A Storyteller's Notebook: August 2017

This Month Featuring: LoveFest 2017 & Stories at Time Portal

Back from a July vacation from the column with two great story experiences to recommend!

A story well told, or a work of fiction well presented by a talented voice can be transporting.  When it takes place in surroundings that evoke and celebrate the literature itself, it adds a layer of engagement that sparks the imagination.  That's one of the strengths of presenting stories and literature in virtual worlds.  It seems as every month advances, I discover more and more people wanting to add significant, relevant spoken word content to their builds, be they historical or celebratory.

August 17th saw the opening of the sixth annual LoveFest, benefitting Innsmouth in Second Life - the region which celebrates the work of influential 20th century author of horror fiction, H. P. Lovecraft.  Known best for his celebrated "The Call of Cthlulhu" and "The Shadow over Innsmouth", Lovecraft was not a success in his time; his work not achieving wide spread acceptance and popularity till after his death in 1937. Yet fans of his work are many, and its impact on its literary genre undeniable.

Innsmouth in Second Life hosts weekly story sessions in their home region, reading from Lovecraft's significant canon of works.  At LoveFest they have carried that commitment over, adding to screenings of horror films, live music, DJ sets, dance shows, shopping (refresh your supply of tentacled merchandise!), gachas, and freebies - readings from Lovecraft and Lovecraftian works (yes, the man's work spawned a genre of its own!) and Lovecraft Open mics where fans can share their favorite bits.  What could be better than horror fiction live, surrounded by lurking menaces and hidden dangers?  Lovefest delivers these in abundance.

The "Mysteries of the Deep" themed ten-day festival even includes an adventure.  Visitors may opt to sign onto the Miskatonic University Oceanic Expedition Team, and be transported to a remote area of the vast Pacific Ocean that has been charted for research and exploration, equipped to descend into the abyss to explore the wonders of the “Deep Blue” and investigate finds initially reported by an earlier “advance research” team. But as the festival's blog warns: "Beware, as while there are many beautiful, mesmerizing things in the Pacific Deep, there are also risks and dangers in this truly alien environment on Earth!"

 So if you are a fan of horror fiction in general, and Lovecraft specifically, this is a no-miss event.  Lucky you!  You have one week to check it out.  Be sure and give yourself plenty of time, and arrive early for any story events - the region is packed with detail and lots of traffic, so it can be a bit laggy and take a moment to fully rez. Schedule details can be found on the festival blog: https://lovefest.wordpress.com/events/full-schedule/

Lovefest 2017

Celebrating H.P. Lovecraft's 127th Birthday

August 17 - 27

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coral%20Moon/128/128/3001

Frau Jo Yardley is well known for her creation and nurture of the detailed, historical, and highly popular 1920s Berlin in Second Life.  Last year she, and a group of like-minded historical enthusiasts, extended this concept to create the Time Portal project.  From Tudor England, to 18th Century France, to the 1950-60s the region is divided into zones that gives a taste of history, and connects to creators and performers that also celebrate that era.

Sunday, August 27th at 11:30am slt, that celebration will extend to stories: Victorian Tales presented by a gifted line-up of spoken word talent in the Victorian London zone.  Seanchai Library has joined with the Time Portal to present stories from Victorian Literature at the Music Hall, live in voice.  Corwyn Allen, Fayleen Bellois, Cybele Moon, Dubhna Rhiadra, and VT Torvalar will present 90 minutes of scintillating adventures from penny dreadfuls to classic Victoriana.  Selections from Edgar Allan Poe, Kipling, and other icons of Victorian Literature are sure to be part of the program.

Residents are encouraged to explore the Victorian London zone, which provides an amazingly rich depiction of both the highs, and lows of the era - the "haves" and the "have nots."  Like LoveFest the region is packed with detail, so it can be a bit laggy and take a moment to fully rez.  Arrive early, and plan on time to explore before or after the stories.

Victorian Tales

at Time Portal's Victorian London zone

Sunday, August 27th at 11:30 am slt

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Time%20Portal/201/223/1927

And check out the Time Portal blog:  https://timeportalsl.com/

GOING ON THIS MONTH: Two events back from hiatus!

~ "BOUDICCA READS" Returning with more adventures from The Chronicles of Narnia

Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil—what more could anyone ask for in one book?  The book that has it all is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, written in 1949 by Clive Staples Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia.

CALE'S NOTE: These sessions are typically 30 minutes, so it is good for people who find an hour long story too much.  The location is different form that previously posted in this column.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:15pm slt

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Evanescent/221/218/22

~ READINGS FROM THE FOREST TRADITION - BUDDHISM:

The Buddha Center offers, each Tue & Fri (exceptions announced), an enjoyable and informative presentation read, live in voice.  Swami Luminos draws presented texts from Ajahn Sumedho's transcribed oral teachings, which always prove enlightening & entertaining.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9am slt

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Buddhism/132/129/22

All listed times are "slt."

Know of a cool spoken word venue or project? Send me a notecard (Caledonia Skytower) with the basics and a landmark, and I will be happy to check them out as a possible feature.

This Month's Quote:  “No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time.”

~ Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

IMAGE CREDITS: Caledonia Skytower