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. 

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.

FAN EXPO COMING TO VANCOUVER!

For the first time ever, FanExpo is coming to Vancouver for a weekend "comic con" aimed at fans of comics, TV, anime, games, etc.  Check out guests announced so far. At just $30 for unlimited access all weekend, this will be a great opportunity to see some of your favourite TV and comic stars.

The con is the weekend of April 21st and 22nd and CSTS Vancouver has applied for a fan table to be shared with the BC Browncoats.  We are looking for volunteers to crew the table during the open hours: 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.  If you are willing to commit to a four to six hour shift on either day, preferably in costume or at least a geeky shirt and possibly a Jayne's hat, please e-mail me at cstsvancouver@gmail.com.  I would like to have two people at the table at all times with other people relieving at various points.  I plan to be there throughout the two days.  We have also been granted permission to sell tickets for CSTS Vancouver 2012.

Stay tuned for more information on ticket, t-shirts and hoodies sales.

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE & SOME 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 $2 donation. Bingo cards are $.25 each with no limit and will be two lines in any direction rather than full blackout card for the win.

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, courtesy of John at La Fontana Caffe & friends, 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.

Please note that pay parking is now in effect at the Space Centre/Museum lot at a rate of $2 per hour; $10 flat rate for the day until 6 pm and $5 flat rate from 6 pm until 6 am. Since this change is fairly recent, EasyPark has been patrolling rather vigorously, especially just after 6 pm! There is little to no on-street parking in the area except for residents. If you are a member of the BC Browncoats there is a thread on the message board for anyone interested in carpooling.

FINAL REMINDER THAT ALL MONETARY TRANSACTIONS ARE CASH ONLY, so bring plenty of it and take home something special while helping to support Equality Now and BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation!

CSTS VANCOUVER 2010 - SCHEDULE - Saturday, June 26th

10:30 Doors open

11:00 Welcome
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog sing-along

11:50 Evil Laugh Contest

12:15 The Masked Roger

12:40 Costume Contest Parade & Prizes

1:00 Browncoats:Redemption

2:00 Whedon-works Bingo

3:00 Silent Auction ends; doors close
Introductions to movie

3:20 SERENITY

5:30 Auction winners announced - items to be picked up in the Lounge
Closing remarks and thank yous.

COSTUME CONTEST DETAILS

Since we are doing things a little bit differently this year, the costume contest needs its own post. (The Schedule will be up in a couple of days.)

We're asking anyone who wants to take part in the costume contest to arrive early (doors open at 10:30) and follow the signs to the Ray Whittick Lounge. You will then have your picture taken by the official photographer and the three judges will rate your costume based on a point system which will take into account creativity, originality, craftmanship, relation to the category and overall impression. Judging will take place between 10:30 and 11:00 so that everyone can join the festivities when they start.

The two categories are: Firefly/Serenity 'verse and the greater Whedonverse.

At about 12:40, there will be a parade of contestants to the stage, where everyone can admire the wonderful array of costumes, and the prizes will be awarded.

Good luck to everyone!

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.

More Auction Items from Other Fandoms

We have been so lucky this year with donations from our members and some made by our members.

Robert from Happy Bats has donated a "Faith" from Angel action figure/diarama. It's still in the packaging and will be a sweet deal for any Faith fan.



Have you been watching V? One of the stars of that show, Logan Huffman who plays Tyler, signed a picture and donated it to us.















Kim knit this Dalek from Dr. Who. Aren't you just waiting for it to say "Exterminate! Exterminate!"?


VCON 35, Vancouver's science-fiction, fantasy, anime and everything geek con will be taking place from October 1-3rd. The theme this year is steampunk and they have donated two weekend passes for one, one of which includes a book by the special guest author, Cherie Priest.



If you enjoyed the latest Star Trek movie, you will want to own one of these actions figures from it, including Scotty and the original Spock.


Speaking of Canadian-born actors playing spaceship engineers, we love Jewel Staite as Kaylee, but she went on to play a doctor on Stargate:Atlantis and she has donated two cast pictures, signed by all of them. These are quite rare and we are honoured that she has given us two.

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.

Are You Ready To Sing??

Great news! The CSTS cities have been given permission to show Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog at our events, so start exercising your vocal chords in preparation for singing along with Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion. Of course, you have already been practising your evil laugh for our Evil Laugh Contest, haven't you?

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.

Deadline Reminder!

Don't forget if you want a t-shirt, hoodie or patches, the order - with payment - must be in by midnight Friday, May 7th. You can specify the colour under "instructions to the merchant" or e-mail me at serenityscreeningvancouver@yahoo.ca. Samples of the colours are in the post below and the PayPal buttons are at the bottom of the page. Why not try a blue or green shirt this year?

EXCITING NEWS!

This just in! Vancouver has been picked as one of the seven CSTS cities to show a rough cut of the fan film, Browncoats: Redemption. Their official world premiere of the finished film (about 40 minutes in length) will be at Dragon*Con in September, but they are providing copies to the seven cities whose (short) essays they deemed the best. The topic was why your city should be picked. Watch the video announcement here.

Also, we will have the big screen debut of at least eight (very short) episodes of The Masked Roger: Mental Perceptionist, an original applicant to the Evil League of Evil, conceived, written, filmed, directed, and starring our own AlanD.

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.

Tickets, T-shirts, Hoodies & Patches - Buy Now!

Good news on all fronts! Tickets are now available for sale at Happy Bats Cinema (2830 Main Street) and at La Fontana Caffe (NE corner of Hastings & Boundary) - cash only at both places, please - as well as the button at the bottom of this blog. Price is $15 cash and $16 through PayPal on the blog. Tickets bought through the blog will be available at Will Call on the day of the event.

T-shirts, hoodies and patches with the CSTS 2010 logo are now up for pre-sale for a limited time. Orders must be in and paid for by midnight, Friday, May 7th. This year the t-shirts come in men's and women's styles and in a variety of colours. Please specify the colour desired in the "special instructions" section of the PayPal form when clicking on the buttons below.

T-shirts, both men's and women's, are $20 if paid in person and $22 through the blog; hoodies are $35 in person and $38 through the blog. Patches are $7.00. The hoodies are pull-on (not zippered) and will have the triangular logo on the front, with the list of cities hosting events this year on the back as well as Global sponsors, the same as the t-shirts. Patches will be the round logo (as seen in the previous post) and will be 4 inches in diameter. All merchandise can be picked up on the day of the event. If you are not able to come to the screening but would like a t-shirt, hoodie or patch, we will get it to you either at another event or by mail.

Choices of colours for the t-shirts and hoodies are seen below. Please note that not all colours are available in all styles. Here's a link to a sample of the unisex/men's t-shirt and here's the style of hoodie.

Unisex (men's) t-shirts are available in: black, dark chocolate, chestnut, miliary/Jayne green, sapphire and yellow haze.

Women's t-shirts are available in: black, chestnut, kiwi and royal blue.

Hoodies are available in: black, dark chocolate, kiwi and royal blue.


Yellow haze (M) Black (all) Chestnut (M & W) Dark Chocolate (M & H)



Sapphire (M) Royal Blue (W & H) Military/Jayne Green (M) Kiwi (W & H)

CSTS Vancouver 2010 is ON!!

It’s happening again!! We have a confirmed date, place and time for Vancouver's 5th Annual Can't Stop The Serenity event! Last year, we raised $3,743.17, of which 20% went to BC Women's Hospital Foundation. (We rounded it up to $750, with the other $3,000 going to Equality Now.) This year we want to top that and have an exciting line-up of activities to enjoy.

Already, we have received items for our silent auction, including a $50 gift card to a group of restaurants that includes Swiss Chalet, Harveys and Milestones donated by Scott and this cross-stitch framed picture by Amber.

Shiny, isn’t it? Yours could be the winning bid!

Keep checking back for more auction items and prizes. Start thinking about your costume if you want to enter the costume contest - and bone up on your Whedon trivia. This year’s bingo will include questions from all of Joss’s shows: Buffy, Angel, Firefly/Serenity, Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible!

When:

Saturday, June 26th
11 am - 5:30 pm

Where:

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
1100 Chestnut Street
Vancouver, BC
There is a large paid parking lot and transit runs within a few blocks - or you could take the Granville Island Ferry to the Vancouver Maritime Museum which is right next door.

Tickets ($15 in person, $16 through PayPal) can be purchased through the button at the bottom of the page or in person from the organisers. For more information, e-mail serenityscreeningvancouver@yahoo.ca.

Watch for an announcement about T-shirts for order. You can also follow us on Twitter @CSTSVancouver

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