Gunner Earns His Star!

What a special performance it was!  DJ Gunner von Phoenix had earned his STAR in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame by DJing an event on the Dance Queens sim, but he wanted to do a mini-show to celebrate his dancing, and so he did.  A lot of people do not know that Gunner can create dances as well as DJ.  It has been a while since he took to the stage as a choreographer.  He proudly presented some of his favorite dances in a mini-show on September 25th, performing on the memorable Zhaza Zerbino stage.  Family and friends gathered to watch, many of whom did not even know he, at times, does choreography and imaginative dance creation in Second Life.  Let us take a look at the show and read his interview, getting to know him a bit better.

THE SHOW

Dead Man Walking

Sexin' On the Dance Floor with Pea, Cio, Mona, Yancy, Rosie

Zoot Suit Riot with Pea and Fury, Paul and Morganna, Cio and Mona, Kyser and Taema

Booty Swing with Pea

THE INTERVIEW

1. How and when did you find Second Life?

A friend back in 2009 was doing the IRC Gor Chat. 

2. How and when did you discover virtual dance?

Baby dancing in Gor started me. Then when she made the leap to Main stream I figured "I can do that".

3. I know picking is hard, but name a few of your favorite dances that you have ever created:

"Mack the Knife" is one of my very first dances and still my fav. Also Black Sabbith The Wizard. Booty Swing (I did at the show).

4.  Did you have any mentors when you were learning to dance that you'd like to wave to?

Yes "Wife of my Soul Baby Von Phoenix.

5. What is your favorite thing about virtual dance creation?

Not the building, that’s for sure. The Choreograph and mover work.

6. What is your least favorite thing about virtual dance creation?

Building the sets.

7. What advice would you give to someone who is new to virtual dance?

Do not take it seriously!! It is fun and when stuff happens.  Laugh it off.

8. If you have your own dance troupe, please tell a little bit about it, and its history.

The Empire Room’s Elysium Cabaret.  It all started as a place where my Baby and Paul’s Jilley would have a place to dance whatever they wanted.  Over the years, with the best dancers, in SL we are kind of well-known.

9. What is your favorite food, favorite drink, and please tell us about any pets that you have.

Fav Food - Coffee and Fav Drink - Coffee.  Two Whippets and two spoiled cats.

10. What activities other than dance do you enjoy?

I DJ.

11. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Yes, SL dance is a good outlet for creativity.  I cannot stress this enough to never forget, do not take SL seriously.  We come have fun.  That is what SL is for.  So HAVE FUN.

THE CEREMONY

Congratulations to Gunner von Phoenix for dancing his way into history by earning his star in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame!  Thank you for growing our walk.  Thank you for participating and for sharing your imaginative creations with the rest of Second Life.  Through dance, we reach out to other people hoping to touch them in some way and in so doing, bonding with them.  Also thank you for DJing for more than a decade, for your dedication and loyalty to the dance community!