“You ever sail in a Firefly?”
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Serenity, and the California Browncoats are celebrating in Los Angeles with one Big Damn Shindig! This shiny weekend will be one of a kind, bringing together two of the most important social events of Browncoat culture– the Browncoat Ball and Can’t Stop The Serenity– to create an immersive anniversary bash that celebrates not just our favorite ship and her crew, but the very Browncoat fandom itself.
The Big Damn Shindig breaks atmo September 18-21, 2025, over Newhall, California, a little Los Angeles neighborhood with a big history. From early gold mining settlement, to fruit packing town, to shooting location for many a Hollywood Western– Newhall offers a charming slice of vintage California life.
Besides our own, exciting entertainment, you can spend time touring the Western Walk of Fame or visiting the Melody Ranch Studio Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of one-of-a-kind movie memorabilia. Newhall is also very close to Magic Mountain and other points of interest.
Do you have a shiny ✨ item that you would like to donate to the fundraising auctions or raffles that support the Ball or CSTS? Send us an email at info@californiabrowncoats.org
We’re still conjuring a few of the finer details, but here is what we can guarantee:
- A Thursday night hangout, to meet Browncoats from all over the ’Verse, play games, and visit with friends both old and new.
- A bus tour of Firefly/Serenity shooting locations on Friday, followed by a CSTS charity screening of Serenity on the rooftop bar of the Hotel Lexen with games, food, raffles and more. (Proceeds benefit Equality Now.)
- Choice of one Saturday morning/afternoon entertainment track: Geoffrey Mandel slide show; Arts & Crafts time — paint your own lantern/parasol/fan; Tour of filming location that was Miranda; or Tour of the local steam engine.
- A chance to dance the night away (or just question the buffet table) at the Browncoat Ball on Saturday night. Music will be supplied by a DJ as well as a live set, which we will announce later.
- Entertainment from The Fallen Stars and Les Folies Rouge
- A weekend sendoff from the ’Verse, complete with a catered Sunday brunch in historic and charming Hart Park.
And even more shiny details will be added as we have them!
Big Damn Entertainment
Les Folies Rouge — The Unruly Reds
“A wild and lovely bunch of ladies who enjoy kicking up their heels.”
“Sassy late-Victorian Cancan ladies to class up your event!”
Madame Trixie — Oh, You Poor Dear!
Rosalin — I Have a Lover in Every Port…
Goldie — Where’s my Moonshine?
Le Petit Poisson — Just Keep Swimming!
Buttercup — More Cowbell Please!
Mirabelle — Your Secret is Safe With Me
Mad Master Marsh — Absinthe, Anyone?
Laird Murphy MacManus Sean O’Shaughnessy — That’s a mouthful!
Daywalker — Stay Young
The Fallen Stars — Award winning Americana band, The Fallen Stars, often evoke the dynamic of The Civil Wars, Fleetwood Mac or Whiskeytown, giving off a mix of rock energy and folk intimacy.
Known for high-energy performances and authentic connection with audiences, Husband and wife duo Bobbo and Tracy Byrnes have toured internationally, earning acclaim at festivals and venues across the US and Europe. With music that feels both nostalgic and fresh, appealing to fans of classic rock with a modern Americana twist.
“Somewhere between the wide-open stretches of Gram Parson’s beloved Mojave Desert and the decaying cityscapes frequented by Bruce Springsteen shine the Fallen Stars.” –The Orange County Register
Few musical partnerships are as lucky as Bobbo and Tracy Byrnes. In the autumn of 2000 they moved from Boston, Massachusetts to Southern California and shortly thereafter founded one of Orange County’s leading Americana Rock bands, The Fallen Stars. Blending rock and roll energy, country-flavored instrumentation and folk-inspired story-telling, The Fallen Stars have carved out a niche in the Southern California scene all their own.
Can’t Stop the Signal
Subscribe to our waves to always catch the Signal when it’s strongest. We’ll send a “broadwave” by email when there’s something new to announce. We also send signals through the various social media channels, so follow us and be sure to check back often. And, as always, invite your friends!
Don’t miss out on the social event of the season! Be sure to get your tickets for Browncoat Ball 2025. It’s going to be a mighty fine shindig!
🏨 Hotel Lexen — Newhall & Santa Clarita
Book your room at the 🏨 Hotel Lexen here: When booking, choose the room you would like to reserve and use the promotion code 14ADV for the group discount. This rate is good for the entirety of your stay, in case you want to add a few extra days to play!
The Old Town King Suites have especially large bathrooms/dressing areas, perfect for you ladies who are the hoop-skirt types. We reckon this hotel is the place to be, but room blocks at other hotels will be made available when we run out of room at Hotel Lexen.
🏨 SpringHill Suites by Marriott — Valencia & Santa Clarita
Book your room online for the 🏨 SpringHill Suites, Valencia here: to get the Browncoat Ball rate. King Suite rooms are available for the Browncoat Ball rate of $165 per night. Rates are good for September 18-21. Last day to book is Monday, August 4th, 2025
The complimentary breakfast is an elevated offering, full of the little extras. Head to the bar and enjoy delicious light bites and creative cocktails. The stylish public spaces create an inviting and refreshing escape. Take in the ambiance of the outdoor patio with twinkle lights.
🏨 Hyatt Regency — Valencia & Santa Clarita
Book your room online for the 🏨 Hyatt Regency, Valencia here: to get the Browncoat Ball rate. Rooms are available starting at a rate of $179 per night. Rates are good for September 18-22. Last day to book is September 4th.
Our pet-friendly hotel in Santa Clarita, California features luxuriously-appointed rooms & suites near Six Flags, Universal Studios, Ice Station Valencia, the Aquatic Center and the Santa Clarita Conference Center.