CSTS 2012 PATCHES NOW AVAILABLE!

Anyone wishing to purchase a patch with this year's logo on it can now do so, but in order for them to be made and shipped before early screenings such as ours, there is a very short window of opportunity. Deadline to order is Noon on Tuesday, May 1st.  There may be one or two available at the event, but if you want to make sure you get one, please order now.  This year the patches will be embroidered instead of woven to emphasize the details.  Patches are $4.00 each.  Just click on the button to the right.  The shape is the outlined design.

FANEXPO VANCOUVER 2012 A BIG SUCCESS!

Vancouver's first (annual) comic-con was an overwhelming success, thanks to all the local sci-fi/fantasy/anime/gamer fans in the area - and out of it.

FanExpo gave CSTS Vancouver a booth at the con - which we shared with the BC Browncoats - and they also allowed us to sell tickets to CSTS Vancouver.  Estimates of the number of guests who dropped by our booth would be between 500 and 600.  If even 10% of the people who had never heard of CSTS come out on June 9th, we should have an awesome turnout.  If you are one of those people who liked or loved Firefly and Serenity but haven't been to one of the fundraising events, thank you for stopping by and I hope you will consider coming out to CSTS Vancouver and supporting our charities while having a great time.  It's a Shiny Shindig, for sure!

Thank you to all the volunteers who were so cheerful and informative to all:  Ashley, Jordan, Ari, Laura, Robert, Colleen, Julia, Pippa and Andrea.  Thanks to Vanessa, who offered to fill in if needed, even though the Standard Action booth was very busy, to Val & Michael, running the BIFF/BSG/Sci-Fi club booth next door for all their help, to Paul for making a standout sign, and to Paul and Priya for asking for - and receiving - a couple of signed photos for our auction - one from Nicholas Brendan (Xander from Buffy) and one from Marina Sirtis (Counselor Troi.on Star Trek: The Next Generation).  Special thanks also to Buffy comics artist George Jeanty who donated two signed colour prints to the auction, without even being asked!  (Photos of those and other auction and prize items will be starting to go up in the next week or so.)

Thanks to FanExpo for the opportunity to spread the word about Can't Stop The Serenity and thanks to all of you who dropped by to talk - even briefly - about Firefly and Serenity - and especially to those who bought tickets.

I look forward to seeing many new faces at this year's event. 

Last Chance to Buy T-shirts and Hoodies

The deadline to buy this year's CSTS t-shirts and hoodies is midnight on Friday, April 13th.  Make it a lucky day and purchase yours before it's too late.  We will have one (women's) t-shirt and one hoodie available at the auction but otherwise there will be no opportunity to own one.  Scroll down for the pictures of the garments.  Remember, not only do you get a great t-shirt or hoodie (or both), but you are contributing to three excellent charities - and showing your support as you do.  All paid t-shirts and hoodies will be available for pickup at CSTS Vancouver on Saturday, June 9th.

Go. Click on the button. You know you want to!!

Why "Can't Stop The Serenity"?

This is the seventh year for the global events known as Can't Stop The Serenity or CSTS and we have no intention of slowing down.  Originally founded by Portland's theonetrueb!X and friends to enable them to see Serenity again on a big screen while raising money for Equality Now, the movement has spread around the world, drawing Browncoats together in a great cause.  Many cities also support local charities.  In Vancouver, we have raised over $20,000 in the past six years, also donating to BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation for several years and in 2012 we are adding Avalon Women's Centres Vancouver as a beneficiary.

Equality Now focuses on helping women and girls throughout the world in areas such as female genital mutilation (FGM), human trafficking, equal rights and ending violence.  Check out their website for some of their current campaigns as well as some of their successes.

Five years ago, a young woman - a teenager, actually - named Du'a Khalil Aswad was stoned to death by a group of men, including members of her family, who disapproved of her actions.  During the stoning, many of the men filmed her death on their phones and posted them to the Internet.  Suddenly the world could see in full colour the violence of so-called 'honour killings'.  And at least some of the world responded.  Joss Whedon posted his thoughts on Whedonesque when the story hit the mainstream media and as a result, fans became involved in projects such as Nothing But Red.  It also made many Browncoats more determined than ever to fight to end violence and discrimination against women and girls, wherever they may be.

If you are moved by Du'a Khalil's story or by any of the stories on Equality Now's website - or stories that can be heard on the news on any given night - please consider donating to the Can't Stop The Serenity movement.  Buy a ticket to your local event, buy a t-shirt or hoodie to show your support, donate or sponsor an item for an auction, raffle or prize, or just make a donation through your nearest city's blog or webpage, or through Equality Now, letting them know what CSTS city you are supporting.  Every dollar helps.  If you can't afford a donation, buy a ticket and volunteer.  If there isn't a CSTS event near you, consider organising one of your own next year.  It doesn't have to be a full-fledged, all-day event.  It can be a smaller affiliate event, even a gathering of your friends to watch Serenity and raise some money for Equality Now.

Now more than ever is the time to get involved and stand up for women's rights and especially their right to be safe from violence.  Please think of Du'a Khalil Aswad and the women and girls all over the world who need our help and give generously to CSTS 2012.  Not only will you feel good that you are doing something to help others in need, but you'll have a great time at your local event, whatever they do.  CSTS Organisers put in a lot of time and money to make their events fun for attendees and successful in terms of raising money, so come out and support your local event and be a part of a global movement.  See you there!

The Announcement You've Been Waiting For

Good news! We will also be showing 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog ©’ screened by permission from Time Science Blood Club, LLC at CSTS Vancouver on June 9th.  Tickets are available right now from the button on your right and will also be available at the CSTS Vancouver/BC Browncoats table at FanExpo on April 21st and 22nd at the western Vancouver Convention Centre (cash only, exact price - $15 each - would be appreciated).  Come see us, buy your ticket and enter your name for a special draw to be held at CSTS.  


Don't forget to order your t-shirts and hoodies - buttons on right.  Deadline is April 13th.