Molaskey's Pub News

In response to a request from Apple MacKay by way of private teleport, I arrived fashionably late in the middle of the dance floor wearing my evening gown at Beth Odets' place in Nessus. I was joining a circle of familiar friends in a space adorned with hillbillie staples, such as the aforementioned 'free overalls' and a cowbell. I was happy to find a snapshot on the wall taken on Molaskey's Pub stage and another from the 2009 SLCC in San Francisco, where many of us met for the first time. The 'Beth Odets and Patrick LaSalle cross country jam session' was already in progress, and a nice crowd had formed. They're quickly gaining a following.

Beth and Patrick were among the many musicians that hit it off at this summer's SL™ mixer in San Francisco. Beth lives in Dallas and Patrick lives in Seattle, but because they performed in person, they figured out eachother's natural rhythm and personalities. I chatted briefly about that with Crap Mariner in IM during the show. We both agree, the gathering in San Francisco last August made a difference in this online music community. Streaming energetic live duets online, thousands of miles away is exciting.

In September 2009, Apple MacKay and Beth Odets were practicing to use the stream in a way that would allow Beth to play her fiddle to the music Apple played from his treasured music archives. He hand-picked music which was complimentary to Beth's style, including cajun music, folk and a variety off 'the beaten path'. Beth's warm personality, talent and sense of humor shined through while she joyfully fiddled along. Though I wasn't logged on at the time, I was able to hear the session through Apple's speakers. It was a fun time. Most importantly of all, Apple and Beth demonstrated how to seemlessly fuse the stream for dual performers despite geographic location. 

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Apparently, Beth and Patrick have since figured out the online duet quite well. This informal, feel-good 'after party' we attended was foot-tapping energetic and comfortable. It was a perfect way to end the night. Beth and Patrick carried on hilarious conversations between melodies as if the many states and miles between them didn't exist. The best way to describe it, as an audience member, is that it's akin to listening to a live radio show from generations ago with the added ability to participate through type-chat. The audience was held captive for well over an hour by Beth and Patrick's entertaining banter and harmony. Like their increasing following, I can't wait for the next show.

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Virtual 'guitar hero', Lyndon Heart celebrates another year of life surrounded by friends and music at Molaskey's Pub. For many of us juggling a real world and virtual existence, no celebration is complete without a few hours of wise-cracks and merriment found at Molaskey's Pub in SL™. To learn more about Lyndon Heart, check out his website at http://lyndonheart.com.

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I had an excuse for dressing formal for a birthday party for Brianna Beresford in Second Life®, which I attended last week. Deciding to wear my Audrey Hepburn-inspired "Breakfast at Tiffany's" gown, I added a tiara, cigarette holder and white faux fur stole. It was f-a-n-c-y, indeed. Footnote - (I noticed how increasingly charming people around you get when you're all "gussied up". Even in the virtual world - lol.) The party was packed with equally fancy clad avatars. It ended with an impressive firework's display, conducted by Chester Cournoyer.

The evening could have blissfully ended there, as it was late in the evening and a good time was had. If it weren't for a comical message that came across in the 'Beth Odets Friends Conference' to the effect of "bring yer babies and yer knitting", I would have done just that and logged off, gone to bed. It just cracked me up, for they way it was phrased. I found it so, 'real' and accommodating an invitation. Beth was performing a spontaneous jam with Patrick LaSalle. He was streaming vocals and guitar from his home in Seattle while Beth accompanied him on fiddle from her home in the Dallas area (more on Beth and Patrick another time). It sounded like they were playing in the same room. It was remarkable, really.

So, there I was, standing in the middle of the dancefloor at Beth's place with my 'Breakfast at Tiffany's" look going. Realizing I was overdressed, I reached for the 'Free Overalls' offered from a box on the wall. I thought it humorous to wear them over my gown, but thought twice about changing there on the dancefloor for fear of a 'wardrobe malfunction'. Still, despite my gown and tiara, I felt 'down home comfy' knowing faded overalls was the attire of choice in these parts of the hills. I mentioned that I had just come from a formal and stopped in for a 'night cap' and that's just what it seemed like. Even though I was typing away at my keyboard wearing fleece and cotton, I felt as though I had a wonderful night out, including after party. 

SL™ is good that way, for experiencing music and people, despite geographic differences, time zones and dress codes.

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Music is performance art. The musicians of Molaskey's Pub are dedicated independent musicians and talented lyricists. They play familiar chart-toppers and original music to our delight each week. These performance artists have become accustomed to entertaining an interactive live audience. We think it is quite remarkable, and hope to share it with a broader online audience in the near future. Independent musicians that would like to promote their talents may audition for a spot on the schedule including the highly anticipated new 'Molaskeys-Pub' community-based website by contacting Katydid Something or Apple MacKay.  Indie Music at Molaskey's Pub - it's the real deal of the virtual world.

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Frets Nirvana, one of Second Life's musical masters is releasing a music compilation titled, "Life is Too Short For One Groove".

Frets' fingerstyle arrangements include familiar songs such as George Harrison’s 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', soulful music such as 'Amazing Grace' and several original compositions such as 'Holler Stomp'. True to it's title, the compilation is unique because Frets believes that “Life is Too Short for One Groove”.    

Frets will be performing at listening parties in Second Life, beginning at Molaskey’s Pub on January 9 at 12 PM and at Pat O’Briens on January 10 at 7 PM. Fretz's music is available to download onto your iPod/MP3 player or you can order a tangible CD.

A native of the rock and roll city of Cleveland, Frets could be seen in clubs with the likes of Joe Walsh and the James Gang and Phil Keaggy and Glass Harp. While playing guitar for as long as he can remember, his love of that instrument has developed into a focus on acoustic fingerstyle guitar, which will certainly impress the crowd live at Molaskey's Pub on Saturday afternoon. 

For additional information on Fret’s Nirvana’s release of “Life is Too Short for One Groove”, contact Frets Nirvana in Second Life or visit http://www.myspace.com/fretsnirvana.

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Happy New Year!
Although we have wiped our hands clean of the difficulties of 2009, let us not grumble too loudly, for the year at Molaskey's Pub generated many auspicious moments.

Let us now reflect on the Molaskey's Pub top ten highlights of 2009;

1. Molaskey's Pub is the official home of 'The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life® Virtual World' published by the American Management Association!  Authors Jay Mahar and Sue Martin Mahar, better known in SL™ as Apple MacKay and Nasus Dumart, researched and wrote the manuscript through all of 2008, then enjoyed a proud release of the book in early 2009. What a way to start the year!

2. We introduced 'The Unofficial Guide ~' and 'Molaskey's Pub' to mainstream audiences at bookstores, libraries, conventions and private parties. Telling people what we're up to at Molaskey's Pub in Second Life® has been mutually educational. For the first half of the year, we had to explain what an avatar was and also how to use it, but most people understand that by now.

3. Molaskey's Pub 2nd Anniversary was celebrated in March 2009. With nearly 800 group members, Molaskey's Pub in Second Life has been called a 'favorite place' by musicians and patrons. We built a glowing reputation in the online community and a highly recognizeable brand.

4. The 'Guest Lecture Series' at Molaskey's Pub featured prominent people of various fields using Second Life in practical and innovative ways. This successful series intentionally used type-chat format. The Guest Lecture Series transcripts are featured on the Molaskey's Pub website.

5. The Fifth Annual Second Life Community Convention (SLCC) in San Francisco was one of the biggest highlights of the year.  The Molaskey's Pub crew in conjunction with fellow music community members organized the SLCC Music Track with educational and entertaining events at the 2009 SLCC. For several months leading up to the SLCC in August, organizers met weekly at Molaskey's Pub to hammer out the many details. We devoted our time and talents to develop informational panels and produce the SLCC's main event; the Music Track concert.

6. 'Virtual Life Lessons' is a presentation created for an audience at the New York Public Library. While attendees at the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue in New York City saw Molaskey's Pub in Second Life on a large screen during our presentation, attending avatars at Molaskey's Pub listened on. Nearly 100 people converged for this special event and listened live. We were the first to present the virtual world in this prestigious organization.

7. Rez Days were celebrated, marking many 'first day in SL' or 'fifth year in SL'. Many friends remain as passionate about SL now as they were as newcomers to Second Life. It is encouraging to hear that same familiar enthusiasm from today's SL™ newcomers. Molaskey's Pub welcomes people from all around the world, including Australia, Brazil, the Middle East, UK, Europe, Asia, across the United States and Canada.

8. Musicians, fans and friends are the fabric of Molaskey's Pub. There were music festivals born in SL and held in real world places like Terlingua, Montreal and Dallas, which were streamed into Molaskey's Pub for avatars to attend.

9.  Live music is not the only performance art to enjoy in Second Life. The 'Live Comic Enthusiasts' group was formed by yours truly in an effort to centrally promote the many talented comedians, such as Lauren Weyland, who perform in Second Life. This group has grown exponentially since its conception, proving the popularity and potential for live comedy shows in Second Life.

10. Press, press and more press. Molaskey's Pub owners, volunteer staff and talented friends were featured in various media including The New York Times, SL Newspaper, Music Matters Magazine, Second Life of My Dreams, Tonight Live with Paisley Beebe, FirstLifeIsFullOfCrap, Zak Claxton blog, The Curtis Sliwa Radio Show, New World Notes, SLCN, Mixed Realities, SLentre, iheartsl.com, CNN, PBS and many more.

Whether you will reflect on 2009 with disdain or pride, Molaskey's Pub will remember the year as a solid foundation on which to build a forseeably remarkable decade ahead.

Welcome to 2010 online and beyond.

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