Inkaku Capalini @ Together As One Christmas Festival, 10/12/2021

The Together As One Christmas Festival is organized and run by two of SL's musical stars, HσƖƖყ GιƖҽʂ (HollyGiless Heartsong) and ll ƜIƝƬƐɌ ll (11Winter11 Resident). This year's festival is supporting Feed A Smile. This is one the most inviting and fun Christmas venues I've found in a long time. From the sleigh ride to take you effortlessly from the TP landing point to the stage area (its back to your right as you exit the sleigh) the to the playfully decorated stage, complete with a tree, drum set, piano, presents and a train set, this venue makes you WANT to share with those in need. The outstanding musicians and volunteers who graciously support them, shine the light on best of SL hearts.

At 11 SLT I happened to be at The Together As One fundraiser, supporting my sister and fellow blogger Trish, who was hosting for an amazing SL singer, Inkaku Capalini (inkaku Capalini). On the downbeat, I knew I had to grab my pen, whip out my notebook and start capturing this incredible experience, so I could share it with you. Inka (as her legions of fans call her) opened this show with a unusual Christmas song from Train. Her version of "Shake Up Christmas" was a powerful introduction to her amazing, complex and nuanced vocals. She launched into the opening song from one of my favorite Christmas movies, "Lethal Weapon", and I'll probably never think of Mel Gibson again when I hear "Jingle Bell Rock".

As I watched Trish work her magic with the crowd, Inka totally caught me off guard with what I thought was going to be a killer version of Mustang Sally, but turned out to be a very fascinating, and topical "Sleigh Ride Santa" to the same tune. Never one to abandon the old people, or our music, she showed us what hips were for as she belted out the Sam Cooke classic "Twisting The Night Away". So far you're probably saying "Yeah, Rads, pop songs, yaaaawn". Well, Inka must have heard you, because her next hit, delivered pitch perfectly, was Gene Autrey's version of "Here Come's Santa Claus".

Her next tour d'force was a spot on delivery of Dean Martin's much maligned song, "Baby It's Cold Outside", which would have accurately described TAO before Inka started melting ice with her smokin' skating. Wait? Did I not mention she was sing ALL of these amazing songs while performing a skate dancing routine worth a Gold Medal? Well.. She was! About the time Inka's band, ƁĔƛƧƬ (SamHarley Resident) and sher raziel (sheheizan Resident) slapped their guitars to start Don Henley's "All She Wants To Do Is Dance" I noticed fans were starting to shed layers. Completely understandable, the heat was on!

Being Christmas in SL, and Inka being a female singer in SL, she was required to sing "Santa Baby" Eartha Kitt's famous song from 1953. Being Inka, she formed a long line of men on the left of the stage, lining up to climb down whatever chimney the could find. She tried, mostly unsuccessfully, to cool them off with "Winter Wonderland". She was able to prevent a full on riot of fans clamoring to get close to her by pulling out a song seldom (if ever) heard in SL outside of an Inka show, Joni Mitchell's soulful, reflective song "River".

To bring up back to the present day she masterfully inserted the Stray Cats "Rock This Town" into this incredible set. By now the hordes of fans were back on the rapidly melting ice (did I mention she was smokin'?) and dancing around. About this time Inka delivered an almost painfully beautiful, "Thing Called Love", the Bonnie Raitt hit. Watching her band shift genres to match her professional performance without skipping a beat, was a thing of wonder. I had no idea how wonderful until she led them into the ZZ Top "Tush". Anyone who knows me, knows a tush is probably the last thing I notice. After listening to Inka expound on the joys of looking for a little Tush, I'm going to re-evaluate my priorities (yes, got get her calendar, NOW, and listen to her do THIS SONG).

Here we were, at nearly an hour of being carried through all of the emotions an SL holiday show can bring. Throughout the set Inka had been reminding those present we were there to help Feed A Smile. Giving us a moment to gather ourselves, she shared with us the perfect Eagles song for the moment. We all had a "Peaceful Easy Feeling" as the minutes raced to the top of the hour. Reading the crowd, the ended this jaw dropping performance with Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run" and the donations surged over L$560,000.

You need to get over to TAO and enjoy this amazing venue Holly Giles and Winter have created. You need to support Feed A Smile. You need to catch an Inka show. However, word of warning, if you do catch an Inka show, at a winter venue, bring some rubber boots. I guarantee she'll melt the ice and more than a few hearts.

Music has always run deep within Inka's blood. In Middle School, she began lessons which continued all through her schooling years. She performed at various locations during school and then began to pursue local garage/cover bands in her teens. She has now been performing professionally for more than 30 years in real life. She has been very blessed to sing at a few bucket list locations along her journey; Disneyland, Disney World, The Queen Mary, Coyote Ugly in New Orleans, Vegas Baby! World & County Fairs, Renaissance, Harvest & Grape Festivals, Hollywood, Venice Beach & many different states along the way. She was also performing at local clubs, sports bars, weddings, company picnics & private parties before The Rona hit. She began singing in Second Life on a more regular basis on April 16, 2020 (perhaps the best thing to come from The Rona) . She sings mostly current & classic Rock, tops 40s, country, oldies back to the 1930s & blues.