"The A List"

               Within the vastness of Second Life there is a great deal to explore and any person, unless guided by a friend or knowing where to search or what to look for, can easily get overwhelmed. There’s so many clubs and places to hang out at, it’s easy to get lost.

When I was a noob in SL almost 5 years ago (My rez date is 6/12/2007), and didn’t really know anyone as I aimlessly wandered around looking to make new friends and see where the hot spots were. When I first started SL I didn’t know I had to be in a sandbox to open a furry avatar box. Luckily one of the people I ran into was a lady named Raftwet Jewell at a club named TJ Icey’s, which is now dance Island. Raftwet is Xavier’s wife as Xavier Thiebaud is the founder of the group you may have heard about from hearsay called the “The A List.”

Now there’s good news for someone wondering where the best of the best resides in SL and where their digital self needs to go. “The A List” compiles all of the best events into one group. It’s pretty handy when lots of clubs ask for a group to become a VIP to get the heads up on their events. At 42 groups max that would take up lots of space getting a VIP at every club you liked. Plus there’s non club groups you may like. Even worse is when you only had 25 groups a few years ago. The A List solves that one problem.

            In the words of Xavier Thiebaud the founder of the SL “The A List,” “It seemed as if there was a need to be filled. Raftwet and I collectively travelled the grid and invited those who had excellence. Before that everyone was segregated and very cliquey. It was not easy but we successfully tied many people from many walks of life and interest into our group.”

Xavier and his longtime wife Raftwet worked hard around SL nurturing their A List making it grow. For the past four years since its birth Xavier and Raftwet looked in every nook and cranny of the digital realm of Second Life looking for the best to add to their list.

One great thing as I got answers back from Xavier and Raft is that anyone would find something of interest from the A List. For example my buddy Qwark Allen when I logged on SL happened to DJing 80’s music and pop music along with some house. The only way I knew he was DJing by checking the A List under notices. I quickly ported over and had a great time.

Xavier told me that everything from Opera to Country music is on “The A List.” Art gallery openings to opera to grand ballrooms to dance with that special someone. Opera or art not your cup of tea? There are also notices about DJs playing electronic music like Trance, house, techno or psytrance from a popular DJ like Healer Ladybird or Qwark Allen. You’re not into a techno beat? There are live rock performers on the A List as well to warp to and listen in and have a good time. Not really in a music mood but you would rather laugh? The A List has comedy acts too!

Any Joe or Jane resident is allowed to join the A List after being in SL for one year sorry for those who just started SL a month ago or so. However if you just started SL you could still follow them on Facebook under the A List. Some A list members have the ability to send notices to promote their clubs or live performers to promote their live music act.

For example if a live performer or DJ wanted to promote him or herself they have to talk to Xavier and or Raft to be able to send notices.  This helps keeps the group spam free keeps up the high quality of the A List’s musicians and artists etc. Nobody wants to see a notice about to keep their teeth clean in Second Life either. Also not being a drama Llama helps and Xavier doesn’t want any D listers however in Xavier’s words

Xavier Thiebaud, "We look for people who are at least a year old, so most of the time it means they are established on the grid."

Xavier hinted there was celebrities within the A list that you could see with the tag “A List Celebrity”  around SL. Xavier told me that as of now there’s a little over 400 people within the A List.

Xavier says to join the A List as a year or older avatar you have to pay a one-time fee of 2,500 Linden UNLESS you happen to know a friend to refer you. The good news is I Grease Coakes am a member of the A list so if I know you I could refer you to the A List if you’re a buddy of mine.

So if you want the very best of SL and you have been around a year at least look into the A List by searching under groups “THE A LIST!” Xavier and Raftwet are always looking for fresh pixelated avatars to expand their A List and as I trade off you can tell your friends and family you’re a grade A avatar as a furry, human, robot or whatever.

Grease Coakes