What a special show it was this past Friday as Second Life dance pioneer Dids Rubble brought her troupe the Crystal Edge Dancers to earn their star in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame. They performed a full show to an ardent audience, on the Zhaza Zerbino Stage at the Dance Queens sim. I remember when Dids helped run Dance Queens with ZZ and Naiki. She is a legendary performer in Second Life's virtual dance commmunity. She was already an experienced dancer when I first started dancing 12 years ago, so it was so exciting to see her and her troupe earn their star! Angel Heaven is a long-time videographer who has recording hundreds of dances and countless shows, uploading them and thereby preserving the memories of talented creators in the dance community. Not only that, these videos are shared with people across the world over time. A service like this requires time, commitment and dedication. Thank you Angel for all you do for the dance community! Find pictures from the show below, then read interviews with Dids and Angel, getting to know them and the Crystal Edge Dancers better. The Walk is getting big! Preserving the names of people who contribute to virtual dance creation in Second Life.
THE SHOW
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| Creep |
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| Bang a Gong |
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| Don't Stop |
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| Makeba |
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| Rose APT |
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| Someone I Used to Know |
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| Boogie with Stu |
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| You Make Love Fun Crystal Edge Dancers Staff Dids - Choreographer Angel -Troupe manager Ethan - Master of Ceremonies & DJ Ms Larah - Wardrobe Mistress Duke - Wardrobe, Male Dids Rubble, Angel Heaven, Aphris Heaven, Larah, Icy, Venus Smyth, Kyrii, Edith Darkrose, Rayz, Ethan Lighthouse, Jon Inniatzo, Duke, Jim Jim Quantum – Dancer |
THE INTERVIEWS
Crystal Edge Dancers
1. How and when did your troupe form?
Dids Huyn created Crystal Edge a dozen years ago, we have
gone through some changes, but always keep on the nice side of saucy with some
thumping good tunes.
2. Where do you usually perform, what is your usual
venue?
We perform at various Theatres by invitation and also our
own Sumptuous Theatre. Currently we share a stage and sponsor the Playdolls at
Dukes Theatre, and monthly at More Than
Entertainment. We also put on shows at Teulu, sharing the stage with Debauche
and also at the amazing 5th Avenue Guys & Dolls.
3. What is your troupe's primary goal in dance?
Our goal is to entertain our wonderful audience, performing
some wonderful memories in the form of classic routines and also covers by
exceeding competent but lesser known artistes.
4. What can an
audience member expect to see at one of your shows?
The audience will experience the art of coordinated dance
routines, now with PBR material enabled stages, creative lighting and some
fabulous outfits. We are a mixed gender troupe, ladies and some hunky men who
always seem to have mislaid their shirts; but that's another story.
5. Who owns the troupe and who directs or manages it?
The troupe is owned by Dids Rubble (neé Hyun). The troupe's
Manager, publicity, graphic artist and roster clerk is Angel Heaven, who also
films and hosts videos of all three troupes on Flickr. The wardrobe Mistress is
Ms Larah and our wonderful MC and DJ is Mr Ethan Souxa-Lighthouse.
6. As a Director or Manager, what is your favourite
thing about having a troupe?
The coming together of the troupe and our audience from all
over the planet to enjoy an evening of the love of dance and music together.
7. As a Director or Manager, what is your least
favourite thing about having a troupe?
The occasional dramas that erupt, they can be very
unhelpful, we do this for fun!
8. What directive would you give to someone who wants
to join your troupe?
Watch my slide-shows on outfit management and Costume
assistant, always be on time with outfits made up, communicate with myself or
Dids about any problem first and RL comes first, we can help you and if you
have any problem need a friend to talk too, I am listening.
9. What is your favourite food, favourite drink, and
please tell us about any pets that you have.
Olives, cheese and biscuits late night with something cold
and thirst quenching, ie a little Gin & Tonic on copious ice.
Yes, I know I shouldn't, but it's only once a week.
10. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
It is our privilege to perform for so many people and best
of all, is the wonder of new people that have never seen a Show before.
11. If your troupe has a website, blog, Flicker,
Facebook, or anything else, please list it here:
Flickr: https://flic.kr/g/3f4ym2
Angel Heaven
1. How and when did you find Second Life?
I was at a low point in RL and needed a distraction where
people were pleasant and shred having some fun, I was introduced and loved the
dance parties.
2. What inspired you to want to video virtual dance in
Second Life?
We wanted a record of the event and also something to refer
back to. Then I realised we could share the experience with other people who
might not have been able to see the live performance or wish to re-visit a song
that meant something personal to them.
3. Did you have
any mentors when you were learning to video dance that you'd like to wave to?
Indeed I do, I am R, was a great technical mentor and my
close friend Laura Streeter was a wonderful inspiration. Thanks to Ava lief for
collaborating with me and send me videos for my post production work, which I
host on Flickr for her.
4. What is your favourite thing about creating virtual
dance videos?
The energy of the dance and knowing that sharing the end
product is popular. (Flickr statistics)
5. What is your least favorites thing about creating
virtual dance videos?
When SL decides not to completely rez the costumes correctly
and requires creative offline editing.
6. What advice would you give to someone who is new to
videoing virtual dance?
Learn how to remove the huds, go full screen and as the
stages move use a Space Navigator Mouse to hold the view stead and in place.
7. If you have your own dance troupe, please tell a
little bit about it, and its history.
Dids Huyn created Crystal Edge a dozen years ago, we have
gone through some changes, but always keep on the nice side of saucy with some
thumping good tunes
We perform at various Theatres by invitation and also our own Sumptuous Theatre. Currently we share a stage and sponsor the Playdolls at Dukes Theatre, and monthly at More Than Entertainment. We also put on shows at Teulu, sharing the stage with Debauche and also at the amazing 5th Avenue Guys & Dolls
8. What is your favourite food, favourite drink, and
please tell us about any pets that you have.
Curries and of course botanical tonics with Gin on copious
ice, I am British after all!
9. What activities other than dance do you enjoy?
Photography in the Real World, I was a professional once and
long walks in The ancient hills of South England, I also work on a Heritage
Steam Railway as a Manager.
10. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Yes, a message: If there is one thing you can do to improve our our second life experience; it is to be kind to each other.
Angel Heaven MD BSc
A huge congratulations to Crystal Edge Dancers! Thank you for all the time, expense, and creative effort you put into sharing dance with other people in Second Life. We do this because it is fun but also because it is a way to touch other people and bond with them. It is a testimony to the kindred spirits in one another. Angel, congratulations on earning your star in the Dance Queens Walk of Fame! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into recording videos of dances and shows and preserving these precious memories for us all to enjoy over and over again. Thank you all for participating in this project and for supporting Dance Queens! We wish you continued imaginative adventure and fulfillment in your dance creation journey.