Together As One (TAO) Christmas 2021 Opens Friday November 26, 2021

Main Event Dec 10-12th | In support of Feed a Smile

Together As One (TAO)

Our one and ONLY aim is to raise money for children's Charities through mainly a Live music festival! If you want to be part of our Group on Facebook, for news and events, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/299207651161694 We also have a Second Life Group, here is the Group Key if you want to join! 9daf20f8-059f-f10b-2fbb-190f76c74b46 And now we also have a Subscriber, that is located at the front of the stage! When you come to our events, you will notice there is only ONE Tip Jar that is rezzed by the Charities themselves! A point we stress is that we have no part of the money that comes and goes through our festivals, we are simply the organization that puts the event together trying to raise the money for the children! Up until now, we have done 4 Together As One (TAO) events. The 1st event was in Christmas 2020, where we raised a total of 520,112 Lindens in a 2 day weekend, supporting Feed a Smile.

The 2nd event was in Easter 2021, we raised 930,000 Lindens in a 3-day event supporting KIKA. The 3rd Event was in Summer 2021, we raised 1,266,000 Lindens in a 3-day event supporting Feed a Smile. The 4th Event was Halloween 2021, we raised 1,262,641 Lindens in a 3-day event supporting KiKA At each TAO event, there is also 'The Market' that hosts many stores from a lot of Creators here in SL. Please have a look around when you can. This time we have a total of 20 stores if you are interested in going Christmas Shopping! Another feature we provide in order to raise money for our cause are Raffles! At each event, you will find the Raffles Area with a lot of interesting things to Bid on. So make sure you get in, have a look, and put your bids in! One of our newest concepts and traditions we have at TAO events are the "Meet & Greet" hourly Events, that occur in the 2 weeks Prior to the Festival that the land is open to the public for shopping, bidding, and Games! At the Meet & Greet, performers from the current TAO Festival will be singing and answering questions to their fans, from their fans. adding a more 'down to earth' and personalized relationship between performer and fan! This Event has a BIG Treasure hunt, that will give a great prize at the end! We have named it "The 12 days of Christmas Hunt" and you can begin at the Christmas Box located at the front of the stage! Finally, Don't forget to Grab your Free TAO Teddy also located at the front of the Stage! Adding to your collection of TAO Teddies! :) Let's raise some money for 'Feed a Smile' Together! Thank you and see you soon! TAO Management ll ƜIƝƬƐɌ ll (11winter11) | TAO Owner and Festival co-coordinator HσƖƖყ GιƖҽʂ (hollygiless.heartsong) | Manager and Raffles Manager BB 'Beebs' Woodford (bb.woodford) | Store and Market Manager KissiTulips | After Party Floor Manager

TOGETHER AS ONE (TAO) CHRISTMAS 2021 FESTIVAL @ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Dragon/237/124/22

Feed a Smile FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/groups/FeedaSmile

Feed a Smile SL GROUP secondlife:///app/group/c64ccfe7-bae1-6fef-39f7-45be27b2b42d/about

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TAO Summer 2021 Festival

 LM - Land is open for ALL

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Dragon/182/138/22

Youtube Video Link 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BaP1qSR9NQ&t=1s

FB Page Link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/299207651161694

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The Silk Road Series #1 at Caravanserai. The crossroads of the arts in Second Life. Sat May 18, 2019 5am-8am SLT

Video promo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-JErgwvpoY

From Singapore to Second Life: come to the Caravanserai for a one-night stop over to witness a grand live concert, streamed online as Singapore wordsmiths and improv musicians team up with accomplished artists, writers, musicians, comics, filmmakers and poets from Germany, UK, Holland, Portugal, Japan, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Canada and the USA.

This coming together of SL and Singaporean artists is in aid of Feed a Smile, a charity serving Kenyan school children.

Feature artists include Yadleen (ambient keyboards), Karima Hoisan and Natascha Randt, (machinima screening and discussion) in world poets and well known performers like Rosedrop Rust on the same programme as  comedians such as Esteban Voljeti and world wide storytellers like Caledonia Skytower.

Kaylee West, founder of Chinese Island, a part of the Monash University sims where Caravanserai is located says, ‘So much of world history is built on the dialogue and cultural exchange represented by the land and sea Silk Roads.”

Her colleague, Singh, (Dr Chris Moone-Singh, an Australian located in Singapore, himself a poet-singer and educator adds, ‘We are very happy to start the Silk Road Series and share the heritage of East-West arts.”

As the Singaporeans share South-East Asian culture, world artists likewise share their poems, songs and stories this unique programme will be streamed live from Second Life from their online locations in the spirit of bygone days along the digital Silk Road.

View @ TWITCH

https://www.twitch.tv/thewriterscentre

Singh (Albatros)

–––––––––––––––––––––

Dr Chris Mooney-Singh

The Writers Centre, Singapore

http://www.chrismooneysingh.com 

http://thewriterscentre.org

http://wordforward.org

http;//litupasia.com 

http://redwheelbarrowbooks.net

http://singaporepoetryslam.com

http://www.campsunbird.com

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Mardi Gras at The Lavender Field Tuesday February 13th at 12pm SLT

Feed A Smile is a well recognised charity in SL, raising money for the Live and learn Project in Kenya. What more fitting on this day of excess before Lent to raise money to provide food for these beautiful children! Three acts, starting with myself at 12 noon and a specially decorated venue. Lets have a wild and crazy time and instead of throw beads, throw some lindens into the donation box!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Feed%20A%20Smile/61/142/22

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Major fundraising Event on April 14th for Feed a Smile

On April 14th Rossini Events will hold an 8 hour event in aid of the Feed a Smile charity

This follows up our hugely successful events in January February and March for the same wonderful charity.  This month we take the event "back to its roots" to the Kenya area of Feed a Smile Headquarters at Lavender Fields

The event will run for 8 hours from 12pm to 8pm and once again we have a hand picked array of some of the very best performers and DJs that Second Life has to offer.

The timetable goes like this:

12pm DJ Pepper Curie (Muddy's Music Cafe, Back Alley Blues)
1pm DJ Ana Alchemi (Muddy's Music Cafe)
2pm DJ Jaxssin (Purple Gator, Floyds Bar)
3pm DJ Valeri Rossini (Muddy's Music Cafe)
4pm DJ Laurendawn (Muddys Country)
5pm DJ Noel (Wet Willies, Back Alley Blues, Junkyard Blues)
6pm DJ Tril (Big Daddys, Black Horse Country)
7pm Collin Martin - Sensational Vocal Talent

Full details here:  http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents/news

Bios of all the artists and DJs involved can be found here:

http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents/djs

The event is sponsored by Meerkats Estates

Event location:  Feed a Smile
 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Feed%20A%20Smile/55/221/21

About Rossini Events

Rossini Events was established in July 2016 - a collaboration between MichaelJ Rossini and Valeri Carissa. 

Full details can be found at http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents

As well as providing private and public events we also pride ourselves on the charity fundraisinng events we organize.

We aim to have a charity event every month, and the charities we support are Feed a Smile, Relay for Life and Making Strides

To date, we have raised over 300k for these charities

Our success is largely down to the quality of our entertainers - we use only the very best.  We also use some of the very best venues in Second Life

Everyone involved in our events donates their time free of charge, and every penny we raise goes directly to the charity concerned.

If you have any questions, or require further info, please contact MichaelJ Rossini or email michaeljrossini@gmail.com

Interviews with Michael and Valeri can be arranged, subject to availability.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Major Fundraising Event on March 24th for Feed a Smile

On March 24th Rossini Events will hold a 10 hour event in aid of the Feed a Smile charity

This follows up our hugely successful events in January and February for the same wonderful charity.  This month we have been given the use of a terrific location right on the Blake Sea so it will be possible to sail there as well as the more conventional tp. 

 Again we have a hand picked array of some of the best performers and DJs that Second Life has to offer.

The timetable goes like this:

http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents/news

Bios of all the artists and DJs involved can be found here:

http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents/djs

The event is sponsored by Meerkats Estates

The event will be held in The Pavilion ay Holly Kai Park 

About Rossini Events

Rossini Events was established in July 2016 - a collaboration between MichaelJ Rossini and Valeri Carissa. 

Full details can be found at http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents

As well as providing private and public events we also pride ourselves on the charity fundraisinng events we organize.

We aim to have a charity event every month, and the charities we support are Feed a Smile, Relay for Life and Making Strides

To date, we have raised over 240k for these charities

Our success is largely down to the quality of our entertainers - we use only the very best.  We also use some of the very best venues in Second Life

Everyone involved in our events donates their time free of charge, and every penny we raise goes directly to the charity concerned.

If you have any questions, or require further info, please contact MichaelJ Rossini or email michaeljrossini@gmail.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Major fundraising Event on January 27th for Feed a Smile

On 27th Jan Rossini Events will hold an 11 hour event in aid of the Feed a Smile charity

This is our largest charity event to date and will take place over 3 sessions, each starting with a headline live act, followed up by some of the best known DJs in Second Life.  These sessions or "legs" correspond to prime times in Australia, Europe and the USA respectivley.

The timetable goes like this:

http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents/news

Bios of all the artists and DJs involved can be found here:

http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents/djs

The event is sponsored by Lyrics

The setting for the event is a Norwegian fjord and there will be fireworks!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Terravia%20Island/241/180/30

For a special welcome, please let me know if you or a representative will be attending this event



About Rossini Events

Rossini Events was established in July 2016 - a collaboration between MichaelJ Rossini and Valeri Carissa.  

Full details can be found at http://michaeljrossini.wixsite.com/rossinievents

As well as providing private and public events we also pride ourselves on the charity fundraisinng events we organize.

We aim to have a charity event every month, and the charities we support are Feed a Smile, Relay for Life and Making Strides

To date, we have raised over 90k for these charities

Our success is largely down to the quality of our entertainers - we use only the very best.  Our venue is totally redesigned for each event by a sl award nominated designer

Everyone involved in our events donates their time free of charge, and every penny we raise goes directly to the charity concerned.

If you have any questions, or require further info, please contact MichaelJ Rossini or email michaeljrossini@gmail.com

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Omega Psi Sigma SL Fraternity's Feed a Smile Event [FAS]- May 16th 2015 3:00am-12am SLT (21 Hours)

Omega Psi Sigma SL Fraternity & Theta Delta Alpha SL Sorority

Join forces with Serenity Groove Radio & GQueue Clothing to "FEED A SMILE"

Hosting a 21 hours event, their goal is to raise funds which are used to provide food, clothes, education, and medical aid to children living in the Rhonda Slums of Nakuru County, Kenya Africa.  This event will feature a "Musical Extravaganza" orchestrated by some 21+ talented DJ's from countries around the world, a Facebook Photo Op, and Yes! A new "Feed a Smile T-Shirt” will be on sale with 100% of the proceeds going towards this great cause.

These caring and talented people all believe in the Live and Learn in Kenya Int. & Feed a Smile motto "HARAMBEE" which in Kiswahili means, "Working Together, Hand in Hand for a Common Goal".

So mark your calendars, and join them to support a child in need.

When:  May 16th, 2015

Where: Lavender Field Sim, Second Life

Time: 3:00 am to 12:00 am SLT (21 Hours)

 Location:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FeedA Smile/48/124/23 

If you are a Second Life business, organization, builder or designer wishing to sponsor this event, please contact one of the following:

Cobalt Niles, Dean of Omega Psi Sigma SL Fraternity

Von Brown (baddazzdiva), Founder of Theta Delta Alpha SL Sorority

Gregorian Lytton, Owner GQueue Clothing

Silas Gabardini, Owner Serenity Groove Radio

Brique Topaz, Chairwoman of Live and Learn in Kenya Int  & Feed a Smile Charity

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AVIE POLL: Which Charities do you support?- Debby Sharma Reporting...

“Charity begins at Home, and justice begins next door.”

~ Charles Dickens

While speaking to one of the respondents, I said, “Someone somewhere will benefit from the little we donate today.” The satisfaction that I have given a part of me towards something that will benefit monetarily to somebody gives me immense pleasure. Half of my salary in real life, goes towards charity. It does not matter that it is in Second Life.

 The other day, a small boy of just 18 years old who has just graduated high school was wondering with his “thela” selling food. When I came to know of his aspirations to get his MBA, I offered my help in coaching him for free.

 Irrespective of what he makes, I make sure to buy food from him every day. It may not be called charity. But this motivates other people in my locality to buy food from him as well, increasing his sales and his daily income. In Second Life, a group of Indians have formed a new team called 4mE – Vents Out, team 93 help fundraiser for Relay For Life of Second Life.

So, travelling through SL, I asked residents if they trust charities in Second Life, if yes, which charities they trust and why. Here are the opinions and responses of few of the residents.

Athena Rose Boom (Miss Royal Israel of ♔ Miss Royalty Organization): Well I only trust two charities; one would be Relay for Life and the other would be the Breast Cancer Awareness. I have been a part of a charity event for Feed America which included the website to show proof the money wasn't just going somewhere else. But Relay for Life and BCA (Breast Cancer Awareness) would be my two top choices and I trust them because I also take part in those charities in real life so I do donate in SL what might be a dollar or five dollars, but I'm an active person in real life with the charities. So I do know where the money is going and I love to meet new people and to see their hearts to help others, to remember them and to encourage the ones still with us. That's why I trust Relay for Life and BCA.

Christian Carlsson (Co-owner at The Torch Entertainment Guide): Yes, I do trust two charities, they are Survivors of Suicide, which I trust because I have seen their work with psychiatric healthcare and suicide prevention and Relay For Life, because their control is very strict and I have personally talked to officials from American Cancer Society that confirmed the legality of the charity.

Moeko Tatekana (Owner of a yet to release publication): As long as they are well-known and I can find out about them independent of SL, then yes.  I always happily support charitable work within SL. The main one that springs to mind is Relay for Life.  However, there was an event a while back for the charity SOPHIE - The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.  This is a charity that aims to educate the public about those that perhaps are alternative, i.e. Goth, punk, etc.  It was established when Sophie Lancaster was killed trying to defend her boyfriend who had been attacked for looking different. Cancer charities are very close to my heart as my mother died of ovarian cancer.  So if I see something supporting any kind of cancer research, I'm keen to support and LGBT charities too.

Robert Galland (Owner of Galland Homes): I've dealt with quite a few events that have charitable goals, the largest probably having been the Home and Garden Expo. I've been a premium sponsor of that event on multiple occasions and have always trusted that the organizers had the right intentions. Nothing has ever happened to shake my trust in those people or others, like those who organize an SL presence for One billion rising as another example. I believe there are a lot of trustworthy efforts out there and if there's a few who act inappropriately, that doesn't affect my thoughts on charity in SL at all.

Rose Uros (owner of Miss Royalty Organization): That's a great question. It can be hard to know which to trust. Charities I have trusted is #1 Relay for Life which is if not the biggest charity in SL. Others are Models Giving Back, Rock your Rack, MVW winner's charities (example: Fashion for Change). Wounded Warriors which is done monthly by USA veterans and active duty in SL. Trusting the people who run the charity helps make it easier for me to donate big amount of linden. Great example is one done by Models Giving Back (Toys for Tots) during Christmas. I saw none really donated in that big crowd and that got me upset because #1 It's Christmas #2 Why isn't anyone wanting to help children?.They had set it up like an auction but I didn't care for the prize. I easily donated 5k. That's something a big donator should look out for. When no one is really helping you have to be the one to step up. In the end it's not about the prize or getting 15mins of fame. It's about helping real people in need. I personally don't know of anyone that's done anything bad in name of charity. It's been all good since 2011 (noob days) for me. I hope to continue so with opening charities with my organization. The people in the country my parents were born in live in poverty. So, every Thanksgiving the community does this mega event to help raise money. We raised $10 million and with that it helped them a lot in many ways.

Ruby Ornamental (model participant at Colors of Couture pageant): I trust Relay For Life of Second Life. I trust fashion for change. It is new yet I trust on account of the organization supporting it in SL.

Giving to charity whether it is in the real world or in Second Life improves self- being and provides a sense of purpose in life. Being on the receiving end of charity improves the quality of life for those in need. No matter what end of charity you are on it reminds us all how important a good deed is.

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Feed a Smile News- About Feed a Smile and Lavender Field in Second Life

About Lavender Field and the impact it makes

Lavender Field hosts Live music events, art shows and a place to come and meet people and relax .The special thing that makes a difference at the Lavender Field is that it is purely a charity sim. It exists in order to feed over 400 poverty stricken children living in the slums of Nakuru, Kenya on a daily basis with the proceeds and donations.  100 Linden pays for a warm meal for a child,  additional donations provide health care, education and school supplies for these children in need. The entire sim - and everything on it has been donated.

 Entertainment

Lavender Field has some of SL's finest musicians performing on a charity basis and many of SL's leading venues and clubs organize Feed a Smile events. Many venues and shops have Feed a Smile donation boards set up  in order to support the cause.

Donations

Donations can be viewed on the donation site, which has been set up by G&N Quality Design: http://goo.gl/ceuy4 

Talented Supporters

Names like Marky Helstein, Russell Eponym, Lisa Brune, Shannon Oherlihy, Xander Nichting, Tamra Sands, FunkyFreddy, Voodoo Shilton, James Coracheo, Aminius, Dragonfly, TwinGhost, Samm Qendra, Thera D, Anek Fuchs, Viviana Houston, Seamore Wildehart , TwoStep Spiritweaver, Bat Masters - and many, many more super talents are constantly on the event boards at the Lavender Field.

What is Feed a Smile?

Feed a Smile is a project that is a real world registered non-profit organization - Live and Learn in Kenya Int'l. (LLK Int'l) For more information visit  www.llk-selb.de

Who brought it to Second Life?

 Brique Topaz - (Zeiner) is the RL Chairwoman of the organization in Kenya and in Germany.  

 What is Leben und Lernen in Kenia?

 LLK Int’l is in its 13th year and has sent hundreds of children to school. That is what LLK Int'l is all about - providing needy children with an education so that they can find their way out of the vicious circle of poverty.

 Our motto

 'Education is the key to the future'. 

This explains exactly what is important. We help the children find a way to be all that they can be - and we provide everything necessary for them to go to school  - including daily warm meals, medical and dental care, school materials, uniforms, fees, extracurricular activities, etc.

We also have a sponsorship program

 Many SL residents have decided to sponsor one of our 400 LLK Int'l children in RL.  A sponsor provides everything that a child needs to go to school for only US$30 per month. The child writes letters to the sponsor, send photos and report cards to the sponsor as well.

Donation impact from Second Life

The donations from Second Life provide about 1/3 of the daily meals for the children. We are able to take in between US$ 1000 - to 1700 monthly - depending on the amount of events and the performers.

4^th Anniversary in Second Life

Feed a Smile celebrated its 3rd anniversary in Second Life on July 13^th. Lavender Field is hosting  other events on September 27^th & 30^th.

Goal

Our goal is to become a household name in Second Life -  We want to grow and become a name that people know and trust. It would be a huge help if an ever-growing number of venue owners and store owners decide to support Feed a Smile by having donation boards set up and/or having fund-raising events. Another goal is to have more direct support from Linden Lab. We must pay large transfer fees - and although the sim rent is being donated - those funds could be used to feed the children if LL were to donate a sim to Feed a Smile for example.

Getting Useful Information

Brique Topaz will provide all necessary information, photos and promotional materials to the venue owners for Feed a Smile events.

Take part in this fundraiser

Brique Topaz is always looking for musicians, performers, and artists and we have shops for rent . The rent money goes solely to feed the children. It is also possible to donated objects - especially clothing - at our charity shop - all proceeds go towards the children.

Next Big Events are September 27^th and September 30^th at Lavender Field.

Check out the calendar http://goo.gl/dZXFng

  These events will help raise funds to build a school and feed children in Kenya.

If you need any other information, contact Brique Topaz. 

Important links

SL Group

Join Live and Learn in Kenya Int. NGO Group and make a difference.

 SL group link:  secondlife:///app/group/c64ccfe7-bae1-6fef-39f7-45be27b2b42d/about 

Interview with Brique Topaz on The Drax Files

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha6gxbTw6iQ&feature=youtu.be

Calendar of Events

http://goo.gl/dZXFng

Location

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Feed%20A%20Smile/48/134/23

Feed a Smile Website*

http://www.llk-selb.de  

* Any photos on the website photo gallery can be used for promotional reasons - as well as photos of the Lavender Field.    

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Spotlight on Brique Topaz- Helping Feed Real Life Children from a Virtual World- Sunny Love Holiday Reporting.

There are many things to do in Second life, but you may not know that you can actually change someone’s real life through this virtual world too. 

Brique Topaz, founder and chairwoman of "Live and Learn in Kenya Int'l" came to second life with just that in mind, arriving 4 years ago and establishing the great Feed a Smile project.

The Feed a Smile project allows second life avatars to sponsor a child in Kenya. This sponsorship provides enough money to support a child’s everyday needs to attend schools, including meals. Also, this project holds concerts at The Lavender Field for Feed a Smile in which all performers give 100% of their tips to the cause. I was delighted to sit down with Brique and get to find out more information.

Interview with Brique Topaz

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You are Cordially Invited to a Momentous Ocassion- Bonaire Estates' Pup Witherspoon and Milano Ferrentino's 6th Anniversary!

Friday, January 31, 2014 marks an important date for Bonaire Estates – it is the 6th anniversary for its founders and owners, Pup Witherspoon and Milano Ferrentino!

In celebration of this momentous occasion, we cordially invite you to the Love Boat to attend their Anniversary Celebration this Friday from 6 to 8pm SLT. This event is also a fundraiser for the Feed A Smile charity, so please come, enjoy and be generous.

Held aboard a gorgeous yacht generously provided by Michael Corleone of Monaco Yachts, this elegant event will be the highlight of our year! Dancing and wonderful live music will be provided by two amazing and talented live music performers. From 6 to 7 pm, Chillee Hernandoz will delight you with her wonderful voice and energetic personality. Then, from 7 to 8pm the amazing and delightful HammerFla Magic sings his way into our hearts and brings a perfect romantic touch to the evening.

The theme is nautical so please come dressed as your favorite boat or ship related TV or Movie character. For instance, a couple might come dressed as Thursten and Lovee Howell from Gilligan’s Island. You could come dressed as Captain Stubing from the Love Boat, or perhaps Rose from The Titanic. Be creative and come and celebrate this amazing love. From these two have sprung one of the biggest and best estates in Second Life – Bonaire Estates. Thanks to their love and vision, Bonaire Estates is an amazing place for SLers to call home.

See you on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 from 6 to 8pm aboard The Love Boat!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Renaissance%20Galleria/246/12/34

Suzanne Piers

Bonaire Estates Events Manager 

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