August 27th, 2009 6:38 pm

Joss Whedon fans unite for charity

‘Firefly’ and Joss Whedon fans can catch a special screening of ‘Serenity’ and ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’ this Sunday in Melbourne.

As part of the global “Can’t Stop the Serenity” event, Melbourne Browncoats will be screening Joss Whedon’s feature film ‘Serenity’ and web series ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’ at the VCA Federation Hall in Southbank, Melbourne.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Equality Now, a international human rights advocacy group.

Date: Sunday, 30 August 2009
Location: VCA Federation Hall, 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Melbourne
Time: 12-4:30pm (Doors open at 11:30am)
Tickets: $15 advance online via GreenTix (plus booking fees) or $20 at the door (cash only).

For more details visit Melbourne Browncoats.

There’s also the chance to win a number of prizes including items signed by Joss Whedon, Tim Minear, Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion, Jewel Staite, Ron Glass, Jonathan Woodward, Nectar Rose, Michael Fairman, Sonny Rhodes, Geoff Mandel, Dichen Lachman and more.

Find out more.

Global Charity Event “Can’t Stop the Serenity” returns to Melbourne on 30 August

For the 4th year, fans of popular television and film writer/director Joss Whedon are gathering worldwide to raise money for Equality Now, a charity dedicated to promoting the human rights of beleaguered women and girls.

Tens of thousands of fans, geeks and gamers around the world will participate in “Can’t Stop the Serenity” fund-raising events to benefit charity organisation Equality Now. Over $250,000 has been raised since 2006, and this year we’re aiming to add another $150,000 to that total. On Sunday, 3 August it will be time for Melbourne fans to join in.

Melbourne’s event features a screening of cult sci-fi film Serenity and web sensation Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, as well the opportunity to win some extremely awesome prizes in the live auction, raffle and costume competition. Prizes include items signed by Serenity cast and creative team. It will be held at VCA Federation Hall (Victorian College of the Arts, 234 St Kilda Road, Southbank) from 12-4pm (Doors open at 11:30am). Tickets are $15 advance online (plus booking fees) or $20 at the door (cash only). Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate the works of Joss Whedon and raise money for a vital cause – Equality Now.

Says Amanda Sullivan, director of Equality Now: “Amazing as it is, we are heading into our fourth season of CSTS global screenings! It is a difficult time for us and a difficult time for everyone right now.

So it’s especially important for all of you to know how grateful all of us at Equality Now are, and will always be, for the commitment to gender equality the Browncoats [fans of Firefly/Serenity] have demonstrated through their hard work and generosity.”
The story of Firefly and Serenity is an interesting case in popular culture. The Television series Firefly experienced a short run from September to December of 2002, before being cancelled mid-season due to low ratings and artistic disagreements with its creator, Joss Whedon. Not content with the show’s release on DVD in 2004, fans known as Browncoats grew in number across the globe, thriving on any content related to Firefly and bolstering DVD sales enough to merit creation of a movie epilogue to the series in 2005: Serenity.

Most fan stories usually end there, but inspired by Whedon’s passion for the underdog and his fiery post on Whedonesque.com in response to the senseless “honor killing” of young Du’a Khalil, his fans continue to go above and beyond to focus their enthusiasm and community into a force for good.

In 2009, Melbourne is among the 50+ cities that are holding a public screening of Serenity to raise funds and awareness for Equality Now. The entire net proceeds go to charity, and no one is paid for their time, including this year’s Global Organizer, Anne Barringer. Anne and her Global Team bring it all together by coordinating participating cities across the US, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia.

“Browncoats are an amazing phenomenon, accomplishing something that no other fandom has to date.

I can’t tell you how many wonderful people I’ve met while working on Can’t Stop the Serenity. These guys and gals are giving, hardworking people who do more every year; they create new ways to screen Serenity, raise money for charity and still have an entirely festive time. And my Global Team is simply amazing. We’ve done more this year than I ever thought possible. I came here for the cause, but I stayed here for the people.” – Anne Barringer, Global Organizer of Can’t Stop the Serenity.

The screenings are entertaining, theater-packing events where plenty of new friends are made. In many cases, the excitement of again seeing the “Big Damn Movie” on the silver screen can be more exhilarating than when the movie first opened in 2005. Each year brings new faces; people who are seeing the film for the first time and get fired up about the cause. Between the fun atmosphere and the community spirit showed by raising funds for Equality Now, it’s easy to see why these events keep getting bigger each year.

Download the full press release here.