It is a rare thing to have TWO MALE CHOREOGRAPHERS who also happen to be real life brothers here in Second Life! In fact, Sass Hawker and DC Madden are the only two I know of. Yes, they are real life brothers, they are Aussie Aussie Aussie, and they are both passionate creators of virtual dance!! What a pleasure it was to watch these brothers perform some of their favourite acts to earn their stars in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame! They shared their talent on the Zhaza Zerbino stage at the Dance Queens sim, and the audience was thrilled with their imaginative dance creations. This earned them their stars that will remain hopefully for a very long time, as long as Dance Queens has its sim. Watching the Walk grow, getting longer each month, is such a joy. It is a celebration of human imagination and the courage and generosity of spirit to be willing to share peeks inside the soul on stage. And Sass and DC did not disappoint their eager audience. Let us take a look at some pictures from the show, then read an interview with each of them that we may get to know these talented choreographers better.
1. How and when did you find Second Life?
An old friend from Facebook told me about it about 18 years
ago and how it was this new thing that you just have to try, so I did..lasted
about a week or 2 it was hard to move around back then, so I left, then came
back for a 2nd time, then left again, now I have been back over 11 years and
love the place.
2. How and when did you discover virtual dance?
My Brother was going out with this girl in here and she was
a dancer, we went to a few shows and I was amazed by it. Then he started to
build his own and I would fill in before he boxed it..got me hooked, now
addicted to it.
3. I know picking is hard, but name a few of your favorite
dances that you have ever created:
Hmm let me see...
Children of the sky, it has a special place in my heart
Always remember us this way
We stand together
Toy Story...loves Woody n Buzz
4. Did you have any
mentors when you were learning to dance that you'd like to wave to?
My Brother DC Madden
Sebastain from MiM
Zach from MiM
Baby Pea and SoCo
5. What is your favorite thing about virtual dance creation?
Letting the Audience feel the music with me.
6. What is your least favorite thing about virtual dance
creation?
Timing the Movers and
slides.
7. What advice would you give to someone who is new to
virtual dance?
Hmm, let your feeling out on the form of dance, feel the
music and let it talk to you, and when it comes time to do your 1st dance
remember we have all been at that same place as you.
8. What is your favorite food, favorite drink, and please
tell us about any pets that you have.
Well lets see my Fav food would be a rare steak with chips
& Veg...I have 4 cats that I adore, there is Can she is 12yo, Shadow she is
4 n a bit, then I have Little Man and his sister Missy they are about to turn 1.
9. What activities other than dance do you enjoy?
I'm also the President of the AA~MC so I love to get on the
road and just ride.
10. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'm an easy going person, I love and adore my wife who also
dances, that's how she caught my eye tbh...I think thats about it.
1. How and when did you find Second Life?
2013. I came due to my brother Sass being in world.
2. How and when did you discover virtual dance?
I went to Paragon and saw Men in motion advertised and went
and watched them perform.
I started to perform in 2020.
3. I know picking is hard, but name a few of your favorite
dances that you have ever created:
Well they are all my favorites but the few I have picked
today are my best I believe.
4. What is your favorite thing about virtual dance creation?
The way it's allowed me to create sets, and choreograph dances and add music for
performances that people will enjoy.
5. What advice would you give to someone who is new to
virtual dance?
Have a go but most of all enjoy it.
Congratulations to Sass Hawker and DC Madden on earning your STARS in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame! We are so proud of you and thank you for participating in this project. We thank you for having the generosity of spirit to share your imaginative journeys with the rest of the world. We see and appreciate your dedication and passion for virtual dance in Second Life. We wish you many more years of creative fulfilment as you continue in your dance exploration! It is an added joy to see two Aussie brothers giving so much of themselves to the dance community!
How wonderful it was to watch another virtual dance creator earn his star in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame! This time it was Yancy Drummond's turn to dance into history as he shared some of his favorite dances in a special mini-show on the Zhaza Zerbino stage. It was a joy to celebrate his creativity and his willingness and generosity of spirit to share feelings expressed through dance in Second Life. Let's take a look at some pictures from the show, then read an interview with Yancy to get to know him better. This followed by pictures from the star paver placement ceremony!
1. How and when did you find Second Life?
I found Second Life around 11 years ago. Stumbled across it after having lost a long time RP game when it closed down.
2. How and when did you discover virtual dance?
A friend asked me if I could help out when someone couldn't show up for a show. I told them yes and was a dancer for a few years before I asked how to create.
3. I know picking is hard, but name a few of your favorite
dances that you have ever created:
Cymatics is one of my favorite. It was still new in my career and I was really unsure of things, but it worked out.
4. Did you have any
mentors when you were learning to dance that you'd like to wave to?
I've had quite a few people I look up to since I started. In my opinion, I've learned from some of the best creators I have ever danced with.
5. What is your favorite thing about virtual dance creation?
Seeing what I can do
6. What is your least favorite thing about virtual dance
creation?
Building the sets. This is the hardest for me.
7. What advice would you give to someone who is new to
virtual dance?
Do what makes you happy. When you are tempted to compare your work to others, stop and remember that this is what you want to do.
8. What is your favorite food, favorite drink, and please tell us about any pets that you have.
Love to sit down with a cold beer and bbq brats and burgers.
9. What activities other than dance do you enjoy?
I'm a advocate for personal health. I've seen too many people leave the world due to health choices that could have been avoided.
10. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Be yourself. If
others don't like you, that's on them.
Congratulations Yancy! It was a privilege to be a part of your journey and watch you dance into history by earning your star in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame. Thank you for sharing your creative soul with the world and for participating in this project. It is our hope that our Walk of Fame will be around for a very long time, celebrating the many souls who work together to give a voice to virtual dance. We wish you many years of adventure and fulfilment as you continue exploring in your dance journey. Thank you for sharing your imaginative warmth and light in Second Life.
