Christmas Wishes Do Come True!

More pictures soon... just couldn't resist sharing :) Happy Holidays Bistro Olivers!

You're a mean one... Mr. Grinch

Sometimes life causes you to think out of the box. The best laid plans for a Christmas exhibit just weren't feasible on Marco given the high number of scripts and textures. So I took the liberty of cleaning house and starting over. Crighton Johin said it looked like the Grinch had been here and cleaned us out. Feeling rather Grinch-like... an idea was born.

We won't be hosting regular events any more at the Bistro. The original intent wasn't about events anyway. It was about art. It was about hanging out. It was about good friends. For some reason people seem to take friends and events for granted. It is a lot of work for the people putting them on. When someone decides to quit, it can and does have a domino effect. The Grinch stole a lot this season... it was like we transitioned from Thankfulness to I'm not sure what. Either way eventually the Grinch does grow a heart. Maybe that will happen at the Bistro too. Come by and enjoy a crunch in the snow. Sit on Santa's lap (just don't forget to bring your own Santa) and just enjoy. If you look in the right place, you'll find a heart - for you, and for the Grinch.

Happy Holidays from The Bistro...

I was checking out the Bistro blog and noticed that there hasn't been an entry since early November 2. Blogging has been a task lately and I feel bad about this blog being neglected. I figured an update may be in order.

To be honest, the Bistro is morphing. Some changes are in the wind. We even gave thought to just closing it down all together but our sense of sentiment won out and we kept it. It means something to us and we didn't like the idea of letting it go.

I think we did ourselves a big favor when, at the outset, Kim and I decided we had no pretentions to turn a buck with it. Never have, never will. It just a spot, you know. We are at the point were we have grown weary of asking people to come to events. If they come great!!, if not its cool.

I've enjoyed playing around with the stream and being a wannabe DJ. It's a laugh and to be truthful our kids love helping and talking on the headset. It's fun to be involved with them online! I'll just do it at the Bistro I'm thinking and I work dirt cheap :).

We have no special holiday gatherings planned. The Bistro is available if you would like to engage it for some holiday function. Just swing by and lets us know what you are thinking. Could tie it in with some dance thing at Savoy if you like.

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for the coming year. I think we are all due for a good one. Happy Holidays!!

Call for Entries - In an unusual way

I know it has been way too long since you've heard from anyone at the Bistro.  BUT, I hope you will consider joining us this month in a celebration of things we are thankful for.  No matter where you live, no matter your customs or background, everyone has things they hold near and dear - things, people, places.  Take some time to think about those and join us this month.  Send a picture and a notecard - a sculpture and a notecard - an object of some sort and a notecard.  Tell us what you are thankful for.  My hope is to have the art from the first to the third floors representing all that is important to us - all that we are thankful for.

The collection so far is small, but mighty.  We started in the upper floor, by the fireplace.  Three photos with notecards inside.  I hope you'll stop by to admire, enjoy, and then contribute your thankful thoughts.

Cheers!

Spooky Sculpties

The Bistro is dressed from 1st floor to 3rd with Halloween happenings. From afar, you will spot the moon and the circling bats. You might spot the gate or notice a spooky tree has replaced the olive tree up top. Things have changed. Things are much much different this month. Mwwwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhaaaaahhhhhaaaa!

On the first floor... and sneaking a bit onto the second... you'll find translucent phantom prims in black and orange and purple created especially for a Bistro Halloween by the incredibly talented Misprint Thursday! Tip toe quietly through the forest on the first floor to soak up the floor to ceiling fountain.



Relax in a Trick or Treat Teacup or roll in the hay and soak up some 2nd floor art and treats from Divinity, Witchy Woman Designs and Blissie Boucher. Don't forget to grab your 2008 Bistro Olive Halloween Survival Kit!

Make sure to come by one of the weekend music events at the Bistro during this month to really soak up the spooky atmosphere!  Eclectic Rock from Taliesin Caewlin, Saturdays @ 1:30 pm SLT, Blue Olive Blues from Borday Moo, Sundays @ 4 pm SLT, and Olive Rock n Roll from Crighton Johin @ 6 pm SLT on Mondays.

The 3rd floor offers a ghastly ghostly cryptic experience that even includes a dance on a grave.  Many thanks to the lovely Cataplexia Numbers for her sculpty ghosts and haunting framed art that welcome patrons outside the Divinity crypt.

 

 Smooch with your sweetie on a shallow balcony grave... could it be the grave of Jim Morrison?  He maybe have wanted to be moved to the Bistro... just for Halloween.

Help Celebrate the SLart of Eliza Flanagan & Timber Watkins!

In honor of the incredible photography from first floor to third - we have a special performance by an amazing woman! Join us! It is a fantastic way to spend your Friday afternoon... guaranteed!

Every Picture tells a Story

I do hope you take the opportunity to come by the Bistro and check out the work of Timber Watkins and Eliza Flanagan. Their photographs currently adorn the walls, three floors worth, of the Bistro.

Their photos are portraits and studies in various forms. The portraits are incredibly nuanced and seem to draw you into the person that is being represented. Other subjects include a variety of topics from classic cars, and buildings and even more!

Both of these gifted individuals have an eye for detail and the use of a camera to convey mood and feeling. The Bistro is fortunate to have two such talented artists showing how well they work together.

I know after viewing their work, I spoke to Timber about having my portrait done. Its very exciting! Maybe you should consider it too. Of course, all of the work that graces the walls is for purchase. Any purchase you make by Mr. Watkins or Ms. Flanagan (I just love that name:)), will be a superb addition to your SLart collection.

Please stop on by and enjoy their creations. Remember we always have events on the weekend so you can have some fun with friends or future friends and take in the work of Flanagan and Watkins. I wonder if Timber or Eliza do surf photography? Hmmmmm. See you at the Bistro soon!!

Embarking on some new twists!

The Bistro Olive began as a way for me to decorate some new SL space from top to bottom and try to create something unique within SL that allows people to enjoy themselves, just hang out with or without events, and celebrate special occasions. I have always loved having people over to my home but people don't feel free to just drop in I think because it is secluded on an open water sim. I appreciate that and enjoy my privacy there. But... I hate interrupting people on IM all the time and sometimes just enjoy the opportunity to meet passers by. Shopping to death in SL doesn't always prove conducive to that.

I also have found that places tend to become stale. An over abundance of events can become just as ineffective as not enough. The familiar surroundings of a SL venue can lead to boredom and wanderlust in club frequenters. The idea of combining rotating art exhibits from top to bottom seemed to be a unique spin to keep interest. Besides... what could be better than turning over 3 floors to someone with amazing artistic inspiration and saying... please... have at it! It certainly fills my redecorating need in a most selfish way. And, I hope it fills the artists' need to share their work and even sell a few pieces. (The Bistro does not make any cut off of artist sales and I think that is SO important! Artists don't make enough $$ as it is!)

Live music is also something that fascinates me in SL. I have great respect for those individuals who not only choose to share their voice, but choose to share their soul through music they have composed or music they are willing to cover. Vocals are way more difficult than people realize and most of the music we hear has had layers and layers of work done to enhance the sound - the tone, and the pitch. Kudos to all live musicians in SL and I can only tell you the longer I am in SL the longer my list grows of beautiful musicians of all kinds that I hope to have perform at the Bistro. If only my linden wallet were a little fatter.

Finally, going back to the roots of fun in SL for me is the live DJ event. My bestest friends in SL have been found and friended at gigs and I still think that music is one of the things that brings people together beyond all others. Nothing better than cranking up a tune really loud that reminds you of that one favorite time when... Nothing better than letting that SL music bleed into your RL as you dance around with your kids and let them come to love the tunes that are so near and dear to your heart.

So... it is in keeping with all those loves that I introduce you to and encourage you to be a part of 3 musical DJ events at the Bistro Olive:

We had a great crowd yesterday and Tali definitely had the Shaken not Stirred vibe going as he combined Hot Tuna with Santanta and Matchbox 20 and Metallica and Bryan Adams. SL was NOT victorious in keeping loyal connoisseurs away. Thank you to those who joined us. (1:30-3:30 pm SLT)

I hope you will join us for the Blue Olive event with Borday Moo! This will be the third time he has taken over the stream at the Olive and most definitely not the last :) He has that deep sexy voice and laugh that colors everything anything but blue. His lovely Blissie Boucher will most definitely be there to lure you in with delectable treats. Coloring the Olive blue on Sunday was definitely a selfish decision on my part. I'm most certain you need to join us! (4-6 pm SLT)

Coming later in September to add to our new twist is DJ Crighton Johin with O-Live Rock n Roll. He will take over the stream from 6 - 8 pm on Monday evenings and hopefully not rock the place so hard that the glasses in the bar will break. Look for him to join us starting September 22.

The lovely Cataplexia Numbers' Visual Poetry exhibit still decorates the Bistro from top to bottom and I hope you take the time to slip a few sculptures and visual pieces into your inventory before it is gone. My love affair with the Bistro artists is tumultuous as I can never envision what the place will look like as one moves out and another moves in. But... cheers to her talent and hard work. Come by and enjoy!

Labor Day Libations at the Olive

It was a fun holiday party when several gathered for "Martini Monday" at the Bistro Olive in celebration of Labor Day. The drinks were festive (dry or blue olive martinis), and DJ Taliesin Ceawlin played a great selection of acoustic rock tunes. There was a lot of dancing, laughing, and fun. Owners Kimala Kohime and bigd Flanagan have created a wonderful venue, classy but friendly, one of those places where it feels like "everybody knows your name." Even Mister Health Inspector had his own chair and asked frequently if everyone had washed their hands. Bribes were offered, but no one knows if any were taken!

On all three floors of the Bistro, "Visual Poetry," the art exhibit by Cataplexia Numbers, enticed the attendees. Her colorful paintings and sculpture are available for purchase, and definitely worth a visit to the Bistro.

Since most Mondays find us at our desks, the next celebration will move to Saturday afternoons at 1:30 pm. "Shaken, Not Stirred Saturday" will no doubt be a regular stop for SL weekend fun.

See you there!

Raining Cats.....dogs better watch out!!

Our newest artist exhibiting her work is Cataplexia Numbers. She definately has it going with her study of the female form and the city she may inhabit. The colors invigorate you while the form comforts you. Cat's painting of the Twin Towers simultaneously squeezes your heart and makes you nod with pride. Its that way with all her work really. You can connect with it on so many levels. Her work is all for sale and would be a welcome addition to anyones art collection. I know it is to mine.



The opening was exciting and well attended. Over 29 names to shout out a big thank you to for attending. Tauri Tigerpaw was well loved and a beautiful compliment to the asthetics of Cataplexia's art.



Please swing by the Bistro and take in her work. There are three floors to explore that will give you a glimpse into her perspective on the world. Its well worth the trip and the time. Make sure to spruce up that SL home or skybox with Cat's work. This is one Cat you will not be allergic to!!

NOTE: Many thanks also to Parker Janick for her fine photography work!

Olive Blue!

Hey, hey!

If you didn't catch Olive Blue, the Sunday evening blues show with DJ Borday last week, here's your second chance!

Join us at the Bistro in the bar area from 5-7 PM SLT as DJ Borday spins his sexy blues for your enjoyment.

So grab a ride and come on down for THE most relaxing time in Second Life.

See you there!



XOXO,
B

Is THIS on YOUR calendar?

YOU are Invited: Thursday, August 28 ~ 6 pm SLT

The Bistro Olive @ Marco Island is proud to present SL artist, Cataplexia Numbers in her exhibition titled Visual Poetry!

Her work offers a mix of 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional artistic creations. Sculpture, pastels, and drawings offer visitors to the Bistro an artistic feast from the gallery floor, to the bar and lounge, to the lofty 3rd floor fine dining. Her work offers the audience a chance to reflect on the journey of the human spirit... as an individual and as a resident of city life triumphing beyond 9/11. Her expressions of the female form honor all kinds of beauty.

Make sure you mark your calendars to come celebrate her artistic contributions to Second Life and her show at the Bistro! Thursday, August 28 at 6 pm SLT acoustic guitar & singer Tauri Tigerpaw will provide live entertainment for this celebration.

Now I've seen it...

Wow...blue olive was a gas. Borday was playing some great tunes. He works hard finding the stuff you don't hear that often and listening to his set, it really shows. Bliss was there just keeping the good times going throughout. Saw a lot of new faces who really added to the fun of the occasion.

Special shout outs to: Jenda Starbrook, Cassidy Pevensey, Tgirl1981 Alter, Zorich Osterham, Madysen Quandry, mikki Freschi,Blissie Boucher, Borday Moo, Aeryn Lovenkraft, Kali Kessel, EhricSoderstrom, Busybee Beaver, Leanna Chaffe, Yordie Sands, Joonie Jatho,Yassine Yalin, Major Stoneage, ElvisOtis Ember, Gabrielle Reina,Debbie Rau, curmudgeon Krasner, Joell Jurgis, greta Wirefly, TaliesinCeawlin, Kinsey Hotshot, CadMan Parx, Merryl Parx, VErROniKcaQuintessa, mini Quandry! Love you guys....

I hope you can join us next Sunday and be part of it again. Your participation is always appreciated greatly. We at The Bistro relaize you have many choices and we are honored when you chose us;). See you then!

Goodbye Olive Art! Misprint Thursday - Bistro Olive Inagural Exhibit

Misprint Thursday - Bistro Olive Inagural Exhibit, originally uploaded by kimalakohime.

Thank you Misprint Thursday! You happened into my life one day as I relaxed in a very cool sculpture tree at Starbrooks Coffeehouse. Jenda Starbrook had asked Misprint to provide a sculpture for her Moxie SIM. In my never-ending brainstorming way, I contacted Misprint to see if she could create a palmtree sculpture for my island. She did and it is beautiful. I then continued down the brainstorm path to see what she thought about the idea of a fine dining establishment - lounge - art gallery. Then... I coherced her further into being our inaugural artist. Her enthusiasm never waned and she took on the challenge of crafting masterpieces for all 3 floors.

We have been so fortunate to have a steady stream of visitors to the Bistro each day since her exhibit went up! Her floating olive sparkles waft through the Shops @ Marco Island sim, and across to the Savoy Jazz Club.

I will miss her artistic flair around the Bistro. I will forever appreciate her willingness to Carpe Diem with regards to my crazy imagination. I look forward to an Olive Art II somewhere down the line. And... I look forward to all the other artists she has sent our way. It is no doubt I will feel that same twinge of sadness when their art must go as well.

Cheers!

Poll Results

What makes a date spot hot in SL is overwhelmingly a relaxed environment where you can hang out with your nearest and dearest friends. Very interesting when you think of all the entertainment options available here in SL, just shows what social creatures we really are. Well, most of us are anyway.

Listening to good music and enjoying some other cultural happening also had a strong showing. The combination of enjoyable sounds and something that is aesthetically appealing is a hard one to top.

Even the intimate dinner between two people that want to get lost in one another was mentioned. Romance lives and will not be denied.



If you couldn't see this coming.....you can do all three at the Bistro! Bring yourself and some friends and just kick it. If you get tired of the hectic club scene, check us out! We have live music at the Bistro! Stay tuned for the next live performer on tap in conjunction with our newest artist. Finally, enjoy the dining options and just be with that certain someone. We have some very romantic poseballs for you and your paramour to enjoy;). I promise if you choose this option, I will stay away. LOL

Incredible Artist Olive (I love): Misprint Thursday! (even on a Tuesday)

Misprint Thursday is our inaugural featured artist at the Bistro Olive. Her work has barely been up one week and already I can't picture our venue without her touch. She eagerly accepted the challenge when we talked about a month ago, kicking the ideas around and trying to decide what would become of our business concept. Today she is an amazing force throughout all three floors of the Bistro.

You can find out more about her artwork - specifically her show at the Bistro Olive in other blogs and podcasts!

• Virtual Artists Alliance, July 30, 2008 post


• Brooklyn Is Watching podcast from Brooklyn Is Watching Gallery in the Williamsburg neighborhood, NYC

Many of you may not know that the Bistro underwent some serious renovations the day of the Grand Opening. The Shops @ Marco Island builder agreed to put in some internal stairs. She connected the gallery to the upper levels. It united the end units in a much more cohesive way than we had done on our own with teleporters. Misprint was unavailable that day until about 2 hours before the opening. She gracefully accepted the changes and worked with the modifications that needed to be made on the 2nd floor due to the changes in the stairwell. It would have been hard for any designer, but for an artist who had designed the flow of her work, the play of the light on the walls and the ceiling, it put an exceptional dent in the last minute preparations.

Misprint entertained guests throughout the evening. She had welcomed passersby the day before and invited new guests as she worked to assemble the exhibit. She continues to have fans drop by and now I meet her admirers when I am out exploring as well. Misprint has made quite an impression on the art world of SL. She can be found secretly creating objects out over the ocean off the pier at Savoy while others are dancing to straight jazz. She can be found just enjoying a quiet moment at a table at the Bistro. She is someone I hope you take the time to get to know - even if it is only through her art you can explore.

Olive (I love) Misprint Thursday! (and just so you know... I can't help calling her Misprint Tuesday because we had her opening on a Tuesday... OOPS!!!) Make sure you schedule a trip to the Shops @ Marco Island before her exhibit closes in mid-August. Spend a few extra Lindens to purchase one of her beautiful pieces - as far as art goes, hers is amazingly affordable. Enjoy and soak it up... the olive sparkles wafting through the air on Marco Island won't last long!

Call For Entries!

Bistro Olive has an open and ongoing call for entries for art. All media will be considered. This an exciting place to feature your contributions to Second Life!

bigd Flanagan and I would love to have a chance to showcase your work as an artist in the SL community! Our goal at the Bistro is to offer patrons a fine dining experience like no other on SL.

All 3 floors are available for art installation... Relaxing in the bar, enjoying good music, good friends, and experience art is one venue. Dining in a romantic setting either on the outdoor patio or indoors by the piano is another venue. The Collezione Speciale is the gallery ground floor level where you can create the look and feel of the space with your art. Any and all of these are open to you as our featured artist.

There is no cost and we do not take any commission for your work. We offer to host you a reception with music and lots of publicity. We love live SL acts in particular. You can publicized and sell any and all of your work also. We simply ask you commit to having your work on display for 2-3 weeks at the Bistro.

I look forward to hearing from you - notecard or email: kimalakohime@gmail.com.! In your note, please include a contact as well as a LM or picture to show a sample of your work. Please note you will have approximately 30-40 prims to work with across all 3 floors.

Cheers!

Kimala Kohime

"Olive" This New Venue, and So Will You!

If you weren't at Bistro Olive last Tuesday night, you're going to want to slap yourself silly. It was the grand opening of Kimala Kohime and bigd Flanagan's new, three-story venue on Marco Island, a place for art, music, and food lovers to relax and unwind, enjoy fine dining, and soak up fine artwork from in-world artists. Awesome concept AND owned by some of the best people in all the worlds!

Tuesday's grand opening gala centered around an interactive art installation by SL and RL artist, Misprint Thursday. A Kinetic Olive inspired sculpture twirled whimsically on the first floor, emitting martini glasses and enticing viewers inside. Misprint says of her inworld art, "The crossover of RL art to SL art consists of importing original fine art images into SL for morphing into kinetic sculptures," and this is embodied in her Bistro Olive installation. She describes it this way: "The sculpture incorporates movement, light, whimsy, simple repetition which offers a sense of order." Furthermore, she says, "The underpinnings of the kinetic interactive sculpture relate to the duality between the two worlds of RL and SL." And she is right—this is an olive we recognize, but this is no ordinary RL olive!

There are smaller kinetic paintings and wall hangings throughout the venue, and all of the artist's works are available for purchase. Look for Misprint elsewhere inworld—she enjoys building at the Virtual Arts Alliance Haiku speed builds which take place weekly. Misprint is also a regular contributor to "Brookyn is Watching" as well as a free spirited builder at SLOHO which is a new space for emerging artists. Misprint's art will be up through mid-August.

And this is no ordinary music venue, either. Christening the 2nd floor stage Tuesday night was CQ Bravin, a fantastic SL and RL singer songwriter, whose original indie/folk songs and remarkable covers will blow you away. In RL, CQ Bravin is " The Colorful Quiet," and has released several albums, the most recent being "Elevation is the Key to Flight." One of his singles spent over 30 weeks on the iTunes Top 100 Folk Chart, and it's easy to see why. CQ's smooth voice, crisp guitar work and humble stage presence make for a wonderful listening experience. You simply must hear CQ, and lucky for you and all of us, he plays often in SL. A calendar of his dates can be found here.

The Bistro Olive venue itself is awesome! The first floor, with its loft-like airy space, is perfect for art installations of any sort. The second floor has a full bar and a cozy sofa and fireplace, with plenty of room for dancing and listening to music. The third floor has a grand piano, lush carpeting, intimate dining space, and a romantic balcony. Be sure to check out all the options on the dining menu; you can have a complete romantic lobster dinner for two, or something lighter, complete with the china pattern of your choice!

Bistro Olive is a wonderful place to indulge your love for art, music, food and great atmosphere. Check it out as soon as you can!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Marco%20Island/138/75/22

Vicious Rumor... EASY Lindens to be had

It's a CONTEST!
WAIT! Before you run away with hands screaming in the air, PLEASE take some time to consider participating!

In an effort to promote Bistro Olive, we would like to entice you to do the following things:

1. Join the Bistro Olive@ Marco Island group
2. Add Bistro Olive to your profile picks
3. Add a link in your blogroll to Bistro Olive
4. Post a blog entry about your experience at Bistro Olive

For the MOST CREATIVE profile pick selections and blog posts, you will be rewarded a most generous $1000L! You are only eligible to win one of the two areas, but we would be most appreciative if you are willing to participate in all activities.

Winners will be announced at the 2nd Bistro Olive Artist Reception in mid-August. Watch the blog and stop by the Bistro in-world for more information.

YOU are Cordially Invited!

Bistro Olive ~ Grand Opening & Artist Celebration for Misprint Thursday, July 29 ~ 8:30 pm SLT!

Come join us for a special evening to celebrate good friends, great art, fine food and beautiful music! SL/RL musical artist CQ Bravin will perform starting at 8:30 pm SLT. His one hour acoustical guitar and vocals is an experience not to be missed! Tour the interactive art gallery exhibit on the ground floor that Misprint Tuesday has orchestrated or soak up the ambience in the bar or fine dining areas on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Make sure to mark your calendar and be a part of this special event on Marco Island! Make an evening out of it by stopping by the other Marco Island venues including the Savoy Jazz Club.

Click here to follow this link into Second Life and join the party!