Sim of the Week

Vivendo's underwater reef will soon sport mermaid animations and underwater parties.

Flamingos wade through clear waters outside Dreams Night club on Vivendo

Zipping through the universe your intrepid Sim of the Week staff takes a U-turn and departs from the usually method of choosing a destination and send out a thank you to Cheyenne Paperclip, who sent in this nomination for the sim of Vivendo.

“I recently discovered a sim that I can truly say is all I need in SL. It is the sim Vivendo, and it is where I have been living my Second Life since coming back from a two-year SL hiatus. The main drawing point of this sim is the Dreams Dance Club, but that is only the beginning. There is a mall, a weekly reef. There is even a media sphere for viewing music videos. While all these things are pleasing to even the most selective resident, it is the ‘family’ of avatars that populate this sim that keeps me, and others like me, coming back night after night. … I would be so thrilled if all their hard work and dedication could be rewarded with a feature in the M2.”

So, in a departure from our usual random-sim-ness, we step through a side stream in the 10th dimension and add a hip wiggle down a rainbow and arrive in Vivendo. The sim is group owned by the group The Dream We Share, namely Lotti Aeon, Savannah Bellah, Simon Clarrington, Angel Demozay, Tinks Etzel, Phacule Gothly, Eclair Martinek, Blossom Morgath, Jeanni Parkin, Birdman Slade, BillyBob Slideshow, Moose Tumin and Lizzie Ulysses.

Teleporting into Vivendo, you enter through a gleaming white marble gazebo. Decked out in draped red and white rose garlands, this gazebo is a romantic fantasy creation. The gleaming white marble and wrought iron motif is echoed throughout Vivendo, tying it together and creating a smooth theme.

Stepping out of the north side of the gazebo, we find white marble walkways leading to the mall. At the entrance to the mall, be sure to stop by and pick up some free gifts for visitors. There is a romantic blue gown, fire pit, and jewelry set with a Midnight Mania board on the other side. The mall, which takes up most of the north eastern corner of the sim is filled with high end, high quality venders. The build itself is something straight out of a Parisian dream or perhaps a New Orleans Rue.

Turning north along the shore, we find white sandy beaches, tiki huts, and a half sunken ship just waiting to be swum out to and explored. In the northwest corner, there is a light house with a commanding view of the island and surrounding water. Balloon rides are located on south east corner of the sim. Underneath a moored yacht, you will find a brightly colored reef where you can sit and contemplate the fish.

Vivendo began on Dec. 2, 2009, when the new owners met on an empty sim. “First of all, we had that huge idea of making a club ourselves,” said BillyBob Sideshow. Eclair Martinek says, “Everyone has an idea or a dream to do something like this. One person cannot do it by themself - but a group can.”

“Our first day was kinda funny in a way,” said Phacule Gothly. “We all met on this blank piece of land, nothing but a bar and some palm trees, and we started talking about what would be the perfect place, where people could relax have fun. Everyone had great ideas and visions of how we should proceed. It was in that discussion Dreams was born.”

Jeanni Parkin adds, “It was amazing how everyone’s vision just melded in with each other.... without even discussing it. (It) was like we each had a paint brush and this huge canvas.. and painted away happily.”

Attention to details is one of the things you notice on Vivendo. From perfect sound tracks to palm fronds lying on the sands, the details make this sim a treat for the eye and the ear.

Martinek said, “We offer a little bit of a lot, and when one comes for something in particular - they will discover there is more.”

Dreams dance club is another fantasy white marble creation on the opposite side of the sim from the mall. Here nightly dancing to a variety or music tastes is offered. Martine said, “On Friday night we have TGIF Beach Party. We had ABBA concert here on Jan. 28. We have impromptu events and contests.” In time the owners promise to have a schedule of sorts but for now, they are still experimenting to find out what their guests would like. They even have suggestion boxes “for guests to let us know if there is anything they are not happy about ... or would like to see in dreams,” said Parkin.

When asked what they would have wanted to be told when they first came to Second Life, the answers ranged from “How to get dressed,” from Phacule Gothly to “That here you are able to fly,” from BillyBob Sideshow which he followed up with “How not to crash.”

Jeanni Parkin adds, “That this is not really a game. It’s very much a part of your real life.”

Eclair Martinek said, “After the initial shock factor - SL is the most fabulous place to be - to be a kid again and have fun.”

Birdman Slade adds a reminder for everyone, “Real people behind the av ... real emotions.”

Gothly sums up what is making Vivendo and Dreams a success. “This owners group and our staff are the most loving and talented group of people I know, and all are the reason for our success.” After spending a night at the club, I have to agree.

Martinek adds, “The guests and members of Dreams are fantastic and have become friends as well, and I say to people - come to Dreams - and we will take care of you and help you find what you are looking for.”

Dreams Night Club is a confection of white marble where avatars dance to a wide variety of music.