The Metaverse Messenger regrets that due to circumstances, the following story did not make the publication deadline for the March 11 issue. Because of this, I am posting it here in the hopes that readers will support the worthy cause to which it refers.
Thanks!
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St. Pat’s Festival commences
By SMAILLIW AEON and PHOENIX PSALTERY
Staff writers
From March 9 through 17, The West of Ireland and Belfast sims will sponsor an event that they hope will make a difference in our world. Two of this year’s hosts, Dickson McBride and Geofrank Taurog of Belfast, hope that the Festival of Saint Patrick will not only promote the culture of Ireland but also help raise awareness of an important cause.
Throughout the week, there will be music, art exhibitions, and storytelling, as well as poetry readings. McBride and Taurog want the festival to be an enjoyable event that will promote charity throughout Second Life.
Sioban McMahon of West of Ireland, who has played a key role in the development of the festival, hopes that through the event, people will learn about their families and the history of the Irish people. She says that the people visitors to the event will encounter are some of the nicest people one could hope to meet in SL.
The West of Ireland was created to support the programs of the South Texas Celtic Music Association (STCMA), a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Corpus Christ, Texas. Additionally, WOI has been recognizeded by Linden Lab as a certified nonprofit.
“We raise donations for Project Children year round, through a volunteer effort,” said McMahon. “All the performers, hosts, greeters, staff you see in the sims are volunteers, working to support the charity. [The] Belfast [sim], recognizing the value of Project Children, partnered with WOI to raise donations for the cause. The festival came about because Dickson and I were talking almost two months ago about what the celebration of St Patrick's could be versus what it devolves into sometimes — so we decided to put on a St Patrick's festival that is more than drinking in the street. We wanted to do something that would capture and showcase what it is to be Irish or of Irish descent — our history, music, literature, folklore, traditions, and emphasis on fun and family.
“So with the support and help of many people, we put together a week long program that includes great music and cultural events that showcase aspects of history and culture,” McMahon added. “We have 15 sims, three of which are public. The others we rent as residential. The income from those pays the LL fees and generates funds to be donated. This means that 100 percent of [the] money entering the donation bins goes to the charity.” McMahon added that the STCMA also holds an annual music festival in real life to raise funds for Project Children.
“The Belfast guys are specializing during the festival and more generally in streaming live music from venues in Belfast, such as the historic Rotterdam Bar… they're a non-profit but haven't reached the point yet of filing for recognition. More of a grass roots effort amongst musicians and fans of music in RL Belfast teaming with supporters elsewhere to broaden exposure,” McMahon added. “WOI streams live concerts on occasion, but more concentrates on showcasing in world talent, artists who support Project Children.”
McMahon is working closely with Project Children and describes the charity as one that reaches out to children in Northern Ireland and brings them to the United States so that they can live in our culture and see what it is like. Donations made to the Festival will be sent to Project Children and used to purchase airfare to bring the children to the US. “Lindens dropped in the bins collectively have direct and immediate impact on kids' lives,” McMahon said. The kids come to the US to live with people of different faiths, break down the barriers that exist between communities and faiths in Northern Ireland," she added. The charity often places two Irish children in the same sponsor home, one Catholic and one Protestant. The kids learn that people are people, regardless of their religion or neighborhood into which they were born."
The event is open all day each day with many different events planned. For more information and an event schedule, Taurog suggested visiting http://www.irelandsl.org"]http://www.irelandsl.org[/url]"]http://www.irelandsl.org"]www.irelandsl.org[/url][/url]. Also, to make donations to Project Children, visitors can use either the donation bins which will be located around the islands or visit http://www.projectchildren.org"]http://www.projectchildren.org[/url]"]http://www.projectchildren.org"]www.projectchildren.org[/url][/url].
“Our mission is to advance Irish and Celtic culture in SL, raise donations for Project Children, and create an entertaining and comfortable atmosphere for our community,” McMahon said. “I think the best thing about WOI and our partners at Belfast is the community we have. You can build a phenomenal sim, but it's the people that make the place. We have great people who put in a tremendous effort for no other reason than to support the charity and make our venues a place they'd like to be in either SL or RL.”
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