Don't Gaslight This Gala

One of the highlights of my first BSI Weekend in 2017 was the Gaslight Gala, which was then hosted by Carla Coupe and Mary Alcaro. That evening, I met many Sherlockians from around the country who have become my good friends.   

Much has changed about the weekend (and the world) since then, but the Gala remains a wonderful way to gather with fellow Sherlockians for toasts, skits, music, a quiz, and Sherlockian  camaraderie on that Friday for those not attending the BSI dinner.

This year’s gala theme is “A Pawky Sense of Humour.” Ann Brauer Andriacco (designer of the beautiful logo above) reports that the event will take place at Annie Moore’s, 22 E 41st St, New York, NY 10017, from 6 to 10 p.m. Reservations are required. The cost is $85 per person, which must be received no later than January 7.

If paying by PayPal to cazordan@aim.com, please use the “Friends and Family” option. Or you can send a check or money order made payable to Christopher Zordan, 242 Rooney Court, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, USA. Please include your e-mail address when replying.

The Gaslight Gala, established in 2005 and resurrected in-person in 2024 after a two-year hiatus, is the latest in a series of events held as an alternative for those not attending the annual BSI Dinner during Birthday Weekend in New York.

Some history:

In 1975, the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes began the tradition of an alternative dinner on the Friday of BSI Weekend. At first a women-only affair, the ASH January Dinner went co-ed in 1979. In 1993, two years after the BSI opened up full membership to women, ASH retired its own event, but the alternative dinner continued in successive incarnations.

From 1994 to 1996, it was called The Fortesque Symposium and was co-sponsored by ASH, The Priory Scholars of New York & the Montague Street Lodgers of Brooklyn. Then from 1997 to 2004, a group of independent volunteers from New York put on the Baskerville Bash.

 

Since 2005, the dinner has flown under the Gaslight Gala banner, organized by a changing group of volunteers from both inside and outside of New York. What doesn’t change is the background of food, friendliness, and free-spirited Sherlockian fun.