Some Events and Places at Bellisseria

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

Saturday was busy here on Bellisseria . I attended a wedding on the ship Galaxy which is parked off the west coast of Bellisseria. Though I spent time on the Galaxy for many years while it was privately owned I had never been to a wedding there and it was a lovely venue on the forward region. The seats were filled as we waited for the bride.

Ambassador Freddie Harrington (Madonna666 Resident) of the Nautilus Continent and his lovely first lady, Hailey Harrington (ItsHailey2021 Resident) made their vows in the presence of Captain Camden McAndrews. The ceremony was short but sweet and Hailey immediately assumed her new name as part of it. That was nice a sweet touch that I had not witnessed before at any wedding.

A party followed over at the Party House and Gym on Sweetmarsh with music and food and champagne. It was enjoyed by all who attended.

I also learned that the BBB moved! This is not the first time. I try to keep up with the location so I can get a new visa when mine is filled. For those who don’t know, The Bellisseria Bureau of Bureacracy office is where one goes to get a passport, a driver’s license, and a plate for vehicles. They also sponsor the various Embassies on each continent and house the office of the BBB Gazette next door in their own building. Any resident of Bellisseria can avail of all their services. Go check it out. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swordfish/207/49/33

Not only all that but I heard from Ollie (Oliver Osei), a well known Hobo that there is actually a shelter for Homeless on Bellisseria so of course I had to go check that out. Sure enough there it was in Ashton Village. The house is situated at the top of a rock cliff with a great view all around at Deadman’s Curve.

I was greeted by cat who wanted to know how I got so tall.

The décor I would call Hippy and musical at the same time. Huge posters emblaze the walls through out the entire house. A huge tiger relaxes on the sofa and did not threaten me.

There is a free wearable tent in a box for those who need one. I love wearable seating so I grabbed one.
I was going to ask the neighbors what they thought about the shelter but no one was home.

I did make contact with the Owner, Larree Quixote, a performer, who told me, “ When I first started trying to get a home in Bellisseria, it was almost impossible to land one. I spent many weeks trying to no avail. But I didn't let it get me down. I decided to have fun with it. I got my wearable tent and started exploring the many regions on foot. And whenever the SL Sun went down, I would set up my tent on a nice piece of land. During my journeys I decided that when I finally got a home, I would turn it into a homeless shelter and open it for all who needed a place so stay in Bellisseria. And I couldn't have asked for a better location. The Bellisseria Homeless Union House was the first place I was offered and I kept it. And to this day, it is open to all”

So if you are looking for a home go visit. Contact Laree.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ashton%20Village/126/207/37

After all this I made my way off continent over to the wonder Mardi Gras Parade . I look forward to this every year. Dj Frannie as usual has all her fantastic 103 rolling and flying floats out. Most of them you can hop on and ride down the street dancing along. It is great fun.

Not only is the parade running 24/7 many of the shops on either side of the street hold souvenirs such as beads and potions and more to collect. Don’t miss the Zombie shop or the restaurant or dining places. Walk behind the entrance area through the garden to see the sweet New Orleans homes. Walk across the parade route to the Carnival area with the games and rides.

Look for the teleports that allow you to scroll through and choose the venue you want to visit. When you arrive read the handout that gives hints for a good time while you are there. Most of all have fun and bring friends. Thanks to DJFrannie and her staff for this grand experience every year . The parade will run until March 1. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Destiny%20Beach/54/177/1163

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Mardi Gras at Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez

by Gemma Cleanslate

The parade is running and Jazz is playing but only until February 16! It’s Mardi Gras! People line the Bourbon Street in  New Orleans to watch the parade as it rolls by, dancing and cheering .

 FrannyDJ has opened the party so make sure you get there. This is an annual event here in Second Life and is one of the best celebrations of rl where one can join in with no worries.  Hop on a float and wave and dance for the fans. The entire parade lasts 1 1/2 hours from beginning to end and has 103 floats .  Look up too so you don’t miss the big balloons passing overhead, some of which you can ride on.

Stop at the French Jazz Club or the Burlesque Club on Bourbon Street and check out the Mardi Gras Museum near by . If you join the group Fame you will get notices of parties on the Riverboat Parties Restaurant held often. The Voodoo Shop  and  the Magic shop too is filled with freebies so do not miss those. Masks and beads and feathers await you.

Take a walk through the park to get over to the Carnival where games and rides are all working. If you have time take a walk along the back streets where there are lovely homes like those you would see on a walk around New Orleans. The culture there is so charming and vibrant .Remember to grab a piece of King Cake when you get there at the entrance. It is good to plan several trips to enjoy everything that is offered there. I did. Bring friends!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colossus/55/176/1163

Gemma Cleanslate

Valentine Town

by Gemma Cleanslate

Time is moving so fast! Valentine Day is only nine days away and Mardi Gras is coming on February 25! Now we have to get ready for both.  A great place to visit for all your Valentine needs is Laura Liberty’s Valentine Town. Every year she outdoes the previous year with new additions. I love to see the facades of the buildings in all her creations.

When you land, the first possibility is to hop the Tunnel of Love car that will give you a ride through the tunnel’s sparkling displays and along the river to the town center. Bring your honey if you like to enjoy or take the ride alone. It is great fun either way. Laura is known for her amazing tunnels that fit the holiday .

The town center has several ways for you to celebrate this love holiday.There is a dance ball and music for you to enjoy while there. If you have admired someone from afar and never had the nerve to say it now is your chance. Anonymously you can send a pretty note to that person that will make them wonder and perhaps look around to find the sender. It is done through the magic of her machine, or you an take a chance and sign your name. Take a look, and, it is free! If you are lucky naughty Tina is there in her role of Cupid with a bad habit. She loves cigars and smokes incessantly.

Suppose you don’t have a significant other and are looking. Laura has a new addition, a Singles board! Just click the board, put a picture, and hope someone wants to meet the person behind the picture and will send you a note. Fun way to meet new friends! Across the way there are theaters demonstrating how to make your own cinema with your own captions. There is a sample to let you see what you will get, your own theater showing your own story. Take a look at the cute video there.

Stop into the shops and get all your needs for Valentine day. When you are finished with your visit here you have another place to visit on the region. Back at the town center there is a tp to Laura’s Mardi Gras Town.

I love to visit this representation of a New Orleans street scene with its cheerfully colored buildings and music of the city playing. Grab a free hula hoop, beads, and crown. Here you can gather up all the decor and outfits you need to celebrate Mardi Gras day. I love the masks in the shop, a huge selection! Take a picture of yourself and your honey and put it on the bulletin board by sending it to the naughty Tina Cupid, Tina  (Tanyja Resident). Use the free face animation hud offered at the board to enhance your photo. There is another board nearby with some fun puzzles to attempt before you leave. You might need to go back again for more tries (laughter). I do. Thanks again to Laura Liberty for making this grand experience . I am looking forward to the next one already!!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Townies/128/166/7

Gemma Cleanslate

Frannydj's Mardi Gras Parade

By Gemma Cleanslate

Message from Frannydj!  “This Mardi Gras parade has 100+ floats to ride on, plus many other fun things to see and enjoy. Come soon, and often, so you can see and ride on all the floats and invite your friends to join in too. Bead up and get down NOW!”

Hooray !  Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!  This region is so amazing . It is filled with New Orleans fun from border to border. Frannydj has opened her marvelous parade in Second Life and the floats and bands will come down the street until Fat Tuesday. Not only do they come down the street they invite you to climb on board and join in.

When you land next to the French Market drop in to taste the king cake, pick up bread, crawfish chowder and beads.  You will be at the end of the parade so I suggest walking up the street to see the marvelous floats and check out the shops and restaurants.

On the left sidewalk there is a Teddy bear passing out more beads . I always stop in to the restaurants as I walk along.

They are serving good food and drinks . Each has its own flavor.

When I reach the head of the parade I cross the street and walk back down.

On the way back you will find  a great voodoo shop that contains other parade freebies so look for that.

At the foot of the street is a park on the right that will take you over to the Carnival area which is so much fun. Games and rides and more food and drinks. After all that commotion it is good to walk the back streets of the town lined with lovely homes. There is a lovely garden behind the French Market too.

Don’t miss the marvelous Steam boat at the foot of the street where the parade ends . The upper deck is all set for fun

Mardi Gras parties and lots more food.  There is a great view of the parade route from the upper deck too so enjoy it from there .

Many thanks to Frannydj and the sponsors and contributors who provide all you see here.

Grab the notecard that tells you who has helped in this massive effort and all the places to visit.  Here is your entrance.  See you at the parade!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wicked%20Mountains/41/182/1163

Gemma Cleanslate

Mardi Gras Places in Second Life

By Gemma Cleanslate

A few more places are celebrating Mardi Gras in Second Life. Laura Liberty has opened her famous Mardi Gras Town. Go listen to the Zydeco  and Blues music of Louisiana in the street. Grab a hula hoop and have some fun! Any needs you have for decor you can find in the town shops. I saw some great masks and outfits too.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Townies/92/207/748


From Mardi Gras Town it is an easy tp over to Valentine Town from the street. I always take time to visit that too! The Love Buggy will take you and your honey on a sweet ride all around the town  with some visual surprises . Try it! Loads of valentine decor, outfits, and accessories are available in the stores. Townies (129/168/7)

Cay’s at Woodland Lake is really celebrating this fun holiday before the quiet. The sim is decorated for the event and there are parties every night and sometimes day! DJ Messalina was spinning tunes when I stopped over at an early party. I took a walk around town admiring the banners and other decor . The French Marketplace was fun to visit , showing the foods of New Orleans. The King Cake is a special delight at this time of year. I grabbed a piece  and a fork and had a wonderful taste. There is a subscribo on the wall in town to receive notices of events. I saw some notices around town that there may be some changes coming after Mardi Gras so don’t miss it now.

http://maps.secondlife.com/Pismo Beach/91/114/3760

The Plaza at Bourbon Street West is worth a stop to view Mardi Gras decor.There is a Mardi Gras party planned here on the 13th at 8:00, so put it on your list if you are doing Mardi Gras hopping that day. I looked in at the Musical Legends Park there where you can pick up biographies of various musicians. Hop the train and take a ride through Bourbon Street.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zurich%20City/35/39/27

My last stop was most interesting. I visited a little gallery, the Sean Clancy Gallery, that houses marvelous photographs of the real New Orleans and south  Louisiana folks associated with Mardi Gras activities. "Mardi Gras Indians are Black Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel.” 

Some intriguing photos are here and I recommend a stop. There is some good music playing here too from New Orleans radio. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Busiris/246/206/21

Gemma Cleanslate

Mardi Gras Parade in Shared Fantasy

By Gemma Cleanslate

Laissez les bon temps rouler...It is that time again!! There will be some wonderful Mardi Gras sites in Second Life with parties going on for the next week or so to get ready for the quiet period of Lent . Lots of the colors of Mardi Gras visible: purple representing justice, green for faith and gold for power. This tradition began at the first Mari Gras.  Rex, the King of Mardi Gras, selected the official Mardi Gras colors in 1872 to honor the visiting Russian Grand Duke Alexis Alexis Alexandrovich Romanov, whose house colors were purple, green and gold. The 1892 Rex Parade theme "Symbolism of Colors" affirmed the colors' meaning. And it continues today.

One region is all set and ready to roll. FrannyDJ Dean already has her fabulous parade out on the streets and moving along. This is her fourth annual parade and is in Shared Fantasy this year. From the moment you arrive you feel as if you are now in New Orleans! In the entry I grabbed my beads and a crawfish nibbles and got ready for the parade.There are more beads around on the street. I got some more from a teddy bear. I hopped on the Energizer Bunny float and actually floated in the air next to him as we went down the street. I jumped on a few more floats and watched the others go by. 

I had to take my hair down to wear the derby I wore on a float. To take a break I walked through the park to the Carnival that is set up and took in a few of the rides and fun games set up on the river’s edge next to the steamboat. They have wonderful funnel cakes too.

Back to the parade route it feels like New Orleans French Quarter with the style of the buildings.
There are several clubs worth a visit and some open  bars along the side streets . Don’t miss the Voodoo shop where you can pick up more beads and some charming little masks I ran into Bayou Diesel and had a beignet and daquiri with him . He is hanging out taking pictures and enjoying the Mardi Gras sims before the big day. After our philosophy class our professor and several of the students went over and rode the floats!

Do not miss the parties that will be taking place on the steamboat with FrannyDJ Dean. Always great fun! It would be a good idea to join the group F*A*M*E so you don’t miss the fun. Watch for other Mardi Gras sites to visit .

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shared%20Fantasy/55/176/1163

Gemma Cleanslate

Mardi Gras at Jade Isle

By Gemma Cleanslate

There are so many daily parties going on in sl now to celebrate Mardi Gras. To find them just check the list of events put out by the Lindens. For a look at Mardi Gras as celebrated in New Orleans a visit to Mardi Gras New Orleans at Jade Isle. The region is the installation of Frannydj Dean. She put extraordinary work into it this year and added some new interactives.

The entrance is in a shop that offers some food and drinks to enjoy! Grab the free beads ! It is fun to land there and walk out onto to street where the spectacular parade is passing by. It is the best parade of floats I have seen in all my years in sl. Don’t just stand there and look join in! I like to walk down the street and then jump on a float and become part of the party.

I tried out a bunch of them this year, dancing along with the music.

There are admiring people standing along the route. After you do your dancing on the floats take time to visit the shops and restaurants along the street. I had a piece of king cake in one and a wild drink in another.  There are teleports that will take you to four wonderful party venues where you can dance the night away.

My favorite is the Paddle wheel Steam Boat where you dance on the upper deck. The Jazz Club at the other end of the sim is the other 

 

On the other side of the park I found a huge carnival with all the rides you enjoy. Then take a walk into the park and along the water front to see the sights.  Standing on the waterfront I felt like I was really  in New Orleans. Wandering back be sure to look at the houses and other buildings along the way to prolong the feeling. There is not much time left before it all comes to and end for another year.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler ! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ecstacy%20Paradise/54/173/1163

Gemma Cleanslate

Townies Presents Valentine and Mardi Gras Towns

By Gemma Cleanslate

Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate ! .. greets you when you land at the entrance of Valentine Town by Laura Liberty. Candy and hearts are all around and this is a great place to shop for your valentine teddybears, gifts, balloons galore, other  decorations, and outfits. The quaint shops offer everything you can think of and more. There are a large groups of shops to explore . I saw some great greeting cards in one and in another, make your own musical card. 

There is a lovely little heart boat that lets you float along the river and under the town in a tunnel .( Would be fun with your honey.) Look for that. At the end of the ride is  a gumball machine that takes you for a harrowing ride bouncing above and below into the chocolate river and I survived. As I walked around I admired the shops and candy decor. 

And then ...

I found myself entering Mardi Gras Town!

The band was already playing the familiar tunes you hear all over New Orleans before Mardi Gras and actually all year round. I grabbed a free  hula hoop and had a great time!

Over here one can find anything they would like to have for the celebration of Mardi Gras at home or in a club.  Wonderful decor and outfits for everyone. I found some great masks in one shop. I  picked up a free Mardi Gras shirt  so look for that on a cart near the band.!

I also got a great free face animator and tried out the looks.

 I had a strong desire for a bowl of Gumbo! This is a drop in , bring friends and make a great party place. This band is here 24/7 and keeps up the music.Have a wonderful time and don’t miss it before the end of the season.    Here is the beginning of your adventure.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Townies/192/208/16

Gemma Cleanslate