Red Sunday: Open Mic Readings, Community Roundtable & Tukso Okey Concert

Sunday's open mic poetry at Four Bridges/SpeakEasy was awesome (it usually is)! Last Sunday is usually packed with activities because we have our monthly roundtables at 10am slt for members to come together and share announcements about whatever they're working on. Plus, I went to Carl's drumming at 8am slt at the Feed a Smile sim for some Also, SL9B festivities were in full swing all weekend. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful turn out with new faces and our regulars for the sharing of the written word. Synapse opened the hour with three great pieces. Lemonodo read a few selections and then the ball got rolling with Queen, Don, Squiddy, Carl and many other writers who were present. Matty, a new member, passed one poem to Carl to read for her. We often encourage participants who may not feel comfortable to read or a little shy, to ask the host or anyone of their choice, to read on their behalf. Queen's piece about girls gave me a nudge to read "I am an emotional creature" by Eve Ensler. I wished Anamaria was there, so she could  read it instead. I've been enjoying her version and style of reading the monologue a great deal.
For many residents of SL, crashing is part of the experience. Well, let me tell SL decided to have a little fun with me while I was hosting. I crashed 3 times if not more. Thank goodness Synapse came to the rescue and hold down the fort for me by reading and introducing others. Sadly, Brokali, my funny cohost was under the weather and couldn't join us. I'm hoping he'll be in good health by next weekend to participate fully.
After the poetry hour, I took a mini break to recuperate from the relentless crashes and came back to get a notice from Synapse about Alex's open mic at 1pm slt on book island. I popped over for a bit to hear some of the writers and entered to win a guitar as the door prize. Of course, I did not win:( Barbara, the Book Island correspondent was the lucky winner. Congrats! I enjoyed Synapse's except from the book she's reading. Before I knew it, I crashed right after Singh's stories. I thought this was a sign another break was in order. After a few hours offline, I realized I haven't had a dose of Tukso Okey in days, if not weeks. So, I relogged one more time and was greeted with a notice from Padula Bing about a concert at Wild Girls. After clearing my inventory and a quick change, I tped over to the venue for the concert. The moment I heard his guitar riff at the landing, I knew Ive been away for too long. Wow! And then the voice, "Are you having a good time?", Tusko asked. Fans can't help but screamed, YES! I sure did lol. Needless to say, I ended my SL night on a high and still grooving to Tukso's vibe. Amazing!

Lola's beautiful thing 100 word story by RedGoddess

This week's 100 word story took a fun turn for Lola, the main character. The words given are: beautiful thing. I've decided to continue with the Lola series by writing one new story a week for crap's challenges. Lola seems to be developing a little fan base and I'm exploring where the character is taking me and the readers. Check out the latest story written for the challenge. Beautiful thing is narrated by bonchance longfall. Take a listen and let me know what you think.
I read some of these stories in second life. This weekend Brokali read a few of them at his shop on Book Island. I was pleasantly surprised:) I think Lola is starting to let loose and many are anxiously waiting for her next adventure. If you're on Second life, check out the links below for the venues where I host/co-host readings and listen to other writers share their work.

Four Bridges Project/SpeakEasy
Brokali's ShopHelio's HouseAsylum Reef
 

100 word challenge "27%" by RedGoddess

At 6:00pm, Lola hears the harmonious chorus of church bells. She arrived home from her hotel job with sore feet and aching back. She plopped down in front of a small tv. Her grandmother is out for bingo night at the community center. Her siblings are also MIA. She turns the tv on and immediately hears the newsanchor reports, "unemployment is still in the double digit and the President has not provided his new job recovery plan." I'm lucky to have a job in this economy, Lola thought. Looking at her paycheck, she realizes her wages have been reduced by 27%.

Brokali launches Microfiction Hour on Book Island

I am excited to announce that Brokali has started a series of reading at his shop on Book Island. Brokali Resident is known for his short stories, which are often funny, thought-provoking and just reflect day to day nuances of human interactions. Although, he's been reading all over the grid in second life, including SpeakEasy at Four Bridges Project and Tremolo Coffee & Galleries, some Saturdays will be reserved for his shop to share latest stories and improv. I've learned about microfiction through Brokali after hearing his work in 2011. I often describe his stories as a grappling short film or a condensed montage of a suspensful movie because he sets the most vivid scenes and dialogues. It's amazing that so much can be conveyed in 420 words or less.
I will be posting all upcoming readings on this blog. The next reading is scheduled for June 23rd at 9am slt. This is an open invitation to all readers:)

CECI DOVER LIVE AT SPEAKEASY IN SECOND LIFE

We had another fun filled Sunday, May 13 at SpeakEasy/Four Bridges. We started our poetry hour right on time with Lemonodo Oh as co-host. It's such a thrill every Sunday to hear new work of every genre from poetry, prose to microfiction. I continue to dabble in writing a weekly 100 word story via crap mariner. Even though I completed the challenge, it was a little more complicated than usual.  Maybe the words threw me for a loop this week. So, instead I read a dash on the word "haven" and shared my wave from the word "ball."
For those of you who may not have participated in these activities, a dash (hosted by Ginger) is held daily in Second Life and writers are given a word and can write for 15 minutes at Milk. On the other hand, a wave (hosted by June Faramore) lasts for about 20 minutes with a given word and is held at Book Island. This was a week of firsts when it comes to my writing. I attended wave for the first time that week. Plus, I wrote a 100 word story for a dash word instead of a poem. Shocker!
But I'm happy with the results my spontaneity has produced thus far. A few more writers shared their work and before we knew it, it was time for live music! My Red Hot May Celebration continued with the beautiful Singer CECI Dover. I was proud to present her to the SpeakEasy crowd  who loves her music instantly. I was prepared with the salsa dance balls and other fun dance moves for friends. I heard of music for the time when I attended one of her concerts at Whispers, which is a sensational venue. Even there, I danced through the hour while listening to her gorgeous voice. What drew me to her though is her multi-lingual ability andher song selections. She flawlessly sings each song with so much heart that feel the lyrics whether you speak that language or not. One second you feel like you in Cuba then America, then France then she woo you back to her native country Argentina.  Her fans go wild as well in various languages. I only requested one song, Je T'aime, which she can also sings in Italian. As you can tell, it was an amazing concert! If you've never heard CECI Dover before and even if you're already a fan, make sure you join her at the next concert.
So, I have more in store on May 20, with another poetry hour and possibly a concert with the one and only MrMulti Writer for his return to SpeakEasy. You have a personal invitation from me to tp  over every Sunday at 11am slt. Can't wait to see you:)

Red Hosts Open Mic at Hope 4 SATOBS Art Village

On May 12, I hosted a new open mic series at Hope 4 SATOBS Art Village on Luna Bliss. I was so excited to finally share the venue with the public, mostly friends. The Art Village, a part of the non-profit organization, Hope 4 SATOBS in SL, is a beautifully designed gathering space for writers, artists, musicians and anyone who's interested in exploring the arts. Similar to other readings that I host, I welcome all writers to join us and share their work. As a poet, I have a tendency to share more of my poetry than other writing. So for the Saturday series, I would love for more storytellers and microfiction writers to take the stage on Saturdays. It was great to hear work by Brokali, bonchance Longfall, Lycanthia, lloubras and many others. Lycanthia read a funny story she wrote at a recent dash with the word "ball" Let's just say there was a pre-apology to the gentlemen in the room before she started the reading. lol We were then treated to a solo debut by the awesome Carl Resident, who sang "This Land is your Land" a tribute to Woody Guthrie and a treat for us. Check out the lyrics on http://www.woodyguthrie.org

This Land Is Your Land
Words and Music by Woody Guthrie

This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.

I was singing along and I'm sure others were too. He has not picked up the guitar in more than a year.  Can you believe it? We wouldn't know if he didn't tell us. We have a cozy stage set up right on the pavilion across the main gallery in the Art Village. Anyone can grab the guitar and play their heart out or sing if they feel so moved.

After a few more readings, we ended the hour with some more stories from Brokali, our in-house Microfictionist. On Saturday, May 19, Brokali will debut his "Micro Hour" at the Art Village from 9:00-10:00am slt. He will share some of his most recent microfiction stories. You don't want to miss it. Stay tuned for notices for all upcoming open mics, live music and other Red affiliated events:)

Poetry, Live music with Shannon Oherhily & Tukso Okey: Triple Dose of Fun at SpeakEasy

What an amazing Sunday! I knew the day was going to be packed since I put the schedule together but when the day finally arrived, I was beyond excited. First up, we had our regular scheduled open mic poetry at SpeakEasy with writers of all genres. Lemonodo Oh opened the hour with two wonderful poems. I must say he's always ready to share and rarely reads the same pieces twice. Second Life was acting up and for the life of me could not get voice to work. I pass the mic to Anamaria who has a knack for reading some of the thought provoking poems I've ever heard. I can't say enough about how brilliantly talented she is! After many voice reset, I was finally able to take the floor to read. I shared this week's 100 word challenge. The word was "smoke." I had to sleep on that one a bit before I came up with Lola's new adventure at work. I also read several poems from poetry 180, a program that encourages high school students to read a poem a day. I do quite a bit of digging for new poems or stories in preparation for hosting the open mics. I randomly chose a few from the website that I found intriguing. Before I knew it, the hour was over and it was time for our 2 hour live music concert to start.

Singer/Songwriter Shannon Oherhily is featured at SpeakEasy on the first Sunday of the month and is a favorite at Four Bridges. She never disappoints. This Sunday was no exception. She sang one of my favorites, "Emotional Vampire" and a few other deep songs. It was awesome hour of live music. Lot of friends and new faces in the crowd. Carl and Drumstick dropped by. millay Freschi (Founder of Four Bridges) and Orb Thursday were also in the audience. Yay!  

For the third hour of marathon Sunday at SpeakEasy, Musician Tukso Okey, guitar king, took the stage. I've been anticipating this concert for a few days and was on cloud 9 when the date was confirmed.  Padula Bing, Tukso's Manager was the first few to arrive. Becca from his street team was also in the crowd. Shepp and Kari, two friends that I often see at live music venues joined the party. I even got a little birthday smooch from Shepp. lol     This was such a fun hour of Tukso madness and awesomeness. He ROCKED it out! This blog entry won't do justice to the experience. That means you have to come to one of the upcoming shows to get a dose of Tukso live and loud.
I later realized an hour is just not enough to soak into Tukso's music, especially on a special occasion like a celebration. Like in in real life, all good things in moderation. I'm satisfied until the next concert is announced:)
I was happy that the reading and performances have exceeded my expectations. Plus, everyone told me they had a great time:)
On that happy note, I invite you to tp over next Sunday at 11am slt to enjoy hours of poetry and live music. CECI Dover performs live at noon slt. You do not want to miss her debut at SpeakEasy!