Return of the Aether Salon!

The Aether Salon in New Babbage is returning under new management!

From the new Manager:

What is ‘Salon’? According to Dictionary.com it is:

salon [suh-lon; Fr. sa-lawn]

1. a drawing room or reception room in a large house.
2. an assembly of guests in such a room, especially an assembly, common during the 17th and 18th centuries, consisting of the leaders in society, art, politics, etc.
3. a hall or place used for the exhibition of works of art.
4. a shop, business, or department of a store offering a specific product or service, especially one catering to a fashionable clientele: a dress salon; a hair salon.
5. ( initial capital letter ) (in France) a. the Salon, an annual exhibition of works of art by living artists, originally held at the Salon d’Apollon: it became, during the 19th century, the focal point of artistic controversy and was identified with academicism and official hostility to progress in art. b. a national exhibition of works of art by living artists: Salon des Refusés; Salon des Indépendants.

We may extract bits and pieces of those definitions to answer an even more burning question: What is ‘the Aether Salon’?

The Aether Salon has, in its illustrious past, attracted speakers from all over the Steamlands to gather on the third Sunday of each month in its iconic building in the City/State of New Babbage. These interesting, talented, or sometimes simply lunatical speakers have enthralled and educated rapt audiences for an amazing 28 month run under the original ownership. The final ‘first edition’ Salon in August, 2011, ended with the unfortunate destruction of the building in a freak explosion, something quite rare in New Babbage.

But the Aether Salon is returning, now under new management, but quite respectful of the reputation and history of the Aether Salon. Soon, you shall again be able to soak up the knowledge and wisdom of a fresh crop of Salon speakers.

Or – shall you be amongst the speakers? Think upon it. What is your passion in life? What knowledge do you have to impart? Might your topic be suitable for the Salon? If you are able to put your passion into words, please contact Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (klauswulfenbach.outlander inworld) and describe your chosen topic.

The first ‘second edition’ Salon shall be Sunday, October 16th at 2 pm SLT as is usual; it will be celebrating the Anniversary of the Salon as a whole. All former speakers are requested and urged to attend (please wear your sashes if possible). The unveiling of the model of the new Salon building will also take place, so the first regular speaker of the new season will present in an eyecatching venue on November 20th.

Please join the Aether Salon group, free of charge, for notices of upcoming sittings:
http://world.secondlife.com/group/257bb953-2165-e1e9-c472-64f71873237d

Yrs.,

Klaus Wulfenbach, Baron
Manager, Æther Salon

Viva Drama Libre!

On occasion, I leave the steampunk and Victorian themed sims and venture out into … well, maybe not quite the mainland, but other spaces.  And one of my favorites just celebrated its 2-year anniversary.  Congrats, guys!  Ya did done good.

Starting the Terrible Twos

Drama Libre is a dance club that has events twice a week … but with ever, ever shifting themes.  Every week, a new theme, a new build, new costumes, the works.  It’s the NPIRL aesthetic writ over and over.  The tunes are familiar – a combination of 80s, 90s and “aughts” music, mostly mainstream pop and rock.  The people are familiar, too.  DL draws a crowd of regulars who compete for best costume, make requests of the DJs and tease each other in and out of character with much cheezy humor [but in a PG fashion].  Good to its name, it is truly a place that’s largely free from drama …

The picture above (the best I have since my Photoshop skills are even less than rudimentary) was taken as DL was winding … it’s not unusual to have 30-40 avs, rocking out in synchronicity on the dance machine.  Lag can be an issue, but somehow, it never gets too bad and there are constant reminders to put away the AOs, bling, etc.  Saturdays 8 pm-1 am SLT, Thursdays 5-9 pm SLT.  Even if you aren’t that enamored of the silliness and commercial radio-friendly music, visit once during the week to see the builds.  All are good, some are extraordinary.  After a year of attending, I have to say that my absolute favorite so far has been DL’s version of the Louvre.  So astounding, I wanted to cry at the thought of all those gorgeous paintings and sculptures being recycled to free up prims for the next set.  It’s that good, and they do it on a weekly basis.

Machinima of the party by Sougent Harrop

Just wallow in the pretty, why don’t you?