August 02, 2013
The summer block party is a classic staple of American culture. The words welcome images of open front doors, ice cold drinks to ward off the summer heat, mingling friends, and music. In New Orleans the summers hottest block party is held on the second Saturday in August, with nine blocks of premier Royal Street real estate opening their doors to showcase the artists, artisans, galleries, and antique shops of the French Quarter.
Dirty Linen Night is presented with support from IBERIABANK as a benefit to the Arts Council and will be celebrating its 12th anniversary on Saturday, August 10th from 6 -9pm with over 60 participating galleries between the 200 and 1000 blocks of Royal Street. While meandering down Royal Street, guests can enjoy crafted cocktails from certified mixologists at bars along the street featuring Stoli Vodka, Hendricks Gin, Milagro Tequila, and Sailor Jerry Rum. New this year Plum Street Snoballs, Woody's Fish Tacos, Crepes a la Carte, Bratz Y'all, and Bon Vivant Catering will be setting up food booths. Antoine's and Criollo offer perfect respites for attendees interested in escaping the heat over a delicious dinner.
Dirty Linen is certainly One Hot Night, both literally and figuratively and this year it's getting even hotter. The official Dirty Linen after party is now the Lux Lounge, hosted by Latrobe's at 403 Royal Street. From 9pm - midnight for a $30 all-access ticket Dirty Linen revelers can enjoy this historic venue and partake in complimentary cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and music by both DJ Matty and NOLA Jitterbugs. Cameo appearances by Drag queens Madonnathan & Opal will ensure this will be a Dirty Linen night to remember. After party tickets are available for purchase online at dirtylinen.eventbrite.com
With all the festivities the Arts Council remains committed to the original mission of Dirty Linen, directing attention to the French Quarter Arts community. Dirty Linen was the brainchild of local artist Tracy Thomson to find a way to draw people to Royal Street galleries in the dead heat of summer. Jokingly, someone suggested creating a Dirty Linen Night to parrot the theme of the Warehouse District's White Linen Night summer arts walk, with some added French Quarter flare. The name caught on and Dirty Linen Night was created as the French Quarter's answering call to Julia Street's White Linen Night that occurs annually on the first Saturday of August. Dirty Linen Night trades White Linen's formal white attire for no dress code at all, their lemonade vodkas for dirty martinis, and their headlining bands for local street performers.
By its tenth year Dirty Linen Night had grown to be so immensely popular that Thomson felt ready to pass the torch to a larger organization. When searching for the perfect match, Tracy looked no further than her longtime partnership with the Arts Council of New Orleans, a non-profit organization designated by the city as New Orleans' official arts agency. "I have a great admiration for the Arts Council," Thomson said. "They have amazing ways of helping us artists showcase our work to reach people we wouldn't be able to otherwise." Royal Street's annual transformation is all the more vibrant with the Arts Council running the show. In one night, on one street, the Arts Council is able to provide a platform for the visibility and success of the artists and local businesses on Royal Street.
Amazing art, great music, delicious food, dancing, dj's and a couple of drag queens combine to make Dirty Linen New Orleans ultimate summer block party and One Hot Night in the French Quarter.
For more information on Dirty Linen visit: www.artcouncilofneworleans.org or call the Arts Council of New Orleans at 504.523.1465
Dirty Linen Night is presented with support from IBERIABANK as a benefit to the Arts Council and will be celebrating its 12th anniversary on Saturday, August 10th from 6 -9pm with over 60 participating galleries between the 200 and 1000 blocks of Royal Street. While meandering down Royal Street, guests can enjoy crafted cocktails from certified mixologists at bars along the street featuring Stoli Vodka, Hendricks Gin, Milagro Tequila, and Sailor Jerry Rum. New this year Plum Street Snoballs, Woody's Fish Tacos, Crepes a la Carte, Bratz Y'all, and Bon Vivant Catering will be setting up food booths. Antoine's and Criollo offer perfect respites for attendees interested in escaping the heat over a delicious dinner.
Dirty Linen is certainly One Hot Night, both literally and figuratively and this year it's getting even hotter. The official Dirty Linen after party is now the Lux Lounge, hosted by Latrobe's at 403 Royal Street. From 9pm - midnight for a $30 all-access ticket Dirty Linen revelers can enjoy this historic venue and partake in complimentary cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and music by both DJ Matty and NOLA Jitterbugs. Cameo appearances by Drag queens Madonnathan & Opal will ensure this will be a Dirty Linen night to remember. After party tickets are available for purchase online at dirtylinen.eventbrite.com
With all the festivities the Arts Council remains committed to the original mission of Dirty Linen, directing attention to the French Quarter Arts community. Dirty Linen was the brainchild of local artist Tracy Thomson to find a way to draw people to Royal Street galleries in the dead heat of summer. Jokingly, someone suggested creating a Dirty Linen Night to parrot the theme of the Warehouse District's White Linen Night summer arts walk, with some added French Quarter flare. The name caught on and Dirty Linen Night was created as the French Quarter's answering call to Julia Street's White Linen Night that occurs annually on the first Saturday of August. Dirty Linen Night trades White Linen's formal white attire for no dress code at all, their lemonade vodkas for dirty martinis, and their headlining bands for local street performers.
By its tenth year Dirty Linen Night had grown to be so immensely popular that Thomson felt ready to pass the torch to a larger organization. When searching for the perfect match, Tracy looked no further than her longtime partnership with the Arts Council of New Orleans, a non-profit organization designated by the city as New Orleans' official arts agency. "I have a great admiration for the Arts Council," Thomson said. "They have amazing ways of helping us artists showcase our work to reach people we wouldn't be able to otherwise." Royal Street's annual transformation is all the more vibrant with the Arts Council running the show. In one night, on one street, the Arts Council is able to provide a platform for the visibility and success of the artists and local businesses on Royal Street.
Amazing art, great music, delicious food, dancing, dj's and a couple of drag queens combine to make Dirty Linen New Orleans ultimate summer block party and One Hot Night in the French Quarter.
For more information on Dirty Linen visit: www.artcouncilofneworleans.org or call the Arts Council of New Orleans at 504.523.1465
