Thirteen years ago, I had never heard of Firefly. I had been working at Equality Now for quite some time and, as usual, we were struggling for funding. I got a call one day, from Renee Balmert from something called “the California Browncoats.” She wanted our address in order to mail out a check to us representing proceeds from “ComicCon.” The check was for over $3000, a staggering amount of money from one donor, at least it was in our experience. Apparently Joss Whedon had told them we were his favorite charity and they decided to give all the money to us. We were thrilled and grateful and Renee and I started up a conversation as she explained to me what Firefly was and what the Browncoats were.… Read more…
Tag Archives: charity
Help Celebrate Our $1million Achievement
Announcing we’d passed the one million dollar mark in donations was a momentous occasion for us.
This is an achievement that belongs to everyone who ever helped organise, attended, sponsored, spread the signal about or donated to a Can’t Stop the Serenity event. Big Damn Heroes all of you!
To celebrate all the thrilling heroics we want to show the world the amazing Browncoats who made this possible. We’re looking for photos of Browncoats with signs celebrating that globally we’ve raised over 1 million dollars.
We would love pictures of you holding a sign along the lines of:
“Congratulations CSTS on raising $1M for charity from (Your name here) #CSTS1Million”.
It can be just you or a crowd of Browncoats. Have fun with it, be creative.… Read more…
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…
Great items available in Round Two of our E-Bay Auction
Click here to go to the eBay auction
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
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!
- 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.
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…
Why ‘Can’t Stop the Serenity’?
Last May Vancouver Organizer Samatwitch wrote about why Vancouver holds CSTS events each year. Thanks to her for giving us permission to reprint this from their website.
… Read more…Why do we do this? Why do organisers spend so much time and money for each event? Why do people volunteer, paying for their own tickets to do so? Why do Browncoats – and others – keep coming out to CSTS events?
Partly of course, because the events are fun. Each city is different and has ideas and plans that work for them. A lot of people come out to see Serenity on the big screen or to sing along to Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Some people come to spend an afternoon or day with their friends at a fun event – or to bid on an auction item they can’t find anywhere else, especially handmade items.
Over $900,000 raised in 8 years
We are very pleased to announced that in 2013 Can’t Stop The Serenity raised $115,420.00 for Equality Now and 20 other charities. This is $5,000 more than in 2012 and brings our total to over $900,000 U.S. over the last 8 years. New cities joined with their events and we had screenings in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Thank you to all our sponsors, organizers, and participants, for contributing to this tremendous success! Whether you bought a Tshirt, donated to an event, bid on an auction, attended a screening or spread the word, we deeply appreciate your commitment and generosity in helping us to support the rights of women and girls worldwide.… 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…
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…
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…
Can’t Stop the Serenity Flies with a Screening in Vancouver
On Saturday, May 25th, Vancouver returns with their 8th Annual CSTS Screening.
But they’re not sitting on their laurels. This year promises to be better than ever.
There is a scavenger hunt on now, with the winner to be announced at the screening.
Jewel Staite dropped by to sign all sorts of items for the auction. She has even offered to record a ringtone for some successful bidder!
There is trivia bingo, and since it is Towel Day there will even be some Vorgon poetry! There’s an Evil Laugh contest, a screening of Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog and more!
And of course, Serenity itself. It all starts at 12:30 and details can be found here or here.… Read more…
Can’t Stop the Serenity 2013 gets off to a great start
This Saturday April 20 there is 2 events in 2 countries, doing what we do best.
Raising money for charity and having fun while doing it.
The Tidewater Browncoats in Norfolk, Virginia have the first screening of the Season. They will be showing Dr. Horrible’s Sing a long Blog, Mikey Mason is doing not one but two sets and new this year is Comedian James Rodatus. There will be many funny videos and last and certainly not least, the movie itself. Serenity. Proceeds go to Equality Now and Samaritan House.
Costumes are encouraged and you can buy tickets at the door.
Up Canada way, the Alberta Browncoats are starting with an Affiliate event at Happy Harbour Comics in Edmonton. Watch Dr. Horrible and some great videos of the nerdy kind.… Read more…
A Good Excuse
So you want to have a shindig with your fellow Browncoats. But everyone is so busy and it’s hard to agree on a time or a place. And everyone is well meaning but nothing ever quite gets off the ground.
Do we have just the thing for you! Hold a Can’t Stop the Serenity Event! It’s BIG (or small), Splashy (or sedate). We will help you promote it and it will be the event to attend!
Think about it. You get to see Serenity if you choose to do a full screening, or with an Affiliate event, Dr Horrible and a whole slew of other videos we got permission to show this year. You are surrounded by fellow Browncoats and anyone else you choose to invite.… Read more…
Over $800,000 raised over 7 Years!
In the 2012 year, Can’t Stop The Serenity raised $110,465.98 for Equality Now and 19 other charities. This brings our total to over $800,000.00 U.S. over the last 7 years. New cities joined the cause and we had events in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States
With Equality Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, we are especially pleased to be able to donate in this banner year.
Thank you to all our sponsors, organizers, and participants, for contributing to this tremendous success!
We deeply appreciate your commitment and generosity in helping us to support the rights of women and girls worldwide.… Read more…
The 2013 Auction has Begun
Our Global Auction for Equality Now have begun! This is your chance to get your hands on some amazing Whedonverse collectables and more, while helping a wonderful cause.
Go here -http://bit.ly/TxTYEj
How about a silver Jewellry box which Gina Torres gave to the cast & crew during the filming of Firefly?
Or a Fanny pack which Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan gave to the Buffy crew at Christmas, 1998.
These are both incredibly rare.
The Avengers make their appearance with 2 full sized, double sided Movie posters along with a hard to find Dollhouse poster. You might also be interested in some of the official Avengers swag.
Maybe you are more into nifty crafts. Then you’ll love our Big Damn Heroes created as knit dolls.… Read more…
We are having an Auction, starting Nov. 3rd
As the CSTS 2012 season comes to a close, we’ve got one last piece of awesome to share with you. Thanks to a whole host of fantastic Browncoats, we’re excited to announce the 2012 Can’t Stop the Serenity Global Auction! It starts Saturday Nov. 3rd and runs till the following Saturday, Nov. 10th. We’ll announce the URL soon.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the items up for grabs…
- Jane Espenson donated two shooting scripts for the Firefly episode Shindig which she wrote. Can anyone resist bidding on these? We don’t think so!
- For Christmas 2008 Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan gave the Buffy crew a fanny pack with the name of the show, Sarah & Alyson’s names and the date embroidered on the pack.
Why Smart Pop Books supports CSTS
We asked our sponsors why they support Can’t Stop The Serenity.
Leah Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of Smart Pop replies:
My favorite part of working on BenBella’s Smart Pop titles is the
contact we get to have with fandom — with the people who devote their
time and energy to not only building community, but doing good on
behalf of the books and shows and films they love.
It’s a (wonderful) inevitability that communities bear strong
resemblance, especially in values, to the properties that inspire
them. And so the strongest fan communities grow up around properties
that value community. The communities who most strongly reach out to
help others are the communities whose heroes do the same.
We’re proud to support Can’t Stop the Serenity not just because of
Equality Now (as incredibly worthwhile an organization as it is!).… Read more…
Four Events. Three Countries.
Australia, Canada and the United States are all holding CSTS Screenings this weekend and not one event is the same!
The Browncoats of Shoalhaven, NSW, Australia are running their very first event. They will have a raffle, prizes for Best Dressed and will show Dr. Horrible as well as Serenity. The excitement is running high for this August 3rd screening!
The San Francisco,U.S. Browncoats have been running CSTS events since the beginning. Now in their 7th Year, they are rightfully proud of their new venue, the Delancy St. Screening Room. Among its many charms are the ergonomic chairs! The SF events will feature Dr. Horrible as well as Serenity. Don’t forget your Jayne Hat – there will be a Jayne Hat mob photo!
Grande Prairie, AB, Canada is another new member of the CSTS family.… Read more…
Why JL Hilton Supports CSTS
I organized the first Raleigh screening in 2006, because I loved Firefly. I loved it with all my heart and soul, in a way I’d never loved any TV show before. At the time, I didn’t expect to raise money for Equality Now. I expected to pay hundreds of dollars for the venue rental and movie rights out of my own pocket, to sit in a theater with maybe twelve other people and watch Serenity on the big damn screen again.
Instead, the 200-seat theater sold out. We had a costume contest, and several people actually showed up in costume. People bought raffle tickets. A donation was made to Equality Now. And I made new friends who have become like family.
Over the years, I learned more about Equality Now, and I found out about Kids Need to Read.… Read more…
Win incredible prizes in our auction for Equality Now
We’re celebrating the five years of Can’t Stop the Serenity, and our wonderful sponsors, in conjunction with the California Browncoats, are proud to give you the chance to win some fantastic prizes in our online auction for Equality Now.
Money raised from the auction will be included in the CSTS 2010 Global Donation Total. Your bids will help us to reach this year’s goal of US $150,000 raised for charity!
The first round of auctions runs from 17 August 2010 to 24 August 2010 on eBay.
This is a wonderful opportunity to own some awesome prizes, and help Equality Now fight for the rights of women and girls who can’t fight for themselves, so bid high and bid often!
Highlights include:
- Serenity: Float Out cover art signed by Joss Whedon, Jo Chen & Alan Tudyk
- Serenity: Float Out original page art by Patric Reynolds
- Two Weekend Passes to the Browncoat Ball in Charlotte, NC
- Autographs from Firefly and Serenity cast members, as well as Jane Espensen, Greg Edmonson and the cast of The Guild
