In celebrating our tenth year, we’ll be looking back at some of our history.
And what better to follow our facts post than talking about people’s first Can’t Stop the Serenity, whether it was in 2006 or just last year.
Our Global Event Coordinator Sheilah reminisces about her first one:
“In 2006, I decided that Toronto would be part of the new Serenity Now/Equality Now events that were going to happen in June. The previous August we had run a Fan table at a local con promoting Serenity and I knew that there were lots of local Toronto Browncoats who would be glad to help out and to show up at the screening. My co-organizer, Heather, kept me grounded as I kept coming up with ever wilder ideas of what we could do!
We rented a big old theatre and got a great deal because it was about to close for renovations. And then we started promoting! Other organizers came up with great ideas which we used, and the local Browncoats were generous as they donated a lot of Official swag which they had won from the Serenity movie site. We had Serenity cards, window clings, posters, & the Serenity Baseball cap to put in the auction. Dragon Weave Jewellery donated pendants – something she has done every year since then.
It was all very exciting and very very stressful. Would it be a success? Would the money I paid out for the theatre, the Tshirts, the movie rental, be repaid?
In the end, 220 people showed up and we raised over $2,000.00 Canadian.
Toronto has had an event every year since that first time.”
We also put the question out as part of #SerenitySunday on social media and here are some of your first CSTS experiences.
Martin Beaumont-Pike: I have been to three CSTSs- from 2010 to 2012 at the Guild Hall, Gloucester. What made it memorable was bidding for goodies and meeting fellow Browncoats.
Amelise Snider: my first csts event was last year, i can’t believe I got outbid on every bit of merchandise i went for. Need a bigger wad of cash this yr.
Craig Nogosek: all three so far at the Naro Theater in Norfolk, VA. memorable because that first one introduced me to a whole new world of fellow browncoats
Matt Goodwin: My first was our first as Beeston Browncoats. And my Wedding, so it was memorable. The bouncy castle was fun too.
Janelle M Benoit: It was 5 years ago at The Loft in Tucson Arizona. What made it even more special was I binge watched Firefly for the first time and finished and got in my car and drove to the theater.
Erin Williams: My first was 2013 at Central Cinema in Seattle. It was also the day that my little brother had his wedding celebration so we had to do the afternoon showing, but it was a very happy day.
Jesse Victor Lee Collins: Personally, I’ve been to a couple prior. My fiance, now, on the other hand, just got to do her first one in September. After the contests and raffles, I had organized a special treat on stage, in front of everyone, where I proposed. It will definitely be my most memorable CSTS from now on, as well as hers.
C.G. Seaman: My first CSTS event was organising the Vancouver CSTS event in 2006 and every year since (except last year). We will be doing a 10th anniversary event this year. It’s always so wonderful to know there are people in the crowd that will become fans/Browncoats.
@falconandfinch: Only one – did my first last year in OC. But my friends and I loved it – we’re planning costumes for this year!
@NYPinTA: Palace Theatre, it was mine, it was so damn HOT that day, & just the one.
@theonetruebi:x First? June 2006, Portland. Memorable? I almost spoke on stage with my fly open. How many? 12.
@sendingawave: 1st event was my one – the 1st London one in ’07. Being mid-morning in central London it was a case of screen film & then pub. Since then attended 8 in the UK.
@sara_mussen: first screening was Denver total seven screenings, 4 cities! best? Hollywood with @josswhedon and @NathanFillion!
And our Communications Director didn’t actually make it to her first one:
“I discovered we had a local Browncoat group in early 2010 and signed up to be part of their CSTS crew. After working hard for months on our CSTS 5 event, I came down sick the day before and missed not only the screening event but had to give up my front row tickets to see Joss speak live the night before!
I did however make it to CSTS 6 the next year. I was manning the raffle table, I remember the influx of people when the doors opened, the buzz of excitement, seeing Dr Horrible on the big screen (which may be my favourite thing about CSTS events), chilling out with the crew after Serenity started and walking back into the movie just before THAT bit.”
We’d love to hear about your first CSTS experience and memories! Share yours in the comment section below or on our Facebook or Twitter.
