Diner en Blanc Debut
Secret dinner party debuting in Dallas this fall is seriously huge business
UPDATE: The Dallas diner date is confirmed for September 17. Check the Facebook page for updates about registration.
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Everyone loves it when a plan comes together, and an elaborate one is being hatched by Le Dîner en Blanc. The pop-up event that started in Paris 25 years ago will make its Dallas debut this fall.
As the name implies, diners, wearing all white, gather in a secret location and eat together in a mass picnic. To attend, participants are either invited by organizers or can sign up online to join the waiting list. Invitees get first crack, then people come off the list. In all, 1,200 people are expected to attend.
Before rushing to sign up, understand that participating in Dîner en Blanc is serious business. First of all, the event is rain or shine.
In addition to wearing all white — "Originality is encouraged as long as it stays stylish and denotes taste," reads Dîner en Blanc Dallas FAQ — each group of two people is required to bring the following: table, two folding chairs, white tablecloth and napkins, elegant white plates, silverware, wine glasses, picnic basket "comprising quality menu items," and champagne or wine.
The date and location of event are still a secret; the former will be announced July 30, via Facebook and other channels. According to Guide Live, those who make the final cut won't know where they're headed until the day of the event, but they will receive a rendezvous point prior to the big day. From there, buses will transport diners to the final destination.
"I think that there are very few surprises in life, and a lot of people really cherish that surprise," Dallas co-host Rachael Kissel told Guide Live. Her partners in this endeavor are Marti Fox and Karen Raehpour.
The fee to participate is $37, and that includes transportation and entertainment such as fireworks from Pyrotex. If you want to help out on the big day, organizers are looking for more table hosts and volunteers. Those interested should email dallas@dinerenblanc.info, and they must attend an in-person meeting on July 13.
To get some idea of the spectacle, watch this video from last year's event in New York City. Dîner en Blanc is currently being held in 50 cities in more than 20 countries.
