The Arctic Animals Invite You to Their Party at the TLE Zoo in Second Life!

By: Alas Zerbino - TLE Official Blogger

Consider this your personal invitation from the penguins and polar bears, the wolves and walruses -- in fact, all of the critters who live in the Arctic Display at the TLE Interactive Zoo -- to join them on the ice and snow for a grand Arctic Ball on Sunday, May 31, at the TLE Educational Network in Second Life. (They told me they would have asked you themselves, but they lost your address and phone number in a recent snow avalanche.)

According to Slinky Binky the Arctic Fox, who watches over the Arctic Display at this unique SL zoo built by the TLE Educational Network, lots of planning and hard work have gone into the party. The wildlife (who are all quite friendly at this virtual education zoo, by the way) have decorated their frozen-tundra-of-a-home with sparkling fresh snow and a sky full of stars at night. And, after much discussion, they've lined up some awesome music for your dancing and listening pleasure during the ball, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. SLT (Pacific time) on Sunday, May 31.

Now Slinky Binky insists they all reached immediate consensus on the performers set to fill the virtual air (and ice) in Second LIfe with music for the ball. However, the Walrus King pulled me aside to say that, if truth be told, there was a serious dispute (one might even say a fight!) involved in the selection, with the caribou threatening to resign from the planning committee if one of the bands hired was not Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Lexus and Nexus the Wolves demanding that Elton John be engaged to sing his songs 1from The Lion King. The Penguin Family, on the other hand, insisted upon Dr. Dolittle, until finally Yogi the Polar Bear roared, "That dang doc talked to the animals, he didn't sing to 'em."

When the dust -- er, snowflakes -- settled and the Polar Bear Family from the snowcave reminded everyone that the performers had to be real Second Life residents anyway, consensus came quickly (or so said Yogi), and the planning committee excitedly announced these fabulous musical performances for Sunday's Arctic Ball at the TLE Zoo:

• 11 a.m. to noon SLT: DJ Easy, owner of the Big Easy, will play oldies and jazz, including some old crooners a la Frankie and Mel.
• 12 to 1 p.m. SLT: Pop/rock singer Bara Jonson, from Sweden, as well as SL, will be performing both original tunes and covers.
• 1 to 2 p.m. SLT: Singer/songwriter Shelindra Ireland will sing jazz and big band classics from her vast repertoire.

An incredible lineup -- even without Alvin and Doc and Elton, the Arctic animals agreed. (Especially the walruses, who are particularly fond of old swing-style jazz). "Think of it," said Yogi, "three hours of dancing on ice and partying with us all! You sure can't beat that!"

"So, Yogi, why did you guys come out of hibernation and your other hiding spots to plan this big event?" I asked him.

"Well, we were getting a little bored with each other -- it's been a while since we had a party here at the zoo. Plus, we figure a lot of avatars haven't seen this cool habitat of ours (sorry, no pun intended), so it's a good way to let them know about the zoo and all the other great stuff TLE does here -- like all the other parts of the zoo, sea world, the amazing Interactive World History Museum next door, and so on."

"Makes sense to me," I replied. "This is one of my favorite places in all of Second Life."

As soon as the musicians were signed on, a pre-party party spontaneously broke out in this frozen but friendly piece of the TLE Interactive Zoo in SL, with the polar bears in particular starting the dance early (or maybe they're just practicing for the event).

When I stopped by to have a look, the level of merriment was already quite high, with the penguins standing around eagerly waiting for the music to start, and the sea lions barking cheerfully to some tune that apparently only they can hear.

p>The mood was contagious, so I donned my ball gown and danced a few rounds with them right then and there! It was great fun, I have to admit, but it'll mostly likely be even more fun when the real music begins at 11 a.m. Sunday at this virtual education campus in Second Life.

So, put on your favorite formal wear -- this is, after all, a "ball" -- and come dance with the penguins and polar bears, the wolves and walruses (and other avatars, if you like!) at the Arctic Ball at the TLE Educational Network's Interactive Animal, Zoo & Marine Biology Museum, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. SLT on Sunday, May 31.

Here's the SLURL that'll teleport you directly to the Arctic Exhibit: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Luana%20Cove/57/117/22.