The MMAC aka Multi Media Arts Center, was established in 2007 and has continued to entertain the Second Life community with live music, nightclubs, gallery events, Cinema, Comedy, Film, poetry, and much more! The man behind this very successful and staple of SL Entertainment is none other than Dash Renoir. His presence in Second Life over the past 18 years is impressive, to say the least. He is a bona fide virtual world renaissance man. I met up with Dash to get an update on TheMMAC and see what's new.
Interview with Dash Renoir
Lanai: Hi Dash, it is a pleasure to sit with you. For nearly two
decades, you have contributed so much to the entertainment community in
Second Life. Can you share with our readers how you discovered Second
Life and what inspired The MMAC?
Dash: Summer 2006 I heard stories on NPR's "Marketplace" and on MSNBC
about Second Life. Spent a couple weeks exploring, checking out live
events, clubs and corporate sites with a forgotten avi. Rejoined as Dash
Renoir in January 2007 to showcase my band "Suburban Dog". Spent late
nights in sandboxes learning to build, in particular modeling the RL
theater space I purchased to open the Multi Media Arts Center, New
Jersey USA, in 2008. TheMMAC in SL was build as an extension of TheMMAC
1st Life. ( www.TheMMAC.com )
Lanai: The Multi Media Arts Center can only be described as an
all-in-one place where all sorts of entertainment happen. Just like it
takes a village to raise a child, it has to take an extraordinary team
to keep The MMAC continuous for so many years. Who makes up TheMMAC team?
Dash: LOL just me. All me. All depending on my RL workload. To
clarify, 2008-2012 activities were driven by RL MMAC. After its closing
2012-2014 were probably the busiest for in world-originated stuff. But
busy RL film production work limited my time to just doing late night DJ
sets "Funk Fridays" and "Slow Jams For A Saturday Night" to keep tier
and memberships paid through the decade. Following a major hack in the summer
Of 2024, where my build was wiped/sold, lindens stolen, etc, along with a
slow down in RL work I am spending time to rebuild, revive, restore ...
reboot TheMMAC!
Lanai: That’s Impressive. I can’t even imagine how busy you are doing this alone! I’m sorry to hear that happened but I am glad to see your resilience and rebuilding this iconic SL landmark. Can you share a little bit about each venue that is part of TheMMAC?
Dash: Briefly...
Performance spaces ..
WORLD STAGE: a Concert Theater built over the corner of 4 Sims,
Originally, the extension of TheMMAC RL stages
CABARET CARLOTTA: more intimate Showcase Stage
THE JAZZ LINK: Lounge
OPEN AIR THEATRE: Amphitheater
THE COMEDY LINK: Laugh Club
Moving Images ..
THE FILM LINK CINEMA & FLY-IN DRIVE-IN MOVIES : Short Films, Videos,
Animation, Machinima, etc. On Demand
Visual Arts ..
MMAC GALLERY & TERRACE SCULPTURE GARDEN
UNDERGROUND Disco
TOP OF TheMMAC Penthouse Ballroom: for milestone events
Lanai: You have a lot going on! Between Funk Fridays and Slow Jams at Nightclub events, Gallery showcases, The Comedy Link, Monthly Midweek Movie Mingle, The Film Link, Poetry, radio, and more, what is your favorite form of entertainment that you host in Second Life and why?
Dash: Live entertainment, probably. I'm an impresario by temperament, I
enjoy putting talent/performers together with an attentive audience.
Lanai: I can relate. There is something magical about bringing people together with creativity and media. Are you currently hiring for positions within The MMAC? If so, which positions are available, and how can one apply?
Dash: I have not hired anyone yet... probably should ... in particular
maybe promoters or subcontractors to help maximize the utilization of
the spaces.
Lanai: Make sure you send me a press release when you are ready to hire. I’m sure some people would love to be a part of all the events TheMMAC has to offer. So, what group can residents join to keep up with all the actions at
TheMMAC?
Dash:
"MMAC Guests" is the open group, kiosk in lobby.
"MMAC Patrons" is the invitation only/largest group
"MMAC Members" is the feed premium group with perks
Lanai: Do you have a calendar of events? If so, can you drop the link?
Dash: https://themmacsl.com/events.html
Lanai: This year you celebrated 18th years in Second Life with the
FETE event. Can you tell our readers about that?
Dash: It was a very successful event, well supported by performers and
patrons, which ran one day, Sunday, April 6th, celebrating the April 7th
2007 opening of TheMMAC inSL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm9knW10N0Y
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18jiKH65p7/
Lanai: What events do you have coming up, and do you have anything new in
the works that you’d like to share exclusively with The SL Enquirer?
Dash: Nothing of note at this time... plans in the works for a 'paid' concert series and more comedy events.
Additional Information
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Somerset/216/216/66
Website: https://www.TheMMACsl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@TheMMACsl
https://www.facebook.com/dash.renoir/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMMACsl
MMACradio Network: https://www.MMACradio.net
Other:
Preferred contact: Dash Renoir
Multi Media Arts Center in Second Life
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