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Over the past three years, by showing a great movie and donating the proceeds to charity, Portlanders have raised over $28,000 for Equality Now. What’s more, while the charity screenings of Joss Whedon’s Serenity began in Portland, they’ve become a worldwide phenomenon—since 2006, Serenity fans the world over have raised over $250,000 for Equality Now.

This year, Portland’s “Can’t Stop the Serenity” events will be going down on Saturday, June 27 at Cinema 21, where the first “Can’t Stop the Serenity” was held. And at least one of the two planned screenings sounds like it’ll be more fun than ever. Via the PDX Browncoats:

This year, we will hold two screenings. The first screening will be open to all ages. Doors open at 3PM. We are very excited to announce that Portland’s second screening will be the first ever Special Hell showing of Serenity. Have you ever wanted to shout your favorite lines at the screen? Tell the actors to watch out? Warn Wash before that crucial moment when he meets his fate? This is your chance! The Special Hell screening allows us, the fans, to poke a little fun at our favorite Joss Whedon film. And who better to make fun of it than those who love it most? Doors for the second show will open at 10:30 PM. Cinema 21 now serves beer and wine, so the late show will be 21 and older.

Wow, what a crazy coincidence! Know what I like to do on weekends? GET DRUNK AND WATCH SPACESHIPS CRASH AND LISTEN TO WITTY BANTER. Plus, the last time I saw Serenity at Cinema 21, I had to buy beer at that convenience store next door to the theater, then awkwardly smuggle it in under my shirt, and I think I might have dropped it on the floor at some point maybe? NO MATTER. My point is this: As somebody who’s been to the event every year since it began, I can attest that it’s always a blast, and it’s for a very good cause, and it’ll be nice to have officially sanctioned drinking for a change, not to mention officially sanctioned shouting. You should go.

More info here. Buy tickets ($10-18) here. Thanks to b!X for the heads up.

With honor and distinction, Erik Henriksen served as the executive editor of the Portland Mercury from 2004 to 2020. He can now be found at henriksenactual.com.

14 replies on “Portland’s <i>Serenity</i> Charity Screenings Have Been Announced. Rejoice, Drunk Nerds.”

  1. Not to mention the Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog karaoke across the street at the Gypsy. (No, I will *not* be singing, no matter how drunk, officially-sanctioned or otherwise, I might be.)

  3. notthathardtopagebreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. Its interesting how this movie has gained nigh immortality through charity. I wonder how many years this will go on. Any guesses?

  7. Two questions from someone who hasn’t gone to one of these yet: do they use a film print(as opposed to dvd)? And does b!x get as pissy about people talking as he did during the Firefly screenings?

    I’m hoping for yes answers on both accounts.

  8. Of course I get pissy. But historically there are cautions given during the event intro, especially because the event still gets newbies who shouldn’t be spoiled.

    But that’s partly why this year there’s also the Special Hell screening, where I’ll have no cause to be pissy because talking is expressly allowed. So, if you want no talking, go to the matinee.

    My assumption (I’m not involved in organizing anymore) is it’s a film print. Last year, someone at Universal, against express orders by the person in charge of such things, destroyed most of the existing Serenity prints. That’s a large reason why events around the US are so date staggered this year: To allow for print transport.

    But, given that Portland is the founding city, I would tend to suspect we’ll have a print again (but I’ll find out for sure). We worked to make sure of that last year when the print crisis hit.

  9. We encourage, dare I say demand, that you talk back to the screen. There will be some cautions announced before we get started, and we do ask that you’re…you know…not disgusting, but we are super excited about doing this and really want everyone to have fun.

    We have ordered a film print of the movie. Cinema 21 was great about ordering it quick-like after we told them how few exist in the world now.

  10. Anyone that was at the Mission Firefly/Serenity screenings will remember that Browncoats sadly aren’t the most clever of screen-yellers… Regardless, I’ll still be their, prolly for both shows.

  11. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the comments. And if you’re desperate, you can crib from MST3K’s script. 🙂

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