All posts by lioness

So Many Reasons

The CSTS Auction raises money for Equality Now. When you bid on an item, you know that the money is going to a very worthy cause.

But that isn’t the only reason to bid on something. How about:

  • Demonstrating to everyone what a Browncoat you are.
  • Proving to someone special that you know what a Browncoat they are.
  • You just happen to have a Portrait of Jayne-sized space on one wall & an equivalent Portrait of Book-sized space on another wall.
  • It’s possible that you plan to pretend the inscription “thank you for your support” on Dichen Lachman’s picture was actually addressed to you.
  • Star Trek still is, and will forever remain, the first S-F show you ever loved.
  • That rare Spike figure will just give you another excuse to go see James Marsters and get it autographed.
Read more…

The Auction is Live!

For the next 10 days, there will be great items up for auction on e-Bay with all proceeds going to Equality Now.

How about a copy of the Buffy script “Superstar” written by Jane Espenson, signed by Jane Espenson and donated by Jane Espenson?

A must have for those who collect action figures is the rare unpainted Jayne. It’s been signed by Adam Baldwin. You might want the Hero of Canton poster, the hat and the Mercenary Jayne action figure to go with it.
Perhaps you’d prefer a unique hand cross-stitched Jayne on a Tshirt which has been paired with a signed photo of Jayne on the mule. This one is shiny because you can still see the equipment used to make the Mule hover.

You’ll want to make room on your walls for these posters!… Read more…

More variety more awesomeitude!

Browncoats are fans of many shows, not just Firefly. That’s why we have items like a Tshirt and matching mug from Supernatural. (They both say “Fate”)

For Star Trek there is a picture of James T.Kirk, a Star Trek shot glass, a Tshirt and a dogtag of Data. Another auction combo sees a Star Trek TNG 25th Anniversary Baseball Cap paired with dogtags of the new Kirk, Spock and Nero.

A Xena Fan Pack includes 2 DVDs of early convention appearances by Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor.

There are also Stargate & Vampire Diaries Fanpacks.

Even if you’re not a fan of one of these shows, we bet you’ll know someone who is, so spread the word. The e-Bay auction starts at noon Pacific time on Sat.… Read more…

e-Bay auction starts Saturday Nov. 16th

This year CSTS really scored with some excellent items to auction off.
Jane Espenson generously donated copies of her Buffy script Superstar and signed them.

There is an unpainted Jayne action figure- a limited edition created for SDCC 2005 and signed by Adam Baldwin.
We are auctioning off a copy of the Titan book Still Flying and it is signed by Joss Whedon himself with the command to “stay shiny”.
There are posters that cover many of Joss’ recent works including The Avengers, Dollhouse (signed by some of the cast and crew) and Much Ado About Nothing.

But an item that will get a lot of attention is the North American version of the Serenity poster. This is a mini-one size and it is signed by Joss himself.… Read more…

It’s almost time for our Big EBay auction and the 2014 art contest!

Every year we invite Browncoats from around the Globe to submit designs for the next year’s Can’t Stop The Serenity. The official announcement will be made soon so start thinking about what you are going to create. Take a look at what you’ll need to know but essentially:

  • All artwork you submit must be your own. If you plan to incorporate any stock imagery in your entry, you must have documentation showing that you have permission to use and reproduce it.
  • Don’t use copyrighted artwork in your submission.
  • Because this is about Equality Now and Peace in the ‘Verse, there should be no overt violence portrayed within the art.
  • The official CSTS logo which incorporates the Equality Now & Serenity symbols must be part of the design and must remain as designed.
Read more…

Make Equality Reality

On Monday Nov. 4th, Equality Now is honoring Joss Whedon in an evening event in Los Angeles.

Called Make Equality Reality, the Event Chair is Gloria Steinem and the host is Paul Reiser with a special live performance by two-time Grammy winning singer songwriter Colbie Caillat. It is being billed as an evening of music, film and theatre with special guests including Jada Pinkett Smith and Alyson Hannigan

Joss is a member of the EN Advisory Board and a long time & very vocal supporter of Equality Now’s work. As part of this, Equality Now is asking “What would you do to make gender equality a reality for women & girls everywhere?”… Read more…

The Final Screening of the Season

Salt Lake City is seeing the CSTS event season out with style!

On Oct. 26th,the Utah Browncoats will gather to see Serenity once again. There will be an auction and raffle and some shiny swag for sale. Firefly/Serenity costumes are very much encouraged!

Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door.… Read more…

Philadelphia has a Horrible Time

On Saturday, Oct. 12, CSTS Philly will be showing Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog. The fun starts at 2:00. $10.00 advance tickets are only for sale until the end of Wednesday Oct. 9th, then they are $15.00 at the door.

There will be a costume contest with two categories – come as a character from the show, or invent your own Super Villian, Hero or Side-kick! There are also games, snacks,& raffle items. … Read more…

Why Done the Impossible Supports CSTS

One of an ongoing series about our Sponsors

Done The Impossible supports Can’t Stop The Serenity for many reasons.
Charity and worthwhile causes are very near and dear to my heart, and
that’s why I’ve always endeavored to make them part of my personal and
professional life.

In our complex world, there are many negative things we should improve and
lots of beautiful things worthy of greater recognition and support. CSTS
makes it easy to help Equality Now with their critically important cause
and Done The Impossible is honored to help. And what could be better than
combining a love of Firefly with helping others?

Brian Wiser… Read more…

Taking over the Weekend

The Rivers and Bridges Brigade of Pennsylvania just can’t let CSTS go! In one last big hurrah, they are having several events at the Pittsburgh Comin Con. They have a CSTS Pittsburgh table on the convention floor at the Monroeville Convention Center all three days, where you can play the “Badger’s Dodgy Dice” game from this year’s Serenity screening to win wicked cool prizes, purchase CSTS 2013 t-shirts, enter a raffle to win one of three great prize baskets and sign up to participate on a team at Sunday morning’s “Hammer vs. Horrible” games.

Immediately following the games on Sunday, they’ll be screening “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” at noon.
Admission to Sunday’s CSTS events is free of charge, but those who wish to attend must purchase admission to the Pittsburgh Comicon.… Read more…

A Busy Busy Weekend

It may be mid-September but Can’t Stop The Serenity shows no sign of slowing down! And in our typical display of Globalism, events are in 3 countries this weekend.

We’ll start with Nowra, Australia. The Shoalhaven Browncoats are back for their 2nd year with doors opening at 5:00 and the event starting at 6:00. There will be food, a best dressed competition, an auction and sales. The Shoalhaven zoo has donated a family pass, a $50.00 item right there & there will be other exciting items. The main features will be Serenity of course as well as Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog.

Speeding around the world, we land at Miami Springs who are holding their first CSTS event although the Organizers are old hands at making CSTS fun.The… Read more…

We need your opinion!

Currently, any Browncoat group that does a CSTS event, whether a full screening or an Affiliate event, donates at least 75% to Equality Now and up to 25% to other registered charities. A few events have expressed a desire to donate more than 25% to other charities. The CSTS Steering Committee and the 2013 Global team recognize that this is a big decision and everyone should be allowed to have their say.

There will be a discussion about this on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, in the CSTS Forums and on the website until the end of Sept at which time there will be a poll for all to vote.

Emotions can run high when it is something important to you, but let’s make sure the conversation stays civil.… Read more…

September Heats Up

We started September with an awesome event in London but this coming weekend sees two screenings and an Affiliate.

It is always a great time with the Chicagoland Browncoats and this year will be no different. The Screening this year is at the Genesee Theatre with ample parking, and public transit to get you there. There will be an stupendous silent auction (check the website for details and pictures), a costume contest, Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog and of course, Serenity. All Whedonverse characters are welcome for the contest. We hear rumours of a special video too- one which can only be seen at the Chicagoland screening.

The Alberta Browncoats are back with another Affiliate event, this time showing seasons 1-3 of the Guild at the Happy Harbour Comic shop.… Read more…

London brings back CSTS

Saturday, Sept. 7th, The Londinium Browncoats welcome all to the Jet Lag Bar. There will be a showing of Serenity & Dr. Horrible but that’s not all!

Put together your favourite Whedonite costume for the cosplay competition. Brush on your Firefly/Serenity facts for the Quiz and hold onto your tickets for the raffle. The Londinium Browncoats have been getting shiny prizes for the raffle from around the world.

And just when you think that will be it, there’s an afterparty!

Please note this is an over 18 event only. … Read more…

Tickets Going Fast!

Both Melbourne and Phoenix are fortunate to be, at this time of writing, close to selling out their Can’t Stop The Serenity events!

And no wonder!

Melbourne has Serenity, Dr. Horrible, raffles, a costume contest, Hero of Canton karaoke and more. Their auctions are full of must-have items. But get your tickets fast!

Phoenix always has a great time with Dr. Horrible, Serenity, awesome merch, a costume contest and even a Photo Booth. The raffle features rare and hard to find goodies. No wonder it too is close to selling out.

Before heading over, best to check the website to see if your event still has tickets.… Read more…

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Desert

Saturday Aug 17 is a busy busy day for Can’t Stop the Serenity with three events running.

First up, with the doors opening at 4:00, is a Mighty Fine Shindig put on by the South Florida Browncoats. There will be raffles, merchandise, Serenity of course and a lot of mixing and mingling. A costume contest is sure to please as will a screening of Dr. Horible.

Further up the coast, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, they aren’t satisfied to show Serenity and Dr. Horrible once! Nope, these Browncoats are offering a chance to see everything twice! Doors open at 4:30 with Dr. Horrible at 5:00, followed by Serenity at 6:00. Or you may prefer go to the later shows starting at 9:00. In between there will be a silent auction.… Read more…

Make a Weekend of It

Minneapolis is starting off the weekend on Thursday with a big event. Showing both Dr. Horrible and Serenity in one night! Starting at 8:30, this is perfect for anyone who has to work the next day. 😉
They continue the fun with both Friday and Saturday nights seeing the doors open at 11:00 p.m. with Serenity being shown at 11:30. There are raffles all three nights with great prizes to be had. The Riverview is a restored 1950’s Art Deco theater and a treat just in itself.

Whedonfest is underway for another year, from Aug. 9-11th. A joint CSTS event with Browncoats from the Nashville, TN/Scotsville, KY area, this is a weekend of all things Whedony. Come for the day or the weekend. There are panels, games, an auction, a shindig with special guest Mikey Mason, Dr.… Read more…

Perth Takes Flight Aug. 3rd

For the first time since 2005, Serenity is back in a cinema in Perth! The Perth Browncoats hold their CSTS screening on Aug. 3rd followed by a now sold out Shindig.

There are discounted popcorn combos, a door prize, raffle, lucky dip bags & prize hampers. Costumes are encouraged, and there is a prize for the best dressed. The online auctions will end right before the movie starts, so that is your last and best chance to get the items you’ve been eyeing.

The shindig will have more auction items, raffles and bingo.

Will you be there to welcome back Serenity to the big screen?… Read more…

CSTS Travels the World

On Friday July 26, Halifax, Nova Scotia plays host to an Affilate event. At the lovely Museum of Natural History, the first two seasons of the Guild will be shown. Whether you are a fan of the funny Felicia Day or a true gamer, you’ll enjoy her take on life in the gaming world. Take this opportunity to buy tickets for the Screening of Serenity in August.

On Sunday, July 28, Raleigh is celebrating 8 years of running a Can’t Stop The Serenity event. Still at the Raleighwood Cinema Grill, where they started, the evening promises to be great fun. As always, there will be a raffle before the movie and if you want to enter the costume contest, you might want to get there when the doors open at 6:00.… Read more…

Two cities, two countries, two continents, 3 great events

The New Melbourne Browncoats present Battle of the Geeks Two – an Affiliate event like no other, on Friday July 19th.

Not only will the questions be fun, but so are the people asking them. See the trailer below for a taste of who will be testing the participants’ knowledge! First prize includes a double pass to Much Ado About Nothing.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.

On Friday and then again on Saturday, the NoVa Browncoats hold their annual Serenity Screening. Friday’s event runs from 10:00 p.m. to 12:30 with Serenity, a Costume Contest, a silent auction & raffle.
Saturday will have that all that as well as a concert with Mikey Mason, & a showing of Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog, all starting at noon.… Read more…

From one U.S. coast to another with a stop in the U.K. along the way.

The Seattle Browncoats aren’t content with doing a screening. They are doing two on the same day.
On Saturday July 13, the 2:00 matinee also features live entertainment in the form of Firebird’s Children. The “Special Hell” evening screening at 7:00 has pre-movie entertainment from NERDprov, followed by the movie with texting-to-screen Hecklevision available to all cell phones present.

Both screenings offer raffles including one very special prize, a Seattle CSTS tote bag autographed by Nathan Fillion.
The screenings are in a new venue this year, the Central Cinema, which has a full restaurant and bar.
Tickets are selling fast so get yours while you can.

One of our most faithful sponsors, the podcast Sending a Wave is also supporting Equality Now in a more direct fashion by holding an Affilate Event on July 13.… Read more…

Albuquerque “Independents Day” Screening

On Friday July 5th, the Albuquerque Browncoats have a CSTS event at the beautiful KiMo theater.

Doors open at 5:00 with great merchandise for sale including CSTS T-shirts, browncoat T-shirts and prints from local artists, cunning hats, notecards, lanyards, and origami firefly-class ship ornaments, to name just a few items. A live auction will follow the showing of Serenity, as will a shindig! Dr. Horrible will also be shown.

There is also a raffle and ‘Verse costumes are encouraged for the evening.

Celebrate Independents Day with the Albuquerque Browncoats.

KimoRead more…

Toronto Holds 8th Annual CSTS Event and Charlotte sees Much Ado About Nothing

Saturday, June 29th, the doors open for the Toronto Can’t Stop the Serenity Event. It’s back at the Royal Cinema where the first screening was held in 2006.
After the screening of Serenity, there will be the always awesome auction, including such items as a bandana that was one of the original Universal prizes on the movie site, an authentic “Blue Sun” juice tin from the movie and some original craft items available nowhere else. Details are on the website.

All proceeds go to Equality Now.

A Toronto screening isn’t complete without a shindig!

Immediately following the movie, everyone is welcome to head over to The Standard at 667 College Street. Not only can you hobnob with fellow Browncoats you can enter a draw for one more exciting item.… Read more…

We celebrate Joss’s birthday in a big way

When CSTS got started all the events were on or near Joss Whedon’s birthday, June 23. Some cities still hold their events that weekend.

First up on Friday is Lawrence, Kansas who are back with a screening. The ticket price has been lowered to only $8.00 but there is additional content with Felicia Day’s The Guild, Season 1 being shown.

Saturday June 22 has 4 screenings! Pittsburgh is back with their 8th screening. It’s in a new location, Off The Wall Theater in Carnegie, PA. This year they are asking for donations at the door rather than selling tickets in advance and are requesting $5.00 – $10.00. They have 2 silent auctions, games, raffles and of course, Serenity. After 7 previous screenings, you can be sure they know how to have a good time!… Read more…

The Beeston Browncoats (U.K.) have a Joss Jamboree

Saturday, June 15, the Beeston Browncoats are having a BBQ, Dr. Horrible Showing, live music, an Open Mic, themed drinks and so much more. It is open to all ages.

This year the Costume contest is for the whole Whedonverse (from Toy Story to Much Ado), so it’s an opportunity to cosplay your favourite Joss character with a chance of winning some very cool prizes!
It sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
Wish you could be there?
You can! Virtually, anyway. Dress up in your favourite Whedonverse costume, take a picture, and post it to twitter with the hashtag #jossjamboree after donating any amount to Equality Now. Do this before 8:30 p.m. GMT on the 15th and you will be entered!

But of course, if you are anywhere near Nottingham, you owe it to yourself to be there in person.… Read more…