AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! WITH COSTUMES!

I'm sure by now that most, if not all, of you have seen the biggest blockbuster movie of the year - which is piling up more records as we speak.  If you haven't, why not?? It's a Joss Whedon film.  It says so right in the credits - and it's oh so sweet to see.  It's also a damn fine movie.  Combined with The Cabin in the Woods, Joss has had two movies in the top 10 for two weeks!  And Joss being the person he is, he wrote a thank you letter to his fans on Whedonesque.  If you haven't read it, it's here  You might want to read some of the 440+ comments - and comment yourself if you're a member.  (Whedonesque membership was opened yesterday.)  My favourite line? If you think topping a box office record compares with someone telling you your work helped them through a rough time, you're probably new here.

So now that you've seen his two new movies - possibly multiple times - it's time to gear up to see his first movie, Serenity.   It didn't make the box office splash we were all hoping for, but it still lives on in our hearts - and every year in Can't Stop The Serenity.

Since there's just four weeks (from yesterday) to go before the big event, now's the time to start thinking of your costume.  This year's contest will be a bit different.  There will still be one prize for the best Firefly/Serenity costume, but 2012 deserves a whole new category, to wit: SuperPowers!  If you could have any superpower(s), what would it be? Would you fit in with the Avengers? or would you be more likely to apply to the Evil League of Evil? Whatever your superpower, come up with an original costume to match (ie not one of Marvel's characters) and be prepared to tell the judges your Super name, superpower and how you would use that - for good or for evil!  Assemble in the Whittick Lounge on June 9th at 10:30 am to display your talents - or at least your costume.  There will be a parade of costumes on stage later in the day.  Judges will be looking for originality and creativity in both costumes and superpowers.  Good luck and I look forward to seeing what new members might be joining the Avengers ( or the ELE).

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!

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. :)

FINAL TOTALS FOR 2010

We had our best year ever in 2010, raising a total of $4,436.56, which meant $3,550 (rounded up) to Equality Now and $900 (also rounded up) to BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre Foundation.  We received lovely thank you notes from both.

Before we get to CSTS 2011 (planning has already started!), I would like to thank all of our generous sponsors, especially The Comic Shop, Happy Bats Cinema and Serena's Everything Jayne's Hat Emporium for donating each of our five years.  We hope those relationships will continue in the coming years.  Please continue to support our sponsors as they support us.  I'd also like to thank all the volunteers on the organising committee, those who helped out throughout the day, those who contributed prizes or items for the silent auction.  This fundraising event could not continue without you and would not have been possible in the first place without the support of Serena Reynolds, Organiser of the BC Browncoats.

Coming soon: Date and time for CSTS Vancouver 2011, the winning artwork and more.  If you would like to be involved in any way, please e-mail us at CSTSVancouver@gmail.com.  (Hope you like the new look.)

More Exciting Items for the Auction!

Are you one of the people who was bidding on Greg Edmonson's signed Firefly soundtrack CD last year and lost out when it went for $75!! Good news, not only did Greg sign and donate another one this year, but he also signed and donated a CD of his soundtrack to the Uncharted 2 video game, which recently won a BAFTA award!

Other items which have come in over the past couple of days include a 14" radio-controlled Dalek from Dr. Who; an Empress of the Racnoss action figure also from Dr. Who, donated by Comic Land; a Kevin Smith Inaction Figure, donated by Scott, and signed CDs from Paul and Storm, one of Wil Wheaton's favourite geek bands, along with an appropriate T-shirt.

If you ever wanted one of Adam Levermore (aka lexigeek's) original design maquettes, now's your chance. Quantum Mechanix only made 1500 of the Kaylee Maquettes, and they are sold out, but we have one, thanks to a generous donation from RX Comics.

We also have a $50 gift card from Windsor Plywood and a $100 gift card from Cibo Trattoria restaurant.

Again this year, Academie Duello has given us two gift certificates to enroll in one of their courses. This time each gift certificate is for two people, so bring your mother, father, sister, brother, partner, or friend and learn to sword fight!

If you don't have your ticket, you will be kicking yourself for missing out on all these wonderful donations. Don't forget to bring lots of cash with you, as that is the only thing we accept - and remember that it all goes to two very worthwhile charities, so it's win-win - you help women in BC and all over the world have better and healthier lives - and you end up with a special item - or two or three! - to cherish for a long time. Tickets are still available at Happy Bats Cinema (2830 Main Street) and by PayPal by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button at the bottom of this page.

Details of the costume contest will be posted shortly and the schedule of events will be up early next week.