Edward Gorey’s 100th Birthday Celebration: A Night to Remember

Edward Gorey’s 100th Birthday Gala on February 22, 2025, was a spectacular celebration of Gorey’s extraordinary life and his enduring artistic and philanthropic legacy. Held at Raines Law Room at The William, the evening brought together an intimate gathering of close friends and  collaborators of Edward Gorey and the Edward Gorey Charitable Trust. 

A highlight of the evening was a mesmerizing performance by Patti Smith and Jesse Paris Smith, who delivered stunning renditions of “Grateful,” “Dancing Barefoot,” and “Because the Night,” interspersed with readings of The Gashlycrumb Tinies and the unpublished first “Thoughtful Alphabet.” Patti charmed the audience with a delightful anecdote about her early days at Scribner’s Bookstore, where, monitoring for shoplifters, she first encountered Edward Gorey “lurking about” in a large fur coat. The coat proved to be filled with his own small books. Immediately recognizing his brilliance, Patti began championing his work at Scribner’s and directed him to the Gotham Book Mart, where he would meet its owner Andreas Brown—a moment that changed literary history. 

The night was filled with magical touches, from breathtaking floral arrangements by Emily Thompson Flowers and small exhibits of original art by Edward Gorey to an exquisite cake—an exact replica of the one Mr. Gorey drew for Muriel Spark’s The Very Fine Clock, crafted by Vegan Treats. Guests even had the rare opportunity to be illustrated as Gorey-style characters by The New Yorker cartoonist Jeremy Nguyen. Papa Vega’s Dream Shadows provided a festive live sets of jazz and songbook favorites on guitar, bass, and violin. 

With heartfelt remarks from Norman Reedus, Justin Theroux, Creative Director Will Baker, and Trustee Eric Sherman, the event was a fitting tribute to a century of Mr. Gorey’s genius—all in support of his archives and the animal welfare causes he cherished.