CWS: B’WUANA BECKY’S ROCK CLUB TRAVEL BOOK

by Becky Kenaan

Becky: "Hi Sunrae. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I know that you are very busy with Classic w/Style, making all of those exhausting executive decisions and such. I need to speak candidly with you, Ma'am...

You see, I would like to receive a travel allowance of some sort for my plane fare and a compact car rental expenses to get me to these places you send me on assignment, please."

Sunrae: "Becky, Becky, Becky... If I told you once, I have told you a thousand times, we have a very limited budget BUT I will see what we can do for you, Honey Buns. And where do you plan on going this time out?"

Becky: "Great! Fabulous! Terrific! I sincerely appreciate anything you could do for me! (kisses her feet). Oh..where? Well, I want to travel back to North Africa and see the place where Humphrey Bogart slapped a juicy kiss on Ingrid Bergmen. You remember that club in Morocco I believe called "Rick's Cafe Americain?" I just need simple air fare and then a modest rental car to get me across the desert, please."

Sunrae: "Consider it done! Nothing but the best for my B'wuana Becky!" Also, Becky... please have Janet provide you with the clothing for your trip. We want you looking the best! 

Becky: "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I guarantee that you won't be disappointed! Thank you so much for believing in me!"

Sunrae: "Oh, don't mention it! It is the least I can do! I will have Janet Brink draw up the paperwork and get you plane reservations and a nice exotic convertible for you to explore."

Becky: "YOU ARE THE BEST! HUGS!" Wow! A convertible, like the Ferrari Janet drives and clothing too!!! I am so excited!! Just wait until I tell all of my friends! So, So Cool!!"

B’WUANA BECKY’S ROCKIN' NIGHTCLUB TRAVEL BOOK

Each time I travel through SL exploring, I have always thought seriously about creating a "tourist book" on some of the very best dance and music clubs that Second Life has to offer (as well as some you may wish to avoid). Like many here, I love meeting other people and my personal taste for music is diverse. For me, the sky is the limit - I love Jazz, Rock, Pop, and Country.

In addition, I also enjoy listening to music from different cultures as well. It is also as equally important for me to discover new places in Second Life that have quality themes about them, and then listen to different cultural styles and new musicians that make their way here for both fun and entertainment.

It is no secret that there are an overabundance of clubs here in Second Life. For that matter, there have been several clubs in Second Life, many which, sadly, are no longer. I want to take a journey with you to begin looking into some of the clubs here and give you my impressions. The music that I listen to in Second Life is one of my favorite experiences. When I am at RL work I will often take my cute butt avi and park it in a club on SL and then listen to the club’s music as background music while I work. Be it by a live artist or even spun by a DJ at a club, it is something I find quite unique as a Second Life experience.

So, with that said, I decided to go visit some of the rock clubs here in Second Life and then give you my overall impressions.

IN SEARCH OF "RICK'S CAFE AMERICAIN" AT THE CASBAR

As you may remember (a few blogs back), I wrote about Humphrey Bogart (as Rick Blaine) and Ingrid Bergman (as Ilsa Lund) saying their final goodbyes in Casa Blanca before her plane started its engines to leave for Lisbon. I still cry every time I see that movie. It is certainly one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history. What lingers in my mind still is Rick’s Cafe Americain. You remember that place don’t you? The tavern where that now famous request, “Play it Again, Sam,” is now enshrined into film making history.

My research has led me to the Casbah in Alger where
I believe Rick's "Cafe Americain" was located.

As a fan of this classic film, the impact of Casa Blanca will never diminish in my mind as one of Hollywood's greatest films. Also, there is always a small hope deep inside me that the next time I watch Casablanca, Ilsa will not get on that plane. HA!! 

Well, just like the Jeanie, I am out of the bottle again, but this time looking into a few nightclubs to stir your romantic imaginations and interests. So, go get yourself an SL plane ticket and come aboard with me for our next exciting destination! To satisfy my curiosity, I am first going to Algiers to find Rick's place where Rick planted that wet one on Ilsa.

Whew! Somehow I was able to pack all of my possessions 
in this marvelous suitcase that came with this wonderful 
Fay Mesh Outfit that I got from Diamond Style. 

Hmmm? This plane that Janet Brink booked for me looks to be some sort of cargo plane. Oh well, it must be either a ticketing error or maybe because of the place I am going and it's remoteness. I am sure that when I get to the terminal here in Algers, I will be able to clear things up and also get a much more appropriate flight for my next leg. I am sure that Sunrae got me a business class flight. Where is my rental car anyway?

Outfit & Jewelry: Caverna Obscura: Djinnie (Ivory) by Elvina Ewing

What the heck is this stuff doing in my suitcase, anyway? I don't remember packing THESE clothes!! Maybe the baggage guy here in Algiers got my luggage confused with someone else's? Well, as they say..."When in Rome, do as Romans do!"

Thanks a lot, Janet!  So, this is YOUR idea of a "Convertible?"
I definitely owe you one for this!  Pfft!!

Janet!!! This camel is NOT my idea of a rental car! I am sure that you must have told them that I wanted one that got good gas mileage and it came with "camel-colored" interior. I guess that something must have gotten lost in the translation, eh? Pfft! Anyway, this camel is kinda cute. His name is Zigzag - Named after the famous cigarette rolling papers. Hmmm...I wonder what they feed him?

Riding this camel, I am getting humped without even knowing about it. Ha! I guess that I will just have to agree to disagree on the camel as transportation for my first leg of this travel excursion.

Wow! Now I know why Janet raved about this place so much.
This is pretty good shit!  Cough! 

FIRST WATERHOLE: CAFE CASABLANCA 

My first stop here is this place called Casablanca Cafe. Not at all what I imagined it to be. Very empty. Lights on, but nobody home. Kind of like me you know, HA!

No one here to even give me a glass of water. Pfft! I am so thirsty and parched from this freakin' desert travel!! (Not really...but it sounds so good! I am also taking drama acting and Diva lessons from Janet, btw).

It looks like I slipped up on this one so this banana is for me. Ha!  On the Beck-O-Meter scale, the Casablanca Cage did nothing for me.  I give it 1 out of 4 ice cream scoops.

Out of those Silks and into my Dance Party Chic!!

Well, enough I say with this corny Jeanie outfit!!! Let's Party elsewhere, shall we?

Becky:  "Yes, Operator, please connect me and reverse the charges.  I am calling collect to Janet Brink."

Janet: "Hello... Becky!  Are you crazy or something?  Calling me at this F**K**g #@!* Blank-et-Tee, Blank, Blank, #@!!&#%*!, God forsaken hour!!! Don't you realize that I need my beauty sleep!!!  PFFT!!"

Becky: "I am so sorry Madame Diva!  But, there must be some sort of mix up with my travel arrangements.  I have no rental car and the nice Arab man at the car rental desk told me that you rented me a camel instead of a rental car to get across the desert.  Is this true?"

"CLICK!!  BZZZZZZ....BZZZZ.....BZZZZ!!!"

Becky: "Hello, hello?  Are you there, Janet."

"BZZZZZZ....BZZZZ.....BZZZZ!!!"

Well, it just so happened that I ran into a Camel Jockey by the name of "Mohamed IchsMayl-Mussaffa" just outside of Morocco. I made a trade with him and got my convertible after all!  

I simply gave him Janet's name, photo, an I.O.U. she gave me about a year ago, and her personal cell phone number. I also happened to mention to him that she is available for on-line dating. I got back on the plane and I am headed back to some local stomping grounds.

THE VENUE: HELLO MR. COX

Well, I decided to go on-line and then started looking for some clubs to assess. I then found this club called "The Venue Nightclub."

It’s mantra is "The Venue" Nightclub, the Originator not the Imitator.” This club touts itself for having live DJ's from every corner of the globe and a beautiful atmosphere.

At first glance, I was impressed with the mega stadium-size stage wall with all of its gala graphics. It was like being in a football stadium and looking at the scoreboard for the stats and the scores. It had a good crowd there and plenty of eye candy to tease your senses.

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, because as I began scanning my camera around the club, it was surrounded by a plethora of billboards and advertisements to such an obnoxious degree that it made my head spin. If being swallowed alive by a overzealous capitalistic cow is what you think is a fun and romantic place to go, then be my guest.

It seems like a fun place if you like a little penis by the name of Mr. Cox chasing you around - or if you don’t mind unloading your purse to buy something. (I mean anything, HA!) Mr. Cox is kinda cute, but I prefer my humor slightly served well done. Certainly not overdone or pink. 

I also found the music there on the atrocious side. This might appeal to you perhaps, but it was certainly not for me.

On the Beck-O-Meter scale, The VENUE is just okay. It did not do much for me.  I give it 2 out of 4 ice cream scoops.

 AMBROSIA DANCE CLUB: CLASSIC INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT

The club that I have known the longest here in Second Life is Ambrosia Dance Club. It is open 24/7 with DJs from around the world. The music is quite diverse (as are it's patrons). It is also on an M-rated sim, so the dancers at Ambrosia do not strip. 

That appeals to me personally because I want my date (or the guy that I am dancing with) to pay more attention to me rather than get distracted by big, bare boobies jiggling in his face. HA!

Somethings never change here in Second Life. However, it appears that Ambrosia has made some good changes with it's atmosphere while at once still delivering great music, entertainment, and fun for it's patrons. Although a bit dated in its architectural aesthetics, Ambrosia is still a very fashionable and friendly place to come and dance and to let yourself go!

On the Beck-O-Meter scale, AMBROSIA rocks!  I give it 4 out of 4 ice cream scoops.

BLACK HORSE COUNTRY SALOON

I just took my cowgirl hat out of the trunk and came into the Black Horse Country Saloon. Established in 2007, it is a friendly Country Western Club featuring line dancing to some of the best Western Country and Southern Rock Music in all of Second Life. 

It is always full of people who enjoy some good ol’ Honky Tonk music in a Western saloon type of atmosphere. There are some small retail shops there that cater to your cowboy and cowgirl western wear fancies. 

They kinda' talk a bit funny here but after a while you begin to understand the western lingo drawl. So I just say,"Helo thar Ya'all! It is great t'be hyar! Fry mah hide!"

The emphasis there is dancing and listening to music. The retail element there is secondary and juxtaposed at the club for convenience and not centered as its primary focus. 

I joined in on the line dancing and had so much fun listening and shaking my butt to music from Josh Turner, Rockie Lynne, Hunter Hayes, and a full host of other great Country songs! If you come with a date, or if you are there already and asked to dance, there are some nice couple dancing spots to make your evening nice and romantic as well. 

On the Beck-O-Meter Fun gage, it definitely kicks ass!! I give it 4 out of 4 ice cream scoops.

BIG DADDY'S 80's CLUB  

       

Big Daddy’s has always been on my list of places o dance and meet people. It is definitely on the casual side playing good solid Rock n’ Roll and Pop from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Grand Funk Railroad, and Peter Frampton to name a few. 

They do promote businesses there (as they should) but again it is done with good taste and not in your face. 

Bianca Rockin' Out with her Friends and
Patrons at Big Daddy's. You Go Girl!!!

I understand that they also have “On-Air “ commercials for businesses. Very classy outdoor rock club with an on-going host of different entertainment venues. 

They even have a Pajama night there as well that sounds like an absolute blast!

While I was there, I did happen to run into the Owner, Bianca Marchant, and we had a nice chat about her business. She is a pretty diversified lady with a full line of her own merchandise and quite active in the Second Life scene. 

Anyway, the sound I found at Big Daddy’s is EXCELLENT, the staff is amazingly friendly and helpful, and the talent Bianca brings in is top-notch. I highly recommend that you go there and check the place out! For you guys looking for girls, there are plenty there! So, you can find the one that stirs your imagination, romance her, and dance to your heart’s content. 

Insofar as the Beck-O-Meter Fun gage, it is definitely 4 out of 4 ice cream scoops. I had a great time at BIG DADDY'S. (Lot's of fun guys to dance with also.)

For my next travel guide tour, I will look at Jazz Clubs. 

BTW, I am completely open to anything, so I would love to hear back from you and perhaps having you share some of your favorites with me sometime. 

In your opinion, what are some of the best places that you have been to dance and to listen to music here in SL? 

Just let me know and I will get on my horse and go visit them.