Saturday's Schedule

Here's the scheduled program for CSTS Vancouver 2009:

11:00 Doors open
11:25 Introductory remarks
11:30 Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Sing-along
12:15 Evil Laugh Contest
12:30 Firefly Trivia Bingo
1:15 Door prizes - short break
1:30 Commentary! The Musical Sing-along
2:15 Costume Contest
2:45 Break
3:00 Silent Auction ends; doors close
Joss Whedon's Equality Now speech
3:15 Super Secret Special Introduction
3:30 SERENITY
5:30 Silent Auction winning bidders; thank yous, closing remarks

Do You Like to Read?

Spider Robinson wrote a book called "Variable Star" as a completion of a draft by Robert A. Heinlein, requested by Heinlein's widow. Spider has signed and donated a hard cover copy of the book for our auction.

For more reading pleasure, you can bid on two tickets to VCON 34, Vancouver's annual science fiction, fantasy and gaming convention, along with a book from the guest author, Tanya Huff. If you don't recognise her name, you may recognise the name of the TV show made from one of her book series, "Blood Ties". The series, as was the first set of books, was set in Toronto, but was filmed in Vancouver after the pilot! You can see Tanya Huff live at VCON, October 2-4th at the Marriott Pinnacle Downtown. Check out their website for updated information.

Devil's Daughter, a new novel by Amber Benson (Tara, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) has been donated by Robert from Happy Bats Cinema.

And The Comic Shop has donated two Buffy comic trade paperbacks for our auction: "The Long Way Home" and "The Time of Your Life".

The Donations Just Keep on Coming!

Joss Whedon, in addition to giving us permission and paying all the rights so every city could show Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, has signed one of the small North American Serenity promotional posters for each city. Wouldn't you like to have that framed on your wall?

Or the 24" x 36" poster for this year's CSTS events, with most of the cities - including Vancouver, of course - listed. Only five will be available for bidding.

Greg Edmonson, composer of the music for Firefly, has always been generous to the fans. He has once again donated a signed CD of the soundtrack to the Vancouver event.

One of our own BC Browncoats, originator of the BIFF sci-fi group that meets on the North Shore on Friday nights, has donated a t-shirt, some Reaver bumper stickers and this wonderfully twisted mouse pad!

These will all be available at the Silent Auction so bring lots of cashy-money for the cause - and take home a great addition to your Whedonite collection. :D

It's Jayne, more Kaylee & a Serenity RPG Book!

The autographed Adam Baldwin photo was donated by BC Browncoat member, Higlet; Jewel donated her pictures, of course; the picture of Stargate:SG1 recurring cast member David Palffy was donated by UBC Science Fiction & Fantasy Club; and the Serenity RPG book has been donated by Starlit Citadel. This book is so beautiful even if you have never participated in a Role-Playing Game - or ever intend to - you'll want to add this to your Serenity collection.

Some of the shiny autographed pictures that Jewel Staite sent us for our Silent Auction.

Shiny Auction Items!

On top of screening Serenity, singing along to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (and the Commentary), playing Firefly Trivia Bingo - and a costume contest - we have some great items for the Silent Auction.

• Complete dinner for four, prepared by John from La Fontana, either at La Fontana, or ready for pickup. Meal choices to be determined by winner in consultation with John.

• TWO gift certificates for introductory 8-session course on sword fighting from Academie Duello.

• A three-day, two-night stay at the Marriott Whistler Residence Inn in Whistler, donated by Kim Manser.

• Smallville autographed script

• Jayne's hat tea cosy, designed and knit by Serena

• A Jayne's hat Christmas tree ornament, also by Serena, of course!

• Reaver Action Figure, donated by The Comic Shop

• Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club (soccer) tickets, donated by Alan

Keep watching this space and buy your tickets soon for a chance to bid on these items and more, plus win prizes!

Why We Do This Every Year!

The organisers of the charity screenings in the global event that is Can't Stop The Serenity (CSTS) are obviously fans of Joss Whedon and his works, especially the TV series Firefly and the subsequent movie, Serenity. But more than that, most of us are passionate about the work done by the charity that was originally chosen as the main beneficiary for the screenings, Equality Now. EN was chosen because it is Joss's favourite charity (one of his mother's former students was the co-founder) and because it strives to eliminate violence and discrimination of women and children throughout the world. If you haven't seen Joss's speech as he was presented with EN's Man on the Front Lines award in 2006 (which we show every year), watch it now.

So many of us are on limited budgets, especially these days, and can't afford to give as much as we would like to help end so-called honour killings - and now 'honour suicides' - human trafficking, female genital mutilation and domestic violence. By working for successful fundraising efforts such as this, we can do a small part to end these enormous problems. And the bonus is: we get to watch our favourite Big Damn Movie on a big screen once again, with the added pleasure of watching it with others who enjoy it as much - or maybe have never seen it before! See the CSTS promo clip on YouTube.

This year's Global Organiser, Anne Berringer, is writing a series of thoughtful articles on Fridays about why we do this. Here is the first one and here is last Friday's. Be sure to check out the rest of them and consider attending your local event - or having one of your own (see the CSTS forum for getting started) - or even donating to an event near you, if you can't attend.

In Vancouver, CSTS will be on Saturday, June 27th from 11 am to 6 pm, at the HR MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street. Twenty percent of the net proceeds will be going to the BC Women's Hospital, with the other 80% to Equality Now. Join us for a Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog sing-along, silent auction, games, door prizes, goodie bags and more, plus Serenity on a big screen. Volunteers are always welcome. You can contact me at serenityscreeningvancouver at yahoo dot ca.

Don't forget the deadline for ordering and paying for T-shirts, postcards and patches is midnight, May 13th. Items bought through this blog, including tickets, can be picked up at the door. The T-shirts will have the 2009 winning design on the front and a list of participating cities on the back.

CSTS VANCOUVER 2009 - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

We have a venue, date and time, so ticket sales can begin!

Location: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Auditorium, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009

Time: 11 am to 6 pm

Not only will we be showing Serenity, but Joss has given permission for all the CSTS 2009 cities to show Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog - and we'll be singing along!

Dress up as your favourite Firefly/Serenity character - or anyone from the Joss verse - and you could win a prize. Silent Auction already has a few exciting items: an eight-week introductory course from Academie Duello, a meal prepared by John from La Fontana Caffe, a signed script from Smallville, a mousepad autographed by Jewel Staite with more to come. The Silent Auction is cash only.

Tickets are $15 each, available through the PayPal button below ($1 service charge will be added), from Happy Bats Cinema (cash only, please), 2830 Main Street (near 12th Avenue), or from a member of the organising team at any of the upcoming shindigs. Tickets bought through this website will be available for pickup at the door.

Join us for a day of fun activities, including games, singing, and much more, plus The Big Damn Movie, of course! We have door prizes, goodie bags and more! Keep checking back for updates.

T-shirts are available for pre-order. Payment through PayPal buttons below or in person must be made by May 13th. Check out this year's design by an Ottawa Browncoat. T-shirts can be picked up at the door on the day of the screening.

The Can't Stop The Serenity (CSTS) global movement is for the benefit of Equality Now, Joss Whedon's favourite charity, which works to end violence and discrimination against women and children throughout the world. Last year we pledged to donate 10% of the net proceeds to the BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, which we did, to the tune of $300. This year, we will be donating 20% to BC Women's. So come out and support local and global charities and have a great time doing so.

Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, especially Row Three, which continues as our largest donor. If you like movies, check out rowthree. com for up-to-date reviews and discussions.