It’s elementary, my dear readers: Celebrate Seattle’s first Sherlock Holmes conference this Sunday

By Jill Russell Published: Jul 30, 2012 at 10:49 AM PDT
It’s elementary, my dear readers: Celebrate Seattle’s first Sherlock Holmes conference this Sunday
Juhanson Creative Commons

When most people think of Sherlock Holmes, images of pipes, magnifying glasses, and a deer stalker hats come to mind. This week, local ‘Sherlockians’ hope to change the image of the man and his legend during Seattle’s first Sherlock Holmes conference, part of world-wide Sherlock Holmes Week. 

The Sound of the Baskervilles—the Seattle-based Sherlockian club—is hosting “the Anatomy of the World of Sherlock Holmes” conference on Aug. 5 beginning at 2 p.m. at T.S. McHugh’s Public House.

The conference will include workshops, panel and round-table discussions, as well as special guest speakers from Seattle's theatre and martial arts communities.

“Conan Doyle was one of the best short story writers of his generation,” said David Haugen, president of The Sound of the Baskervilles. “The Holmes character is so different. He’s not a regular person in society. He is so much smarter.”

All who have an interest in Sherlock Holmes—whether on film, in theater, in print or on television—are encouraged to attend.

Planned discussion topics include:

  • A panel discussion about dramatizing Sherlock Holmes, featuring playwrights Tom Keogh, John Longenbaugh, David Pichette and R. Hamilton Wright.
  • A presentation on Bartitsu, Sherlock Holmes’ martial art, by members of the Barton- Wright/Alfred Hutton Alliance for Historically Accurate Hopology and Antagonists (BWAHAHAHA).
  • The Best and the Worst Actors to portray Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
  • The Best and the Worst Original Doyle-authored Sherlock Holmes Stories.
  • How You First Discovered Sherlock Holmes.
  • The BBC’s Production of the TV Show “Sherlock.”


There is no cost for attending this special event. However, food and drink service will be available on a “no-host” basis. Bring a friend, bring your family, and join in the discussions or just observe and deduce.

“The Sound of the Baskervilles is proud to join the efforts of Sherlock Holmes Week in celebrating our heroes—the dynamic duo of Sherlock Holmes & John Watson—around the globe,” Haugen said.

Sherlock Holmes Week is the brain child of London-based book publisher MX Publishing. For info on other Sherlockian events happening around the world, go to www.sherlockholmesweek.com.