Browncoat Ball Broadwaves

Browncoat Ball 2020 in Salem, Massachusetts

The New England Browncoats invite you to the Browncoat Ball in Salem & Wakefield Massachusetts, where we aim to misbehave! Join us for Browncoat Ball 2020 on the weekend of September 11-13 at the beautiful Four Points Sheraton in Wakefield, MA. An incredible weekend of entertainment awaits you at this finest of shindigs with Browncoats from all around the ’Verse!

Browncoat Ball 2020 Salem - Profile Logo
 

  • The weekend will kick off with a Friday evening get-together – a great tradition where you will meet Browncoats from the local moons to the outer planets of the rim!
  • On Saturday we will travel from our hotel to historic Salem, Massachusetts. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about the famous witch trials of 1692, visit the Peabody Essex Museum and learn about Salem’s maritime history, take a walking tour of the sights, or simply enjoy Salem’s unique shops and entertainments.
  • Bring your slinky dress and tight pants for Saturday evening’s Ball! There will be a sumptuous dinner, ballroom dancing, music, entertainment, and shiny surprises.


For those ready to make plans, we’ve arranged a special Browncoat Ball room rate! To reserve your room at the Four Points by Sheraton Wakefield Hotel, please use this button:

Browncoat Ball AttireSubscribe to our “waves” in the sidebar to the right to be sure to always catch the Signal when it’s strongest. We’ll send a “broadwave” when the website is updated or when there’s something new to announce. For the social media crowd, follow us on Facebook and RSVP at our Facebook Event.

Browncoat Ball 2020 will be the social event of the season!

 


Browncoat Ball 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Browncoat Ball 2019 - Las Vegas, Nevada
The Las Vegas Browncoats and the Pennsylvania Browncoats invite you to the Browncoat Ball in Las Vegas where we aim to misbehave! Join us for Browncoat Ball 2019 on the weekend of September 27-29 at the amazing Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino.

Sam’s Town was Las Vegas’ first “locals” casino when it debuted on the Boulder Strip in 1979. Today it features a fashionable hotel, 25,000-square-foot indoor park, a Wild West town facade, bowling center, movie theater, and one of the largest casino floors in Las Vegas.

Sam’s Town is nestled in the shadow of the Sunrise Mountains, just a few quick miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Sam’s Town boasts 645 elegantly appointed rooms and suites. Choose a room overlooking the bubbling brook and trees of the Mystic Falls Indoor Park or opt for a view of the glittering city lights and majestic mountains surrounding the Las Vegas Valley.


Browncoat Ball 2018 will be in Washington DC

Browncoat Ball AttireLaunch a CryBaby so no one catches your signal and slip in under the radar. Drift in above the train to the Washington Court Hotel for Browncoat Ball 2018, Aug 17-19, for a weekend of fun, enigmas, and mischief – all under the nose of trained Alliance Feds! Intercept your invite for the social event of the season!

The Browncoat Ball started back in 2004 in when the Chicagoland Browncoats held a one night banquet/ball like we see in the Firefly episode “Shindig”.  By design, the Ball has been held in a different city every year, and has happily evolved into a full weekend of social activities, sightseeing, and celebrating Firefly/Serenity fandom. You can learn more in the History section of our website.

Washington Court Hotel - ExteriorFor those ready to make plans, we’ve arranged a Safehouse for you for all the weekends shenanigans. To get the special Browncoat Ball room rate, reserve your room at the Washington Court Hotel through this button:

Rooms have all the core world amenities, views of the Capital, and are just $150/night!

Please note the link defaults to Thursday through Monday, so be sure to reserve the dates that you want!

Of course, Saturday night will feature the formal banquet/ball in the hotel’s majestic ballroom – costuming or fancy dress encouraged. There’ll be music, dancing, raffles, and mysteries, and more! You’ll also be able to interrogate the buffet for yourself – maybe there’ll be strawberries or some sort of hot cheese. Mix and mingle with friends, old and new.

We’ll send a “broadwave” when the website is updated or when there’s something new to announce. For the social media crowd, follow us on Facebook and RSVP at our Facebook Event. Please share the Facebook page and event with your fellow Browncoats.

Browncoat Ball 2018 is a shindig not to be missed!


Browncoat Ball 2017 in Historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Browncoat Ball AttireJoss Whedon read a book. It inspired a TV series… a movie… and a fandom. Firefly, Serenity, Browncoats. The book was The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.  It tells the story of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War during 1863.  The Pennsylvania Browncoats invite you to Gettysburg, PA for the Browncoat Ball in 2017, August 11-13.

The Browncoat Ball started back in 2004 in when the Chicagoland Browncoats held a one night banquet/ball like we see in the Firefly episode “Shindig”.  It’s moved from location to location, year to year, and has happily evolved into a full weekend of social activities, visiting local tourist attractions, and celebrating Firefly/Serenity fandom. You can learn more in the History section of this site.

Pennsylvania Browncoats LogoThe Pennsylvania Browncoats hosted the Browncoat Ball in Philadelphia in 2007 and we had so much fun that we’ve decided to host it again in 2017, but this time in Gettysburg, PA.  We recommend you read the book The Killer Angels before the Ball – there may be a quiz! Or you can watch the 1993 movie Gettysburg which was based on the book.

Historic Gettysburg Train StationRegistration for Browncoat Ball Gettysburg 2017 is now open. It’ll be Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 13, 2017. But first, you’ll want to review the Schedule of Events to see what activities interest you most. The weekend starts with a welcome event at the historic Gettysburg Train Station – where Lincoln arrived before giving his famous Gettysburg Address. And that’s just the beginning of the fun.

The historic Gettysburg Hotel in the heart of downtown Gettysburg is the host hotel and the center of the activities planned for the weekend. The hotel is now taking Reservations for the official room block for the Browncoat Ball. There are other hotels within walking distance of downtown, but the Gettysburg Hotel is the place to be.

Gettysburg Hotel BallroomOf course, Saturday night will feature the formal banquet/ball in the hotel’s majestic ballroom – costuming or fancy dress encouraged. There’ll be live music, dancing, raffles, and an auction. You’ll also be able to interrogate the buffet for yourself – maybe there’ll be strawberries or some sort of hot cheese. Mix and mingle with friends, old and new.

You can subscribe to our “waves” in the sidebar to the right. We’ll send a “broadwave” when the website is updated or when there’s something new to announce. For the social media crowd, follow us on Facebook and RSVP at our Facebook Event. Please share the Facebook page and event with your fellow Browncoats.

The Browncoat Ball Gettysburg 2017 will be one for the history books!


Browncoat Ball 2016 in the High Desert Jewel of Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City DowntownShindig Partners, LLC, in league with the mighty Utah Browncoats, are pleased to announce the first details for Browncoat Ball 2016!

Held against the backdrop of the gorgeous Wasatch mountains, the Ball will be set in the high desert jewel of downtown Salt Lake City on August 26-28th, 2016. Dine and dance in the beautiful Canyons ballroom, relax in our hospitality suite, and and enjoy a mighty fine shindig with your fellow Browncoats from all around the ‘Verse!  

Browncoat Ball AttireSaturday’s activity tracks will feature a train ride through a gorgeous mountain pass, or visiting the vistas of the highest peaks via tram. Visitors wanting a more low key day can take part in one of our city-based tracks to be announced.

Think about extending your Browncoat Ball experience an extra day or even a week, and about what adventures your perfect vacation might hold. For instance, the most famous attraction in Salt Lake City might be Temple Square – pretty gorgeous architecture too. The outdoorsy type? Plenty of hiking and biking with bike rentals are available. Decide which trail is the best for you!

Salt Lake Comic ConA highly unique offering of 2016’s event is that we are extending the invitation to attend a world-class Comic Con, to be held in Salt Lake City on the weekend following the Ball (Sept. 1-3rd). Salt Lake Comic Con burst onto the national stage in 2013, quickly becoming the third largest Con in North America. SLCC has consistently attracted world-class celebrities, and for our Browncoats, past Con luminaries include Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, and Summer Glau. In March of 2016, we are also hosting the new fan film, “Browncoats: Independence War”.

Salt Lake Comic Con has consistently supported the local Browncoats community, offering us space for panels and even supporting our traditonal Con-ending event, a screening of “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”, which has attracted hundreds of people. At the 2015 Con, Alan Tudyk and PJ Haarsma both made a special unannounced stop at the Utah Browncoats booth on the floor of the Con, following their “Con Man” panel. Although staying for the Con isn’t an officially organized offering of the Ball, we do invite everyone to “Come for the Ball, Stay for the Con!”

Utah BrowncoatsReserve your hotel room now at the downtown Salt Lake City Sheraton via our Browncoat Ball online reservations. Or you can reserve via phone by calling (888) 627-8152. You must mention the Browncoat Ball to get our rates!

Tickets for the Ball will go on sale soon so that you can benefit from the early bird discount.

Keep in touch with us by subscribing to the Browncoat Ball mailing list below (coming soon), connect with us on our Facebook Page, RSVP to our Facebook Event, subscribe to our Events, or join the official Browncoat Ball Forums.

 


On The Beach – Browncoat Ball 2015 in Virginia Beach VA

virginia-beach-hotel-home-s5-topThe Virginia Beach Browncoats are pleased to announce that Browncoat Ball 2015 will be October 16-18 at the Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach (39th St) in beautiful Virginia Beach VA!

For those out of town, Virginia Beach tends to still be warm in October. Usually we are in the last throws of Summer or the warm beginning of Fall. As such, hotels are still in high demand on the oceanfront during that time of year. We secured you a rate of $99 for rooms, or $149 for suites (to share with friends).

All #Browncoat rooms will be ocean-facing so the surf can lull you to sleep at night. Rooms come with free WiFi, fridges etc. The hotel has an outdoor pool, indoor pool, hot tub, lazy river, water slides, kids center, and movie theater (which mostly plays kids movies). There are 2 restaurants on site, but we’ll be feeding you all weekend so you probably won’t need those. Most of the Ball will take place in the hotel or start nearby. So it’s worth the $99 for convenience and amenities alone. Just tell them you’re with the Browncoat Ball when you register.

If that’s too steep, then I suggest you try to find a hotel near 39th St. The Trolley is $1.50 and runs the length of the oceanfront, so that’s an option too. Since that time of year is still quite popular I suggest making reservations soon no matter where you stay. We will offer layaway on registration, so if you need to put your initial pennies towards your room, don’t panic. You can pay off registration later. We will also open a travel forum on the www.browncoatball.com webpage so that you can find ‘coats to share rooms, gas, or other travel expenses with.

The Hotel can be reached at 757-428-1711 or www.vboceanfrontnorth.com.The cut-off for our special rate is 9/16/2015.

NOTE: THERE ARE 3 HOLIDAY INNS ON THE OCEANFRONT SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT THE ONE FOR 39TH STREET!  🙂

Registration will open next week, but we wanted to let you start making travel plans! — at Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach.


Some of our waves are being intercepted  and we’re dodging the Alliance, so please check back here and on our Facebook page for the exact rendezvous dates and location as well as exciting new crime, er… activities! In the meantime…

Virginia Beach Neptune Panorama 1

Sailors in need of repairs were said to be “on the beach” – rest, relaxation and repairs to get you ready to ship out again. The 2015 Browncoat Ball wants to invite you to spend 3 luxurious days on the beach with us.

From relaxing with Inara’s Tea Ceremony on Friday or escaping to the A.R.E. Spa with Simon, Inara & Book, playing with Kaylee & River in the ocean, horseback riding with Wash & Zoe along the surf – there’s something to restore your calm. For a little adventure sneak through the oceanfront on a mysterious quest to find Badger and secure your tickets to the Ball. In spare moments take to the hot tub, pool, or lounge. Play Firefly themed games or just have a drink and a chat in the mess.

Wrap up Saturday night with a lavish oceanfront shindig and don’t forget to interrogate the Buffet thoroughly!

Plus, to make sure you’re ready to head back to your homeworld, stop in to shop at Ariel’s Marketplace for some souvenirs – or early Christmas gifts – and join us for breakfast Sunday to exchange contact information with 100 of your new best friends!

Join us On The Beach and we promise you a Mighty Fine Shindig. One to write Ma Cobb about!

**Crafty Browncoats are welcome to offer goods at the Marketplace free of charge. So start making an inventory you might need so we can ensure you don’t run out of gas.

Travel

The Virginia Beach Browncoats want to help you make the Shindig. When registration opens layaway options will be available and check out the Travel Forum to carpool, share hotel rooms or otherwise make attending a little easier – and more fun! (Please use common sense to avoid any Reavers!)

Activities

Friday

  • Inara’s Tea Ceremony
  • Cathy’s Ensemble Inspiration – last minute attire emergencies – let our seamstress extraordinaire help get you ready to make an entrance!

Saturday

  • Breakfast – at the hotel for guests or in the city with your new and old friends
  • Saturday Tracks – choices for entertainment and sightseeing)
  • Shindig Styling – getting ready for the Ball
  • 2015 Browncoat Ball! – Dinner and dancing on the beach!

Saturday Tracks

Mal & Jayne – Badgers Adventure
Enjoy National Treasure or a good spy adventure? Well like those “race” along the oceanfront solving clues and finding secret drops in order to reach Badger and get your tickets for the Ball. Okay, well maybe not race. Go ahead and take your time, stop in at the shop that catches your eye, play a round of mini golf, grab a pint at the Irish bar. The race is designed to show you the best features of the oceanfront AND enjoy them. So start solving those clues and so you can hurry up and relax. Unless you prefer to meander, amble, wander, roam, stroll, rove, or perhaps mosey.

Simon, Inara & Book
Health, relaxation, and meditation at the world famous A.R.E. spa!
http://www.edgarcayce.org/are/visitARE.aspx?id=1557

Kaylee & River – At the Beach
Enjoy the surf, sand, and trivial amusements of simply spending a few hours at the beach. (Weather permitting, otherwise moved to the hotel pool and hot tub.)

Wash & Zoe – Horseback riding along the shore!

Sunday

  • Breakfast
  • Dueling
  • Last Minute Goodbyes!

All Weekend

  • The Beach!!
  • Pool and Hot tub
  • Shopping and Eating
  • Ariel’s Marketplace
  • Games or drinks in the Lounge

What to Pack

Packing is mostly up to you, we just wanted to remind you to bring your bathing suit! This time of year the ocean is at its warmest and swimming is a real possibility. (Cross your fingers it doesn’t rain!) There is also the hotel pool and hot tub!

The Ball itself is Black Tie preferred. Check out Shindig for Ensemble Inspiration to come up with your best outfit to mix and mingle with the hoity toity of the Shindig. Of course, no matter what you wear, you will be most welcome!

Please pack any needed items, such as medications, and if you have health or allergy issues please let a staff member know. Simon wants to relax too, so let’s keep the crew happy and safe for the weekend.

Registration

TBD soon!

Broadwave News from Across the 'Verse