CSTS LA with Joss Whedon

 For those of you who didn't get to see Joss Whedon et al live on Saturday night, I've posted the video on the right.  The Q & A at the end is very good. Don't miss the mini-speech by The One True b!X, founder of Can't Stop The Serenity, as he gives some examples of what Equality Now does with our donations.

CSTS events are fun and entertaining and we get to see old friends and meet new ones, but we cannot forget the reason we do this is to help stop or prevent some of the atrocities happening to women and girls around the world.  With your donations, Equality Now is making a difference.  So from those of us who spend hours, days and months working to make each of these world-wide events a success, thank you for coming out each year, choosing to spend your time and your money for such a worthwhile cause.  Of course it doesn't hurt that we get to see our Big Damn Movie and have some fun in the process.  Nobody said raising money had to be depressing!

If at any time you feel you have a little extra you want to donate, feel free to use the 'donate' button on the top right of the blog.  All monies go towards EN and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation.

We will have an exciting announcement shortly about one more item that has been donated.  Stay tuned!

THANK YOU!!

CSTS Vancouver 2011 was a success, thanks to a large number of people who volunteered, donated, bid and came to the event.  More will be forthcoming when I have further access to a computer!

It's Almost Here!

We've almost made it to the big day.  Online ticket sales are now closed but there will be tickets available at the door tomorrow, so come down and check us out.

Thank you to all who have bought tickets and are coming to support Equality Now and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation.  If you can't attend but would still like to support these two worthwhile charities, the 'donate' button is still up on the right hand side of the page.

Stay tuned for an announcement at the event, which will be posted here, regarding one special item to go in an online auction!

See you tomorrow!  Don't forget: all auction items and other donation opportunities are cash only.

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #10

Here's the final quote - and it's an easy one to end with.  I hope everyone has enjoyed playing along.  Remember to e-mail the answers (person speaking and the episode) to all 10 questions by midnight (Pacific time) tonight to: cstsvancouver@gmail.com.  The winner will be drawn/announced Saturday morning during introductory remarks.

"I don't think of myself as a lion."

Good luck.   And just because it's my favourite quote - here's one from the movie:
"Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse... but you take a boat in the air that you don't love... she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down... tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home. "

Schedule, Notes and a Couple of Special Items!

One of our special auction items is currently somewhere in the Canadian postal system.  I had asked Jody Houser, who does a couple of online comics, Brick Girl and Cupcake Pow! if we could have a signed print of one of the panels of Cupcake Pow! that would have a lot of significance to Firefly fans - of which Jody herself is one.  She agreed, even though she had never done it before, and in the process, the CA Browncoats, who are hosting Joss et al in LA on Saturday night, also requested one.  However, Jody assured me that the print we are getting is No 1 of 2. :)  There will be a colour copy of it at the auction and we will mail the original to the winning bidder when it finally arrives.  Check out Cupcake Pow! and see if you can guess which panel it is.

In addition to the draw for the winner of the quotation contest in the introductory remarks Saturday morning, we also have an e-mail message from Jewel Staite to read.  We are so proud to have her as a supporter of our event.

    CSTS VANCOUVER 2011 -  SCHEDULE
    Saturday, June 25th
10:30    Doors open / special video presentation
11:00   Welcome/Online Contest winner drawn
            Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog sing-along
11:50   Evil Laugh Contest
12:10   Mind My Brains, Darling episodes 1 & 2
12:30   Break
12:45   Costume Contest Parade & Prizes
1:10     Standard Action webseries episodes
2:00     Firefly Trivia Bingo
3:00     Silent Auction ends; doors close
            Introductions to movie
3:30     SERENITY
5:30     Door prizes drawn
            Auction winners announced
            Closing remarks


IMPORTANT NOTES

If you are picking up your PayPal tickets at “Will Call”, please bring a copy of your PayPal printout/receipt.

There are a limited number of grab bags available for a minimum $5 donation. Bingo cards are $1.00 each and will be two lines in any direction.  Get your cards early as last year they were all snapped up within the first hour!  There are also door prizes which will be drawn after the movie.

Beverages in containers with lids are allowed in the Auditorium, all other food and drink must be consumed outside the room. This year we are offering some food by donation, wraps courtesy of John at La Fontana Caffe & friends and Firefly-inspired goodies courtesy of C&C Cakery available in the Lounge on the other side of the Lower Lobby. You are also welcome to bring your own food or to go to one of the many food places near Cornwall & Cypress.

For anyone wishing to stay after the day’s main festivities are over, we have the Lounge booked until 9 pm and you’re welcome to bring in food, get together and order in or just hang out with your fellow Browncoats and wind down for the day.

Please note that pay parking is in effect at the Space Centre/Museum lot at a rate of $2 per hour; $10 flat rate until 6 pm and $5 flat rate from 6 pm until 6 am.  EasyPark does patrol rather vigorously, especially just after 6 pm, so please make sure you have paid and have the ticket visible! There is little to no on-street parking in the area except for residents.

FINAL REMINDER THAT ALL MONETARY TRANSACTIONS ARE CASH ONLY, SO BRING PLENTY OF IT!

A couple more auction items to whet your appetite for Saturday - auotgraphed pictures of Mark Sheppard (Badger) and Jewel Staite (Kaylee), donated by RiverSue and Doug.

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #9

Only two more quotes to go!  Today's quote:


"Look at the fluffy one."

I'm sure you all got that!

Just a reminder for those people who've asked - tickets will be available at La Fontana until Noon on Friday and online with PayPal until 6 pm.  After that, any remaining tickets will be available at the door - cash only on Saturday for the auction items as well.  And you'll want to make sure you have plenty because you haven't seen even half of the shiny items we have for auction!  We also have some great door prizes and contest prizes - and $5 grab bags.  Plus have you seen the pictures C&C Cakery has been posting on Twitter of some of the goodies they're making for Saturday - also by donation?  It will be worth coming just to taste one or two of those!

Elves & Druids & Zombies, Oh, My!

You know you're going to see Serenity this Saturday (if you have your ticket!) since the event is called Can't Stop The Serenity.  Maybe you know that you can sing-along to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Joss Whedon's Internet sensation.  But are you prepared for zombies and other magical creatures scampering - or slouching - across the screen in front of you?  Well, we're giving you fair warning. You can expect all manner of fantastic - and fantastical - creatures to entertain you.

We'll be showing the world screening premiere of Episodes 1 and 2 of the new webseries, Mind My Brains, Darling, locally made by our own Browncoats, Higlet Films. Episode 1 is live as of Monday but you'll be the first to see Episode 2! Watch teasers and learn more about the series at their website.

Standard Action, another locally made series, is full of adventure and humour, following a rag-tag band of magical creatures as they quest and quarrel their way across the land.  CSTS Vancouver is pleased to present these original webseries to a new audience.

Members of both series will be appearing at a panel at Geek Girl Con in Seattle in October, so you can catch them there talking about the ins and outs of producing your own webseries.  In the meantime, enjoy them on the big screen at CSTS Vancouver on Saturday and meet members of both casts.

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #8

Ready for Quote #8? 

"You got the right same as anyone to live and try to kill people."

Remember: speaker and episode for all 10 quotes to be e-mailed to cstsvancouver@gmail.comby midnight June 23rd.  Winner will be announced at CSTS Vancouver on Saturday morning.

One Week Today - CSTS Vancouver 2011. Do You Have Your Ticket Yet?

Are you missing the high of the Canucks run to the Stanley Cup? Feeling a bit let down due to the aftermath? Why not come to CSTS Vancouver on Saturday, June 25th? It's a fun day and we raise money for two good charities: Equality Now and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation.  Even if you aren't a Browncoat, you're sure to find something you like at our silent auction.  How about this - a Star Trek clock radio, donated by William.

Or how about a souvenir from "V"?  Maybe the parking name plate for one or both of our BDHs who also were in that series.  Yes, the genuine article, donated by a local Browncoat & sci-fi geek who bought them -and some other shiny items - at the prop sale.

If you prefer the Doctor, we have something for you, too.  In addition to the knitted Red Dalek seen in a previous post, we have an Adipose, crocheted by Myntkat.

You can read more about the Adipose - and other Dr. Who creatures - in The Time Traveller's Almanac, donated by Colleen.

Stay tuned for more great Firefly/Serenity items, including autographed ones!  Don't forget that the Silent Auction, grab bags, bingo cards or anything else to be purchase are cash only.

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #7

How are you doing so far? Finding the answers easy? Well, this one is - short and sweet today.

"Mercy is the mark of a great man."

You've got it already, don't you?  I thought so. Well, it still counts. :)

Crafty & Creative Geeks Abound!

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind item that shows off your favourite fandom?  Then be sure to come to CSTS Vancouver 2011 and bid on some of the wonderful auction items we have.  The cross-stitch Big Damn Heroes made by Amber from Cthulhu Crochet and Cousins were such a hit last year that she has come up with new ones this year.  There are two framed pieces, plus some smaller ones - and a Jayne bookmark that will go with the Jayne's hat from Serena's Everything Jayne's Hat Emporium.  In addition, Lisa-Marie has incorporated Amber's BDH designs onto a beautiful bag.

If you're a fan of Blue Sun products, take a look at this beautiful pillow made by Katherine Wrigley.

Perhaps you're a Dr. Who fan.  Katherine has also made a Red Dalek.

Keep checking for more auction items and don't forget to buy your tickets so you can bid on them.  Only eight days left!

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote # 6

We're halfway through our quote contest, how are you doing so far?  Last quote will be June 22nd, then e-mail CSTSVancouver [at] gmail [dot] com with your answers by midnight June 23rd.

Today's quote:  The important thing is the spices.

Remember to give the speaker and the episode when you send your entry in on June 23rd!  Good luck!

Costume Contest Details

Which Firefly/Serenity character do you see yourself as?  Mal? Inara? River? Kaylee? Shepherd Book?  Maybe you like to wear Hawaiian shirts and play with dinosaurs. Maybe you like to wear a 'cunning' hat and carry a gun named Vera.  Perhaps a very proper doctor is more your style.  Or do you look good in a 'slinky' dress?  Whatever your preference, why not attend this year's CSTS Vancouver in costume?  There are two categories: any character from Firefly or Serenity (is a lovebot your style?) or a character from any of Whedon's other shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog or Dollhouse.

If you want to be judged in the costume contest, we ask that you arrive at the Space Centre between 10:15 and 10:30 and proceed to the Ray Whittick Lounge.  (There will be signs.)  Once there you will pose for the judges and our official photographer.  All contestants will then do a parade onto the stage just after 1 pm where the prizes will be awarded.

Let your imagination run wild - but not too wild.  Remember this is a family event, so no Echo as a dominatrix, please. :)

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #5

Do you have the speaker and episode for Quotes 1 - 4?  Are you ready for #5?

"When this is over, I'll be able to help you; I'll be able to make your nightmares go away."

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #4

Time for Quote #4.  Don't forget to keep track of your answers in order and then e-mail all 10 of them to CSTSVancouver@gmail.com by midnight, June 23rd.

"I like to meet new people; they've all got stories."

Can't Stop The Serenity 2010 Vancouver

Here's a sample of last year's CSTS Vancouver event, thanks to WorldofHiglet and her husband.

Guild Fans Alert!

Are you a fan of Felicia Day's webseries, The Guild? Then do we have auction items for you.

First up: Season 3 DVDs, signed by all of the cast and donated by AlanD.  We also have all their signatures on The Guild #1 comic, as well as a cast picture.  Felicia and Amy (Tink) both signed the Season 4 DVDs, and Amy and the artist both autographed a large poster of the cover of the The Guild's Tink comic.  In addition, we have The Guild TPB.  Any one of these could be yours if you bring enough cashy money to bid high.

 Stay tuned for more exciting silent auction items.

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #3

Who do you think said this - and in what episode?


"There's times I don't think you take me seriously."

Online Trivia Quiz - Quote #2

Are you ready for the second quote?

"Looked bigger when I couldn't see him."

Remember:  who said it and what episode of Firefly was it in.  When you have all 10 answers, e-mail them to CSTS Vancouver and we'll draw a winner on June 25th during the introductions.

Good luck!

A Delicious New Donor

We are pleased to announce that we have a new donor on board! C&C Cakery in Burnaby will be making special Firefly-inspired baked goods that can be purchased at CSTS Vancouver for a donation.  They will also be donating a gift certificate to the auction.  I don't know about you, but just looking at those pictures of Kaylee's Cupcakes makes my mouth water.  Can you imagine the looks on your fellow Browncoats' faces when you treat them to such a delectable confection with the gift certificate you purchased at our silent auction?  Of course, you could keep them all for yourself, but Browncoats are so good at sharing.  Aren't they?

The Kaylee Cupcake - ain't it purty?