PDX Browncoats, Film Action Oregon, The Portland Mercury - Can't Stop The Serenity - Joss Whedon's 'Serenity' To Benefit Equality Now and the Women's Film Initiative - June 22 & 23 at the Hollywood Theatre

A Message From Joss Whedon
(Plus: You Are Dua Khalil)

Local Total:
$13,000

Global As Of 22 August:
$121,806.05 (est)

Women's Film Initiative:
Approx. $1,000

All Updates

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22 August 2007: As first announced at Firefly at the Mission on 21 August 2007, PDX Browncoats raised more than $13,000 for Equality Now at this year's Cant Stop The Serenity charity screenings (and over $1,000 for the Women's Film Initiative). That's a combined total that nearly doubles last year's take of $7,200.

06 July 2007: As you might have noticed, we have a preliminary sense of this year's totals. While we still won't have the final figures for a bit, we do know that we've reach (and, well, passed) our goal for this year of $10,000 for Equality Now. In addition, we raised at least $1,000 for the Women's Film Initiative. At the global level, with just a couple of sites left to report, the Can't Stop the Serenity effort this year is less than $2,000 shy of the worldwide goal of $100,000 -- and it's fully expected that once all estimates are in, we will have passed that goal.

01 July 2007: As promised, the remaining inventory of global event t-shirts and posters now are available for order. Please note that the order process has changed since the pre-order period prior to the screenings. We now ask that you simply email us (information on the Merchandise page) with your full order and we will send you an invoice and payment instructions. You also have the opportunity to order the local commemorative shirts which event staff were wearing at the shows.

27 June 2007: Earlier, we posted the video of what we call The Birthday Moment. Today, we bring you the audio of Scott Allie's talk (mp3) before a nearly sold-out crowd inside the historic Hollywood Theatre at our charity Serenity screening on the night of Friday, June 22. Allie, of course, is Joss Whedon's editor at Dark Horse Comics. Among other things, his credits include Serenity: Those Left Behind and the forthcoming Serenity: Better Days, and he edits the current Buffy: Season 8 series. It was near the end of this talk that Allie (as far as we know for the first time) cryptically hinted at what turned out to be the announcement which came this past Monday, that Joss would be auctioning off the chance for five people to have dinner with him during Comic-Con weekend.

27 June 2007: With only 26 sites reporting in so far, the global take of this year's Can't Stop the Serenity charity screenings stands at an estimated $69,338.84. This means we've already surpassed last year's final total.

26 June 2007: An interview with Joss Whedon conducted by Comic Book Resources, about the forthcoming "Dinner with Joss" charity auction, references last year's charity screenings of Serenity and discusses Joss' support for Equality Now.

25 June 2007: If you missed it, or just want to see it again, we've posted to YouTube a little video we call The Birthday Moment, wherein the Friday screening here in the Portland of Oregon, founding city of the global charity Serenity screenings movement, itself becomes a global event.

25 June 2007: We are carefully and deliberately gathering our numbers and making sure to account for any remaining expenses before we announce an estimated amount raised for Equality Now and the Women's Film Initiative. But also keep an eye out for when we open up orders for the commemorative t-shirts for this year's event. You know, the ones that event staff were wearing this weekend that many of you asked about. And, if you want yet another opportunity to raise money for Equality Now, get ready for July, when you can bid on the chance to win dinner with Joss during this year's Comic-Con.

24 June 2007: We'll have a more extensive post-event report in several days. But for now, our thanks to everyone who came out to the screenings. No totals to report yet from us, but you can track the global numbers on the main Can't Stop The Serenity website. As of early Sunday afternoon, with only fourteen of the cities reporting in so far, the worldwide take already is up to over $41,000 -- well on the way to the global goal of $100,000 for this second annual event. We hope everyone, both around the world and right here in the Portland of Oregon (founding city of the charity screenings movement) had a great time this weekend. Thanks for what already is another successful fundraising event for Equality Now.

23 June 2007: One down, one to go! Our thanks to everyone who came out to Friday night's screening. Not quite sold out, but 435 seats in a venue of 450-460 definitely qualifies as "close enough". We have no preliminary figures to mention just yet, but things are looking good. Our thanks as well to the Buffy Musical (which happened at midnight at a different venue) for mentioning our Saturday screening and encouraging people to come. Tickets are still available, but if Friday was any indication, you'll want to make sure you don't procrastinate. Again, our thanks to everyone who showed, and now let's go do one more. See you at 1:00 PM this afternoon!

22 June 2007: Well, here we are. This evening at the historic Hollywood Theatre, we present the first of our two screenings of Serenity comprising this year's second annual fundraiser for Equality Now (and, this year, the Women's Film Initiative). We haven't seen the updated ticket sales since yesterday's burst of press coverage, but the standard warnings apply: Buy your tickets now so you don't miss out! Bring some extra cash because you'll want to try to win one or more of our raffle goodies. And we will have t-shirts and posters, no longer available for pre-order, for sale at the shows.

21 June 2007: With only one day to go before the first of our two screenings, both The Portland Mercury (actually, twice) and The Oregonian (on the front page of the Living section) today provide helpful reminders. So buy your tickets while there's still time.

20 June 2007: Around the globe events are beginning to sell out. Here in the Portland of Oregon, founding city of the charity screenings movement, we've done our best to avoid turning people away, as we had to do at last year's sold out event. That's why this year we present two screenings. But don't let that lull you into what could be a false sense of security. Instead, buy your tickets today! You won't want to miss the show, or the commemorative t-shirts, or the raffle. If you're there on Friday, you'll hear from Scott Allie, Joss Whedon's editor at Dark Horse Comics. And on Saturday, you'll be able to walk directly from the historic Hollywood Theatre to our post-event shindig. Two screenings. Two charities. Two days. All for the second year of this annual event. Don't miss out!

18 June 2007: Our site don't crash! She crashes, you crashed her! Well, okay, that's a lie. You didn't crash our site last week. The server just stopped responding. But now we're all moved over to a hosting provider, so all is well, and should remain so. Which is good, because there are only four days left before the Portland of Oregon, founding city of Can't Stop the Serenity, brings you the first of two charity screenings of Serenity to benefit Equality Now and the Women's Film Initiative. So buy your tickets today. On the day of show, prices rise. And remember, last year's screening sold out and we had to turn people away. So you want to make sure you don't miss out.

15 June 2007: Seven days left. Ready yet? Buy your tickets! Help promote! Here we go.

12 June 2007: Immediately following our Saturday screening, we will be having something of an after-party at Moon & Sixpence, just a couple of blocks away from the Hollywood Theatre. Moon & Sixpence has graciously agreed to donate 5% of the evening's food sales to Equality Now. So when the movie's done, and you've collected whatever raffle items you've won (because you are going to enter the raffle, right?) head on over for some delicious British pub fare and continue helping the cause. Festivities will begin at 5:00 PM on 23 June. Minors are permitted, but restricted to the spacious outdoor patio, until 9:00 PM.

11 June 2007: Want to help promote the screenings now that we're in the home stretch? All of the various iterations of our promotional material now are available for download. That means handbills, flyers, and posters. While we're going to be establishing a number of locations around town where interested "street team" members can pick up copies to distribute, if you work someplace, or frequent someplace, that you know would put up a flyer or poster and/or set out handbills, feel free to download this material and print up just what you need. If you do put any of our material up and about somewhere, please email us and let us know where, so we can keep track of what's been covered.

06 June 2007: Join us this coming Sunday, 10 June, for A Day In Hollywood, beginning with bowling from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (with the chance for shindig newbies to win one of this year's screening t-shirts), and then a late lunch/early dinner at Moon & Sixpence beginning at 3:00 PM. In between -- or, really, at any time at all -- stop by the historic Hollywood Theatre to purchase your screening tickets.

05 June 2007: As some of you already know, the Buffy Musical is in town the same weekend as our Can't Stop The Serenity charity screenings. Those behind the Musical have just announced that they will be donating $1 per ticket to Equality Now via our fundraiser. Should the Musical sell out, that means approximately $1,000 will be added to our fundraising total this year. That event is scheduled for midnight on 22 June and 23 June, therefore giving everyone plenty of time to go to our charity screenings and the Buffy event, and be contributing to Equality Now all around. Also all the more reason to make sure you buy your screening tickets early and in advance -- that way, you've got that squared away and can also afford to hit Buffy that weekend.

04 June 2007: Haven't yet bought your tickets? Want an opportunity to do so, and perhaps for your first time meet the members of PDX Browncoats? In fact, if you've never been to one of our monthly shindigs before, this is the one you should attend, because shindig newbies -- and only shindig newbies -- will have the chance to win one of this year's t-shirts. So here's the deal: This coming Sunday, 10 June, is our annual Take the Browncoats Bowling (Take Them Bowling) shindig, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Hollywood Bowl. It's "Family Day" over there, so bowling is just $1.50 per game, plus shoe rental. Following bowling, we'll be having a more typical restaurant style gathering at a location to be announced in a couple of days. And all of this, of course, will be in the historic Hollywood District, so there will be ample opportunity for you to hop over to the Hollywood Theatre and purchase your screening tickets.

03 June 2007: It's now June. So it seems like a good time for some news. We're pleased to announce that Scott Allie -- Joss Whedon's editor at Dark Horse Comics -- will be our guest for the Friday night screening. Doors open for pre-screening activities at 7:00 PM and programming begins at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $13 in advance and $18 at the door on the day of show, and are available online or at the Hollywood Theatre box office. There will be a talk with the audience prior to the movie, and he will be around during the post-movie raffle for those who want to continue the conversation a little less formally. Among other things, Allie's credits include Serenity: Those Left Behind and the forthcoming Serenity: Better Days, and he edits the current Buffy: Season 8 series. Our thanks to Allie for wanting to help make this year's events in the Portland of Oregon, birthplace of the charity screenings movement, even better than last year.

31 May 2007: The twenty-eighth edition of The Hollywood Theatre Calendar, June 8 to August 16, 2007, is now available (pdf) at The Hollywood Theatre as well as outlets throughout Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, Gresham and other areas. It includes an ad (jpg) for our screenings on the back, at the top. For what it's worth, that's likely the only place you will see that particular design, because we have something new in the works which you shortly will start seeing rather consistently. So, stay tuned.

29 May 2007: We once again are taking orders for Can't Stop The Serenity posters and t-shirts, while supplies last. Proceeds from the sale of these posters and shirts go to Equality Now, the charity-of-choice for the Can't Stop The Serenity events. The poster is a standard 27" x 40" full color one-sheet, with a list of the participating cities for 2007 in a "credit block" at the bottom. The standard t-shirt, in sizes S to 4XL, is a 100%-cotton Hanes black tagless, with the participating cities listed on the back in "tour" fashion. The "women's cut" t-shirt, in sizes S to 2XL, is a 100%-cotton Hanes black scoop-neck, with the participating cities listed on the back in "tour" fashion.

26 May 2007: For those who might have missed it, here's the audio (mp3) of Mike Russell from The Oregonian on last night's Cort and Fatboy show, pitching our charity screenings to listeners of KUFO. It's expected that similar mentions will occur every Friday until the event weekend arrives.

25 May 2007: While it's still not yet determined whether they will be going into the general raffle, a special raffle, or some form of auction (if we conduct one), it's time to reveal the identities of the authentic Serenity props which have been donated to PDX Browncoats by The Prop Store of London for use in this year's fundraising events. And so, for your viewing pleasure: Bank Heist Money Display and Reaver Throwing Razor Weapon.

19 May 2007: Late this evening, Joss posted a message to WHEDONesque that is extraordinarily relevant to the work done by Equality Now. It is a difficult read. Because of its importance, and the fact that sometimes WHEDONesque experiences high traffic, we've reproduced the message in full here on this site. Read it.

18 May 2007: Want to help promote the screenings online? Now we have a banner ad and a blog ad, for use in linking to our main page. Stay tuned for more such options and opportunities to help promote the screenings.

17 May 2007: If you're a user of Upcoming, our screening events now are listed there. Friday's event is here and Saturday's event is here. Meanwhile, this is a good time to remind you to buy your tickets to one (or both!) screenings.

15 May 2007: Pre-orders no longer are being taken for Can't Stop The Serenity t-shirts and posters. A limited quantity will be available for purchase at the screenings in June. Since you'll have to wait a little more than a month to try to get your hands on those items, perhaps now is a good time to purchase your tickets. Stay tuned here for further updates as we approach the "one month to go" mark. And start thinking about having the first weekend in June set aside, because our regular monthly shindig just might be something you'll want to attend.

14 May 2007: This is it. Today is the last and final day for pre-ordering your Can't Stop The Serenity t-shirts and posters. Proceeds from the sales of these items go to Equality Now. If you do not order today, there is no guarantee that you will find what you want at the screenings, since only a limited quantity will be available beyond what was pre-ordered.

13 May 2007: By now you know the drill. There is only one day left to pre-order your Can't Stop The Serenity t-shirts and posters, proceeds from which will go to Equality Now. Don't miss out on the chance to make sure you get what you want. Pre-order yours today.

12 May 2007: The next two days are your last chance to pre-order t-shirts and posters. Only. Two. Days. Proceeds from the sales of these items go to Equality Now. If you're undecided, check out the designs for the poster, shirt front, and shirt back. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Ordering now is the only way to make sure you get what you want. If you don't pre-order, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will find what you want at the screenings. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. And, of course, don't forget to buy your tickets to one or both screenings.

11 May 2007: If you've been holding off on pre-ordering your Can't Stop The Serenity posters and t-shirts, time is running out. There are only three days left to order them. Only. Three. Days. If you're undecided, check out the designs for the poster, shirt front, and shirt back. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Ordering now is the only way to make sure you get what you want. If you don't pre-order, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will find what you want at the screenings. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. And, of course, don't forget to buy your tickets to one or both screenings.

10 May 2007: Only four days left to order your Can't Stop The Serenity posters and t-shirts. Only. Four. Days. So click through and check out the designs and place an order or two. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Ordering now is the only way to make sure you get what you want.

09 May 2007: With only five days left to place your pre-orders for t-shirts and posters, perhaps you'd like to see the final designs rather than descriptions and mock-ups. At least, that seems reasonable to us. So head over to our Merchandise page and check out the new links to the poster design and the front and back ("tour-style") designs for the event t-shirts. Remember: While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. And don't forget to buy your tickets to the screenings.

07 May 2007: There are only seven days left to pre-order your t-shirts and posters to guarantee you get what you want. While a limited quantity of each will be available for purchase at the shows, they might sell out and in the case of the t-shirts you might not find your size. Pre-ordering, of course, also helps us make sure things are running as smoothly as possible. This is your now-daily reminder to make those pre-orders. And remember that ticket sales are up and you can start your planning to attend one or the other (or both!) of the screenings.

06 May 2007: In addition to being able to purchase tickets, and pre-order merchandise (do it by 14 May!), you now can help promote our screenings as well, with the first set of handbills and flyers. (If you were out at various shops for Free Comic Book Day yesterday, or at the Hollywood Theatre itself, you've seen these already.) If you'd like to help get the word out, download this material, print it out, and have fun. And please let us know if you find local businesses around town who agree to let you post the flyers or set out the handbills. We might want to do a little follow-up with them. Finally (for now, anyway), you also can read our press release (pdf), which started going out on Friday.

05 May 2007: Tickets are available (online and at the Hollywood Theatre box office) for advance purchase. Tickets are $13 in advance (plus a $1 fee if you purchase online rather than at the box office) and $18 at the door on the day of show. Friday, 22 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 7:00 PM and programming begins at 8:00 PM. Saturday, 23 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 1:00 PM and programming begins at 2:00 PM.

05 May 2007: And so it begins. When the Hollywood Theatre box office opens this afternoon, tickets will be available. If you're hitting Things From Another World on NE Sandy for Free Comic Book Day, you'll be able to walk right across the street and purchase your screening tickets. Then they go up online later today. Tickets are $13 in advance and $18 at the door on the day of show. Friday, 22 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 7:00 PM and programming begins at 8:00 PM. Saturday, 23 June, doors open for pre-screening activities at 1:00 PM and programming begins at 2:00 PM.

01 May 2007: While we await the final go-ahead on launching advance ticket sales, we do have something you can do right now to start supporting this year's screenings: Place your pre-orders for event posters and t-shirts. Proceeds from the sale of these items, of course, go to Equality Now, the charity-of-choice for the Can't Stop The Serenity events. While a limited quantity of posters and t-shirts will be available for purchase at the show, pre-ordering now will help ensure you get what you want. Note: Items you pre-order must be picked up at the show. Pre-orders end on 14 May.

22 April 2007: On the main page of our event site, we've begun to list some of the prizes which will be featured in the raffle drawings at our two screenings. Amongst the items coming from some of the global sponsors of this year's worldwide screenings: A voucher redeemable for a copy of the Serenity special edition DVD due this summer, a copy of Finding Serenity autographed by Jane Espenson, the fan club edition of the Alliance Currency Money Pack, and a copy of the Done the Impossible DVD documentary. This list, of course, will grow as we get closer to the weekend in question. Be sure to subscribe to event updates so you'll always know the latest.

21 April 2007: We're very close now to having the schedule set, and therefore the times for doors open and start of shows. That means advance ticket sales (and, in theory, advance sales of t-shirts and posters) are right around the corner. As a general reminder, there will be a Friday evening show and a Saturday matinee. Meanwhile, take note of the growing list of sponsors, both local and global. As we get closer to the events themselves, we will be starting to let you know just what will be available in our raffles.

16 April 2007: No updates doesn't mean nothing's going on, of course. Organizers have been meeting regularly to hash out the procedures for event sponsors, and we hope to have a final decision on ticket prices this week. Which means you'll likely be hearing more on both matters (and maybe more) in the coming days. Which makes this a good moment for a reminder: Sign up for updates via feed or email so you always have the very latest official information.

28 March 2007: While our planning meetings become increasingly more active, a couple of new pieces of information we can provide. First, we're happy to announce that The Portland Mercury has come on board today as a promotional partner. Once we're closer to the event, you'll see what that means. »

23 March 2007: This week, under the coordination of Devin Pike, 2007's follow-up to the worldwide charity screenings of Serenity conceived last year right here in Portland has reached a goal with fifty cities planning events. It seems like an opportune and appropriate moment to provide some context, looking back at 2006, to show just how impressive that is, and how well it bodes for this year. »

19 March 2007: The buzz has started, with Shawn Levy of The Oregonian blogging about the coming de facto Browncoat Summer here in the Portland of Oregon: "Because, as all Browncoats know, you can't stop the signal. Especially if its area code is 503."

18 March 2007: Another important milestone was reached today, as we received confirmation from the Hollywood Theatre that our Serenity print has been booked. This was not unexpected, of course, but one always frets a bit about any and all potential snags, however unlikely they may be. So it's nice to take note along the way as things progress as planned and intended.

15 March 2007: PDX Browncoats is proud to announce (at last!) that this year's charity screenings of Serenity will be held on Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23, at the historic Hollywood Theatre. You read that right: Two screenings this year. In addition, we are very excited to announce that 10% of the door will go to support the Women's Film Initiative. Read on for more. »

14 March 2007: Keep an eye out here. It's very likely that our venue announcement, and potentially the date announcement as well, is coming in the very near future. Then, we can get things going.

01 March 2007: As we move closer to being able to make a determination on venue and date(s) for this year's event, we therefore move closer to the beginning of the period in which new information may come quickly. So this serves as your friendly reminder to subscribe to updates from this site via feed or via email. You're not going to want to miss any important or exciting announcements, so sign up early and make sure you're in the loop.

24 February 2007: We're continuing our venue discussions. It's possible, but not certain, that next week could advance that situation. If nothing else, our next planning meeting should make some issues clearer for the organizers. While much of our planning for the event hinges on the venue selection, there's been some brainstorming on various aspects (including some interesting promotional ideas), so once the venue is selected, we should be able to hit the ground more or less running on a number of things.

20 February 2007: During an online meeting last night to discuss some organizational issues for the overall worldwide event, the following comment was made by Devin Pike, this year's global coordinator: "We can't all be Portland." Cities the world over love us, hate us, and envy us for what we managed to pull off last year. Our goal this year, of course, is to make them love us, hate us, and envy us all over again. As always, watch this site (or follow the much-touted links for subscribing to updates) for more information as we begin to ramp up towards the June event itself.

17 February 2007: Last year, Portland's $7,200 take for Equality Now was enough to win us the coveted Grizwald -- a brass apple engraved with the words No Power In The Verse Can Stop Us. This year, that makes us a target. Minneapolis, where the Grizwald was created, already has stated they're gunning to take it back from us. And now Austin has said they also are taking aim at usurping our place as the rightful home of the Grizwald. All the more motivation for you to sign up via feed or email for news updates on this year's Portland screening -- or will it be screenings? -- and then, come June, do your part to make sure the Grizwald stays here in Portland, where the global charity screenings effort was born.

14 February 2007: Currently, we are in discussions with two potential venues to determine which appears the best fit for our plans for an event both bigger and better than last year's. Sponsorship announcements will come sometime thereafter. As was the case last year, there will be online advance ticket sales, but (especially since we haven't yet even selected a venue) the start date for that is undetermined.

To keep updated, subscribe via feed or via email, whichever is most convenient for you.

Local Total:
$13,000

Global As Of 22 August:
$121,806.05 (est)

Women's Film Initiative:
Approx. $1,000