Dîner en Blanc NYC 2019 | Photo: Eric Vitale Photography for Dîner en Blanc International
Recap: This year’s secret location was along the waterfront in the beautiful Nelson Rockefeller Park in Battery Park.
The evening’s sponsors included:
- Citi Entertainment
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
- Sofitel
- President Cheese
- Taittinger Champagne
This year's event included amazing talent representing several of Broadways most iconic shows, and an internationally renowned opera singer who serenaded us during dinner.
Sydney James Harcourt performed “Wait for It” from Hamilton. (Harcourt was a lead in the original cast of Hamilton)
Kenita Miller performed “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. (Miller was one of the leads in Once on This Island and The Color Purple)
Desi Oakley performed “She Used To Be Mine” from Waitress (Oakley was the lead in the touring company for Waitress)
Our interview with Linda Davis, one of the three organizers of Dîner en Blanc NYC:
AS: How long have you been involved with organizing Dîner En Blanc?
LD: Nine years
AS: Besides NYC, what other cities have you helped organize or attend?
LD: Boston, Charleston SC, Washington DC have all been launched by our team. We have attended Philadelphia and Paris
AS: What’s your favorite part about organizing DEB?
LD: Working with a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to the essence of what Diner en Blanc is all about ~ bringing a community together for one evening of music, great food and wine, and a sense of camaraderie for one's city.
AS: How do you choose a location?
LD: The criteria of chosing the location has several elements to it: space, does the site allow us to accommodate at leaset 5000 guests, will it give our guests an exceptional experience by being there, and most importantly, will the oversight agencies allow a "pop-up" event to take place with alcohol, live music and all of the logistics of making the event happen.
AS: How do you keep the location a secret?
LD: Very few people really need to know where the event is taking place. For those who do, they sign NDA's. The location is secondary to the logistics of the planning sector until we get into the minutia of details. I also think there is a level of respect for this event and the excitement of bringing 5000 + people to a secret location that keeps anyone who might know from telling others. Why ruin such a wonderful surprise?
AS: I know you can’t give it away, but any hint about this year’s location?
LD: It's on Manhattan.
Deets: One of the hottest, most coveted summer events in New York, over 5500 guests dressed head-to-toe in fabulous white will gather at a spectacular undisclosed location on July 17th to dine and dance under the stars.
Every summer the wildly popular event takes over iconic outdoor public spaces whose locations are revealed at the very last minute to preserve spontaneity and secrecy to the delight of guests. In 2018 there were 64,000 people on the New York wait list!
Dîner en Blanc has become THE culinary event of the year in the U.S. and cities around the world. A one-of-a-kind global phenomenon, this year over 130,000 food lovers, cultural enthusiasts and fashionistas will gather at an iconic secret locale in 80 cities spanning 30 countries, 30 in the U.S. including several US premieres.
A beloved tradition throughout the U.S., this year 30 cities will host Le Dîner en Blanc, and there will be three US premieres: Fort Lauderdale, Harford and Raleigh. Worldwide 80 cities across six continents will host the event.
Hint for the Average Socialite: Participation in this unique event happens in three stages: Phase 1 is for members from the previous year; Phase 2 is for new members who are referred by Phase I attendees; and Phase 3 is for people who signed up on the waiting list. Guests can register now at newyork.dinerenblanc.com/register.
To maintain the uniqueness of Le Dîner en Blanc as well as stay true to tradition, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:
· Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions. This is a rain or shine event.
· Dress code: elegant and white only. Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
· Table setting: All white!
· Champagne and/or wine. Beer and hard liquor prohibited.
The alcohol laws and regulations for most states, including New York, do not allow guests to bring their own alcohol. Guests who wish to enjoy some wine or Champagne must reserve online through our caterer website. However, guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.
· To ensure that the location secret is kept undisclosed until the 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 clean their area, and leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.
Guests must bring
· A folding 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 through our caterer website during the initial ticket registration.
What’s Trending: @DinerenBlancNYC #dinerenblanc #secret #DEBNYC19
