WE'RE NOT JUST WHEDON FANS!

Most of us who come to CSTS events are Joss Whedon fans, but we are usually also fans of other TV series, books and movies in the genre.

For the costume contest, we like to stick to the Whedonverse, with a prize for the best Firefly/Serenity-related costume and one for any Whedon-related character - or would-be character.  Costumes need to be creative, homemade and in good taste, keeping in mind that there could be young children present.

For auction items, though, we are eclectic in our tastes, as shown by the photos below.  You've already seen the replica Battlestar Galactica original series lunchbox and the wonderful Game of Thrones cookbook and puzzle plus, but here are a few other items you may want to spend your money on.  (Cash only, please.)

An autographed picture of Clare Kramer aka Glory/Glorificus in Season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

More lovely drawings from James Hanse.  First up from Game of Thrones, Daenerys:

What about Sherlock Holmes?

Or perhaps you prefer Indiana Jones?

Are you a Lord of the Rings fan?  Never been used extended version DVDs of The Fellowship of the Rings and Return of the King.

Tomorrow - some of the books we have.

FIRST LOOK AT SOME OF OUR AUCTION ITEMS

A Battlestar Galactica Original Series REPLICA lunchbox.

We were given some gently used maquettes of Firefly figures, including Wash and River Tam facing the Reavers.

Stay tuned for more pictures, including original artwork, crafty geek items and more.

AUCTION ITEMS!

I hope you have been saving your cashy money for our event because we have some shiny things for you to bid on.  Here are just a few.

R2D2 flashing colour thingy. :)

Buffy sketch book, signed by artist Georges Jeanty

Buffy comic signed by James Marsters (Spike)

Dollhouse S1 DVDs signed by Patton Oswalt (Joel Minor in "Man on The Street", ep 6) and Felicia Day (Meg in "Epitaph One").

Stay tuned for more pictures and an online scavenger hunt!

T-SHIRTS, WE HAVE THEM!

You think you don't have enough geeky t-shirts and are looking for a new one?  Then look no further because CSTS Vancouver has several in our silent auction.  If you're a die-hard Browncoat or a casual fan, we have something for you.  Just look at these shiny shirts - including one that reads "Shiny"!  Don'r forget to save up and bring lots of cashy money so that you go home with the items that you absolutely must have - and can feel good about it because all the money raised goes to support organisations helping women and girls.

If you're not in the market for a new t-shirt, keep checking back because I'll be posting pictures of more items in the silent auction - and this year we will be having a few special items in a live auction.

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. 

SPECIAL eBAY AUCTION ITEM!

As if we didn't have enough shiny items at our silent auction last weekend, we received a donation that we thought was worthy of putting on eBay.  Today's the day.  For one week only, you can bid on Buffy the Vampire Slayer's "Once More With Feeling" songbook, signed by Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar!  One of our CSTS volunteers has donated this unused book which he had signed when Sarah was in Vancouver filming the movie Possession, which was released in 2009.

The proceeds of this sale will go in to our CSTS Vancouver totals for Equality Now and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation, so click the link above and bid high and bid often!

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.

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!

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?

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.

What's a Firefly/Serenity Event Without A Jayne's Hat?

Serena has once again knitted and donated one of her (justly) famous Jayne's hats. She has also donated a Jayne's hat tea cosy. (Teapot not included.) Check out Serena's Everything Jayne's Hat Emporium for some of her other clever ideas. Toilet paper roll cover, anyone?



Local Browncoat Diana donated a stack of Serenity postcards, including these four 'travel posters', designed by well-known California Browncoat, lexigeek (Adam Levermore), who designed the logo and t-shirts for CSTS 2007 & 2008.









Another of our annual donors, The Comic Shop, has donated the new Firefly: Still Flying book. Not only are there lots of behind-the-scenes photos - some new - but it also includes four new stories by some of the writers of the series, including Jane Espenson and Ben Edlund.

Ever Sailed in a Firefly?

We're happy that once again this year Jewel Staite (Kaylee) has generously donated some shiny items for our silent auction. She has autographed some new photos of Kaylee, each one with a special message, appropriate to the picture.

Auction Items from Other Fandoms

We said we were equal opportunity and here's the proof - donated items from other fandoms.

An autographed picture of Justin Hartley, Green Arrow on Smallville, donated by one of our local members, Amie:



One of three sets of Buffy collectible cards, donated by Tristan.



And an autographed copy of an Angel comic, featuring Drusilla, written by Drusilla herself - Juliet Landau. Generously donated by Lioness, CSTS Toronto organiser.



So come to CSTS Vancouver, bring lots of cashy money, because that's the only kind we accept, and pick up an item - or two or three - at the auction, knowing your money is going to a good cause. It's a win/win situation!

Thanks to everyone who ordered a t-shirt or hoodie. They will be available to be picked up on the day of the event. If you missed out, we will have a t-shirt and a hoodie available at the silent auction to bid on. A reminder that the auction will be cash only.

We also have prizes for the Evil Laugh contest, Costume contest, and the Whedon trivia bingo. As part of the bingo prize package, I'm donating this cast picture from Dollhouse, signed by Shawna Trpcic, the costume designer. Shawna was also the costume designer for Firefly, Serenity, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and The Cabin in The Woods, which was filmed here and will be released in early 2011.



One of the newest BC Browncoats has donated a very shiny necklace she made to the auction.


Proving that we are an equal opportunity Geekdom, I am also donating this sheet of never-been-opened Star Wars US stamps to the auction.

Shiny Auction Items & T-Shirt Deadline!

Don't forget to order your t-shirt(s), hoodie or patches from the buttons below. Please include colour under 'special instructions' on your PayPal checkout page. Deadline is midnight, Friday, May 7th. See previous post for details and pictures.

Here are a few more items that will be available in our silent auction.

The Guild Season 2 DVD, signed by the stars at Comic-Con 2009, donated by AlanD.

Dr. Horrible goggles, donated by the California Browncoats. The top ones, which will go in the auction, are signed by Zack Whedon, Jed Whedon and Maurisa Tancharoen. The bottom ones are signed by Felicia Day and will be included as a door prize.

More Firefly cross-stitch from Amber.

Keep checking back to see more prizes and auction items. Don't forget to buy your tickets.