Category Archives: 2014

2014, Equality Now, Events, Why Can't Stop The Serenity

Make the World a Better Place (and Have Fun Doing It)

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Morgan B, age 12 wrote this essay for school. We think you will be in awe at this young woman’s grasp of what is important.

We all know that sometimes terrible things happen in the world, but did you know that in many countries women have almost no rights? In places like Yemen, Sudan, and Pakistan, young girls may be beaten, married, or even sentenced to death by their own families with few or no legal consequences. However, human rights organizations like Equality Now are working to change that. Can’t Stop The Serenity is a series of movie screenings held annually to benefit Equality Now. Serenity is a Sci-fi movie created by Joss Whedon, so if you are a Whedon fan and care about women’s rights, you should definitely come to a CSTS event near you.… Read more…

2014, Events

Perth Sells Out

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Perth S-F fans are keen! Despite getting a venue that is twice the size as last year’s, the Perth CSTS Affiliate event for May 15 sold out well before it is scheduled to run.

Those lucky enough to get a ticket are in for a treat. It is a Sci-Fi quiz night with loads of great prizes from local sponsors and a heap of swag including an item signed by Jewel Staite.
There is an auction and raffles to add to the fun.

We’re looking forward to hearing some of the quiz questions!… Read more…

2014, CSTS Global

The First Affiliate Event of the Season

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There are many ways to run a Can’t Stop The Serenity events and over the last 9 years, we’ve seen a lot of them.

But this one is new!

A new festival, honoring web series has started up in Toronto Canada.
Called Toronto Webfest, it is 3 days of screenings, panels and other events. And what better way to celebrate a new festival that by showing one of the first major webseries?

On Friday May 9th at 10:00 p.m. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along-Blog will be shown with all proceeds going to Equality Now.

Tickets are only $10.00 and available for purchase online.

Imagine being in a theatre full of people who have not seen Dr. Horrible before or don’t know the works of Joss Whedon!

An evening not to be missed.… Read more…

2014, Why Can't Stop The Serenity

Why “Can’t Stop the Serenity?” Part II

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In Sept, 2013, birdandbear wrote about the North Texas screening but she speaks for all of us. Thanks to her for giving us permission to reprint this from their website.

Wanna hear something as mind-blowing as it is inspirational as it is humbling?

2013 marked the eighth annual CSTS event season. In that time North Texas Browncoats have raised more than $41,000.00, and the global events have raised over $840,000.00 for Equality Now and other charities. If the global events don’t break $1,000,000 next year, they certainly will for the 10th anniversary in 2015.

The stunning thing is, those figures aren’t subsidized in any way. There are no grants, no paid employees, no PR machine. Just some generous sponsors, and folks across the world coming together once a year to watch a movie, have a good time, maybe don a cunning hat, and make a stand in the name of what’s right.

… Read more…
2014, CSTS Global, Events

The First Event of the Season – in South Wales!

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It is always a great moment when CSTS starts up for the year. This year it is doubly exciting because it is a new event.

The Valley Browncoats in Wales are having a screening on April 14th. It’s being held in Blackwood and it promises to be great.
It is, of course, Easter Break and so this is an event for the whole family to begin with. For kids of all ages there are activities like Mask painting while the older ones can try out the new Serenity Board Game.

Firefly themed food will be available including Fruity Oaty Bars and Mudders Milk. (Non-alcoholic for the young’ns).

Join a team to challenge your knowledge of all things Whedon and Sci-Fi related and buy some shiny merchandise including hand crafted keyrings and earrings.… Read more…

2013, 2014, Equality Now, Events, Why We Are Here Stories

Why ‘Can’t Stop the Serenity’?

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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.

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.

… Read more…
2014, CSTS Global

Have your say on the 2014 shirt design!

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We would love to have your feedback on the logo placement for CSTS 2014 Unisex and Womens shirts. There will be only one design available for the Unisex and one for the Women’s, and you can vote on both. The most popular option for each wins! This year’s shirts will be light grey with printing on one side only.


The options are:

  • Large size in centre of shirt (on front)
  • Small size in centre of shirt (on front)
  • Small size on left hand side of shirt (on front)
  • Large size in centre of shirt (on back)
  • Small size in centre of shirt (on back)

To have your say, head over to our forum to vote:
– Unisex shirt
– Women’s shirt


The polls will be open for 7 days.… Read more…

2014, CSTS Global, Events

Registration for 2014 Events is Open!

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2014 marks our 9th Annual CSTS season and we are looking forward to welcoming our fellow Browncoats, whether veterans of the cause or new organizers! We are grateful and excited that folks are interested in holding their own CSTS events to raise money for Equality Now.

Registration is open now, so you can start planning a Can’t Stop the Serenity event for 2014. All the information you need to get you started can be found in the Host An Event section on the menu above.

Most CSTS events are known as “Screening Events” where Joss Whedon’s “Serenity” is shown on the big screen in conjunction with auctions, raffles, contests, merchandise sales and other multimedia (pending licensing arrangements).

If you’re unable to organize a Screening Event (due to funds, location or proximity to other Browncoats), an Affiliate event may be the answer.… Read more…

2014, Contest

Vote for your favorite 2014 CSTS Art!

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We put out the call and then made the signal go further and it came back full of amazing art. We have 14 designs, all wonderfully created by madly talented Browncoats. Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry (or two!) to the 2014 CSTS Art Contest.

And now it’s time for us all to choose which design will represent Can’t Stop the Serenity for 2014, our 9th year.
It will be hard to choose but we know you can do it!.
To have your say, all you need to do is click here to see the great designs and cast your vote!

You can only vote once and you’ve only got until Feb.16th 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.… Read more…

2013, 2014, CSTS Global

Farewell to CSTS 2013! Let’s get started on CSTS 2014!

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As we ring in the new year and say farewell to 2013, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the success of the 2013 Can’t Stop the Serenity season and thank those who have worked so hard to make it possible. Over $110,000 was raised for Equality Now and other charities by countless volunteers across the world, which brings to total raised since the begining of CSTS to over $900,000! This achievement could not have been realised without the tireless energy, enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers on the Global Team and at each of the local events. On behalf of the Global Steering Committee (GSC), please accept our congratulations and our thanks.


The Global Team have given countless hours behind the scenes for over a year, and we would especially like to thank Dave Catoe, Stephanie Leisure, Liam Merrick, William Pace, Sheilah O’Connor, Phil Towle, and Julia Svaganovic (as well as their families for allowing them to give so much).… Read more…

2014, CSTS Global

Deadline extended for 2014 Art Contest! You’ve now got until 12 January to get your entries in!

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The deadline for submissions to the 2014 Art Contest has been extended to 12 January 2014! That gives you an extra week to get your entries in!


For all the rules, regulations and other red tape-type things, please see the full contest rules.


SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY

  • Submissions will be accepted beginning 6 December 2013, and must be received no later than 12 January 2014 by 11:59 P.M. PST in order to be considered for this contest.
  • All entries and questions should be submitted to [email protected]. If you need to mail your submission, email our Art Director for instructions and a mailing address.
  • All entries which meet the guidelines will be posted on the official CSTS website on 14 January 2014, to be voted on by the general public.
… Read more…
2014, Contest, CSTS Global

Design our next logo! It’s time for the 2014 CSTS Promo Art Contest!

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The Can’t Stop The Serenity promotional art contest is back for 2014! Do you think you’ve got what it takes to design our official promotional artwork?


In its eight-year history, Can’t Stop The Serenity has raised more than half a million dollars for Equality Now. We can do even more good works in 2014, but only if people show up! That’s where you can come in. Since we’ve been doing this for almost a decade now, the novelty factor has worn off, which means it’s more important than ever before to build excitement for CSTS. The annual logo is a critical tool for raising awareness about the event, building excitement, and getting people to get out to CSTS events around the world. And we’re know there are lots of creative Browncoats out there with the skills to make this happen!… Read more…

2013, 2014, CSTS Global

Can’t Stop the Serenity 2014 wants you! Nominations are now open to join the 2014 Global Team

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Can’t Stop the Serenity 2014 wants you!


Do you want to help guide Can’t Stop the Serenity towards a bright future and make the 2014 season happen? Do you know someone who would like to be involved at a global level? Nominations are now open for roles on 2014 Global Team!


Can’t Stop the Serenity is organised entirely by volunteers who work side by side with local event organisers to make each year’s events a success. We’re looking for dedicated, passionate, talented folks to join us. It’s fun, rewarding and a great experience!


Nominations are now open for 2014 Global Event Coordinator and Team Roles, and will be taken until 15 December 2013. The application process for each position is provided here. Applications must be submitted via email to [email protected]… Read more…