No claim holds water without substantiation, especially one to a world record – so here it is at last! Here are 143 proud Browncoats, counting off and claiming the world title for “most participants in a Hero of Canton Sing-along” at North Texas’ 2013 Can’t Stop the Serenity shindig! Thanks again to everyone who came and sang, and especially to our fearless leader, local musician and supporter Matthew Broyles, who adapted with speedy aplomb when it turned out his lyrics were missing a verse. 😉
This year’s CSTS events were an unqualified success, thanks to the endless dedication of everyone involved! Between the main event and the music showcase, North Texas raised $7047.35 for Equality Now, and broke the world record for a Hero of Canton sing-along, with at least 144 enthusiastic (and may I say not melodically incompetent ;)) singers.
Way to go guys!!
Personally I’ve recovered from the show, but am still working to get the rest of my life back in its groove. A claim to having broken a world record needs supporting documentation, and I promise I’ll post that video as soon as I can get with our videographer. In the mean time, if you have photos or video from the events (or past events!) you’d like to share, you can email them to bandobuggered@gmail.com, or post them directly to the Facebook group. Hopefully we’ll be able to get a gallery up here on the website within the next few weeks.
Thanks so much to everyone who came out, and to our dauntless host of performers, volunteers, donors, and supporters! None of this would be possible without every one of you, showing up and keeping the signal strong year after year. ♥
Here’s our official donation confirmation (below the calendar). Wanna hear something as mind-blowing as it is inspirational as it is humbling?
2013 marked the eighth annual CSTS event season. In that time North Texas Browncoats have raised more than $41,000.00, and the global events have raised over $840,000.00 for Equality Now and other charities. If the global events don’t break $1,000,000 next year, they certainly will for the 10th anniversary in 2015.
The stunning thing is, those figures aren’t subsidized in any way. There are no grants, no paid employees, no PR machine. Just some generous sponsors, and folks across the world coming together once a year to watch a movie, have a good time, maybe don a cunning hat, and make a stand in the name of what’s right. We come from all walks of life and all belief systems. We’re regular people, trying to do good works because they need doing. And ladies and gentlemen, we are a force to be reckoned with.
This was on the front of your programs this year, but I’m putting it here again because it speaks to me so:
“Everyone here might well think of themselves as an agent of
change. I’ll say to you all, from the bottom of my heart:
you’re missing the point. You are not agents of change.
You are change.
There is no world but what we see, no history but
a compendium of perspectives. How you see
the world will be the world or will become the world.
If we see it with fear and hate… Fear and hate will manifest.
If we look beyond, if we dream the next text, it will be written.
We do not pass through this life, it passes through us.
You are not just existing: you are happening, you are an event.
You are changing everything.”
-Joss Whedon
See you next year!
All tickets and merchandise are now offline. However the Lakewood’s enormous capacity leaves us in no danger of selling out – tickets will be $18 at the door on Sunday, starting at noon. Pre-orders will be available for pick up at the event, all you need to do is provide the name on the order. See you all there!!
It’s time to batten down the hatches and begin final preparations for this year’s CSTS, so this will likely be the last update before the event. You guys have come through like big damn heroes and we’re already in the black, with one week to go and all expenses covered! We also have a nice little pile of swag for raffles and prizes – enormous thanks to everyone who pre-ordered and donated!
A few last minute reminders:
That’s about it! We’re very excited about this year’s show, and can’t wait to see you all next week! Have a good one, we’ll see you soon!
We have a final, and really exciting lineup for this year’s Can’t Stop the Music Showcase! We have some returning alumni, and three brand new (to us) bands coming together for a show unlike any we’ve ever had. We’ll be starting with the first two seasons of The Guild around 4:30, followed by an encore screening of Dr. Horrible at 7:00. At 8:00, we once again have the amazing Velvet Kittens Burlesque of Le Cabaret Burlesque, followed by live music all night long!
Can’t Stop the Music will be Sunday, August 18th at
The Grotto (map)
517 University Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76107
$5 cover at the door, all proceeds go to Equality Now
Lineup:
4:30 The Guild
7:00 Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
8:00 The Velvet Kittens
9:30 The Matthew Show
10:30 Solo Sol
11:30 Siberian Traps
12:30 Fou
The Velvet Kittens: This incredible ensemble cast features classically trained and professional dancers, singers, actors and comedians in a full-length variety show influenced by the genres of vaudeville, cabaret, burlesque, and theatrical musicals. The Velvet Kittens of Le Cabaret Burlesque’s Variety Shows take you on a comical-dancical-musical journey that’s unlike anything else in Dallas-Fort Worth! Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a hysterical, titillating, & wild ride! These ladies are avid supporters of Equality Now, and this will be their fifth year in a row to perform for the benefit. We’re extremely grateful for their unswerving enthusiasm and support!
The Matthew Show: Born and raised in rural Texas, Matthew’s musical career spans nearly two decades, roving from Texas to New York City and back again. Matthew has released three solo albums to wide critical acclaim, and his songs have been featured on the PBS series Roadtrip Nation, and on NPR’s All Songs Considered. Matthew is another avid Browncoat and proud supporter of Equality Now; this year marks his third Can’t Stop the Music performance. Matthew has also graciously agreed to lead us in our record breaking Hero of Canton Sing-Along attempt, because he’s just that awesome!
Solo Sol: “Dreamy vocals, swirling guitar and a fusion of haunting and hopeful lyrics create the atmospheric sound of Solo Sol. Labeling the music with a specific genre makes for a fun challenge but if you’re up for it, you can imagine a house party with a 60’s psychedelic pop vibe and guests like Mazzy Star, Mojave 3, Yo La Tengo, Belle & Sebastian, and Cowboy Junkies creating the feel and tone one band member calls ‘space folk.'”
In 2011, Sarah contacted me in response to a call for musicians for the CSTM show. We’ve been trying ever since, but due to scheduling conflicts and life events, this is the first time Solo Sol has been able to play for us – we’re thrilled beyond words to finally have them!
Siberian Traps: “An Ennio Morricone soundtrack played by R.E.M., produced by Neil Young, in praise of the universe: a whole new genre I’d call Spirit Rock. It is music both spirited and of the spirit. You stomp your feet and you hum along; but if your self-same soul isn’t swinging along, too, then you’re not paying close enough attention. (Mr. Reeves is capable of crafting lyrics that mean something the first time, something else the tenth time, and something entirely new the ten thousandth.) This is sincere music, removed of any scene, brave enough to say what it means in a culture that’s afraid to mean anything.” – Wade Lipham
Fou: ‘”Don’t You Know?’ hearkens back to the mood-heavy alt-rock of the ’90s, reminding heavily of Spiritualized’s drone-friendly and reverb-heavy vein of spaced-out rock. Fou are more subdued and not as intricately involved, but their knack for ethereal dream-pop hooks puts them in a similarly atmospheric realm. The shrill guitar tone during the main bridge is haunting and chilling, and certainly the most idiosyncratic element of the song. Fou always sound cerebral and organized, with melancholy being expressed beautifully over shimmering melodies. I’m very impressed by both ‘Don’t You Know?’ and ‘Colour Me In’. Fou’s eventual full-length should be a treat.” – Mike Mineo, Obscure Sound
A huge thanks to all of our wonderful performers!!
