What a spectacular Walk of Fame we saw today! It was one act right after another of high-end creativity that graced the ZhaZa Zerbino Stage on the Dance Queens sim. Hestia Namaar and Yvette LaBrune danced their way into history, earning their stars as they shared some of their most metaphoric and provocative dances one could ever hope to see in our virtual world. Every set was fascinating, the choreo was intricate and detailed, the costumes were mesmerising. Below find pictures from the show followed by interviews with each of these imaginative, hard-working performers and finally pictures from their STAR ceremony.
1. How and when did you find Second Life?
I found it purely
by accident in 2017. I saw a link to the "Gorean Zoo"...so came to
see the Zoo, and I just never left.
2. How and when did you discover virtual dance?
I never heard of it until the Gorean Sim i was in, was
having an OOC Dance night. Now at that time I could not listen to the music,
but I thought it was wonderful!
3. I know picking is hard, but name a few of your favorite
dances that you have ever created:
Altho
it was only performed one time, Rammstein - Deutschland is my favourite purely
because I was so entertained by how much the dancers were engaged in their
roles and clearly having fun with it.
4. Did you have any
mentors when you were learning to dance that you'd like to wave to?
I have to
wave to Debbie, the Gorean Slave that threw me under the Choreo bus initially,
but at this point the people that started me ..are Kely and Yvette, Whom
patiently explained and helped with all my myriad silly questions.
5. What is your favorite thing about virtual dance
creation?
That I can do things that
cannot be done in RL. I am still in a box, where i limit myself to a stage
form, but I recognize we can go so far beyond it. otherwise, it still
remains...that my favourite aspect is when people, audience, and dancers,
engage in routines.
6. What is your least favorite thing about virtual dance
creation?
MATH!!!!!!!!
7. What advice would you give to someone who is new to
virtual dance?
Don't try to be someone else, and do not tackle more than you
are capable of. Do it slowly, add one new aspect each time.
8. If you have your own dance troupe, please tell a little
bit about it, and its history.
No....are
you nuts??? thats way too much work!
9. What is your favorite food, favorite drink, and please
tell us about any pets that you have.
PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...and WINE! Pets, I showed dogs for decades,
always Italian Greyhounds. I still have 3 altho at times we had up to 18 and
were on the road every weekend it seemed! We retired from the Circle game
now....and I get my weekends to myself now. Oh...and I have one other
pet..called a Husband. HE IS A HOTTIE!
10. What activities other than dance do you enjoy?
I like to make bread!!!!! and I hate housework
11. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Only one thing
about me comes to mind...I am just a sweet innocent little old grey haired
lady!
YVETTE
1. How and when did you find Second Life?
After I got injured at work a friend suggested I try this
magical place she found with purple Deer flying by in a park.
That was early 2010.
I was intrigued!
2. How and when did you discover virtual dance?
I watched a Dance in 2020 and wondered how it was all
created. I was fascinated and determined
to learn. The creative stories I enjoy
so much.
3. I know picking is hard, but name a few of your favorite
dances that you have ever created:
Hands is one, it is
very personal for me. My struggle to be
me with all the influences around growing up.
Enya is dedicated to my Grandmother that loved me
unconditionally and was such a wonderful influence in my life.
In The Mind is one that allowed me to step out of my box and
just do something wild.
It was too hard to pick my dances today for the show, so I
had Hestia pick them for me. Each one I
have done is special and has meaning.
4. Did you have any
mentors when you were learning to dance that you'd like to wave to?
Laycie, I met and
danced with her and she mentored me from start to finish. She got me into
Virtuoso where I learned strict rules for the dance set up. That experience
helped me with the tools. I kept being
me and MY creative mind with support of friends and fellow Choreographers. Watching others grow and develop in the in
the Dance Community has been fun and Paying It Forward is such a good thing.
5. What is your favorite thing about virtual dance creation?
The creativity, the
story in the work. Letting the music talk to me and see where it goes.
6. What is your least favorite thing about virtual dance
creation?
That moment right before you press play and your finger is
twitching.
7. What advice would you give to someone who is new to
virtual dance?
Learn the tools,
listen and watch others. Tell a
story and make it personal, your best
work comes from inside.
8. If you have your own dance troupe, please tell a little
bit about it, and its history.
N/A
9. What is your favorite food, favorite drink, and please
tell us about any pets that you have.
Mexican Food and Seafood are a tie. Coffee is my pleasure.
I work with rescues so I end up with quirky animals at
times. 4 cats right now (a neurotic
one, one eye, Very small with Large complex, and one demanding Black Cat with a voice.)
10. What activities other than dance do you enjoy?
Virtual Photography
11. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
The dance community is wonderful and I enjoy all the shows
and I am constantly amazed by the creativity.
It has been a wonderful adventure for me.
THE CEREMONY
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Hestia and Yvette on earning their stars in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame! It is our hope that this Walk will remain for a very long time as a historical tribute to those to put in an enormous amount of time, money and dedication to create virtual dance in Second Life and share it with the world. This takes bravery, passion and love, a genorosity of spirit and a willingness to be vulnerable. Thank you both for sharing! Thank you for participating in this project and supporting Dance Queens. We wish you joy and creative fulfillment in your future creative endeavors!
