CSTS Pittsburgh 2026 Breaks Atmo on Sunday, August 30
This summer, the Rivers and Bridges Brigade of the Pennsylvania Browncoats will host Pittsburgh’s 21st annual “Can’t Stop the Serenity” (CSTS) charity screening on Sunday, August 30 at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks, PA from 1-5pm.
This year’s shindig will have all the shiny features you’ve come to expect from a CSTS screening. In addition to the film, there will be “Serenity”-themed games and prize drawings, including a shiny “door prize” and a special drawing for them as are seeing the Big Damn Movie for the first time. The doors will open at 1pm, and the movie will show at 2:30pm, so if you want to have ample time to play the games and enter the drawings to win yourself some prizes, be sure to get through those doors as close to 1pm as you can.
There will be food and drink available for purchase too, and the Parkway also has a fully stocked bar as well as a partnership with Abjuration Brewing, which brews local craft beers right on site.
And if this summer’s gorram hot temperatures are damaging your calm, don’t you fret. The Parkway is an air-conditioned venue. I’m sure that’s more than a little comforting for them as plan to cosplay. In case you were wondering, we don’t have any specific plans for a cosplay contest this year, but those who are so inclined are nonetheless still welcome to attend in their best “Firefly”- or “Serenity”-inspired costumes. After all, you know what the man they call Jayne would say, “If you dress yourself up, you get taken out somewhere fun.”
If you haven’t attended one of our previous shindigs there, the Parkway’s screening room is a 45-seat movie theater with comfortable seating and great sound. In case you didn’t catch that first part though, let me emphasize that there are only 45 seats in the theater. And when those 45 seats are claimed, our charity screening will be sold out! We do plan to sell tickets at the door again this year for as long as they are still available, but if you want to make sure you’ll get to see the Big Damn Movie on the big gorram screen, I suggest you get your tickets sooner rather than later. They will be available shortly through Jump Cut Theater, and we’ll be sure to let everyone know as soon as they go on sale. Those who make a minimum $10 donation will receive admission to the film and an entry in the "door-prize" drawing (as well as the special drawing for first-time viewers, if appropriate).
In memory of the late Nicholas Brendon (the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” actor for whom Joss Whedon originally wrote the role of Malcolm Reynolds), who passed away back in March, and in keeping with our commitment to help our country’s veterans, all proceeds from this year's event will be split evenly between The Stuttering Foundation (Nicholas Brendon’s charity of choice that provides resources and support for those who stutter and their families) and K9s For Warriors (which provides service dogs to veterans at no cost to them).
Since 2006, Pittsburgh’s “Can’t Stop the Serenity” events have raised over $19,000 for various local, national, and international charities and contributed to a global CSTS effort that has raised over $1.35 million! Last year's 2oth anniversary event here in the Steel City raised $1,177.67 for Equality Now (the global flagship charity of CSTS for many years) and the American Legion’s “Be The One” initiative (aimed at reducing the rate of veteran suicide). With your help, we hope to raise even more for this year’s charities. If you are unable to attend this year’s shindig but would still like to support the cause, Jump Cut Theater will surely have a donation-only option on the tickets page of their website once tickets go on sale.
“Can’t Stop the Serenity” Pittsburgh is sponsored by Geek Frontiers and Jump Cut Theater. More information about this year’s event will be available soon on the Jump Cut Theater website (check out their calendar of events) as well as the website of the Rivers and Bridges Brigade.
So, save the date! I hope to see you at the Parkway Theater on August 30 as CSTS Pittsburgh sails into its third decade. I’ll be back with more information about how you can get your tickets real soon. Until then, keep flyin’.
- Chris