Friday, November 30, 2018

Burlesque Dolls at the Gypsy Rose Theater


Burlesque Dolls at the Gypsy Rose Theater

Join the Burlesque Dolls for a Ho Ho Holiday performance! Launch your December celebrations with a tantalizing hour of sexy fun. No matter what you celebrate, this show is sure to warm your milk and cookies with Christmas themed sets featuring Josephine, Nara, Taema, Chrissy, Queenie, Lina and DJ Diamonique. Come spend an hour that's full of cheer with a dash of sass and a lot of class. One afternoon only, December first. Show time is 3pm SLT. Doors open at 2:00.

Semi formal or more
 

Elysium Cabaret - Welcome to The Weekend!


If it's Friday, it's Elysium Cabaret!  
Fancy some imagination in a fun social setting?  In The Empire Room at Copperhead Road, every Friday at 6pm SLT the dynamic performers of Elysium Cabaret take the stage to bring you a solid hour of entertainment!  Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone.  Grab your friends and get their early because the sim fills.  Come celebrate Friday!

We also offer a 'best of the past month' matinèe the last Saturday of every month at 1pm SLT, for our friends who can't make it to our Friday evening shows.  See you there!

This week’s show features a Black Box challenge!  Something different and creative, a bit of enchantment and mystery! 

With acts by:
  • Jilley
  • Hailie
  • Britt
  • Web
  • Queenie
  • Gracie
  • Lina
  • Antonio and 
  • Dear on Crowd dances  
Welcome to the weekend!

Come See the show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elysium-Cabaret-191390887935940/
Blog: https://elysiumcabaretblog.wordpress.com/




Thursday, November 29, 2018

Ballet Pixelle Presents "The Nut"

5pm SLT on  12/2. 12/5, 12/9, 12/12, 12/16, 12/19, 12/23, 12/26
Ballet Pixelle  presents "The Nut"

Come See The Show!

***********************************

And Extra Presentations at the Rose Theatre on the following dates:
12/16 and 12/28 at 2pm SLT


The Rose Theatre


Atlantis Grand Theatre - Variety Hour



"The Atlantis Variety Hour "
December 6th, 2018 @ 5pm slt. @ 5pm slt.

Variety is the spice of life and variety shows are one of the oldest forms of showbiz razzle-dazzle.
Atlantis Grand Theatre is pleased to present their bi-monthly entertainment, offering something for everyone. Each month we feature a revolving door of creators and dancers showcasing their favorites.

Hope to see you there! Smart Casual to Formal Attire Please.

Come see the show!





Oasis Dancers Christmas Show

December, 2nd, 12 pm SLT noon, Gorean Campus
Oasis Dancers, Christmas Show
 
 Goreans and Non-Goreans are welcome



 

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Two Debauche Christmas Shows This Weekend!




Debauche
Saturday 1st December, Ville de Couer, 1pm SLT

Debauche begin the Christmas season with an amazing show at an amazing sim. Ville de Couer has long been a favourite of ours with its beautiful theater and beautiful people. We cannot wait to kick off this Christmas season here in Ville.

New routines, classic routines, all with the same sexy, sassy, classy Debauche Christmas spirit.

See you there at  1pm, SLT, Saturday 1st December

Come see the show:


______________________________________________________________________________________________

Debauche
Sunday 2nd December 12.30pm SLT, Babylon Berlin

We continue the Christmas season with the excitement of a brand new venue for us. The place itself is amazing, so elegant, so very...debauched....sounds perfect, right?

Join us at the beautiful place as we bring the Ho Ho Ho Christmas spirit to Babylon Berlin.... in a classy way, of course 

Sunday 2nd December, 12.30pm SLT Babylon Berlin

Come see the show:

(I'm the one on the far left, bottom row. Hi!)

Club IMAGE


IMAGE open this Sunday 
♥December 2th
OPEN 5:30 AM SLT, START 6:00 AM SLT

...... ♥ * Line up for this Sunday*♥.......
Yougao Destiny"Tsuki no shizuku"
Coyume Melody"Sparkle"
Setsuna Hirano"Fighter"
Xia Xute"Fireflies"
Misse Tigerpaw "This love"

■チームダンス team dance
 Diawa Bellic"All about the shake"

DJ: HANKU Babii☆.。.:*・゜
FloorStaff:Sakura&Nara
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

BLOG for IMAGE  http://image.slmame.com/

Come see the show:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Laem%20Singh/193/28/2021





Tips & Tricks - Reduce Lag by Making People Disappear, Easily!

It's a pretty simple concept - the less your viewer sees, the less it will have to think.  The less it has to think, the more it can focus its resources on the performance.  The more it focuses its resources - the better the experience you'll have at your favorite show!

Alas, though I love swimming in a sea of beautiful people, there is always a price.  All that sexiness requires system resources, especially in a crowded theatre.  You can redirect those resources to the performers on the stage, breathing a contented sigh of relief as you sink back into your chair with champagne in hand.  How?  Channel your inner magician and make your audience disappear - easily!  Derender them.  Presto Chango!  Shazam!  Abracadabra!  (Make sure to do some magician-like flourishy hand waving and a wiggle or two - it's all about showmanship ya know.)

First though, what is derendering?  Some SL viewers, such as Firestorm, have the ability to derender people or objects.  Derendering basically makes the object/person disappear.  Your viewer un-displays them and acts as though they visually don't exist. This saves resources because to you and your viewer they become invisible and their complexity is now zero.  Nada.  Zilch.

Derender from your people list - highlight one or more names, right click and select Derender
Derender from someone's name tag:  Right click on their name tag and select Derender

Whoa!  That woman with the bright pink flower polyester pants making your eyes bleed?  Right click on her name in the People list and choose derender - poof!  She's gone!  (Well, not gone, gone - that's what eject is for), but you don't have to see those pants anymore!  <breathes a sigh of relief>.  If you are near fainting over your keyboard in agony and need to make her vanish even faster, right click on her nametag and select derender.  All is right with the world again!  The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and the bunnies are hop hop hopping around.

Sure, that helps with the fashion emergencies, but what about performances?  You could derender people one by one or multiple at the same time from your People list - but what about the dancers?  You don't want to accidentally derender them!

(I've done that - derendered the dancers on stage by accident...  It gets really awkward when they ask "how did you like my performance".  uhhhh)

There's an easier way to make the audience vanish and still see all the dancers in all their gloriousness!  Let's investigate here <put on your Sherlock Holmes hat...now>:

Fact #1 - if you derender a piece of furniture an avatar is sitting in, the avatar also disappears

Fact #2 - once the avatar stands up, they will be visible again (that's a good thing)

Fact #3 - derendering is temporary.  Once you teleport off the sim and back again, whatever was derendered and not blacklisted will reappear.

Quick note:  what is blacklisting.  Blacklisting is adding a person, object, sound, etc. to a special list which tells your viewer not to ever show that person, that object, or play that sound until you remove them from the list.  If you blacklist an avatar, it doesn't block them from talking to you and it doesn't prevent you from seeing them on the radar.  They'll be like the invisible man...forever...until you remove them from the list.  For the purposes of this blog, always choose Derender, not Derender and Blacklist.

continuing on....

Fact #4 - using world area search, you can search for the name of the furniture, like "Gemma 2 Leather Chair" at Elysium, and then see all the copies of that piece of furniture.

Fact #5 - you can select all said pieces of furniture and select edit (it's getting good here)

Fact #6 - with the furniture selected, right click on one piece of highlighted furniture in the theatre and TA DA!  You can select derender.  Whoosh - no more chairs and no more avatars sitting in the chairs.

Interesting indeed, isn't it my dear Watson?  Let's recreate the scene:


STEP 1:  Arrive at the venue and sit in a chair.  (Always sit in a chair, that reduces lag too.)

STEP 2:  Right click on the chair and select edit.  Copy the main part of the chair name.

Oh look!  I think it's Babypea's rezday today!

STEP 3:   Open World Area search and paste the main part of the chair name in the find tab, in the object name block.  Press the search key and give it 20 seconds or so as it finds all the copies.

Holding your shift key, click the first and last item on the list which will select all 53 copies of the chair.




STEP 4:  Right click within the highlighted list and select Edit.  You should now see all 53 chairs highlighted.

STEP 5:  If you are sitting in one of the highlighted chairs, hold down your shift key and click on your chair to deselect it.

Notice my chair is NOT highlighted, area search says there are 53 chairs, but the edit window says only 52 chairs are selected.  Our Unfortunate Test Subject's chair is about to go poof, but not my mine!


STEP 6:  Right click on one of the highlighted chairs in the audience and select Derender.

Yep, I right clicked on his chair which is one of the chairs selected (see the blue and yellow).  He's a goner for sure...

STEP 7:  Enjoy the show!  Notice our test subject has vanished and there is now only 1 chair listed in area search - MINE!  Bwahahaha

Ahhh...enjoying the place all to myself
If there are couches or other pieces of furniture, you can repeat this process until the audience is derendered.  It is much more accurate and faster than trying to select names in the People list, and with just a little practice you can have your audience de-rendered within a minute or two.

Other things to know:

1.  If you derender your own chair, it may toss you out of it.  (I've only had this happen with individual seats, not flying boats, buses, trains, mass transit pelicans.  YMMV)
2.  If an avatar arrives and sits in a chair you've derendered, they will automatically vanish until they stand up again.

You will be amazed at the difference derendering the audience can make!  Practice during a non-show day and make it a habit!

Beating the lag monster...once step at a time.

~ Eva Harley
https://harleyquinadventure.com/

Innovation Circus


INNOVATION CIRCUS PERFORMING
DATE:Saturday 1 December
TIME: 1.30pm slt
Amazon Dancers and Breezes Dancers

**** PLEASE REDUCE YOUR SCRIPTS TO BELOW 50 THANK YOU****

Innovation Circus was conceived from a different idea of shows already shown in second life. Not just a dance show, but a circus soul show. Cheerful and fun.
This show has been in preparation since December (2017), due to its complexity with effects, animations etc and general assembly.
Rehearsals have been done since June
It is a show set at Raizes do Brazil and will be presented at European times.
It also has the participation of two dance groups: Amazon Dancers and Breezes Dancers.

Breezes Dancers: akoya2011 Resident, Lucinda Boccaccio, SophiaEngland2 Resident, MonteRigi Monigal (also in Amazon Dancers), Daisy Heron and Venetia Cazalet.

Amazon Dancers: Cullum, Fe, Nixon, Ryimena, Reinah, Analoon, Analaura, bomxxx, Thelma, Noah, mcpol kamachi and Neiva

The show lasts 60 minutes and is divided into seven acts
1- presentation
2- clowns and ribbons
3- monkeys
4- pole
5- trapeze
6- magician and toreador
7- forest

Choreography and music: mcpol kamachi
Costumes and scenaries: Neiva, bomxxx and mcpol
Voice: Sabastian Nixon
Director of lighting: bomxxx
Stage Directors: Venetia and Neiva

Come to the show:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Raizes%20do%20Brasil/233/186/23




Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Harleyquin Learning Center Workshops - December 1st through December 7th


December 1st through December 7th

All are welcome and no registration is required.  Come and participate or observe! 

Workshops are presented in voice, please make sure you can hear voice before arriving.  If you prefer not to participate – feel free to come listen!  Comfy chairs and class notes provided.
Please arrive early to prepare.  To allow for greater focus and to minimize distractions, the sim may be closed when the workshop begins.


Saturday, Dec 1st


9 am – Mini Workshop:  Camera View/Save Setup HUD

Ever feel like you need eight sets of eyeballs – keeping your eye on back stage, camming in on the tip jar, oh no did my set rez? are all the dancers moving? is everyone on their pad? and my favorite – what is the sexy DJ wearing today? Sure, there are avatars with 16 eyes, but not quite the same is it?


Camera Position/View HUDs can make this happen (without making you wear extra eyeballs). They let you record one or more positions that you are looking at, then with a click of a button move your view back to that spot! No more blindly camming around, afraid you might crash, or just not able to find that darn tip jar. It’s all at your finger tips and very simple to use.


This tool is FREE, EASY TO USE, and best of all only 1 SCRIPT!

Buy yours here:  Marketplace link

(30 minutes, Project Platform)

Requirements to participate:  Own the Camera View/Save Setup HUD (free, link above)


10 am - Creating Small Stage Performances


Small stage performances are not just for the small stage!  By using panels to reduce the size of your dance area, you can create smaller, more intimate, and creative performances where you become the central focus – and still perform anywhere!  Without the need to create a large set and with just a minimal use of movers, you can focus your effort and creativity, showcasing your choreography and style.   Creating a small stage performance is also idea for the new choreographer and we’ll explore why.


During this workshop we will be reviewing the benefits and considerations in creating a small stage performance, the difference in choosing props, costumes, and effects, and how creating for the small stage can provide additional creative opportunities for dance either as a solo or for a small number of dancers.  We will also review how to adapt your small stage set to fit in a standard sized venue.

(1 hour, Project Platform)

Workshop Details


11 am - Creating Small Stage Performances, Interactive 2.0


Feel free to stay, ask questions, and practice what we covered during the workshop!  Informal and interactive!

(1 hour, Project Platform)


Sunday, Dec 2nd


9 am – Spot On Smooth Dancer – Putting Your HUD to Work

Geared for anyone new to the Smooth Dancer Animation HUD or still familiarizing themselves.  We will be focused on loading the HUD, playing animations, inviting others to dance and how to remove dancers (including yourself).  We will also cover what to do when your dancers aren’t dancing.  This is the first step before moving on to recording your own sequences.
(1 hour, Dance Studio)

Requirements to participate:  Own the Smooth Dancer HUD and have basic object edit skills to participate


Workshop Details


10 am – Choreography:  Transitions, Animations, and Freestyling


Geared toward the dancer at any level, it’s all about the animations in this workshop!  It all starts with considerations when buying animations before we focus on transitions – smoothing the changes between animations.  We’ll also pull in using pose and ao animations in your dance before we focus on what freestyling is and how it can strengthen your choreography.  To wrap it up, we cut loose and freestyle together!
(1 hour, Dance Studio)

Requirements to participate:  Be comfortable using and inviting others to dance with any dance animation HUD.  Please have your HUD pre-loaded with at least 20 animations.


Workshop Details



Monday, Dec 3rd


5 pm – Spot On Costume Assistant

Use this tool to add or remove objects to your dancers and/or yourself all with a simple command.  Objects include props, clothing pieces, worn particles, and more.  We cover everything from the basics to how to trigger costume/prop changes through the Performance Director and other tools!  A fun hands on exercise also included in the workshop.

(1 hour, Build Studio)

Requirements to participate:  Own the Spot On Costume Assistant


Workshop Details



For additional info and dance tips, please visit our blog:
Harleyquin Learning Center

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Desire Artists


Desire Artists (Paramount troupe)
November 30th at 8pm slt

Starting at 8pm slt on November 30th, the Desire Arts Dancers bring you a performance of more skin... little less costume, more heavy breathing. An "after hours" show for you to enjoy, but it's on a Sunday!

As an "Arts" theater (and gallery) Desire Arts is a venue perfectly suited for SL Performers wishing to express themselves through live performances, through Dance, Art Exhibits, Performance Art as well as Dramatic Presentations.

Also, Presentations of a controversial nature (including those involving sex, politics and/or religion) will be presented separately from the Dance Program.






Let's Dance Class Schedule

**So You Think You Can Dance** Series held Tuesdays 4pm SLT 

12/4/18
1. So you think you can dance?
    What does a dancer do?
    What does a Choreographer do?
    What tools do I need?
    How much does it cost?
    How much can I make?
    What kind of dancing do I want to do?
    How much time can I invest?
*Note: this class is an introduction to Performance Dance in SL in general and is responsive to the experience level of those in attendance. All are welcome whether you have experience or not.

12/11/18
2. Introduction to MST - Lead by Dear Misfit
    What is MST (Metaharper Show Tools)?
    What functions does the system include?
    What is different about MST from other systems?
    Pro's and Cons
    Function basics.
   
12/18/18
3. Introduction to the SpotOn System of Show Tools
    What is SO (Spot On)?
    What functions does the system include?
    What is different about SO from other systems?
    Pro's and Cons
    Function Basics.
   
Elayn makes herself available from 5pm till 6pm for questions, chat and individual help.

*******************************************

**Building for Choreographers/Performers**  Tuesdays 6pm SLT

12/4/18
1. Building Basics - Object Tab
    Creating, Moving and Modifying Prims
    Linking, Un-Linking and working with Link sets
   
12/11/18
2. What can I do with a Prim?
    What are prim attributes and why should I care?
    Texture and Color
    Make it SHINE!
    Make it GLOW! (lights and lighting)
   
12/18/18
3. Make it go POOF!
    Creating Particles and Particle Emiters
    How to use Particles in Dance sets
   
## Throughout the holiday season between 12/23/18 and 1/8/19 There will be short notice workshops and mini classes as time and schedule allows. Watch the DQ chat for opportunities!

All classes held here until further notice - The DQ Stage



Saturday, November 24, 2018

RIPA - After Dark's Adventures of Dust


RIPA present: “After Dark”
Friday, 30 November, 12-2pm slt
at Adventures of Dust!

After Dark is a male and female erotic striptease show, consisting of hot dance routines in a two-hour performance. The show offers a mix of hot, sexy dancers, mesmerizing choreography, steamy stage design and jaw-dropping special effects.

We are thrilled to bring our show to the Adventures of Dust, the friendliest, happiest bunch of gaybois in Second Life!

For bookings or more information, please contanct Red Hykova or Steve Ruhig-Allen, producers at the River Island Theatre (inworld!)

STRICTLY ADULT, as this show contains full nudity.

Friday, 30 Nov 12–2pm slt!

Come see the show:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Road%20to%20Dust/106/19/3007




Muse Dance Company - Portraits


Muse Dance Company
December 16th at 10 am SLT
December 30th at 10 am SLT

Muse Dance Company is pleased to present Portraits, expressions of the human experience through dance.

Come see the show:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ravenhart/234/246/2006





Friday, November 23, 2018

Atlantis Grand Theater - Movember Event



Atlantis Grand Theater - Movember Event
Saturday the 24th 1 pm slt

AGT Presents - A Movember Event with Men In Motion and the men of Xaara.  Please join us for a special Movember Event sponsored by Atlantis Grand Theater, featuring Men In Motion,  Men of Xaara and Dancing Desires men.  100% of tips will be going to the Movember Foundation!  Sim will fill, please arrive early and remove as many scripts as possible we ask. 

Come see the show:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Xaara/159/109/22



Thursday, November 22, 2018

Two Debauche shows this weekend!

Debauche - November 18 2018

Debauche
Saturday 24th November 1pm SLT

Debauche once again return to the wonderful delights of The Trophy Room. A fantastic sim with fantastic people. Always a lively, warm and welcoming atmosphere, always a great show.

Come join us at this amazing place but I warn you...you may become as hooked on it as we are.

Look forward to seeing you xxx

Saturday 24th November, 1pm SLT

*Sim will be open to all half an hour before the show

Come see the show;
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Glitnir/160/160/23

and

Debauche
Sunday 25th November, 1pm SLT

Debauche are delighted to perform at a brand new venue in a brand new theater. Always so exciting to go to a new place for the first time. Exciting and a little scary. But the people there are so friendly, so welcoming, so lovely, it makes it a lot less scary.

Why not come meet them too?

Sunday 25th Novemeber , 1pm SLT

Come see the show;
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Serena%20Paris%20Plage/174/89/2981




Club IMAGE


IMAGE open this Sunday 

♥November 25th
OPEN 5:30 AM SLT, START 6:00 AM SLT

...... ♥ * Line up for this Sunday*♥....... 
 1Sakurasakujp "LOCKDOWN"
 2HANKU Babii "DAHLIA"
 3Yougao Destiny "Dancing Ku-no-ichi"with  Setsuna,Diawa,Xia & Sakura
 4Coyume Melody "Loveyou"
 5Setsuna Hirano "warm fuzzy feeling"


■チームダンス team dance
 Diawa Bellic"Evacuate"

DJ: HANKU Babii☆.。.:*・゜
FloorStaff: Sakura&Nara
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

BLOG for IMAGE 

Come see the show:





Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Thankful


America's Thanksgiving is tomorrow.
I remember the days of family feasts.
Grandparents coming in from the city.
Then potlucks, and attempts at a home dinner around her newsroom schedule.
(Who the fuck watches the news on Thanksgiving?)

thanksgiving basic (2)

I work early. She works late. And on holidays.
We argued over whether stuffing had mushrooms and water chestnuts.
So, I made both.
Still, the cats really liked turkey.

turkey_time_1

But so much effort for so much wasted food.
And they catered or potlucked her work.
So, I challenged myself to make anti-Thankgiving feasts.
An art project, or an excuse not to accept some awkward pity-invitation from friends or coworkers.
The most amusing pathetic solo meals.

Enhanced pathetic Thanksgiving traditional dinner

Nah, too complicated.

My Thanksgiving Feast

Better.
But then...

To be thankful for...

Oh. Yes.
Facebook was right... they're open.

Pizza

Thin crust wood-fired pizza from Kennealy's in Houston.
My favorite. Her favorite.
I picked up two.
There's corned beef on the other pizza.

They're open this year, so I guess that makes a tradition.
I can take a break from the vegan diet for a day, right?
Down 66 pounds, cholesterol and A1C and blood pressure are better.
What's one day, really?

A day to just relax. And reflect.
And be grateful for...
For getting nagged to death into finally seeing a show.
And then shown there are so many more.
For the dance and the dancers.
The choreographers and the set designers.
The creators and dreamers.
Half a second here, do it this way, no THAT way.
The toolmakers and the tools.
The hosts and the deejays (whether I take an obligatory photo of their butt or not).
The teachers and the mentors.
The directors and the dictators.
The shooters and the fans.
Shit, I missed that damn backflip again, did you get it?
And the opportunity to help promote and organize some of this.
(Whether you use the calendar or not, not that I'm judging you for that, it's all okay... but send in those notecards anyway!)
So others can enjoy the magic and the madness.
What I'd been missing all that time.
Until I finally opened that door.
And found... you.

When I did my love letters to dance in the form of interviews on Inara's Living in a Modem World, one word kept coming up: Family.
Through Second Life Dance, so many people have found where they belong.
And I've found mine.

Debauche - September 8 2018

I keep that bookmarked in my browser's bookmarks bar.
It's my pause button for whatever's trying to harsh my mellow.
That moment where you know it will all be okay.
Flicking through the snapshots, the albums, the moments.
The memories.
Through the lag and the loonies, the good and the bad, the pain and the joy, tests and rehearsals and showtime, filling the sim our outnumbering the audience... always classy!
And I'm so goddamned grateful for you all.

-R

(What are you thankful for?)

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Texture Chaos - A Journey into Taking Control, Post 1 - Admit you have a problem

They say the first step to finding a solution is to admit you have a problem.  Well, I have a problem...

T E X T U R E S

They litter my inventory, hide in the corners, and multiply over night...like stray socks!   (What if a texture and a stray sock mated - is that where those odd argyle socks from nowhere come from?)

I know I've probably bought duplicates and own 742 different grass textures, yet I can never find the texture I want when building a set or making costumes so I end up buying new ones.  Let's not forget that some textures are 3D - which means keeping track of those normal and specular layers too.  Oh the agony.... [cue Oscar winning dramatic faint here]

It's like containing a bunch of tribbles, or those gremlins that started creating gremlins!  It's not that I haven't tried to organize them.  I'm a gadget lover after all.  Alas, several failed attempts are squirreled away in my inventory.

There are all kinds of gadgets for organizing textures, but I've found two main types that will let me see a number of images at the same time:



Different texture organizers will have different features.  The first one shows about 100 textures at a time, press an arrow and see the next 100 textures - no real rhyme or reason, just whatever textures are loaded in that organizer.  The second type uses categories.  You store the textures into categories.  When you select a category to display, it will only display those textures.

Many will give you a copy of the texture when you click on it.  Some will open up a larger viewing area so that you can really see the texture.  Some will "tile" the texture - showing you what the texture looks like when it's repeated, like you might do for carpet or a wall.  Others will even give you a prim textured with your choice, ready to build with.

In project management, I learned to start with what the desired outcome is.  All actions and planning should lead to that result.  I think that might apply here, don't you?

Hmmm....what do I want? 
  • an easy way to store new textures
  • an easy way to find a certain type of texture when I need it for floors, walls, stone, fabric
  • a fast way to find the texture I want (without knowing exactly which one I want)
  • I don't want to pick through 100 categories to find what I want
  • I don't want to scroll through 50 pages either
  • being able to see an image scaled would be helpful, so I can see what it looks like and if it's really seamless
  • being able to see a bigger view would be helpful
  • I need a way to identify what images are 3d (normal, diffuse, and specular layers)

So, this is my conundrum - and one I believe many of you have too.

Please feel free to comment!  Did you find a method that works well for you?  Have you taken control of the texture beast?  Ideas on how to categorize your textures, keep track of which ones are 3D (aka - materials enabled)?  How did you get started with organizing?  Get over that overwhelmed feeling? 

If not with solutions, at least we can start our own support group.  I'll make t-shirts!  Well...if I can find the right texture...

Don't forget - no feeding the mogwai after midnight!
~ Eva

Elysium Cabaret! Welcome to the Weekend

If it's Friday, it's Elysium Cabaret!  Fancy some imagination in a fun social setting?  In The Empire Room at Copperhead Road, every Friday at 6pm SLT the dynamic performers of Elysium Cabaret take the stage to bring you a solid hour of entertainment!  Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone.  Grab your friends and get their early because the sim fills.  Come celebrate Friday!

We also offer a 'best of the past month' matinèe the last Saturday of every month at 1pm SLT, for our friends who can't make it to our Friday evening shows.  See you there!
This week’s Friday show features:
  • Si
  • Jo
  • Eva
  • Dear
  • Hailie
  • Mikiko
  • Antonio
  • Babypea. 
We also have our monthly matinèe on Saturday the 24th at 1pm SLT, offering our “Best Of” acts for the month plus special guests. Welcome to the weekend!

Saturday Matinee:
  • Babypea
  • Nadi
  • Oasis Dancers
  • Elayn
  • Lina
  • Sarah
  • Ness
  • Jilley
  • Venus

 

Monday, November 19, 2018

Spirit Light Dance Company Presents -- "Holiday Dreams"


Spirit Light Dance Company Presents  -- "Holiday Dreams"
November 25th & December 9th - 12:00 Noon SLT

Sponsored by
Rockcliffe University


It’s all about the spirit of the season . . . A spirit that is revealed through reflection, and through the soothing and almost misty images of our dreams.  Maybe the dreams have an ethereal look, or perhaps a rousing beat, or even a call to action.  Regardless, we embrace them—even cling to them—for the serenity and transcendence that they offer during this time of celebration.

The dancers of the SLDC proudly present an excursion through dreams.  The journey begins with seasonal favorites, inviting the audience to enter this special time with the pealing of bells and the rhythmic richness of classic melodies.  The opening number is followed by dreams of peace, of fantasy, of transformation, of promise, of a bright tomorrow, and of hope.  And of course, interspersed amongst these dreams are sugar-plum visions.  The dancers conclude with dreams gone wild that will make the audience clamor for Santa himself!

The holiday season offers the perfect moment for the mating of technology and art to produce the enchanting and soul-stirring expressions of dance that have become hallmarks of the Spirit Light Dance Company.  Through the artistic direction of Caryl Meredith, and her company of choreographers and performers, audience members will find themselves transported to the land in which dreams are born.  It will be an unforgettable experience.
   
Come join us on November 25 and December 9, 12:00 Noon SLT, at the Theater of Light, Rockcliffe University.  Come early to get a good seat.  Maybe you will have some time to dream!

            Arrive by 11:30 to be sure to get a seat. This show is sure to fill up early. 
                             Please arrive with your scripts 50 or under...
                                       
Come see the show!






What happened to The Dance Police?

We're a bit busy chasing juvenile delinquents...

Debauche - November 18 2018

YOU! YES, YOU!
STAND STILL, WILL YA?

(Does this count as a Name That Butt, too?)

The Sirens Call - A Beginning for the New Dancer, Post 7 - Learning Your HUD, Animations & Caching

A series of posts sharing my own beliefs, methods, and suggestions for the new dancer.  As with anything I say or teach - QUESTION EVERYTHING!  There are many different approaches and methods to dance.  From all you learn, all you experience, strive to create your own methods, ideas, and knowledge.  Unique and in your own voice.

Disclaimer:  The author of this article wishes to point out, in case it was not already embarrassingly, ridiculously obvious, that the opinions expressed belong solely to the author and they do not represent in any way those of Dance Queens, Dance Queens members, any affiliations, friends, non-friends, the guy in the 3rd row, or management.  If you must...EvaHarley bio

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the wonderful, crazy, consuming and thrilling adventure called dance here in Second Life!  Perhaps you've been bitten by the bug or wonder what all the hullabaloo is about?  Step-by-step I will share what I know of creating a dance performance and self-expression.  The stage is your canvas, the dancers your paint.  What story will you tell through your creation?

Previous posts:

Post 1 - An Introduction to Dance
Post 2 - Observation, Learning Style, and Inspiration
Post 3 - What is this Choreo Thing and Choosing Music
Post 4 - Animations
Post 5 - Basic Skills Needed Before Working with an Animation HUD
Post 6 - Animation HUDs!  It's time to move it, move it

As we explore the process of creating your own dance performance, you will find that I follow a certain flow and focus heavily on building a strong foundation.  I love tools, gadgets, particles, and anything else that gives that extra bit of oomph which enhances my dance.  In time, these will also be introduced in this blog series.  I believe strongly that choreography is the core element in creating a dance - the animations chosen, how they are linked together, and those infinitesimal changes, transitions, pauses, and poses that express the music.  Amazing choreography can be performed in front of nothing more than a black screen and still draw the audience in and take their breath away.

If you've been following along, you should now have a piece of music selected, own a number of animations that fit the music you chose that are from a variety of stores and dance packs, and own a dance animation HUD.

In this post, we will be focusing on the basics of loading animations into your HUD, beginning to use it, caching, and learning the basics about your HUD.

Getting Started with your Animation/Choreography HUD

Most dance HUDs are similar when it comes to the basic functions - load your animations, cache them (more on that later), and play animations.  I highly recommend using whatever resources are available for the specific HUD you chose - online videos, instruction pages, in-world workshops, and mentors.

Loading Animations into your HUD, step-by-step
  1. rez a copy of your choreography HUD onto the ground
  2. Right click, select Edit, and rename your HUD.  I usually add something like this to the beginning of mine: "CHOREO BLACK PARADE", identifying it.  Choreo - because I'm using it to create choreography, and Black Parade which is the name of my song.  I just add that to the beginning of the name, because I still want the original HUD name and version too.
  3. Click on the content tab, which lists all of your HUDs contents.
  4. Open your inventory and select the animations you want to copy to your HUD.  Don't select more than 25 at a time or you may get an in-world object creation failed error.  (This just means that one or more of the animations didn't copy from your inventory to the HUD.)
  5. Drag your selected animations to your HUD.
  6. Wait a few moments for your HUD contents to refresh, and add more animations until done.
  7. You can now take your HUD into inventory and add it.
Note:  there is an alternate method for copying animations to your HUD - especially when copying a large number.  If you use the Firestorm viewer, you can use the zdrop command to copy an entire folder of animations into your HUD quickly.  Watch the blog for an upcoming post about zdrop, or google "firestorm zdrop".

You now have a choreo/animation HUD loaded with animations!  For most choreo HUDs, the first screen will show you a list of animations to play.  Depending on the HUD, this is usually the first 10-20 animations and uses arrows so you can flip to the next page.  Before you get started:

I would be remiss if I didn't mention caching.

Caching - running a small bit of each animation to "preload" the animation information for you and anyone watching.

An animation is a type of item that contains all the information SL needs for that animation.  The starting point, the movement of each body part, the priority, etc.  When you play an animation, your viewer (like Firestorm) needs to get that information from the SL asset servers where SL stores the bits of code for billions and billions of objects, textures, sounds, and animations.  There is a brief delay before the animation plays for the first time while your viewer gets that information.  Once the animation has been played, your viewer will "cache" that information, remembering it until you log out of your viewer.  By running just a brief part of each animation (caching), this pre-loads this information so that the dances will run smoothly and without that "loading" delay when you're ready to start dancing.

Thankfully, all HUDs designed for choreography have a button/function for caching your animations.  You will look like you're doing a crazy 80's dance because it will do it extremely fast!  Make sure you always cache your animations before using your HUD for a better experience.

Now is the time to explore your HUD.  Play is one of the best methods of learning!  Read your documentation, attend a workshop, really look at the HUD and menus.  Focus on the key functions of your HUD:

- how to cache animations
- how to show the list of animations loaded in your HUD and changing pages to view them all
- how to invite other people to dance with you
- how to remove people from your hud - a specific person and everyone
- how to remove yourself from the HUD, and how to re-add yourself
- practice playing individual animations, and watch how you transition from one animation to the next

Most importantly - HAVE FUN!! 

Next post we'll begin exploring transitions and freestyling - a wonderful way to become comfortable with your HUD and get a feel for the animations you now own!

Dance like there's no tomorrow!
~ Eva Harley
https://harleyquinadventure.com/

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Angels Burlesque debut!


Angels Burlesque
November 25, 2018
12:00 Noon slt

Angels Burlesque provides a monthly show of seductive ladies that have intoxicating dance moves that will ensure an hour of entertainment. We show a variety of well-choreographed dance movements that will hold you spellbound and wanting more. 

Come see the show!



Harleyquin Learning Center Workshops - Nov 18th through Nov 25th



HARLEYQUIN LEARNING CENTER EVENTS

November 18th through November 25th



All are welcome and no registration is required.
Come and participate or observe! 


Workshops are presented in voice, please make sure you can hear voice before arriving.  If you prefer not to participate – feel free to come listen!  Comfy chairs and class notes provided.
Please arrive early to prepare.  To allow for greater focus and minimize distractions, the sim may be closed when the workshop begins.

Monday, Nov 19th

5 pm – Introduction to Dance and Choreography
This workshop was specifically designed for those new or interested in being a choreographer, and those who want to build upon their foundation in dance.  The workshop will be presented in a comfortable discussion type format – interaction is encouraged!
During this workshop we’ll be introducing what we believe are the key aspects of dance and offer recommendations for building a strong foundation.  Components of dance, what is choreography, starting tools, considerations, and bringing your vision to life will also be discussed.
One of the most difficult things about dance is getting started and enjoying the adventure!  It is much too easy to let doubt or fear creep in.  With a focus on foundation and following your passion to create, we’ll discuss suggestions for making the most of this creative opportunity.
(1 hour, Pavilion)

colorful underline


Saturday, Nov 24th

9 am – Spot On Smooth Dancer – Putting Your HUD to Work
Geared for anyone new to the Smooth Dancer Animation HUD or still familiarizing themselves.  We will be focused on loading the HUD, playing animations, inviting others to dance and how to remove dancers (including yourself).  We will also cover what to do when your dancers aren’t dancing.  This is the first step before moving on to recording your own sequences.
(1 hour, Dance Studio)
Requirements to participate:  Own the Smooth Dancer HUD and have basic object edit skills to participate
10 am – Choreography:  Transitions, Animations, and Freestyling
Geared toward the dancer at any level, it’s all about the animations in this workshop!  It all starts with considerations when buying animations before we focus on transitions – smoothing the changes between animations.  We’ll also pull in using pose and ao animations in your dance before we focus on what freestyling is and how it can strengthen your choreography.  To wrap it up, we cut loose and freestyle together!
(1 hour, Dance Studio)
Requirements to participate:  Be comfortable using and inviting others to dance with any dance animation HUD.  Please have your HUD pre-loaded with at least 20 animations.
For additional info and dance tips, please visit our blog:  Harleyquin Learning Center