Woodstock 2009

SLE gets on the hippy trail in search of a musical legend here in SL...

This summer, a very special anniversary will have music lovers across the globe celebrating. In August, it will be 40 years since the first ever ‘Woodstock’ festival which is embedded within our collective consciousness as both a landmark musical event and major cultural turning point. For people that witnessed Woodstock first hand, the experience has lasted a lifetime but for those of us who weren’t rezzed RL in the late 1960’s, a unique sim in Second Life can give us all a taste of the heady, patchouli filled days of the hippy era. Woodstock in SL is the creative expression and passion of its owner, the effervescent Lynsey Fleury, a self confessed music lover and art fanatic who loves nothing more than providing a relaxed and psychedelic environment for many SL musicians looking to showcase their talent. Donning hot pants, love beads and following the trail of burning incense, I set out to discover more about this remarkable lady and her ongoing contribution to the SL music scene.

 SLE “Hi Lynsey. I have to say-I love this place, such a chilled out vibe. Tell me, why did you create Woodstock here in SL?”

LF “Welcome Persia…let’s go and sit in the meditation area. Well, although music has always been a great and important part of my life, as a listener and as a hobby player, I never had the conscious plan to start Woodstock in SL, originally I wanted to have a book club, cinema and tour agency but after I bought the sim, Woodstock just popped into my head. The idea here is to create a friendly and respectful place for people to meet and listen to the great quality music that people in SL have to offer. I am still very much connected to the spirit of the sixties; the time of people connecting on the same level with a wish for change and hope for the future……..I hope people find that at Woodstock SL still.”

Since creating the Woodstock sim in April 2007, Lynsey has played welcoming hostess to an array of RL musicians, seeking to make the breakthrough to global audiences via the ever expanding SL music scene. Considered by many to be the ‘Grande Dame’ of in world musical entertainment, Lynsey lovingly nurtures any new musicians venturing here. One of her biggest supporters is the honey voiced and charming Aurora Metaluna, who regularly plays the extremely popular Sunday morning slot. Smiling warmly, Aurora explains what makes Woodstock her favorite performance venue.

AM “Woodstock is one of the few places in SL that has such a consistently amazing selection of top quality live music. At least 4 days a week, Lynsey always provides some great line ups and draws such great people here too. What says the most, is how other performers like to come and hang out here too and listen to each other……the atmosphere is always so friendly and relaxed a real down to earth sim that’s all about the live music.”

Music is the heartbeat of Woodstock, but this sim, imbued with the very essence of the 1960’s also plays host to relaxing mediation areas, a huge collection of hallucinogenic fractal art and a photo gallery showing the work of RL established photographers all set in a gloriously trippy landscape. Thrusting, rainbow topped mountains, cascading neon waterfalls and secret areas for lovers all provide the perfect backdrop to some of SL’s most well loved musicians and art creators whose presence can be felt all over this wondrous sim.

SLE “Lynsey, how many artists and musicians have contributed to the Woodstock community in the past two years?”

LF “It must be hundreds by now and there’s two permanent exhibitions from RL artists as well. One is a photo exhibit showing 40 years of pictures showing musicians, movie people, politicians and authors….the history of a generation. In the future-well I would love to stream directly from the RL Woodstock this year to help celebrate 40 years of this amazing festival here in SL.”

SLE “Thank you Lynsey…I see you are about to get busy with the next batch of musicians. Peace and love to you from all of us at the Second Life Enquirer.”

Teleport Now:

 Aurora Metaluna’s gorgeous voice can be found here:  http://www.myspace.com/aurorametaluna