What do a raccoon, a dumpster, and a dream have in common?
If you’ve ever wandered around Second Life, you know the most magical places often bloom where you least expect them. That’s how I stumbled upon No Dumpire. A junktopian hangout in Second Life curated by Zed (Zee Malus), raccoon extraordinaire and self-proclaimed No Dumperor.
This isn’t just another club in Second Life. It’s an empire built on humor, heart, and a whole lot of chill. It’s one of those rare places where the silliness of a dumpster meets the soul of a community. Somehow, it works perfectly.
How I Found No Dumpire
I first found my way to No Dumpire through an art exhibit. The Very Human Art of Tripp Foxtail (beautifully covered by Inara Pey. I missed the opening party. I often do, but curiosity pulled me to wander one day and the No Dumperor Zed himself was DJing.
The vibe was instantly chill, pure Got Chill energy. I lingered with Tripp’s art, felt that spark of stumbling into something rare and real. I even came back a few times just to soak it in more deeply. Since then, No Dumpire has become one of those places I pop into whenever I have a pocket of time to just breathe, listen, and be.
And honestly—how can you not love this raccoon? He may be tiny, but his heart is huge, and it radiates through every alley, stage, and conversation here.
Of course, I had to know more about this place. So, I asked No Dumperor Zed a few questions about the heart and soul of No Dumpire. This place is too cool not to share.
From Dumpster to Dumpire
In Zed’s words:
“NO DUMPIRE got its humble beginnings in the fall of 2022 as a small place behind a dumpster in a small back alley. It opened as Dumpster Dive Bar and was a space to hang, share music, and bask in good vibes. In the spring of 2023, I had the opportunity to move to a larger parcel… That’s when the evolution into a Dumpster Empire began, turning the NO DUMPING signs into NO DUMPIRE.”
From a back-alley dumpster to a full-blown empire. It’s the kind of Second Life story I love. One spark of imagination becomes a world for community, music, and connection.
What is Junktopia?
So what exactly does “junktopian” mean?
Zed explains it like this:
“The junktopian vibe takes the idea of using junk and unwanted items in the world around us and seeing them in a different light… It borrows from the hopepunk idea of beauty pushing through the harshness. That focus extends to people as well—we welcome a diverse group of offbeat, creative, hippie, stoner, bohemian, beatnik, oddball, eccentric, misfit, nerd, geek, freak, and weirdo folks in Second Life.”
It’s not just décor. It’s a philosophy. Imperfection, repurposing, and resilience turned into joy. It’s why I keep coming back. No Dumpire is one of those rare places where misfits like me (and maybe like you) can laugh, listen, and simply belong.
The Spaces of No Dumpire
Each venue feels like a different pocket of imagination, stitched together with color, rust, and possibility. Every corner of No Dumpire feels alive with playful intention.
There’s the Salvage Playhouse, a run-down outdoor stage where live performers bring music to the clearing. Around the corner, the Back Alley Stage is always ready for DJs to drop in and spin at random. And soon, a new venue will rise. Trashram, a meditative ashram of junk for those looking to slow down and seek a little spiritual vibe.
Zed sums it up best:
“I am drawn to the imperfect, slightly worn, broken, yet colorful—in terms of design as well as people.”
Got Chill?
“Got Chill?” is practically the Dumpire mantra.
“Music is a powerful thing,” Zed says. “Our gatherings are often like a salon, where there’s discussion about the music or about life in general. Jumping into conversation is never mandatory.”
No Dumpire in Second Life isn’t about pounding beats or high-energy chaos. It’s floating in a vibe. DJs are encouraged to bring laid-back, unexpected gems across any genre. It’s an open-stage system: anyone can drop in and play, as long as they keep it chill.
📍Visit No Dumpire
A Community of Misfits & Dreamers
No Dumpire attracts an eclectic mix: introverts, storytellers, joke-tellers, listeners, laughers, and creators. It’s a space where you never quite know who you’ll bump into, but you can count on the energy being warm and genuine.
Zed describes it this way:
“The folks who participate are so diverse. Many are quietly creative, behind-the-scenes types. Others come with a joke or two of the day. Laughter is a big part of our gatherings.”
Art exhibits pop up when time allows, usually through word of mouth, adding another layer of creativity to the mix. And while every night looks a little different, the heart of No Dumpire doesn’t change. It’s always welcoming and inclusive.
For me, that’s the beauty: there are no roles you have to play, no expectations you need to meet. You can join the banter, sit quietly with the music, or just watch the fire spark.
Coffee, Weed, & Wisdom
Snacks, coffee, weed, ice cream—it’s all part of the culture.
“We often share what we’re planning to have for lunch or dinner, or if we’re eating a big bowl of ice cream. Of course, we never snack shame anyone for partaking or not.”
As the Dumpster Life Coach™, Zed drops this gem:
“It’s important not to label something worthless just because it’s broken. That’s true for people too—we all have bumps and bruises. The trick is to see the value and beauty underneath.”
Philosophy & Heart
Beneath the humor, there’s soul.
“Love is an unlimited resource. It doesn’t have to be a grand show—it can be kindness, patience, or simply acknowledging another. Music is my therapy, taking me into different states of mind. I hope people feel uplifted and strengthened by a shared moment here.”
That’s the heartbeat of the Empire: laughter and love stitched together with music. No Dumpire is proof that even in a world made of pixels, love, laughter, and music can be deeply healing.
Why Visit No Dumpire?
Because in a grid full of polished builds and high-gloss clubs, No Dumpire offers something different: imperfection, humor, and heart.
✨ It’s lgbtq friendly, 420 friendly, coffee friendly, and 100% chill.
📸 Check out the No Dumpire Flickr Group to see the community’s snapshots.
📸 Explore more photos by No Dumperor Zed.
📍Visit No Dumpire
Next time you’re wandering the grid, take a detour down the back alleys of No Dumpire . You may just find treasure in the junk, community, laughter, and a vibe that lets you breathe.
Big thanks to No Dumperor Zed, the Raccoon with the huge heart, for sharing his wisdom, humor, and warmth! 💜
The grid is full of wonders, and sometimes they’re created by a raccoon. Until next time, keep wandering, keep listening, and keep finding treasure in the junk. ~ Owl 🦉
Owl's Eye 