of MS’s upcoming line of delicious scripted bakery goods,  join The Haus’ SL Group, or subscribe list by touching one of the boards downstairs by the bar or up on the roof.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Madhupak/27/223/97

For those of you unable to attend the Chilbo Fourth Of July party, you missed a good one. It was a blast from start to finish.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so let’s have a look:

The sandbox was prepared and fireworks tested

Party Planner Extraordinaire, Kristine Kristan, checked details

Monday Jinx worked the grill to keep the troops supplied with vittles

Tara Yeats and Malburns Writer said, "Let's get this party started!"

Where there is dancing, there is Rachel Corleone

Olando7 Decosta knows how to shake it

All during the party, visitors arrived and joined in the fun

Chilbo sim went offline and the party carried on

MS Hawker brought out her dance wheels

Ra Deemster shows his moves on the ramp

Tara and Mal floated up...or is it down?

There's Gem Blue in her fae gear!

Kristine Kristan, MS Hawker, Monarchy Republic and some guy

Fireworks? Three hours non-stop.

Mercalia added to the show

Oooos and Ahhhhs

 

Bangs and booms from up above

Thanks for all the hard work, Kristine and Monarchy. It was terrific fun.

Cheers to Chilbo community member L1Aura Loire who was one of the keynote speakers for the 2009 NMC Symposium on New Media and Learning.  Her  keynote presentation on March 25th, “Virtual Subjectivity”, was part of the NMC’s Series of Virtual Symposia, which explored the impact of new media on teaching, learning, research, and creative expression, especially in higher education.

Picture courtesy of L1Aura Loire from her keynote presentation at NMC

L1Aura is the avatar of Dr. Lori Landay who is no stranger to higher education.   She holds multiple degrees and received her Ph.D. from Indiana University in English and American Studies.  Lori Landay is a recipient of the Newbury Comics Faculty Fellowship at Berklee College of Music for her project, “Virtual Worlds” where she is exploring the possibilities for education and music in online immersive environments. She is Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music and the author of Madcaps, Screwballs, and Con Women: The Female Trickster in American Culture and various articles on new media, silent film, and I Love Lucy. 

L1Aura shared her virtual stage (wearing a stunning gown by Eshi Otawara I may add) at NMC with Nettrice Beattie who is the avatar for the real woman Nettrice R. Gaskins.  Nettrice is an artist and educator who bridges the actual and virtual worlds and explores how these realities can have a transformative impact on people’s lives.

Nettrice and Lori at NMC Symposium keynote address

If you did not have an opportunity to hear L1Aura or Nettrice speak live you still can check out their thought provoking presentations as documented on Lori Landay’s blog as well as the NMC’s website which features a variety documentation including machinima, slideshows and papers from most of the speakers who presented at the symposium.

Lori has smart ideas and a great sense of humor and has brought that persona into SL through L1Aura.  I am certain you will learn something new and inspirational when you take a read through her blog which covers many topics and links.  So when you see L1Aura around the  Chibo community give her a wave and a smile to brighten up her sabbatical in Second Life. 

Without a doubt, she has contributed to the community with her thoughtful discourse about the creative and social experiences we all share in one way or another in this virtual world.