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A Rehash of “The Bash”

By Muse roving reporters Jerry Bauman, a Chicago Sherlockian
attending his first New York weekend, and Francine Kitts

On Friday evening, January 10, 1997, the howling of a gigantic hound reverberated through the moors of Manhattan. Over 60 Sherlockians gathered at Bill's Gay Nineties for the first annual Baskerville Bash, commemorating the Master's 143rd birthday.

As they arrived, attendees received a packet of collectibles, including "glow-in-the-dark" hound's teeth and the limited edition Bash pin (now as "sold out", as the Bash itself was). The late Sir Hugo would have approved of the libations consumed, as glasses were raised to honor the star of the evening -- The Hound --  as well as Dr Mortimer, Mrs Barrymore, Selden, and Sir Henry. Toasts were given by Mary Ann Boyle, Joe Coppola, Kel Laeger, Jan Stauber, and Will Walsh.

The Baskervillians displayed an ASH-like love for refined musical entertainment as Jane Hinckley led the Grimpen Mire Choir in such moving medleys as "Oh Baskerville," "Meet Me Tonight," and "Show Me the Way To Go Holmes."

The serious scholarly side of the Sherlockian life was represented by Peter McIntyre's "Quick, Watson, the Needle" -- a spirited needle-sharp discussion of substance abuse in the Canon, complete with exhibits. We understand that Mr McIntyre will be released from his complimentary federal accomodations, in time for the next Bash. Linda Spessotti and John Russo's radio play, "Watson, Come Here," allowed the thespians in the audience an opportunity to "do their thing."' Russo and Spessotti also served as the evening's emcees, along with Paul Hinckley as Hugo, the Bashette Hound.

Linda Anderson brought poignancy to the program with "The Dog's Tale" -- a touching tribute to the oft-forgotten curly haired spaniel and the unjustly maligned Hound. On a more positive, yet still Caninical, note, Francine Kitts taught everyone the newest dance craze -- the Barkarena. The evening ended with Jane Hinckley's composition, "Holmes' and Watson's Time," set to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

That night a new Sherlockian tradition was born, and now there's yet another good reason to come to New York in January. Plans are already underway for the next year, and the planners are an official scion society -- BBC (Baskerville Bash Committee).

Congratulations and thanks go to all of the individuals named above, as well as Maribeau Briggs, Al Gregory, Vicki Liccardi, Doré Nash, Warren Randall, Joan Sachs (designer of the Bashette Hound logo), Lucille Scofield, Drew Thomas, Ben and Sue Vizoskie, and Lynn Willis.