UPCOMING EVENTS…
We’re delighted to announce the next fortnight’s Can’t Stop the Serenity events:… Read more…
Why We Are Here (Part V)
In the past few weeks, I’ve shared some stories about the cold, cruel and unbalanced world around us and the need to keep the signal going. But what happens when you do speak out? Do things change? The answer is yes – they do. Some change faster than others but action and speaking out do make a difference.
That’s why today’s “Why We Are Here,” is about the positive side of working to make the world a better and more equal place. There are two stories I am going to reference today, where Equality Now has helped justice prevail and the winds of change sweep far and wide.
Our first story deals with Zambia and the horrific rape of school girls by their teachers. Not for the first time, Edson Hakasenke raped one of his students by luring her to his house on the premise of collecting schoolwork. … Read more…
Event Update – May 25
Promoting CSTS to the Airwaves and Beyond!
Do you have a podcast (or know someone who does) who also loves all things Serenity? Would you like an audio file on your Browncoat website promoting this year’s Can’t Stop the Serenity events?
Then, this here little gem (available in either .mp3 or .wav) is just what you’re looking for!
Click here to go to our fabulous multimedia page and snag the file that’s right for you.
And while you are here, feel free to browse around our various media promotional materials. If you see something you like and want to help spread the signal, feel free to download any of these as well. Feel free to share them and this page with Serenity/Firefly lovers everywhere, so we can keep promoting CSTS 2009!… Read more…
Thank You from EN for CSTS 2008
To Beth Nelson (’08 GO) and all the CSTS 08 organizers:
I am writing on behalf of Equality Now to thank you and all of the Browncoat volunteers and attendees for the incredible achievement of 2008’s Can’t Stop the Serenity Global screening event. I know how hard each and every one of you worked to make your event special, to make it fun for the attendees and participants, to make it the great success that it was!
It’s been a tough year, and a great year. We’ve seen some remarkable progress in the struggle to end the practice of FGM (female genital mutilation). Equality Now’s FGM Program is working with grassroots partners in more than sixteen African countries who are working to stop FGM in their communities by raising awareness and offering alternatives, and you are helping us do this.… Read more…
Keeping the Signal Going! – EN & the UN
Dear CSTSland and others who support the Cause:
It’s time to do our job and help spread the signal. Equality Now has made the front page of the Wall Street Journal because they are working on making the world aware about Sexual Harassment within the United Nations. They want to get the word out to as many people as they can.
That’s where you come into the mix. You can help make a difference by doing two simple things. A: Read the following statement from Equality Now and become educated about the matter. B: Send the message on to everyone you know and urge them to do the same. Twitter it, post it on your websites, get it out anywhere and everywhere you can.
Let’s help make a difference.… Read more…
Why We Are Here (Part IV)
“ . . . Because it’s no longer enough to be a decent person.” – JW
This week’s, “Why We Are Here” marks the anniversary of the post which changed my life. On May 20, 2007, Joss Whedon wrote his impassioned poignant plea on Whedonesque entitled “Let’s Watch a Girl Get Beaten to Death.”
“ . . . I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red.” – JW
For 30 minutes, Du’a Khalil Aswad was stoned to death by more than 20 men (while 2,000 or more looked on) some of them family and friends. Her own family lured her back, promising all was forgiven, all was well. Some participants threw rocks with one hand and captured it all on their cell phones with the other. … Read more…
Broadcasting the Signal
Announcing….
Broadcasting the Signal – A CSTS Promotional Campaign
It’s time to spread the word in earnest to those who need to hear it. You’ve heard about why we are here. You’ve heard about the important work that Equality Now does. And you know how fun a “Can’t Stop the Serenity” event can be.
Well, now it’s time to Broadcast the Signal!
We’re going to be spending the next week telling the world about CSTS, and you can help!
Our first event is 24 May (CSTS Dallas Women’s Music Showcase) then things really kick into gear in June revving all the way through to September.
“What can one person do?”
The answer is plenty. Did you know that when two sound waves occur at the same time and are in the same phase, the waves reinforce each other and the sound becomes louder?… Read more…
Why We Are Here (Part III)
Freda Adler, a US author, educator and theorist states: “Rape is the only crime in which the victim becomes the accused.” Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow of Kismayo, Somalia learned this lesson the hard way – a way that ended in her death.
Imagine you’ve been raped by three men on the way to visit your grandmother, and that you are brave enough to report it. It is hard to put yourself in Aisha’s place isn’t it? Because rape is a disgusting, uncivilized sickness – one, we don’t like to talk about. The courage it takes to come forward is almost inconceivable. Even if the rapist is caught and brought to justice, his victims who survive suffer for the rest of their lives.
Aisha and her family came forward seeking help and healing. … Read more…
Why We Are Here (Part II)
Mother’s Day – we celebrate it on different days around the globe, but it means the same thing. It is a day when children of all ages say thank you; a day we can tell our moms how special they are and how much we love them.
Yet in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, many mothers will only receive meaningless silence and painful tears, instead of flowers and family hugs. They will not be celebrating with their daughters this year.
And indeed for some, ever again.
Just across the border from El Paso, Texas, Death struts about performing his horrible magic tricks. Countless women disappear. Some have never returned. Those that do are only recovered as mutilated pieces. It is as if Death owns the town – and maybe he does. … Read more…
CSTS Event Update
The countdown is on to the first Can’t Stop the Serenity event of 2009!
CSTS Dallas is first cab off the ranks with their CSTS Musical Showcase on Sunday, 24 May. Musical performers include Marian Call, Inner Frequency and Kristina Morland, so if you’re down Dallas way head on over for a fun filled night of great food, drinks, Whedonverse trivia and phenomenal music!
June is packed full of events, with over 20 events already raring to go. We’re starting off in Toronto, Canada and then the US events kick into high gear! Check our Calendar for all the
details.
We’re thrilled to see so many cities back with events in 2009, many in their fourth successful year of raising funds for Equality Now. And we’re beyond excited to see that Can’t Stop the Serenity is still growing!… Read more…
Why We Are Here (Part I)
The answer to this question varies. Many of us participate in CSTS events and other Browncoat related activities for a number of reasons. We join together to make a difference in the world because we’ve been rallied by Joss’s words to do something, anything. We meet up so that we can share our love of the Serenity/Firefly/Whedonverse, and because we are like-minded folk who want to share other aspects of our lives with our fellow Fireflyians. These are just a few of the reasons we come together in this fellowship
And they are all, very good reasons.
The main focus of Can’t Stop the Serenity has always been to help Equality Now keep the signal going. EN seeks to let the voices of abused women the world over, cry out and be heard.… Read more…
Event Registration Dates Extended
Dear CSTSland:
How are all you amazing Browncoats? Thank you for working so hard to make Can’t Stop the Serenity 2009 an amazing success!
I come to you today with hat in hand. Why? Well I just bet you’ve seen the affiliate form and thought… hmmm we get it on May 1st AND it’s the deadline… What’s up with Global? Why wasn’t it up before?
And you’d be right to think that.
I originally created the Affiliate Event Registration Form in February about the same time as the Serenity Screening Event Registration Form. My email said “Hey it’s sent!” So I skipped off into the sunset and neglected to double-check the number of attachments. My bad. While planning a drive to promote of Affiliate Events (now that the Serenity Screening Events are moving and grooving) I discovered that the form wasn’t up on site.… Read more…
Affiliate City Registration
Do you want to have a CSTS event in your area, but can’t find a willing or reasonably priced cinema? Are there not enough Browncoats, or think there’s not enough time to get it done for this year?
Become an Affiliate City!
Affiliate Events could include a quiz night, a BBQ, Dr Horrible screening or a bakesale in the name of CSTS. You’ll receive acknowledgment on the website for your efforts, be part of the CSTS community, and you’ll have helped support a really wonderful cause, Equality Now.
There is a special allocation of global swag (items donated by global sponsors) for Affiliate Events.
This is a great opportunity to get together with likeminded people and spread a little “Can’t Stop the Serenity” joy.
Event Registration deadlines are as follows:
15 May 2009 – This guarantees your event is listed on global merchandise (eg.… Read more…
Can’t Stop the Serenity 2009 Events Go Live!
We’re delighted to announce that we currently have 20 cities with confirmed event dates! And over 30 cities registered and on board for 2009.
Check out our Calendar of Events for more details.
In addition to screening “Serenity”, many cities will also be adding “Dr Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog” to the billing! Join fellow fans and sing along with Dr Horrible, Captain Hammer and Penny in theatrical style!
There is a still lot of room for events on the calendar, and we look forward to announcing more as additional cities across the globe join the party.
First Round Event Registration is closing soon, so if you are thinking of planning an event (either a Screening or an Affiliate Event) please register by 1 May 2009 to ensure your event is listed on our global merchandise.… Read more…
Event Registration Deadlines
Have you been thinking of joining the 30+ cities around the world in celebrating “Serenity” and raising funds for Equality Now?
There’s lots more room on the 2009 ‘Can’t Stop The Serenity’ calendar and we’d love to have you join the party!
First Round registrations are closing soon, so please make sure you register your event before the deadline.
Event Registration Deadlines:
15 May 2009 – This guarantees your event is listed on global merchandise (eg. T-shirts)
1 June 2009 – This guarantees your event is listed in global press materials
1 August 2009 – Final deadline for 2009 registrations. Please note that no 2009 event registrations will be accepted after this date
Registration is very simple, and you can find everything you need at the Event Registration and How To Guide links.… Read more…
“We Are Mighty” Video Submissions End Soon
Time is running out to get your footage in our 2009 Can’t Stop The Serenity Global Introduction Video – “We are Mighty!”
The Global Team is putting together a video that can be played at every CSTS event around the world as an introduction to the event before Serenity is screened. And we’re looking for supporters like you to feature in it!
We’re looking for:
– One to three word descriptions of Firefly and Serenity. Words like “Family,” “Love,” and “Big Sci-Fi Explosions” (yes, sci-fi is hyphenated)
– Two or three of your favorite lines from the series or the film, spoken by you on camera.
– A description on why Firefly and Serenity are important to you (No more than 10 seconds). What did the series and film teach you?… Read more…
And the art contest winner is…
We’re proud to announce the winning design in the Can’t Stop the Serenity 2009 Art Contest!
The caliber of artwork this year was amazing, and we know that it was very hard for people to choose their favourite. But after much difficult deliberation, the people have voted.
And the winning design is …… Read more…
EQUALITY NOW Wants Your Festive CSTS Pictures!
Amanda from Equality Now has requested your shiny photos from the 2008 CSTS events. She’s aiming to use as many of them as she can on a page in Equality Now‘s Yearly Report.
So look through and pick out one or two of your best photos showcasing your 2008 shindigs and festive crew. (If you’ve got any with people wearing the 2008 shirts that would be awesome too!)
Send them to Anne at anne@cantstoptheserenity.com. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks!… Read more…
Announcing CSTS Broadwaves
The Can’t Stop the Serenity 2009 Global Team is proud to launch CSTS Broadwaves!
CSTS Broadwaves is a free email newsletter that will be sent out across the Cortex (via opt-in subscription) to keep you in the loop about this year’s events.
Each edition will include news, articles and updates on planned events. You’ll find stories from past and present organizers to let you in behind the scenes, announcements of the shiny kind, links to promo materials so you can spread the word locally, and some special surprises from some very special guests.
So subscribe today and be part of the global phenomenon that continues to impress and inspire fans everywhere! Go to CSTS Broadwaves on the main page at www.cantstoptheserenity.com to subscribe.
Keep flying!… Read more…
Art Vote 2009
We sent the signal out and a few of the brave and bold with their brilliant artistical skillz took up the gauntlet (and their pallets) to create this year’s promotional art.
We know it’s gonna be a challenge – but we need you, the good folk of the ‘Verse, to help us choose which one will become the official artwork for CSTS 2009. You can only vote once and you’ve only got until March 12th to get your voice heard and your vote counted.
So vote and then tell your friends to spread the word and come help us choose the best of the best.
Voting Closes March 12, 2009 12:59 PM PST… Read more…
Bid on a Bard!
The Cedric auction is now up on Ebay!
Follow this link to bid on a bard! The auction will end on March 13, 2009.
Like Cedric himself said:
… Read more…“Please feel free to spread the word and post this message everywhere you can. Let the whole gorram ‘verse know what we Browncoats are doing!”
Cedric Auction Delay
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Cedric Ebay auction has been delayed for a few days. We will have the link to the auction as soon as possible.
We apologize for the delay and any confusion this issue has caused.… Read more…
Next up on the auction block… Cedric!
Cedric from the Bedlam Bards has once again offered himself up to the highest bidder!… Read more…
Event Registration Forms
Dear Organizers (Old and New):
Here it is, just what you always wanted… the official registration form!
Please take a look at some guidelines to keep in mind while filling out your registration form. Forms should be submitted to Diana@cantstoptheserenity.com. Please include the words “I AGREE” in the email Subject line. This is for our filing/sorting procedures. The form should be returned as an ATTACHMENT. Please do not copy it into the email itself.
The Affiliate Event Registration form will be available soon.
Thanks!
CSTS Global Team… Read more…
