Come Out Swinging!

I teleported home on Friday, put on my best virtual glitter and hit the town. So much to do, such little time and only one of me — what’s a girl to do? Well how about … everything!!! (or at least a good attempt)


***NAPHTALI HAWK, LUCKY PEARL ***
I took in a few of the usual acoustic sets with hopes of hearing something different – this lead me to check out Naphtali Hawk at the Lucky Pearl and I am so lucky I did. Naphtali’s vocals over reggae covers were jam filled with a reoccurring theme of love. He wooed the ethnically diverse crowd, which was thick with appreciation for his smooth sound. Spied at this event were local celebrities – like Kim Seifert and some of the peeps from MediaCulture.


***KACKLICKE, LUXOR STAGE ***
I think Kacklicke Martin (Kaaaa – Click), has piqued my interest. I found myself compelled to swing by the Luxor Stage to check him out. Despite still having a pretty bad cough, he maintains that cool rockin’ edge with covers from The Reverend Horton Heat and his own original SL-based piece Cyber Me. Again – Kaaaacklick! Indeed!


***GRAND OPENING AFTER PARTY, CLUB DORIAN GRAY ***
The club’s after party had not yet started and already the floor was filling up. This bodes well for a club whose name may make the literati think it might be a very vain and very gay men’s’ club – however, I am happy to report that the crowd was far more diverse and the music – not just the typical *thump thump thump* techno pop. The DJ line up was nothing less than electric. The club crowd was in effect by 11 pm SLT and stayed long after closing time. DJ Maximilian Stradling turned up the volume, tossed in some of his own music and really rocked the dance floor. This club has definite potential.


***DJ BRIAN MARTINELLI ***
After parties are an absolute necessity after a night on the town. Friday night was no different. If you’ve ever been to a rave in RL, you know that color and sound can transport you to a very happy place. Here in SL, the colors and phat beats were no exception. If you get a chance to catch DJ Brian Martinelli spin the wax – MAKE TRAX, this man is psychedelically hot!


All of Friday’s festivities found me curled up Saturday morning with the worst possible SL hangover! I guess no pain, no gain right? So, having slept-in to a considerably late hour, I rolled out of bed - realizing I was still wearing my glitter from yesterday – tossed on something casually perfect for a Saturday afternoon in Lindenland and headed out – dark glasses on, note book in hand, and a bottle of SL-Advil.


***TKO! SL BOXING***
Despite looking fabulous, my poor head felt like I had been in a boxing match. This made me think about all the athletic possibilities here in SecondLife. Feeling like the losing contender after Friday’s wild night, I decided to check out SLB, SL Boxing at its best! The stands were amply filled. From inside the ring there came taunts and groans. In the stands, fans shouting their dismay or approval as the competitors teased and psyched each other out. The adrenaline I felt watching the fighters land punches and kicks was awesome! I was nearly out of my seat, cheering for both fighters! Kick ass!!


***RICH DESOTO, WILLOW POINT ***
So, super charged with adrenaline, riddled with Advil I headed over to Willow Point to catch Rich DeSoto. There has been so much buzz about this man, that I was a little anxious to finally find the time to catch his set. I have to say — ALL the hype was totally worth it!!! Covers and originals moved smoothly and effortlessly with serpentine precision. There is a reason his shows are always filled with excited fans. Most of which holler for more known songs such as Avatar Girl and while personally, I LOVE that song, his cover of The Beatles’ Norwegian Wood was so beautiful - I was simply transfixed. Does this mean I’ve gone weak? Ha! However, I can’t wait to catch another one of his shows.


***CHARLES E BRISTOL ***
With my adrenaline wearing off and my hangover starting to rear its ugly head again I decided to catch Mr. Bristol’s Blues Project.

Ahh…yes the blues… hot back porch, steamy Louisiana bayou, twilight casting mysterious shadows illuminated by dancing fireflies – your body aching for relief from the hot sticky embers of a dying summer sun. (insert record scratch here) While his vocals could have taken him to that sweet, sweet place - it was obvious that his rhythm hadn’t quite “rezzed” – in fact it seemed to be lagging behind him about half a step. The dance floor however, was mysteriously packed. Shaking my head in amazement I asked myself, “Was their sound on mute? Is this another case of crowd charming? Participation pity? Are we Avatars so hungry for music and events that we accept even what we know to be really painful as acceptable? After a particularly painful combo of howling vocals and guitar I had to flee with whatever was left of my poor head.

Thankfully the weekend didn’t end there…


STAY TUNED FOR A SPECIAL NOTE ON SUNDAY’S ACTIVITIES!