The Happy Vixen Turns Ten Years Old

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

This month, The Happy Vixen Beach Club will become ten years old. In Second Life, it's an accomplishment when a club makes it to it's first anniversary as so many close down after just a few months or even a few weeks. But the Happy Vixen has gone on year after year, enduring the highs and lows of traffic and celebrating the seasons and the accomplishments of it's staff and friends. And ten years later, it's not just still around but thriving.

In contrast to many clubs, created by ambitious personalities who think they have what it takes to make the next top club in all of Second Life, the Happy Vixen's start was more humble. In May 2010, it was decided to make Club Zero Gravity the main club of the Purrfection sim. Being a space club, it was high above the sim. About a year later, Nydia Tungsten, whom before ran the Angels Beach club in another sim before it was suddenly shut down when the region closed down, decided something for the surface was needed. In June 2011, she placed a small beachside shop, and a small beach club with a thatched roof made by Treminari Huet. Nydia didn't give it a name at first, but it soon became known as the Happy Vixen.

For months it would hold events an average of once a week, the larger "Raised Tail" beach club that was also in the sim having larger numbers. But then "Raised Tail" would shut down, never to reopen. Nydia then decided it was time to expand the Happy Vixen, builder Jasmine Dawn (Jasmine Knickers) using the design of the closed club as an inspiration, with thatched roofs and vines going down the sides. Nydia was also asked by friends of hers to make the beach next to it a nude beach. This was not for frisky behavior, but because their favorite "clothing optional" places were closing, and what was left were what were sometimes called "perv beaches," and the women wanted a place where they could enjoy full exposure without being pestered for sex. The new club was reopened in November 2011, and would start getting more attention.

At first, the club would hold only one two or three events a week in times and days not covered by the other Sunny clubs, such as on Monday. For several months at one time, it was closed to regular events. But time would change things. Cutlass would drop it's Sunday event, so the Happy Vixen filled in. Xanadu would also close and re open due to the owner's real-life, and at one point it was decided for the beach club to fill in for it until it reopened. And eventually It was decided Purfection couldn't support two clubs. Since the beach club fit the theme of the sim more, it stayed and Club Zero Gravity would close, and remain offline for a few years before reopening elsewhere. And so as it filled in when neighboring clubs closed or a talented DJ was interested in working there, the little beach club became the most active in the Sunweaver community.

Over time, the Happy Vixen would get several renovations. At one point it was taken down from Purrfection and another beach club set up in the Main Sunweaver area and called the "Happy Vixen," one with the dance area out in the open. It was best known for being the setting for a couple music videos. It would soon be moved back to Purrfection, but as a new club building that was made a little smaller, but the dance floor area also out in the open. It would get makeovers again in May and June 2016, getting a larger dance floor, a building area with a hot tub and a few games, and a small shopping "mall" area near the entrance. It would remain this way for almost three years. Then in March 2019, it got the makeover that gave it the look it has today, a larger dance floor with a side area with a movie theater and some games.

In March 2019, it would once again be modified and look much like it does today, a large open-air club with a big dance floor with a crystal center. One corner was for the dragon DJ whom played a couple events a week at the time. To the side was a hot tub with a few games placed above and nearby. Later in the year, it would be further modified to have a movie theater area with a huge selection of movies. The hot tub would be taken down, but more games would be added. There are some pictures of Nydia and her friends, and a calendar vendor. There's also a Sunbeamer kiosk there in the Relay season, and throughout the year a "Homes For Our Troops" kiosk for donations to the two charities.

Over time, there have been many, many events. The club aims for a variety of themes, seldom repeating the same one until two or three months have passed. Some of the more memorable themes have been Pony, Skunks, Sharknado, Pirates, and others. The club has seen game tournaments, Birthday parties, a number of Relay events, benefits to help neighbors in need, other charity events, memorial events, calendar auctions, taken part in club crawls, had a book publishing party, was the setting of some SL music videos, hosted a couple Luskwood tribute parties, and was the scene of some SL Newser anniversary parties. Every December, the club is the scene of the "Twisted Christmas" party. And every October in the past few years, Jasmine Dawn's made a fun Halloween build, followed by a big Halloween bash. And on a rare occasion, there may be a pie fight or some flooding.

If the club has a secret for it's longevity, it's flexibility. Nydia Tungsten runs the club along with manager Snowbuns (Skylark Lefavre), with a little help from yours truly. Our friend Helios Auxifur also helps out. The club has been fortunate enough to have some fine talent over the years, such as Tantari Kim and Jasmine Dawn. 

As for future plans, it's continuing to provide fun and music to our neighbors and friends, and some games and movies between parties. We may change the design of the place again soon, or maybe not. The point of a beach club is to relax, and so we'll continue to provide a place for some fun in the sun.

Currently, our schedule is Mondays 9-12PM, Tues 4-8PM, Thurs  8-10PM, Fri 4-6 and 8-10PM, and Sunday 5-9PM. Come on over and join in the fun.

Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24)   

Bixyl Shuftan
 

The Eternal Desires Club

By Bixyl Shuftan

Some clubs appear and vanish within just a few weeks. Some last for a while, but collapse when drama causes the people running it to break apart. But one has lasted for years, even when some of the people at the top passed away. This would be Eternal Desires.

The club has events every day. The club has a mature theme, and occasionally some of the people dance in the nude. But as it is in a Moderate-rated sim, explicit activities are clearly against the rules and violations will get one asked to leave if warnings are ignored. But one shouldn't have to worry too much about the rules as the management strives to make the venue a relaxed and fun-loving atmosphere for both regulars and newcomers.

I had a few words with the owner of Eternal Desires, Blackened Merlin. When asked to describe the venue, she described it as, "It's a dance club, here for people to meet, make friends and spend some time. It's biggest claim to fame might simply be that its still here and has had an event every single night (barring LL problems) for ten years."

"The club predates me owning it," she told me, "It's 10 years old, and I started out as a customer before this sim existed and the club was on (an)other land. Before this sim, DharQ and I met a girl, the hostess, when it was on that other parcel somewhere. And we were here for opening day on this sim. ... it was owned by two other people then. ... This sim was created to hold the club shopping and residences, and at one point there were three sims. Two were homesteads, and for a while I had one to myself but I kept it open to all, tons of openspace, waterways and paths. You could reach anywhere on the three sims by boat even  (this happened after I had creative control years later)."

The club has not been without problems, "There were issues with the original two owners, LOTS of drama, breakups and partnering.. But after it all, I am the one still here, and a rarely seen benefactor has paid for much of the cost of the sim itself while I have paid to keep the club going. ... It's never turned a profit, and usually been a money pit, up to $100/mo sometimes. Thankfully, it's usually less, so while I dont depend on it, tips do make a big difference. Jealously was the host here since before this sim, through the breakup split (into two sims and two clubs, the other folded after a short while), she hosted, and then DharQ learned from her. And as her health failed, DharQ took over managing and hosting and I just kept the lights on.  Jealously died and we continued for years more, until last year, when my beloved DharQ's health failed,and she died too. I carry on as best I can."

The club has a number of posters on the wall, one being a rotating album showing scenes of the past. There's a "noob" dummy that doesn't react well to being touched, and a couple virtual pet cats that run around the dance floor and can be petted. And on occasion balloons drop. Somehow, Philip Linden is able to reach out from virtual space and time to spank one. Of the floor itself, sparkles rise up from it.

Once in a while, they'll bring out the swimming pool. Blackened told me, "Way back when, Jealously had a pool she would place on the roof of the rectangular building. When I made the pyramid (mod from purchased structure), I soon created the pool below along with a similar one in my home. This one is raised for a couple events, and I push the floor down, switching them back after. About every month or so it happens." She told me in the past it was raised manually, though scripts added make it an easier task now.

That the club is still around is good news to longtime residents coming back after a break, "There's been a good many times that people who have been away from SL for years return," Blackened explained, "and find that this place is the only LM that still takes them where they remember. That story repeats a few times a year." What also makes this location stand out is it's mixed audience of furs, humans, nekos, elves, and other demi-human avatars. While many locations welcome all, unlike most there are times no one group makes up over half the crowd. "There's nights we have far more of one than the other, but usually a nice mix and everyone gets along just fine. Some nights even a giant feral dragon will poke his head in. Or perhaps a micro. A guy that used to be a micro was here earlier, DharQ would put up a box for him to dance on so nobody would step on him."

Skylark Lefavre, whom DJs at the club sometimes, the only one outside her Sunweaver/Angels community which she plays music at, had this to say about Eternal Desires, "It is a very chillax and pleasant atmosphere to work in. The  club design is always pleasant to the eyes.I always have a good time there. People make a good club not the other way around. It does help to have a well designed club look. It is a place I enjoy working at. The sim it is on is very beautiful as well. It is one of the best places I have worked at as I have a small handful of clubs that left an impression on me, as well as good memories."

Blackened told me about a plaque outside the club. Stepping out, there were other places in the sim from swimming pools to buildings to trees. Next to one body of water, someone from the club showed me a plaque that read the following:

Dedicated to those I love, have loved, and will love.

Much of what happens here is irrelevant; so much disposable entertainment. But not all. For some, along the way it becomes more, because we are not just avatars. There are people behind the electronic constructs. We are minds, we are hearts, we are living souls. Here we feel, rarely is it physical. But here the tears of pain that fall on a keyboard are as real as the tears of joy. In this artificial world of our own design, we transcend the bounds of our physicality: age, gender, handicap, religion, nation, race. All are rendered meaningless by one thing we all share in this world of any other. Humanity.

Blackened Merlin, 2010 - April - 15

Blackened stated she had no long term plans for the club other than it's continued operation and keeping it's audience happy, "No plan, just stumble forward. ... I depend upon those that love and support me to keep me going, and those that love this place for keeping it open, and all of them and strangers too, for providing a reason to do it at all."

Eternal Desires is at Eternal Desires (214/21/33)

Bixyl Shuftan

Club Carnage “The Ultimate Phoenix of SL Clubs”

By MajikVixen (bluevioletvixen.lorefield)

Club Carnage, owned and run by Caemlyn Witherspoon, will be celebrating their 11th year anniversary in December, nearing eight thousand VIPS!  Being around in Second Life for an 11 year milestone is certainly the mark of success, so I had to check it out and see what made Club Carnage thrive so well. 

Caemlyn commented about the music, atmosphere, and events, "Basically (we stream) rock and I try not to limit what our DJs play.  I LOVE hearing songs I never heard before, that some of them come up with.  Now, if they were to start playing opera or polka music, I may have to IM them, but we are pretty open here.  We have three 2-hour themed events every day.  No one EVER has to dress in theme to be here, just if they want to join the contest for the best dressed for that event.  Along with our theme changing every two hours, the club decor also does.  You could walk in and be in a forest, and come back two hours later and be underwater.  Right now, SOR Radio, it's one of Second Life's live radio stations, is here for our event.  They come every Tuesday at 4.  We have concerts every other week, up on our concert lawn." 

I rezzed into the center stage of it all, surrounded by at least fifteen other avatars, not bad for a Tuesday night.  Of course there's not only the contest board, the tip boards, request box, speakers that dancers joyfully undulated upon, and the stripper poles I enjoyed frolicking on as well... but one's camera could also be led outside the pit, by some advertisement boards lining the stage, to then the mall, filled with plentiful shops a patron could be entertained with (if, in case, the hilarious conversation wasn't stimulating enough) -anything from PlantPets to clothing and more!  The music was also very agreeable.  It wasn't too heavy, and it wasn't too light.  It was a perfect atmosphere of kismet!

I was also offered a business card explaining about how they're hiring, which also contained an interesting and amazing notecard that offered the history of Club Carnage: Klayton Vaughan had a dream to have a safe, fun club for people to get together and dance, and listen to good music.

He founded Club Carnage in 2005.  Carnage was located on the Vail sim.  It was inside a building on the second floor, and was unique in its loo, due to its racing cars and trucks sporting the Club Carnage logo, as well as the World War Two era fighter places on display and hanging from the roof.  With a handful of dedicated people that shared his dream, Carnage slowly started to come to life. It was not uncommon for the few staff to work 12 - 14 hours a day. Events were held when the mood struck the staff - mostly in the evenings.  As Carnage gained popularity more staff were added.

After a griefer destroyed the club (back then bombs destroyed buildings), it was moved to a temporary sim until the new club could be built on Mayhem sim.  A mall was built and Carnage started to flourish.  This was the beginnings of the "Carnage Feel."

It was in place on Mayhem, when Klayton decided to sell the sim to Angela Glitter.  Angela had plans to turn the club into a popular adult club, with on site escorts and strippers.  Angela had a managing style that included firing and banning on the spot, including anyone that didn't agree with her or stood their ground against her when she was wrong.  Some of the staff stayed only because what mattered to them, wasn't who owned Carnage, but the club itself.  Two of those that were there during this time, were the current and final owners, Caemlyn Witherspoon, and Wolfbringer Sixpack.  Rose Jay was also around in those days, and remembers the history well.

The sim was unexpectedly sold by Angela.  The staff were having a farewell bash, and with no warning, no word, Angela stripped the sim to the ground, literally pulling the dance floor from under our feet.  A picture of what was left, is on the wall in the current club, "Never Forget." With no sim to have the club on, a few of the management begged, borrowed, and got enough money together to rent land on the sim, where the old Carnage had been.  The sim name was changed to Mordred.

Carnage got so popular that the sim owner started receiving complaints from others on the sim, that they could not get to their homes, that the population of Carnage kept the sim full.  Carnage was given 24 hours to leave the sim. Predicting doom, all the owners backed out, leaving Caemlyn Witherspoon in charge.  Carnage moved to Neverdie sim, joining the wonderful staff of NeverDie Club until a new home could be found.  The Club of NeverDie graciously agreed to "host" Club Carnage, in other words, allow us to use their club, and continue with our parties, thus helping NeverDie to gain traffic and popularity as well.

"It must be stated, that ND's generosity, allowed Carnage to maintain its VIP pool, and allowed us to carry on until such time as we received the new land for the current Club location.  Caem's brother - Bart Heart heard of our predicament and ordered a sim for Carnage."

With over 6000 VIPs and traffic of over 20,000 in June 2008, a staff of 100+ that is more family than staff, Carnage continues clawing it's way to the top, overcoming any obstacle Second Life sets before them.

"Everyone is equal in Club Carnage, once you enter those doors, you are a guest in our home, and we take pride in providing, the best music, the best atmosphere, good times, and good friends."

************************************************************************                                                                                                                               **PRESENT **

Club Carnage has thrived since Dec 2005 in a market where clubs are here today, gone tomorrow.  A committed and professional management team and staff, keep the club crowded, entertained, and returning night after night.  Guests enjoy dancing; live DJ’s, games, events, trivia, and contests during events every day.  Typically traffic is over 20,000.

CEO Caemlyn Witherspoon has been in game since Oct 2005 and is widely recognized throughout Second Life for her success with Club Carnage.

Club Carnage thrives and supports a professionally trained staff,  and a VIP list nearing 8,000.

Again, thank you for your interest in our company and we hope to be seeing you soon. Either as a Carnage Employee or as a customer.

Club Carnage is still in the Destination Guide, but unbelievably with the wrong place linked!  Sadly, Caemlyn gave up trying to correct this, but I thought it was worth a mention, so as to not send you to the wrong place (the correct SLURL has been listed at the end of this article in the Additional Information section; please also note the 2nd, and last link in the URLs listed).  Better to be at least listed, and to keep the club name before the public, than not!

************************************************************************     

I asked Caemlyn if there was anything particular she wanted our readers to know and she replied, "We welcome all.  We don't care if you are on your first hour being in SL (we can help with questions) or if you have been here ten years.  We have had a couch, a refrigerator, and a suitcase on staff.  What you look like is up to you.  It's what you are inside that we like to get to know."  Seems very much like the right leadership attitude for such an outstanding venue.  This also coincides with my additional notes from Immortal (immortal420)'s blog (the first link in the Additional Information part of this article):
 
Immortal (immortal420): "Right.  Talking about staff, retention is not the easiest thing for a club owner in Second life.  What is your secret to having a loyal crew for so long?"

Caemlyn Witherspoon: "I only promote those that I feel are in it for the long haul. I have this innate ability to tell, just by interviewing someone, their intent at applying here.  We have a big turnover, as I would assume most clubs do, but our upper management rarely ever changes.  I place my trust and faith in them.  Sometimes I wonder why they stay.  I'm so glad they do though!"

Immortal (immortal420): "Okay (smile) What makes Club Carnage different from all other clubs out there in Second Life?"

Caemlyn Witherspoon: "I feel it is acceptance. We don't care if you are hours old in Second Life or if you are King of the whole world, everyone is treated equally."

It is definitely worth your time to live the Club Carnage experience.  I highly recommend checking it out, whether you're new to SL, a merchant extraordinaire, have DJ or hosting talents, or are just looking for the best time ever.  There is absolutely something for everyone here! 

So party on, fellow phoenixes!

(photos courtesy of Caemlyn Witherspoon)

Additional Information:
SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Young/196/219/28
URLs:     http://immsl.blogspot.com/2015/12/interview-with-club-carnage-owner.html
    http://secondlife.com/destination/club-carnage-est-2005
    https://www.metabizlist.com/directory/8476870/Club_Carnage.html
    http://sl.governormarley.com/?p=3479
Group: ~*~Carnage Vip~*~ (Group Key: 87eefd7c-ea18-65ab-01bc-51c81bcb66bb)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClubCarnageSL/
Preferred contact: Caemlyn Witherspoon

MajikVixen