Le Dîner En Blanc To Celebrate 5 Years In New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS – A leading summer event in Paris for nearly 30 years, this elegant and secret affair is now well on its way to becoming the Spring tradition in New Orleans. On Saturday, May 13, Le Dîner en Blanc – New Orleans celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Year after year, the breathtaking scene of thousands of white-clad guests descending upon one of the city most prestigious public space becomes more extraordinary for guests and passerby alike. The first Le Dîner en Blanc – New Orleans was held in 2013 at the Port of New Orleans with around 800 guests. Last year, more than 3,200 eager picnic goers converged onto Plaza of the Mercedes Benz Superdome to participate in this now yearly tradition.
"We're extremely proud to have been able to bring this event to New Orleans for the past five years and to have been able to grow it to one of the must-attend events of year," Cleveland Spears III, host of Le Dîner en Blanc – New Orleans, said. "The surprise of the secret New Orleans location combined with other elements unveiled throughout the evening – which in the past have included fireworks displays, amazing musical acts and a second line around the Superdome – combine to make this event a truly unique and unforgettable experience."
To maintain the uniqueness of Le Dîner en Blanc as well as staying true to tradition, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:
• Registration to participate happens in three stages:
Phase 1 is for members who attended the previous year;
Phase 2 is for new members who are referred by Phase I attendees;
Phase 3 is for people who signed up on the waiting list
• Once confirmed, each guest's participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions. This is a rain or shine event.
• Dress code: Head-to-toe in elegant and white only attire. Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
• Table setting: All white.
• To ensure that the location secret is kept undisclosed until last minute, guests meet at assigned departure location and are escorted by a Dîner en Blanc volunteer.
• In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.
• Guests must bring:
A table, two white chairs, white tablecloth.
A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware and white dinnerware.
A catered picnic basket option, which can be picked up on site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online must reserve online through the Dîner en Blanc's e-store.
• Non-alcoholic beverages, champagne and/ or wine only. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited.
Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. Dîner en Blanc – Paris now attracts more than 10,000 people each year. What was a "friends and word-of-mouth only" event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on five continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city's most beautiful public spaces. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 70 cities in more than 25 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair.
Le Dîner en Blanc – New Orleans is hosted by Spears Group, an award-winning marketing, public relations and engagement firm located in New Orleans. Founded in 2008 by Cleveland Spears, III, the vision and goal of Spears Group is to provide clients with innovative approaches to realizing their unique business goals through our integrated communications process.
Tulane Health System is an official local partner of the 2017 edition of Le Dîner en Blanc in New Orleans.
