Category Archives: 2014

Can’t Stop The Serenity Raises One Million Dollars For Charity

CSTS is immensely proud to announce that as of the end of the 2014 year, our 9th, we have raised One Million dollars U.S for Equality Now and the other charities our event cities have supported.

One Million Dollars.

It has come in as Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and American dollars. In Pounds and in Euros. Small amounts and large, from big cities and small groups of friends.

We probably can’t measure exactly how much good this money has done, but we can feel it. And we know what we are.
Those of us who have run events, those who have donated time, money or swag, and of course those of us who open up our hearts and our wallets when we show up at a screening or affiliate event.… Read more…

Unsung Heroes

It takes a lot of people to have a successful Can’t Stop The Serenity year. Organizers and their crew do so much work that we can never say “thank you” adequately. If they didn’t step forward, there would be no CSTS events and no CSTS at all.
But they are not alone and this past year especially, people stepped forward to help others in ways that maybe haven’t been recognized as well as they should.
Until now.
These are only some of the Unsung Heroes we would like to recognize as the year draws to a close.

Ty came back this year to do the first run of Tshirts. Melanie and BirdandBear both took up the slack and did the rest of the orders, Mel in Canada and birdandbear for the 2nd run everywhere else.… Read more…

Thank you for supporting the auction

Thanks for supporting our Fall E-Bay auction, whether you bid on something or told everyone you knew about it.
The money is coming in and the prizes are going out and we should have a final tally soon.

Our very big thanks go to the California Browncoats for hosting the auction again and to the New Melbourne Browncoats and Jen Cummings who donated all of the items in both Rounds when we couldn’t access the other donations we had planned on using, in a timely manner.
We couldn’t have run the auction at all without their amazing generosity.

Next up for Can’t Stop The Serenity? Well, we are still getting money in from the most recent events. Once it is all in and confirmed, we’ll be pleased to announce how much was raised this year.… Read more…

Great items available in Round Two of our E-Bay Auction

Click here to go to the eBay auctionCSTS2014AuctionR2Promo

The 2nd round of our E-Bay auction is up and running. Once again the New Melbourne Browncoats and Jen Cummings have been very generous with their donations. There are many collectibles here including some you have probably seen nowhere else.

  • “Buffy” photo print signed by artist Georges Jeanty
  • Rare Firefly Official Promo Digital Watch
  • Screen Writing Expo Seminar DVD: Tim Minear, Breaking the Story
  • Star Trek Memorabilia Collection
  • Replica Alliance bank note signed by 5 Serenity/Firefly cast/crew
  • Firefly/Serenity Memorabilia Collection including a Serenity “Jayne” promotional postcard. These were produced in the UK for the theatrical release of Serenity in 2005 and are very hard to find.
  • Firefly “First in Line” fan Tshirt T-shirt
  • Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part 2 Australian Theatrical Poster
  • LOTR Legolas Art Print signed by Orlando Bloom
  • Marvel’s Avengers Theatrical Movie Poster
  • Dollhouse Promotional Poster (Eliza Dusku)
  • The Guild “Codex” Photo Print Signed by Artist Georges Jeanty
  • Please bid generously – all profits go to support the work of Equality Now

    Click here to go to the eBay auction

Read more…

Collectibles in Round 1 of our eBay auction

We know that you are just waiting for the first of our eBay auctions to start on Sunday at 7 pm, Pacific Time. So we thought you might like to know what all the lots are. Well, here they are!

CSTS2014AuctionR1Promo2

  • Autographed Alan Tudyk photo
  • Browncoat Cruise 2007 Volunteer T-shirt
  • Done the Impossible poster signed by Adam Baldwin
  • “Codex” (from The Guild) print signed by artist Jason Palmer
  • True Blood Collection (postcards and vamp bite bandaids)
  • Supernatural Collection (mini-poster and t-shirt)
  • Once More with Feeling Geek-o-graph signed by Nick Brendan & Emma Caulfield
  • Team Unicorn poster by Adam Levermore
  • Chuck promo poster
  • James Hance Serenity Portrait Prints collection (Zoe, Wash, Simon, River, Book, Jayne)
  • Authentic Serenity Alliance bank note prop with COA
  • Ladies of Firefly Collection (Movie DVDs featuring Jewel & Summer, Summer photo, Morena SDCC hotel key card, temp tattoos)
  • Avengers Poster – one of the teaser posters put out before the movie.
Read more…

E-Bay Auction starts Sunday Nov. 2

This year’s Auction will run in 2 sections. Round One starts on Sunday and end next Sunday, Nov. 9th.

That is when Round 2 starts and it too runs until the following Sunday.

And whoohoo, do we have things for you!

    How about a special collection of TruBlood items from when it first came out?

 

    Gone but not forgotten – a Chuck poster.

 

    An authentic Serenity Alliance bank note prop with COA.

 

    A Team Unicorn poster by Browncoat and awesome graphic artist, Adam Levermore.

Check back for more details more items, more pictures.Tru Blood,

 … Read more…

Next Up This Fall

The events are over for the year. Thanks to all the Organizers and crew who put so much time and effort into making their events the best they could be.
The Virtual Shindig run by William and Thomas last week was great fun. It was good to see people from around the world participating. The Utah Browncoats were good enough to donate items for an auction which added still more money to Equality Now.

Speaking of auctions, the annual CSTS eBay auction will be coming up in November. There are always some must have items but this year there are a couple of items which will astonish you! Keep an eye out for more details as they come available.

And don’t forget, 2015 will be the 10th year of Can’t Stop the Serenity.… Read more…

Last But Hardly Least

This coming week sees the final events of the CSTS season but what a finish it is!

The Browncoats of Tampa, FL are having their first ever Can’t Stop The Serenity screening on Sunday Oct. 12. Entry is by donation so give generously but be sure to save some money for the raffle which has an astonishing number of truly shiny items. Everything from the Firefly Car air fresheners to the new Firefly Clue Game with Tshirts and actions figures in between. There will be tough trivia, Board Games, an RPG game scenario demo and of course, a screening of Serenity.

Salt Lake City is back with their Serenity Screening. Accompanying the BDM will be several fan films, including ‘Operation Night Watch’,& ‘The Verse’ by Julian Higgins.… Read more…

Moving into October

The last month of the 2014 Can’t Stop The Serenity season sees some exciting events happening. This weekend there are 3 very different types of Serenity Screenings.

First up is London, England. All the online tickets are sold out but at time of writing there are still a few left for sale at the door. The day starts at 4:00 and there will be showings of Dr. Horrible, Serenity & some Firefly inspired music videos. A silent auction has some great prizes as does a raffle. A costume competition will claim the middle of the event, so get those outfits finished! The Mad Hatter is a wonderful pub so you’ll probably want to get something to eat & drink while you are at it.

The South Florida Browncoats are holding their screening in Pembrook Pines this year at the South Regional Library.… Read more…

Seven Events in Three Countries

The shiny just keeps on happening! This weekend there are events in Australia, Canada and the United States.

First up is Nowra, Australia holding their third CSTS screening. If you have been following the posts on their Facebook page, you’ll know they have an exciting evening planned with all sorts of amazing prizes. As well as Serenity there will be Dr. Horrible’s Singalog blog, a Costume contest, an auction and door prizes.

After a great success showing Serenity, Toronto is back showing Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog. There will also be games and prizes. Wonder what exactly is Wonderflonium? Find out this and more. Follow them on Twitter for daily updates.

The day ends with the Arizona Browncoats having their 2nd event in as many weeks! This time it is Tucson’s turn.… Read more…

Hopping Across the Countries Coast to Coast

Another busy CSTS weekend with 6 events in 2 days.

Halifax is back with 2 back to back screenings of Serenity, as well as Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, a silent auction, merchandise for sale, trivia contest and door prizes. Come in costume and be immortalized by their very talented photographer! There will even be a Hero of Canton sing-along. Halifax is known for getting unusual auction items such as the Kaylee Special. (It runs on batteries);-). They will have a wide assortment of unique Tshirts and a comic signed by both Nathan and Adam. If you are in the area, it is not to be missed.

Sandy Utah is having its first CSTS event ever and it is already sold out! Serenity will be showing in an intimate 56 seat theater and will be accompanied by a raffle and an auction with shiny goods that have to be seen to be believed.… Read more…

Four very Different Events

The weekend of Sept. 13-14 sees a wide assortment of CSTS events. Montreal is back with its first event since 2006 and it promises to be worth the wait! It is happening within Montreal Comic-Con so if you weren’t going to attend, you might want to think again! Tickets are only $10.00 to get in CSTS Montreal but you do need to be attending Montreal Comic Con already. There will be a showing of Serenity, a costume contest, prizes for trivia, an auction, Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog and a few special things for sale.

The Beeston Browncoats can always be counted on to run a fun Affiliate event.This year they even have their event on the same day that SyFYUK is showing Serenity. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe SyFyUK recognizes the perfect time to show the film!… Read more…

From Rhode Island to Utah

It’s been a long time since Rhode Island had their very own Can’t Stop The Serenity Screening, so be sure not to miss it on Saturday Sept. 6th! It’s being held in the Columbus Theatre, an historic Opera House in Providence. Just imagine how great people cosplaying Captain Tightpants and Kaylee in her dress will look in a setting like that! Besides showing Serenity, the RI Sci-Fi Club will also be hosting a food drive – bringing food items gets you a free raffle ticket! And what a raffle! Prizes will even include something signed by Joss Whedon himself.
Tickets can be bought here.

The Utah Browncoats are bringing an Affiliate event to Salt Lake City Comic Con. Dr. Horrible will be shown on Saturday, Sept, 6th.… Read more…

Why Can’t Stop the Serenity, Part V

(Moon, who has been running Denver’s CSTS since the beginning tells us why.)

I’ve been asked many times over the last nine years, why I organize the Denver CSTS screenings. My stock answer is something along the lines of, “I’m a Browncoat,” “It’s for Joss’ birthday,” or “Equality Now is a wonderful charity that fights for the rights of women and girls all over the world!” While these statements are true and I always say them with a smile, it’s only part of the story that drives me to continue working with CSTS and Equality Now. Personally, I do it for my mother, the strongest and bravest woman I’ve ever known.

My mother, Sim Chae Yop, was born 1943 in a small fishing village in what we now call South Korea.… Read more…

CSTS In the Southern U.S.

On Saturday Aug 23, the SRF Browncoats are hosting a screening at the Hurricane Bar & Grill in Miami Springs, Florida. There will be raffles, Dr. Horrible, Serenity and a local fan group will be hosting a Firefly themed Wheel of Fortune Game. The Hurricane has a full menu and bar. There is no admission for entry but hey – this is a fundraiser, so donations will be gladly accepted in cash, checks, paypal and credit cards. There will be special gifts for all who donate $25.00 or more.Even more details here.

On Sunday, the North Texas Browncoats are back with Can’t Stop The Music, an evening of awesome live music, burlesque and a showing of Dr. Horrible. The fun starts with Dr. Horrible at 6:00 with the last musicians starting at 12:30.… Read more…

Nine Events in only Four Days

Minneapolis is never content to do a screening like most other cities. Instead, for many years now, they have three screenings in a row. Everything starts on Thursday Aug 14 with Dr. Horrible at 7:45 and Serenity at 9:35. On both Friday and Saturday the events starts later – with Serenity being shown at 11:30 both nights. Please note that this is a cash only event so bring lots! Which screening will you attend?

Portland also feels that one screening is never enough, so they are holding 2 screenings in one day, Aug. 16th.
Both the afternoon and the evening events feature Dr. Horrible and Serenity as well as raffles with awesome prizes. Tickets can be bought online.

Browncoats all recognize the importance of Shindigs so Pittsburgh is starting their screening not at the theater but up the street at Fredo’s Market Deli from 3-5.… Read more…

Why Can’t Stop The Serenity, Part IV

Peepiecheep answers the question.

On July 6th this year, a team of dedicated volunteers ran a Can’t Stop the Serenity event in Leicester, UK. It was the first time since 2008 that an event had been held in the city. Last time we raised over $300 for Equality Now, this year we raised 4 times as much, both for EN and for our local women’s aid charity. It’s hard work, and it takes up a lot of our spare time, but it’s worth it.

Why? Because equality matters.

Equality, and the fight to achieve it for all, is important. For every woman who cannot fight, who finds her life and her choices dictated for her; for every girl who has been denied an education due to her gender; for every pre-teen who has been married off to a man three times her age; for every victim of rape and violence and oppression; we will help fight for them.… Read more…

Australia Takes Over

Both Perth and Melbourne are having their CSTS screenings this weekend with an added Affiliate shindig in Perth.

Melbourne is running it’s 9th screening on Saturday, Aug 2. Serenity will be in HD so you can discover all those little things you never noticed before! Also showing will be Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog. To add to the excitement, there will be a cosplay competition, raffles, auctions, door prizes and all sorts of shiny merchandise. Please note that it will be cash only that day so be sure to bring along lots of cashy money as well as your best costume if you’ve a mind to. This event sold out the last 2 years so get your ticket in advance, just in case!

So plan to go, bring a friend, bring someone who has never seen Firefly, and they’ll have fun, raise much needed money and become part of the Browncoat family!… Read more…

Raleigh is Already a Hit

Can’t Stop The Serenity is still flying in Raleigh, North Carolina where it looks to be a sold out event for the 5th year running, on Sunday July 27.

This is their 9th year so you know they are doing something right! Those lucky enough to have a ticket are urged to come early and have food and drink with your fellow Browncoats before the raffle and costume contest get underway. Yes, costumes! Dust off your duds and come dressed as an inhabitant of the ‘Verse. Following the raffle and contest will be a showing of the big damn movie, Serenity.

But before you head over, if you don’t have a ticket, be sure to check the website to see if any are left.

UPDATE: Raleigh is sold out!… Read more…

Make a Weekend of It

As temperatures rise in North America, cities in Canada and the United States are adding to the heat. (Luckily all events are air-conditioned!)

On Friday night Halifax, Nova Scotia is showing Seasons 1-3 of the Guild. Tickets are only $5.00 and attendees will have their names added to the door prize draw at the main event in September – bonus chances to win some great stuff! Concessions will be available.

Down the coast Can’t Stop the Serenity is returning to Washington, D.C. on Saturday with doors opening at 11:00 AM.
This year’s event includes Serenity & Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog, a costume contest for best dressed Firefly/Serenity character & a second costume contest for best dressed as any character from any Joss Whedon production. There will also be raffles, door prizes, and a silent auction!… Read more…

Denver’s Ninth Season

Denver’s Can’t Stop The Serenity has the weekend all to themselves and with everything they have planned – they need that time & space! This is their 9th year and they have planned a shiny night full of “good works”, to benefit Equality Now.

The SIE Film Center will play host on Saturday, July 12th. Event activities include a pre-screening shindig in the Henderson Lounge, Serenity and Dr. Horrible on the big screen, a costume contest, and huge raffle for shiny items donated by generous Sponsors.

Last year’s Jayne’s Hat Mob was big but they are hoping to beat that so remember to bring your “cunning hat!”

Denver’s special ticket packages “Big Damn Hero” and “The ‘Verse” have sold out already, so you might want to buy your ticket in advance as the event normally sells out before the day of the screening.… Read more…

Three Countries, Three Screenings

The weekend of July 4-6 sees three shiny screenings in Canada, the United States and England.
First up chronologically is Toronto. The Royal Cinema once again plays host to an afternoon of Serenity, door prizes, and an auction full of unique items. Tickets are only $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. The screening will be followed by a shindig at a nearby pub but RSVPs are neccessary for the shindig.

Albuquerque has a very full day planned on Saturday. Besides shiny shopping, raffles, an auction, a shindig, Serenity, catered dinner available for purchase at the theatre, there is also comedy and music! Comedians Drew Wayne and Genevieve Mueller will open the event and Mikey Mason will play right before the dinner break. Costume are encouraged and anyone who buys their ticket in advance gets a Fruity Oaty bar and other shiny swag!… Read more…

Bookending a Birthday

Continuing the celebration of Joss’s birthday, 3 U.S. cities are holding their events this weekend. Their names also all start with N but the similarities end there!

The Nashville/Murfreesboro event is a concert featuring The Secret Commonwealth and Kasey Lansdale. There will also be a raffle and auction and probably a few surprises. Tickets will be available at the door.

Norfolk, Virginia is putting on a big damn shindig, also on June 28th. It starts at the Naro Cinema with a showing of Serenity in Hi Def. Doesn’t matter how many times you have seen Serenity. You owe it to yourself to see it digitally. You’ll see & hear content you never knew existed.There’s a costume contest and rumours of a silent auction; a showing of Dr.… Read more…

Happy Birthday Joss!

This is a special day, even a special week for those of us who love Firefly/Serenity and all of Joss Whedon’s other creations. The Man himself turns 50 today, June 23. Ten years ago a select number of cities got to see Serenity for the first time on Joss’s birthday. It was a gift to us from him.

Then it became our turn.

Over the last 9 years Can’t Stop The Serenity has raised over $900,000 for charities especially for one near to Joss’s heart – Equality Now. But we aren’t the only ones marking this special occasion. With the hashtag #ThankJoss, Kiba Rika who runs the website JossisaHottie.com, is asking people to tell the world how Joss Whedon changed their life for the better. Check it out on twitter.Read more…

Birthday Weekend

Every year many CSTS cities hold their events around Joss’ birthday, June 23rd. This year we have 4 cities celebrating.

First up is Lawrence, Kansas. They always put on a good time and this year promises to be more of the same. They will show Serenity of course along with some of the other content we have been lucky enough to get permission to show. And then there is the Prize raffle. You’ll want to bring extra credits for that!

Boston is back for their 9th year holding a midnight showing at the historic Coolidge theatre. Their 2nd charity is Rosie’s Place and anyone who brings a non-perishable food item will entered into the raffle for some fun prizes. Their website has a list of what items are most in need so check it out!… Read more…