Under the Mango Tree--Tamsin Barzane

When I first traipsed around SL, I did it in solitary glory--gorgeous sims never seemed to have anyone on them. When I became more sociable, one of the first places I flung my limbs around was Irie Vibes, a reggae site that always had great music, plenty of companionship, and a funky vibe. Irie is still going strong, now on more elegant terms, but still with friendship and generosity to offer.

Besides the many freebies, shops and the reggae, soca and dancehall dj's, the sim's mastermind Irie Iwish/Irie Tsure has put up some elegant 3D sculptures, from the Ethiopian lion to a monument to Nanna of the Maroons. He's had an interest in culture all along, but it's blossomed now in a new direction.

By creating a substantial building devoted to diaspora culture (Irie is quite a builder, and has even written some handbooks on maneuvering within SL at http://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/TitlesList/30285/Second_Life.htm), he has given a great gift to SL. Irie and his gallery curator, Keno Beardmore, have set aside space for invited artists and exhibitors, and allowed them plenty of prims and free rein for an indefinite time--as well as the opportunity to change their displays at their own pace.

Numerous artists are participating, with paintings by Indea Vaher (in a lovely space that recreates her Louisiana/South Carolina site), Aruba DeCuir, Ivory Rexen, Tears Indigo, Parris Galli and more. Winn Wellman, curator of SL's Museum of the African-American Experience has an exhibit on Benjamin Banneker, while Keno Beardmore features dancer Katherine Dunham.

And Saminaka? Still setting up a Nupe display that will include buildings, furnishings, clothes, a slideshow and more from this exciting culture. And that's just for now--with the space and prims at hand, I promise to have changing exhibitions of traditional African compounds from all over the continent.

Support Irie. This is a terrific gesture--we don't all know him personally, he's hosting us for the love of culture and being terrifically generous. Show your One Love! http://slurl.com/secondlife/Irie/191/50/27