Wonderpalooza! | Events & Announcements| New Locations
09/21/2024
SECOND LIFE’S PREMIERE OPERA SINGER TURNS 20 WITH WONDERPALOOZA!
In the topsy-turvy world of Second Life®, where the impossible is merely the start of a grand adventure, an extraordinary event unfolded. Merryjest Starchild celebrated his 20th Rez Day in a most peculiar fashion. As the clock struck a nonsensical hour, the sky turned to polka dots, the flowers giggled, and the gates to Merryjest’s WonderPalooza were flung wide open. What followed was a whirlwind of splendid nonsense, enchanting performances and delightful games.
The Cheshire Cat’s Grand Entrance
With a grin as wide as the moon, Merryjest — the true embodiment of the Cheshire Cat — sauntered onto the scene, eyes gleaming with mischief and whimsy. His tail flicked through the air as he led us into a world where logic is left behind like yesterday’s socks. “Welcome to Wonderland!” he declared, his voice full of magic and mystery, as he twirled on his toes like a dancer who’d forgotten gravity. His merriment echoed through the peculiar woods, where the day was just beginning, and the fun had no intention of following any rules.
Amid the merry chaos was none other than Alice herself — Liberty Fairelander — dressed in her familiar blue attire – eyes wide with wonder. With curiosity in her heart and a smile on her lips, she weaved through the absurdities and immersed herself in the revelry – lost in the twists and turns of this whimsical Wonderland.
The Queen of Hearts’ Command
On her splendid throne, Dreamy Fairelander, Queen of Hearts, ruled over the celebration with grace and grandeur. Her gown shimmered with fiery hues and her laughter was the only law. “Off with their heads—unless they sing!” she bellowed with a wink. And sing they did! Music filled the air as the Queen tapped her feet, her heart swelling with joy for each performance.
A Wonderland of Performances
Wonderpalooza was a feast of musical marvels. First to grace the stage was Dorian Dragon, reigning Viral Voice champion, his infectious energy as dazzling as the colourful mushrooms of Wonderland. The crowd roared, their cheers weaving together like a tapestry of celebration, including Pru and Clairwyn, whose voices added to the joyful chorus.
As the clock spun backward (or perhaps it didn’t), a surprise performance arrived from none other than the Cheshire Cat himself. Merryjest took the stage, his voice wrapping around the audience like a warm blanket on a chilly night. The hour flew by in a blur of enchanting songs, leaving the crowd spellbound and eager for more. It was the most delightful ensemble of songs, sung by one of the most talented singers in SL.
Next came Maribol Inshan, whose voice floated through the crowd like a dream filled with heartache and hope. Even Merryjest, with all his flair for the dramatic, couldn’t resist joining her onstage, dancing between outfit changes that left the audience in awe. Gypsy Witch Sands and Remi J. Crowley were especially moved, their applause echoing through the magical air.
Then, as if pulled from the mists of time, the beloved and legendary duo EffinJay—Frogg Marlowe and Jaycatt Nico—emerged with harmonies as smooth as the White Rabbit sliding down a moonbeam. Their soulful melodies captivated everyone, including Merryjest, who declared their rendition of “The Sound of Silence” to be even better than the original. Time slipped away unnoticed as timeless tunes left Wonderlanders wishing for just one more song.
Lastly, the powerhouse Lady Q took the stage, her voice soaring like a ship navigating the stars. Her rendition of “Send in the Clowns” held the Cheshire Cat himself spellbound, her performance the final flourish to a day filled with magic, mayhem, and memories.
The Mad Tea Party
Not to be outdone, the Mad Tea Party unfolded in the midst of the celebrations, with bumper cars spinning wildly across a checkerboard floor. Crashes and laughter rang through the air as Liberty-Alice found herself between worlds—clapping for musicians one moment and flying through the air in a bumper car the next.
Candyland Madness
No Wonderland party is complete without a game of chance, and so Candyland appeared, its board a vibrant maze of sugary traps and colourful chaos. Liberty-Alice looked on, laughing at the joyful mayhem as Merryjest declared his fate to be at the mercy of the dice.
“NOOO! I’ve been sucked in by a donut!” Merryjest cried, much to the delight of everyone gathered. Even PuppyKia Dawg, who had stumbled into Wonderland quite by accident, found himself caught up in the whimsical fun, rolling the dice with Trixie Vondergeist and Sunny as they navigated the treacherous, candy-coated path.
As dice tumbled and players fell into donut holes, Taká, the game master, chuckled, “Candyland is how you teach kids they live in an unfair universe.”
Off with the Old, On with the Fun
As the sun dipped beneath the clouds of cotton candy and the Queen of Hearts prepared to return to her duties, Alice sighed, the weight of reality creeping in. “I hate to leave after such a lovely day,” she said, her heart full. “It’s been a wonderful escape from the chaos of real life.”
Merryjest, always full of love for his friends, sent her off with a grin that seemed to stretch across the sky.
The Cheshire Cat’s Promise
With a final grin and a wink, Merryjest’s Wonderland faded into memory, but the magic of the day lingered. For in SL, as in Wonderland, true enchantment lies not in games or performances but in friendships formed and laughter shared. And so, as the Cheshire Cat himself declared, “We’re all mad here—and isn’t that just the way it should be?”
Thus, the most wondrous of days came to a close, but the spirit of Wonderland remains, waiting for the next grand adventure, ready to whisk away anyone who dares to dream in a world where anything is possible.
Wonderpalooza will be rebuilt at a new permanent location for all of SL to enjoy. It will be issuing a stamp there for your SL passport. Please keep an eye on our New Locations section for more information in due course.
Article and Photography by Liberty Fairelander. Additional graphic by Merryjest Starchild.
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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...beautifulinsanity12's Dee's Cabin est. 8/2024
I really tried to get a fun, vintage vibe for my outlook home, while the backyard screams overgrown and serene, and really ties in with the woods aspect.
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CDS turns 20 this year, and so does CDS Oktoberfest, so please come help us celebrate! This year our events go well into October, come check them out and join in the fun!
Oktoberfest starts this Sunday, the 22nd, at 12:30 pm SLT with the Oktoberfest Parade and Party (DJ Speelo Snook) at the MarktPlatz in Neufreistadt. We don our lederhosen and dirndls for these!
Then we will have events every weekend, with a stamp for each!
Sat Sep 28: Wild West Octoberfest
Oct 5: Oktoberfest Concert
Oct 12: MoCA joins Oktoberfest!
Weekend of Oct 19-20: Oktoberfest Formal Ball
NEW LOCATIONS
I Pink I Can is a Strides event for The American Cancer Society. All money donated goes towards breast cancer research. This is an all-ages event – all are welcome. There will be DJs, Dance Performances, Live Singers, Raffles, Auctions, Vendors, Trick or Treating and more!
There is another Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW) location this week – once more at the spectacular bridge built by our beloved Moles, which connects the Ranch lands to the Mediterranean regions. The time the stamp terminal is on (and celebrates) the Ranch side.
Oktoberfest starts this Sunday in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS) with the Oktoberfest Parade and Party at the MarktPlatz in Neufreistadt. Then there will be events every weekend until 19th/20th October, each with its own stamp! CDS turns 20 this year, and so does CDS Oktoberfest, so why not go along to help celebrate? Put on your dirndl or lederhosen (or just come as you are) and join in the fun!
As always, please note that event stamps may not be available until the event starts. They're announced here in the last edition before commencement.
I Pink I Can - Strides Event PE Event: Sep. 27th to Oct. 20th |
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Intercontinental Bridge Ranch Side BE | ||
CDS Oktoberfest CDS Event: 22nd September to 20th October |
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What an excellent piece on Merryjest!!
Yayyy for a new Ranch Bridge Stamp AND for I Pink I Can!
Posted by: RedKaru | 09/21/2024 at 03:42 PM