The Bimetallic Question - Society Activities

Other Activities

Social Events

On occasion we gather for social events during the year, between the bi-monthly meetings. The most important of these is the annual celebration of the Master's birthday in January.

In the past we've had a Victorian Lawn Party and a Summer Pool Party, we've re-enacted the historic encounter between Holmes and Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls (complete with falls!), and we have staffed the telephones during the Vermont Public Television's fund raisers.

Staffing the phones
Vermont Public Television, 1994

Staffing the phones
Vermont Public Television, 2009

Attending a Preview Screening of Sherlock Holmes, December, 2009

By arrangement with Warner Brothers, members of the Bimetallic Question gathered at Montreal's Pepsi Forum Cinema for a CJAD sponsored preview screening of Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law.

Although our reviews were mixed, ranging from "a rollicking good time" to "nothing to do with the real Holmes", we were all hopeful that the movie would bring new readers to the Cannon, new fans to Holmes, and new members to Sherlockian societies worldwide!

One thing's for certain, most of the other attendees had never seen so many deerstalkers in one place before ...

Photos from the Preview Screening.

Let the eating begin!

Bimetallic Barbecue, 2009

One of several summer parties held over the years, the Bimetallic Barbecue was a huge success. The host, Sovereign Wilfrid de Freitas, supplied the grills, hot dogs and hamburgers, and patio space. Each guest brought food, pot-luck style, and there was more than enough to go around: excellent appetizers, wonderful salads and homemade deserts. Even a brief shower didn't affect the party.

Members, families and friends (about 35 people in all) came, ate and talked. As the afternoon stretched into evening, and the gathered company sat back, content and sated, it was agreed that best part of the day was the shared camaraderie of fellow Sherlockians!

Photos from the Bimetallic Barbecue.

Examining a BMQ scrapbook.

"The Adventure of
the Cat's Paw"
(Print left by the brickmaker's cat as the bricks dried.)

Walking Tour, 2006

Several of our members gathered for an adventure in and around Montreal's Sherbrooke Street, searching for clues to the deep past and seeking to solve the mysteries of the Creatures in Stone and the Paw Prints in Brick. In other words, we gathered for the What Building Stones Tell Us walking tour led by McGill University's Ingrid Birker, an interesting exploration of city buildings, their structure, and the evidence of past life (both fossil and more recent) visible therein.

Members on the tour
We take note of the McGill buildings.

"The Adventure of
the Creature in Stone"
(Cephalopod fossil in limestone.)

More photos from the What Building Stones Tell Us tour.

Portion of
1990 Colloquium packet

Bimetallic Colloquia, 1990 and 2001

Two colloquia organized and hosted by the Bimetallic Question, one in 1990 and the other in 2001, brought like-minded Sherlockians together to study of the adventures of the world's first consulting detective.

An international group of attendees, speakers and guests visited Montreal for scholarly (and other!) presentations, Victorian events and authentic period dinners. In 1990, our guests were greeted by British bobbies, attended a Victorian-costume dinner with appropriate entertainment, and even witnessed the "murder" of one of the speakers who refused to relinquish the podium.

Photos from the 1990 Colloquium.

And in the future?

The only limits are our - and your - imaginations!

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