The 2023 Edition of the Dickens Project
Now open — until January 7th!
Major Virtual Community Radio sponsor and supporter Seanchai Library is pleased to announce the opening of The Dickens Project 2023 Edition.
This Second Life winter holiday tradition invites guests to walk in the steps of Ebenezer Scrooge in an environment inspired by Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol.” An invited community of Second Life residents, groups, and organizations will present a variety of music events, performances, tours, and story presentations.
Other features include skating, sledding, a balloon ride, a horse cart tour, plenty of photo opportunities, and several new features this year. The Dickens Project regions opened on Thursday, December 7th, and close at the end of the day on Sunday, January 7th.
Visit the Project now, at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Dickens%20Project/129/128/1401
“This project has a lot of history and long time fans have a lot of ownership over elements that are favorites. If we decided not to have Bay Rum Royal and the horse cart tour, there would be a riot!” said Caledonia Skytower of Seanchai Library. “We try to balance retaining things that are familiar with exploring new ideas and new ways to improve the experience for our guests.” Seanchai Library has presented Dickens’ work throughout its 15 years in Second Life, with the seeds of what is currently known as “the project” starting in 2012.
Inspired by the enthusiastic reception of “Where’s Mr. Lurky?” at this fall’s Bradbury Project, a search-and-count style hunt will be one of the additions to this year’s activities. Guests will be invited to “Help Tiny Tim!” who has left his crutch somewhere, everywhere across the two Dickens regions. Information on “Help Tiny Tim!” will be available at the Welcome area.
“Even though we’ve worked with this historical period for quite a while, we still make discoveries regarding Victorian culture that intrigue us,” Skytower commented. Such a discovery has led to another new feature this year: mermaids. The mermaid has been depicted in many ways throughout history, from lithe beautiful maidens to grotesque fish hybrids. The stories and the art that tell the tale of this fascinating creature are parts of a wildly varied collage. The Dickens Project offers a display of some of these fascinating pieces of art and story in the Lighthouse on Dickens Harbour, curated by Dagmar Kohime.
Returning after several years is the Dickens Open Art Show. Second Life artists and photographers are invited and encouraged to display their work inspired by The Dickens Project, Victorian Christmas, or Winter Beauty. Information on the Call to Artists can be found on the Seanchai Library website in a dedicated page, or at the Dickens Project Welcome Area. The deadline for submissions is December 17, and inquires should be directed to Stevie Basevi.
“A whole community has grown around this event,” said Skytower, “I start getting messages in August ‘will there be Dickens this year?’” The Dickens Project promotes community – with individuals and organizations coming together to perform and present for the annual celebration. Organizations and performing groups include Virtual Community Radio, Innsmouth in SL, Evolution Dance, Idle Rogue Productions, Misfit Dance and Performance Art SL, and Virtuoso Dance, eClipse Club & Resort, and the SL Hawks Aerobatic Team. New this year will be the Angelicus Boy Choir, with a single performance on December 30th. The Community Virtual Library will again provide research and information on Victorian life in the time of Dickens’ works. Numerous DJs and Live Musicians will be performing during the month-long festivities.
These are all in addition to the live story reading programs which Seanchai Library is known for. The popular “Carol Week” will begin with The Big Read on Sunday, December 17th at Noon. The relay-style presentation involves a chorus of voices in a continuous reading of “A Christmas Carol” from the beginning to end. The week will continue December 18 – 21st with a section of Dickens’ novella presented live each day in a “Story Tour” presentation to the sites on the estate inspired by the story. A listening room is available 24/7 where guests can listen to different recordings of “A Christmas Carol” on the media stream. A simple hud is available for residents who would like to explore listening to the story stream, rather than the music stream.
The Dickens Project was created for Seanchai Library by Da5id Abbot, Dagmar Kohime, Gloriana Maertens, Stevie Basevi-Morane, Iniry Vaher, and Caledonia Skytower.
Seanchai Library is grateful to Linden Labs and Patch Linden, our 2023 Region Sponsors.
The Dickens Project uses several experience-based systems including Caledonian Studios, Quantum Products, and MetaHarpers Interactive Theater for teleportation and to enhance guests interaction.
Specific information and schedule details for The Dickens Project are available in Second Life and through the Seanchai Library website. All tips from events will be donated to Reading is Fundamental. (Note: Seanchai Library is not an official representative of Reading is Fundamental). The event schedule is also available in the Welcome Area and in the Dickens Project Calendar