The Return of Club Culture

By Grease Coakes

I got a surprise the other day when Outlaw Firefang (OutlawFox23 Resident) IMed me, saying Club Culture was back in Second Life. At first I was hesitant as he offered me my job back as a dj at Micha’s club. For those who don’t know about Club Culture it was Micah’s club (DjMicah resident) as he wanted to make a EDM club (EDM stands for Electronic Dance Music) He brought back his realistically designed club here at
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alpha%20Centauri/18/201/2901

I was invited over by Tiger Ninetales who told me about a coming back party that would last for 12 hours! The first song she played was a remix of a classic rave song called meet her at the love parade written by Da Hool. She also played a remix of “Let Me Be Your Fantasy.”

I asked Micah, "Do you have any words of pride or anything to draw any avatar male or female to your club?"

Micah answered, "That Culture is proud to be one possibly the only club on the grid that has been built up, custom scripted and designed purposely to showcase the amazing DJs out there, including a line up of commercial DJs who are known across the world for festivals, clubs and radio."

I asked, "So Culture doesn't have just desktop dj/s who use virtual dj but also dj/s who have the real world experience djing for real clubs and events?"

Micah answered, "Yep, in fact all of our DJ line up are turntable DJs, and over half of them have professional and commercial experience in the  real world. We want to deliver the best so we challenge our DJs to  be the best they can be, and encourage them to better themselves."

I commented, "If you never challenged yourself to be better you might as well not do it. For artwork writing or music."

Micah agreed, "Exactly, and one of our DJs had little experience live mixing, and always felt more safe using 'playlist djing.' But we have pushed him in to the deep end, and he's delivering great sets."

I asked, "What exactly is playlist djing?"

Micah answered, "Your typical desktop DJing using Winamp or SAM broadcaster, fill a playlist, click play and forget."

I commented, "I try not to do that It's much better to use virtual DJ and pick songs as I go along. Besides you might find a song combo that works much better then a generic song list that's prepped."

Micah responded, "Yes I agree."

Like before, there’s artwork of dj/s and a realistic lights system. Also, there is a script meter to show who’s causing all that nasty lag while you’re trying to listen to your favorite dj. I saw a Mario in the corner. And I was surprised that some people recognized my avatar. "A male AX fox! Very rare!" "AX? Wow." Also when you use emotes on Micah’s club, you see the words on the screen but no sound. I think he wants a real life rave experience so sound emotes won’t get in the way of the music being played.

I grabbed a hold of Amy Tigris Ninetales (Tiger Ninetails) and she had this to say when I asked her what the club is looking for in hiring DJ/s, “Track selection, ability to mix said tracks and who well they can do that. Here at Culture, we strive for the closest thing to a real nightclub experience, so naturally we make sure that our DJs can deliver the quality expected at a nightclub venue."

I asked, "So it's fair to say you're fitting a whole club inside someone's computer each time you or one of your dj/s step up to mix."

She agreed, "That sounds about right, yeah."

Micah’s Club Culture is a welcome addition to Second Life’s club scene. After a hard day of work in the real world or fifty things you had to do in Second Life. Micah’s club is an excellent place to throw on your headphones to forget your worries for a while. Micah and his club have come back with a vengeance as he came back with a 12 hour party.

Grease Coakes

Serenity Woods and Club Planet Serenity

By Grease Coakes

Furries are sociable, and like sharing with like-minded furries with artwork, favorite video games, writing or plain silliness. I found a great community where if you’re looking for a great place to rent to call your home which comes with a sandbox look no further then Serenity Woods. I was told about this by a friend when I was looking for a new place to dj for.

I wander around and I see creative builds like a space rocket or space needle. Also lots of trees that are leafless, probably due to the chilly weather outside. There’s also a blue and silver sandbox when you find the sim with poseballs that teleport you around the sim. Like you would right click to sit down right click away to be whisked to a part of the sim.

But there’s a catch to use sound emotes and the sandbox you have to be a member of the Serenity Woods group. You can ask any guide that is featured on the IM board to ask for a membership invite. Also you can ask for renting an apartment for their low prices.

There’s also an epic club for all the furries to hang out at. Planet Serenity is well scripted and designed. And the floor has a special script that wherever you walk on the dance floor you’ll see a blue hexagon light up. The place reminds me of Buzz, later reborn as sting in Washington DC, in the real world where a honey bee with a honey comb was their logo.  (check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzz_(DC) also https://www.facebook.com/buzzlife/ )

Maybe you’re not in mood to be on the dance floor? There’s also a lounge upstairs to sit and chat with friends as well as a few dance poles also a bar area if you want to roleplay getting or mixing a drink for your furry friends. There’s also a theater area and I noticed a piano with a scripted spirits and cocktails display click and pick your poison and it appears in your hand.

Also the dj stage looks incredible with a blue display to show what song and artist is playing. I was told the builder is named Kelemvor Nostram and the stallion did an excellent job building the club which looks like a real life venue to dance and hang out. I also took a look at the dj board which is filled up in the night hours. So if you’re looking for a live dj best to wait until the night when people/furries  are coming home from work.

Planet serenity is looking for hosts and djs If you’re looking to share your music with furries feel free to apply. Where I have been here a short while and I have gotten a warm reception. I defiantly recommend coming to this club for a good time and/or to dj here. Also looking around the sim I saw a beautiful environment so feel free if you are looking for a place to rent the prices here are fair, Everything you could want in a sim is right here in Serenity Woods.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Serenity%20Woods/143/82/26

Grease Coakes

The Ark

by Grease Coakes

As I explored the new world of Second Life that a friend in a neopets guild told me about. I was going to dance clubs populated by humans not really knowing there was places for furries.
A little later when I was a month or less old in Second Life I stumbled on to a club that today still stands as Shadowquine Maltz’s Ark. I was amazed at it seeing a club that had furries only while I walked in with my now old mutant red fox. The major theme of Shadow’s Ark is adult: anything goes. Be warned readers of the Second Life Newser, The Ark is an adult club and has been for about a decade.

The graphics of the walls and floors are now more advanced from years ago when I walked in, but the premise is the same. I grabbed a chance when Shadow happened to be around and asked him about his club that just like the Ark from the Bible doesn’t seem to be sinking anytime soon. So I asked Shadowquine, who as most furries know likes to be nude as a stallion, not afraid to bare it all. I heard it from the horse’s mouth as this is his story to tell.

"Well at the beginning of it all," Shadowquine explained, "I was simply hired to build it. I started off in Second Life teaching myself how to use build tools back in '05 and started making some Linden dollars creating custom houses. The club was sort of a favor for a friend, and after the time spent making it I was in too deep to walk away from it. The Ark turned into a full on hobby for me. I think sometime late '06 I became a full owner of it and the rest is history."

I also asked Shadow, "Your club has been around forever in Second Life or any life what would you say sets your club apart from all the other furry joints in Second Life?"

Shadowquine answered, "I guess I'd have it's the consistency between all of the changes over the years. I've always kept the same style so people know The Ark the moment the see it, even if the last time they've visited was years ago. A lot of other places change in a big way, either design or in management. Or both.

I then asked The grey stallion, "I think that's what draws in furries and a few humans. People always know what to expect here, and that your club is very adult friendly. I think the furry community likes that too. what would you say?"

"Oh, I agree," Shadowquine responded, "The obvious adult nature aside, as big in Second Life as that is, The Ark seems to be unique in that there can be a heated political discussion in the middle of strippers putting on a display. Sometimes it ends badly but more often than not The Ark fosters a peace between heated debate and heated roleplay. I'd say that's the most 'adult' you can get.
That’s for sure lately I have walked into The Ark and I’ve seen animals of both genders type roleplay into main chat on a dance pole or standing. On top of that The Ark is packed with name tags and avatars. In fact every week there’s a naked fursday so who needs clothes on that day of the week.

"In fact now I think of it, when I was a bumbling newb I ran into a name that most people may recognize as the blue vixen named Tantari Kim. She was willing to help me figure out what she took for granted that I didn’t know yet. Speaking of which, I djed for her tenth birthday here at The Ark."

My next question was, "If someone in Second Life was looking for a job for some Linden, what jobs are you looking to fill?"

"That's a pretty interesting question, actually," Shadowquine told me, "The Ark isn't a good place to work to earn Linden dollars. All of our DJs and hosts work for tips, and that is hit or miss. More often miss, depending on the crowd! Staff are drawn by the club and being a part of what we do offsets the spotty pay. People just like The Ark."

I asked, "So the ark is more like a hangout not really a money maker. But it seems like a great place to hang out in Second Life to tip a girl on a dance pole or meet new furry friends."

Shadowquine answered, "Absolutely. It's a big money drain, actually. Tier is expensive and I've never been a businessman, not here to make money. It's still a hobby to me. Really, I just know how to have fun and throw a good party. People seem to like that!"

You can’t argue with that Shadow for whatever pony magic he has seems to make The Ark the hot spot for furries who are looking for an adult club to hang out at. If you’re not afraid of adult themes feel free to stop by the main club at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Quarabia/90/128/501 or also their sandbox to unpack avatars and clothes at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Quarabia/244/46/28 where there’s also a mall that sells furry avatars and goodies.

Grease Coakes

The Wet Spot Club

By Grease Coakes

Here in Second Life there’s a lot of clubs for everyone. But like grains of salt in a salt shaker, there’s so many you’re not sure which one to hang out at. My friend Shinywhitedragon Resident told me about a place that was hiring. Out of dumb luck I asked him did he know any tarot readers. He mentioned he knew a name that sounded very familiar to me and that a club named the Wet Spot was hiring.

So checked out the Wet Spot and being a friend to a human named Kara Foxdale, I decided to apply to become a DJ. What I found out after talking with the owner of the club, Jimhasitall Snoodle, and Kara is they have an excellent club. For one thing Jim is looking to create a friendly atmosphere to make it like a family for staff and VIPS.

Jimhasitall told me, "We play all different music dj play what they wish but play all requests. We are friendly upbeat and have a lot of fun. Even though the club is a beach club you will always see a theme around the sim. Like now Halloween. We have been around just over a year. our goal is music and making everyone feel like family."

There’s also a mall area so while you listen in a live DJ or radio feel free to shop away as there’s a variety of shops. Jimhasitall had this to say, "We have great creators, a wide variety of clothing from women's to men's to skybox rentals. most do custom work.

On top of that his mall manager Kara is very talented. She did an excellent job making the club ready for Halloween and she also does tarot readings over voice. Her price is fair as she told me, "Readings are 3 cards free 6 600L 10 cards 1,000L and you know how I ask you to think of the question at hand then shuffle my cards."

Also I didn’t know this she also does astrology charts in her own words she said, "They're like Oh-My-God, how did you do this? I am like 'I just looked at your chart.' " If you’re curious about an astrology chart, she said this about her price, "I don't have a set price I take donations for them."

Of the stores, Kara explained there's, "also stuff for the pony avies here in world and jewelry too clothes are regular avies, mesh and appliers." In my opinion, that will draw the ponies and griffins to their mall/club. MLP is everywhere.

Kara Foxdale has done a great job decorating her club and mall. Designing it too. In fact one of the things I’ve noticed on the dance floor as dance discs where you stand on them and your avatar starts shaking his or her tail. And Jim has done a super job for maintaining the club as he has over 300 VIPS to his Wet Spot.

Feel free to stop by, either to shop, listen to the music, apply as a host or DJ to the club,or get a tarot reading from Kara. Like Jim’s name, The Wet Spot has it all.

Grease Coakes