Travel
Virtual Harlem
Virtual Harlem a recreation build in Second Life, based on the real life borough of Manhattan. The name “Harlem” taken from “Haralem” a Dutch village in the Netherlands.
Virtual Harlem
Virtual Harlem.
by: Bliss Windlow
THAT city was organized in 1658. Harlem of Manhattan, was annexed to NYC in 1873 and came into its legendary status during the 1920s during prohibition and the infamous reign of organized crime that punctuate that part of American History. It is also a city of tremendous social and cultural significance with some of t he greatest musical talent ever known having performed at the venues of The Cotton Club and the Apollo Theatre. Both of these historical tributes to African American history are recreated here in SL.
The Cotton Club has many of the pictures and memorabilia of the famous performers in its heyday during prohibition. While the likes of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, etc performed at the club, the club itself denied admission to “blacks” as patrons and audience members. It became a social hotspot and Bryan Mneumonic and his group here in SL have done a great job in trying to recreate the space and also pay hommage to the historical significance.
The Apollo Theatre can be visited and one can almost hear the ghosts whispering back stage. One of the most famous music halls in the US, the real life site is actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Again, this was THE showcase for some of the best of African American talent. Buddy Holly was perhpas the first white to ever play the hall in the late 50’s. Since then, while still mainly a celebration of African Americans, white music acts have made prominent appearances throughout its history.
As you wander the sim you are struck with the charm and the history. Many of the buildings can be entered, there are further museums and tributes to the period and even the opportunity to buy some clothes and totally slip into the period feel. Older model cars, the old trams ... all lends to the ambiance of the incredible NYC. Obviously some creative license was taken in the recreation but this site is really worth it.
The sim is used for classes and productions and musical performances. Both The Cotton Club and the Apollo Theatre as useable and the ambiance at the Cotton Club would make for a lovely night dancing or listening to one of the many great SL performers. There is a great feel to the whole place and I think the designers have done a good solid tribute to the era, to the buildings and the social significance of prohibition and the history of the African American Culture. I particularly liked the parks with the tributes to Martin Luther King and I just sat there for awhile and reflected on some of the many things that man did for us all.
Virtual Harlem is well worth a visit – you will want to leave yourself a bit of time, the sim itself will not take much time to visit, but you will want to stay and just immerse yourself in the whole experience.
