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Client News: Diner en Blanc Returns to Philadelphia with White Hot Party of the Summer

From global phenomenon to highly sought-after “secret,” Dîner en Blanc returns to Philadelphia this summer for an unforgettable evening of elegance, beauty and magic. On Thursday, August 22, 2013, twenty-three hundred participants will celebrate and re-purpose a highly-visible public space by enjoying a night filled with food, wine, fashion, culture and music.  This très chic picnic, now celebrating its 25th year internationally, is part mystery tour, part pop-up feast and part je ne sais quoi.  The waiting list to secure an official invitation is now open at philadelphia.dînerenblanc.info.

Last year, Dîner en Blanc made its grand debut in Philadelphia when 1,300 guests descended upon the secret pop-up location that was revealed to be Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle.  In its second year, event co-hosts have worked hand-in-hand with top city officials to again secure a memorable spot that is unexpected, well known and celebrates the cultural spirit of the event.

“The thing I loved hearing most from guests at last year’s event was the sense of community they felt and how they fell in love with Philadelphia all over again, ” said Co-Host Natanya DiBona. “The focus of our event is to really celebrate the great public spaces the city has to offer and how they can be creatively used.   Sharing an elegant meal in a beautiful space with new friends creates an everlasting memory. As one participant said after last year.. every time I pass Swann Fountain my heart smiles!”

Registration for this exclusive event will be limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Invitations are available first to all registered members who participated in the 2012 Philadelphia event. Other interested parties can also secure an opportunity to register by placing themselves on a waiting list.  Once potential participants add their name, they will join a growing list of interested parties who share a common love for the event – as well as for the City of Brotherly Love.  A sense of community is fostered through preview events, such as the one last Wednesday at William-Sonoma, as well as online discussion forums, Pinterest boards and social media outlets.

In early to mid July, all waiting list members have an equal opportunity to register themselves and a guest after a summer of suspense. Each registration will sign up their date, pick a meeting spot for the day of the event, and have the option to pre-order picnic food from the official event caters, Garces Catering and DiBruno Brothers. 

On the day of the event itself, true to tradition, bystanders around the city will witness groups of 200  people gather at specific rallying points and then converge on the final location by foot or by other means of transportation.  All participants are asked to dress elegantly in white, from head to toe, as well as bring an epicurean feast, chairs, fine china, silverware, white tablecloth and elegant table decor.  . 

Over the course of the evening, participants will celebrate dinner as an art form through time-honored traditions, live music and even dancing.  Visually breathtaking moments will include the waving of a cloth napkin to mark the beginning of the dinner, as well as the lighting of sparklers to let participants know they are now free to circulate, mingle and dance. 

Mole Street Productions has returned again to help assemble a musical line up that will dazzle guests.  Carte Blanche, a highly unique revivalist jazz group, will provide dinner music featuring sounds of the classic American 20's and 30's to jazz, French and Latin American music.  After dinner, DJ Bruce will get the crowd up and get the dance party rolling.  While the accessories and fashions are white, the event is green and eco-friendly, leaving the public space exactly as it was found.  When it is time to leave, guests pack up their belongings, pick up all their litter and head to the official after party, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry. 

The Sofitel Philadelphia will also serve as the official hotel partner by offering a  special package for an overnight stay in the city.  The special rate of $199 USD (plus tax) includes luxury king accommodations, breakfast for two in Chez Colette, one French baguette and one large bottle of limited edition Evian Water for dinner.  Other sponsors include Williams-Sonoma at the Bellevue and XIX Restaurant. 

Prizes awarded during Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia will include Most Elegant Man, Woman and Table.  Additional details will be posted closer to the date of the event.  “Philadelphia really shined last year and we will be watching for even more elegant attire and tablescapes this year,"said DiBona. “As many of our guests showed, this is a unique opportunity to wear your finest white gloves, hats, fascinators and perhaps even unpack that  gorgeous wedding gown you haven’t seen in a few years!”

Dîner en Blanc is BYOB and therefore all participants must be at least 21 years old.  Dîner en Blanc’s Philadelphia is produced entirely by local volunteers that include two Co-Hosts, eight Group Leaders, 48 Table Hosts and several on-site volunteers.  For more information and to sign up for the waiting list, visit philadelphia.dînerenblanc.info. To join the growing online community, join in discussion forums on the website, or follow Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter (@debphl).

About Dîner en Blanc International

The worldwide phenomenon known as Dîner en Blanc will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.  Launched by François Pasquier and a handful of friends in 1988, the Paris Dîner en Blanc now attracts more than 10,000 people each year. What began as a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international epicurean phenomenon on five continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: diners continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a high-quality meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful locations. Dîner en Blanc International, based in Montreal, is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 40 cities by the end of 2013. 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.

For photos or videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, go to www.dinerenblanc.info, select the city you wish to view and click on the media tab in the top right corner. 

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White Alert! Diner en Blanc to Return to Philadelphia in Summer of 2013, Wait List Now Open!

Client News: Diner en Blanc Returns to Philadelphia in Summer of 2013 - Wait List is Now Open!

Dîner en Blanc will return to Philadelphia in the summer of 2013 for another evening filled with magic, food, fashion, art and music. Organizers of the pop-up picnic in white will announce the official date in mid-to-late May. In anticipation, the wait list is now open at philadelphia.dinerenblanc.info. As of 2:00 PM, over 1,000 people have already flooded the website and added their names to receive an official invitation. The wait list does not guarantee a spot to Dîner Blanc Philadelphia. It does ensure that wait list members will be notified when slots for the event go on sale in early summer.

Last year, 1,300 people attended the debut of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia, with 650 slots sold (which included registration for two people) and 4,000 people on the wait list. The event went on to be called Philadelphia's "Party of the Year" -- and won a Pepperpot Public Relations Award from the Public Relations Society of America, Philadelphia Chapter.

The official event date for the 2013 Diner en Blanc will be announced later in May, along with details of a special preview party on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at Williams-Sonoma at the Bellevue Hyatt. For more information, follow Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia on Facebook and on Twitter (@debphl).

About Dîner en Blanc:  Launched with just a handful of friends by François Pasquier nearly 25 years ago, Paris’ Dîner en Blanc will bring tens of thousands of white-clad guests to 40 cities across 5 continents, from Barcelona to London, from Montreal to Sydney. For more information on Dîner en Blanc International, visit www.Dînerenblanc.info

Client Video: Diner en Blanc Philadelphia

Our clients in white bring us a mid-winter "white" treat, and we're not talking about the snow. The gorgeous new video from the debut of Diner en Blanc Philadelphia was released earlier this week. Check out what blogs and media have called 2012's "party of the year." Stay tuned for information about Diner en Blanc 2013, coming in late spring. Tease, tease. 

Special thanks to Diner en Blanc organizes for including Aversa PR & Events LLC in this amazing event - and thank you for the wonderful shoutout in the video. 

 

Aversa PR and Diner en Blanc Philadelphia Win First Place Award from PRSA Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America presented Aversa PR & Events and Diner en Blanc Philadelphia with a first place public relations award for the viral campaign that promoted the pop-up picnic in white. The award represents the first Pepperpot for Aversa PR & Events since its incorporation just nine months ago. Aversa PR & Events owner Kory Aversa was also recognized with an individual achievement award for chairing the chapter’s inaugural Nonprofit Resource Committee that matches nonprofits with public relations pros from the public sector. Ceremonies were held last evening, Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at the Arts Ballroom, 1324 Locust Street. The sold-out event recognized best in class PR campaigns and tactics from the Philadelphia region that were conducted in the last 12 months.

PEPPERPOT AWARD + DINER EN BLANC

Diner en Blanc Philadelphia was honored for the public relations campaign in the category of special events and observances, for events seven days or less. Diner en Blanc Philadelphia brought style and elegance to its Philadelphia debut on Thursday, August 23, 2012. After a summer of suspense, the secret pop-up location was revealed to be Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle. The sold out viral picnic attracted 1,300 guests clad in white and toted their white tables, linens, china and décor.

Coverage for the event started in April of 2012 with two blog pieces that helped co-chairs to secure group leaders. In June of 2012, the organizing committee secured the services of Aversa PR & Events LLC. Together, the team put into motion a viral campaign between late June and late August that produced 47 blog stories and 10 traditional press stories. In response to the campaign, the waiting list grew to 4,000+ people. Online efforts landed Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia with 2,200+ followers on social media. On August 3, 2012, all 1,300 registration slots were sold out to people of all ages, races, nationalities, sexual orientations and backgrounds. Attendees hailed from counties as varied as the United States, Poland, France, Russia, Australia and Great Britain. The picnic bolstered Philadelphia’s reputation as a truly international city.

Day of and post event coverage produced approximately 10 million audience impressions from at least 32 traditional press stories (including 19 stories and mentions on CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC) and 25 blog stories. Thousands of photos filled flooded Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Yelp. Philadelphia’s public space received the attention it deserved with hundreds of photos and mentions in 50 blog and traditional press stories. Philadelphia Magazine’s HughE Dillon declared, “I think we have a new event space that is at the center of everything.” Due to the tremendous success, the city of Philadelphia and Dîner en Blanc International have already given the green light for another event in Philadelphia in 2013.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD + KORY AVERSA

Aversa PR & Events Owner Kory Aversa was honored with an the “President’s Award” during the pre-ceremony for individual achievement winners. Chapter president Blair Kahora Cardinal recognized Aversa for chairing the chapter’s first Nonprofit Resource Committee. The new committee was formed to connect chapter members from the public sector with members (and non-members) in the nonprofit community. Activities also were designed to provide educational and social opportunities for nonprofit professionals to enhance their public relations and social media skills. Activities in the first year included a sold-out speed networking event, a holiday happy hour mixer, a collection drive for members to “Adopt a Senior,” and a public service project at MANNA (coming on December 19, 2012).

ABOUT AVERSA PR

Aversa PR & Events was founded in March of 2012 by owner Kory Aversa. The new company’s official mission is to create big buzz for arts, culinary, entertainment, small business and nonprofit clients that specialize in quality, one-of-a-kind, meaningful products or services. Services focus on public relations, media relations, social media, event planning and nonprofit development. This new public relations company was founded to promote the very things that Aversa loves about Philadelphia – and modeled his business model after subject matter from his website Phillylovesfun.com.

Aversa PR’s client roster has expanded in nine months to include 20+ clients, such as Diner en Blanc Philadelphia, Fly School Circus Arts, East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, Eviama Life Spa, Ms Goody Cupcake, Charm City Movement Arts, Smokin’ Betty’s, Devil’s Alley, Chhaya Café, Bitar’s, Alphabet Academy, 2B Groomed Barbering Studio, Headhunters Hair Design, Acorn Dental Associates, Brat Productions, City of Hope Philadelphia, City Year Greater Philadelphia, Tashan and Tiffin. New clients are on the way for 2013, with announcements coming in late December of 2012.

Owner Kory Aversa, 39, is originally from Utica, New York, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts from Utica College of Syracuse University. He majored in Public Relations with a minor in Political Science. Since moving to the Philadelphia region in 1998, Aversa has worked for and on behalf of some of the region’s largest and most interesting causes, including Philadelphia Senior Center, Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, Epilepsy Foundation of EPA, Children’s Healthcare Foundation of South Jersey and others. He has served on the board of directors for Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, Plays & Players Theatre, Safeguards and People-Pet Partnership.

Aversa resides in South Philadelphia with his shelter dog Buster Brown. They live just off of the East Passyunk Avenue business corridor where they spend much of their business and personal time.

Client News: Diner En Blanc Makes Elegant Philadelpiha Debut

Dîner en Blanc brought style and elegance to its Philadelphia debut on Thursday, August 23, 2012. After a summer of suspense, the secret pop-up location was revealed to be Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle. The sold out viral picnic attracted 1,300 guests clad in white to the highly visible landmark for an evening filled with magic, style, fashion, art and music. The agenda included traditional napkin waving and sparkler lighting, complimented by live music, dancing and even a dip in the Fountain itself. Festivities continued for hundreds of guests at the Sofitel Philadelphia with a surprise after party. Organizers and guests called the event a huge success. Planning is already under way for the follow up in 2013.

Dîner en Blanc’s Philadelphia debut was produced entirely by local volunteers that included two Co-Hosts, six Group Leaders, 25 Pedestrian Leaders and several on-site volunteers. While planning efforts started six months prior, the event gained major momentum in April of 2012 when several blog stories helped the Co-Hosts recruit nearly 50% of the committee. The balance of the committee would sign on to the event in late spring and summer when the event went viral.

Between late June and August, Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia averaged one new media story per day on radio, print, television and blogs. The waiting list for the event quickly swelled from a few hundred people to 4,000+ people. Online efforts landed Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia with 2,400+ followers in less than three months. On August 3, 2012, all 1,300 registration slots were filled with people of all ages, races, nationalities and backgrounds. Attendees hailed from counties as varied as the United States, Poland, France, Russia, Australia and Great Britain. The picnic bolstered Philadelphia’s reputation as a truly international city.

The goal of this unique pop-up picnic in white was simple. Co-hosts wanted to present an extraordinary night and unconventional picnic that would gather Philadelphians in a beautiful public space to reconnect friends and create new relationships. The location was kept secret from the public until just thirty minutes before the start time. During the search for the location, six venues were researched and the Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle quickly rose to the top.

Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle is located on the Ben Franklin Parkway which was designed in 1917 by French urban planner, Jacques Gréber, to emulate the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Logan Square, as it was known, was also remodeled by Gréber to mimic the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the French capital. The Swann Memorial Fountain was created by the sculptor Alexander Stirling Calder in 1924. When it was first dedicated in the 1920’s, this area was host to many “Parkway Dances” and other forms of entertainment designed to gather Philadelphians in this beautiful public space. The French flag flies along the parkway and the Canadian flag flies directly across from Logan Circle – an homage to the Parisian roots of the event and the founding of Dîner en Blanc International in Montreal.

“Simply put, there was no other spot that could come close to matching its beauty while also paying homage to Paris and giving a 360 degree view of almost every significant landmark in Philadelphia,“ said Natanya DiBona, Philadelphia Co-Host. “It was absolutely perfect because it seemed to be on practically no one’s radar. As the weeks went by and no one was guessing it, we grew giddy with the idea of showing it off in all its glory.”

Guest reaction to the location was extremely positive, with guests writing, “Thank you for a wonderful night in Philadelphia -- that actually felt like Paris,” and “I fell in love with my city all over again.” The Philly Post’s HughE Dillon said, “I think we have a new event space that is at the center of everything.”

The host and guest of honor at any Dîner en Blanc is public space. Using the Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle simply would not have been possible without the permission and support of the City of Philadelphia and the Fairmount Park Commission. DiBona added, “The response to the event was so overwhelmingly positive and the City of Philadelphia was a dream to work with. In the beginning there were those who said it could never be done in Philadelphia, but from our very first conversation with the Fairmount Park Commission and the City they respected the secrecy of our event, walked us through the proper paperwork and advised us on everything needed to ensure a safe and successful event.”

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia also acknowledges the following sponsors and donors: Garces Catering and Chef de Cuisine Adam Delosso, Alain Blanchon of Alain Blanchon Selections Ltd., Williams-Sonoma, The Four Seasons Hotel, Le Bec Fin, Margot & Camille Optique.

As Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia’s debut still trends on social media, organizers already are thinking ahead to 2013. “We are absolutely planning another Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia next year,” said DiBona. “We researched six different locations in preparation for this year’s event, so a lot of our work for next year has already started.”

For more information about Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia, visit Facebook, Twitter and website.

About Dîner en Blanc
Launched with just a handful of friends by François Pasquier nearly 25 years ago, Paris’ Dîner en Blanc now assembles nearly 15,000 white-clad guests each year in 20 cities across 5 continents, from Barcelona to Singapore, from Montreal to Sydney. In the United States, nine cities will play host to Dîner en Blanc, including Las Vegas, New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Cincinnati. For more information on Dîner en Blanc International, visit the international website. 

Client News: Diner En Blanc Makes a Splash with Philadelphia Debut

Thank you to the Dîner En Blanc Co-Hosts for the special mention of Aversa PR (and our blog Philly Loves Fun) on the Dîner En Blanc blog. We are thrilled to have been part of this amazing event!

Dîner En Blanc made a splash during its Philadelphia debut on Thursday, August 23, 2012. After a summer of suspense, the secret pop-up location was revealed to be Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle. The sold out viral picnic attracted 1,300 guests clad in white to the highly visible landmark for an evening filled with magic, style, fashion, art and music. The agenda included traditional napkin waving and sparkler lighting, complimented by live music, dancing and even a dip in the Fountain itself. Festivities continued for hundreds of guests at the Sofitel Philadelphia with a surprise after party. Organizers and guests called the event a huge success. Planning is already under way for the follow up in 2013.

Dîner En Blanc’s Philadelphia debut was produced entirely by local volunteers that included two Co-Hosts, six Group Leaders, 25 Pedestrian Leaders and several on-site volunteers. While planning efforts started six months prior, the event gained major momentum in April of 2012 when several blog stories helped the Co-Hosts recruit nearly 50% of the committee. The balance of the committee would sign on to the event in late spring and summer when the event went viral. Between late June and August, Dîner En Blanc Philadelphia averaged one new media story per day on radio, print, television and blogs. The waiting list for the event quickly swelled from a few hundred people to 5,000 people. Online efforts landed Dîner En Blanc Philadelphia with 2,300+ followers in less than three months.

On August 3, 2012, all 1,300 registration slots were filled with people of all ages, races, nationalities and backgrounds. Attendees hailed from United States, Poland, France, Russia, Australia and Great Britain. The picnic bolstered Philadelphia’s reputation as a truly international city. The goal of this unique pop-up picnic in white was simple. Co-hosts wanted to present an extraordinary night and unconventional picnic that would gather Philadelphians in a beautiful public space to reconnect friends and create new relationships. The location was kept secret from the public until just thirty minutes before the start time. During the search for the location, six venues were researched and the Swann Memorial Fountain quickly rose to the top.

Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle is located on the Ben Franklin Parkway which was designed in 1917 by French urban planner, Jacques Gréber, to emulate the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Logan Square, as it was known, was also remodeled by Gréber to mimic the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the French capital. The Swann Memorial Fountain was created by the sculptor Alexander Stirling Calder in 1924. When it was first dedicated in the 1920’s, this area was host to many “Parkway Dances” and other forms of entertainment designed to gather Philadelphians in this beautiful public space. The French flag flies along the parkway and the Canadian flag flies directly across from Logan Circle – an homage to the Parisian roots of the event and the founding of Dîner en Blanc International in Montreal.

“Simply put, there was no other spot that could come close to matching its beauty while also paying homage to Paris and giving a 360 degree view of almost every significant landmark in Philadelphia,“ said Natanya DiBona, Philadelphia Co-Host. “It was absolutely perfect because it seemed to be on practically no one’s radar. As the weeks went by and no one was guessing it, we grew giddy with the idea of showing it off in all its glory.”

Guest reaction to the location was extremely positive, with guests writing, “Thank you for a wonderful night in Philadelphia -- that actually felt like Paris,” and “I fell in love with my city all over again.” The Philly Post’s HughE Dillon said, “I think we have a new event space that is at the center of everything.” The host and guest of honor at any Dîner en Blanc is public space.

Using the Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle simply would not have been possible without the permission and support of the City of Philadelphia and the Fairmount Park Commission. DiBona added, “The response to the event was so overwhelmingly positive and the City of Philadelphia was a dream to work with. In the beginning there were those who said it could never be done in Philadelphia, but from our very first conversation with the Fairmount Park Commission and the City they respected the secrecy of our event, walked us through the proper paperwork and advised us on everything needed to ensure a safe and successful event.”

Dîner En Blanc Philadelphia also acknowledges the following sponsors and donors: Garces Catering and Chef de Cuisine Adam Delosso, Alain Blanchon of Alain Blanchon Selections Ltd., Williams-Sonoma, The Four Seasons Hotel, Le Bec Fin, Margot & Camille Optique.

As Dîner En Blanc Philadelphia’s debut still trends on social media, organizers already are thinking ahead to 2013. “We are absolutely planning another Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia next year,” said DiBona. “We researched six different locations in preparation for this year’s event, so a lot of our work for next year has already started.” For more information about Dîner En Blanc Philadelphia, visit Facebook, Twitter and http://philadelphia.Dînerenblanc.info .

About Dîner en Blanc

Launched with just a handful of friends by François Pasquier nearly 25 years ago, Paris’ Dîner en Blanc now assembles nearly 15,000 white-clad guests each year in 20 cities across 5 continents, from Barcelona to Singapore, from Montreal to Sydney. In the United States, nine cities will play host to Dîner en Blanc, including Las Vegas, New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Cincinnati. For more information on Dîner en Blanc International, visit http://Dînerenblanc.info/ 

Client News: Debut Diner En Blanc Philadelphia Sells Out to 1,300 People!

It's official! Diner En Blanc Philadelphia is now sold out! The last of the 1,300 registration slots for the debut of this French pop-up picnic sold out weeks before the main attraction. As soon as the final slots were spoken for, the second wave of public relations activities went into hyper-drive.  Interviews, contests and photos flooded the print and online world taking the public relations into the home stretch. Check out the "week that was" for this food, style, fun and art event coming to Philadelphia on Thursday, August 23, 2012. 

Philadelphia Inquirer
A White-Night Picnic with 1,300 People by Michael Klein

Uwishunu
Contest: Enter To Win Two Tickets To The Sold-Out “Diner En Blanc” Pop-Up Picnic Event, Thursday, August 23 

Philly Loves Fun
Exclusive Interview with DEB Co-Chair Natanya DiBona 
New Contest: Win Registration to SOLD OUT Diner En Blanc

Frugal Philly Mom
Giveaway: Registration for Two to Diner en Blanc Philadelphia

Susan Scovill 
Diner En Blanc Preview Party 

Check our news page for more clips from Diner En Blanc and other Aversa PR clients. 

Client News: Waiting Lists Opens for Dîner en Blanc's Philadelphia Debut

From global phenomenon to most sought after ‘secret,’ Dîner en Blanc takes hold in a Philadelphia public space for the first time this summer.   This très chic picnic, imported from Paris, is part mystery tour, part pop-up feast and part je ne sais quoi.  On Thursday, August 23, 2012, culinary and culture enthusiasts dressed in white will converge upon a secret locale for an unforgettable evening of elegance, beauty and magic.  

“Philadelphia is a city full of life with a passion and appreciation for food, tradition and culture which makes it a perfect backdrop for Dîner en Blanc,”said Natanya DiBona, Philadelphia Co-Chair. “The goal is to spend an extraordinary night — an unconventional picnic — and gather Philadelphians in a beautiful public space to reconnect friends and create new relationships.”

The waiting list for the Philadelphia edition of this world-wide viral event is now open.   When registration opens in a few weeks, all waiting list members will receive notification to register themselves and a guest, as well as select a meeting location for the day of the event.   Registrants who are too busy to pack their own picnics will also be given the option of pre-ordering a gourmet meal from the event’s caterer, Garces Catering. 

Dressed in white, participants then converge upon their designated meeting spots with tables, chairs, non-disposal supplies, great food and fine wine.  From here, participants are led by their Table Hosts to the secret location the 1,000+ guests have been anticipating for months.  

Over the course of the evening, the diners enhance the function and value of a Philadelphia space by participating in the unexpected. Beyond the spectacle and elegance of the dinner itself, guests are brought together from diverse backgrounds by a love of beauty and good taste. And several hours, when it is time to leave, diners fold up their tables and chairs, pack their crystal and dinnerware, gather all their debris and head into the night, with no sign of their elegant revelry left behind. 

Organizers take every precaution to ensure that there are no disruptions from car and pedestrian traffic.  Although, it isn’t uncommon for the event to attract looks of astonishment from passersby at the scene unfolding before them.

The number of slots available for this first year are limited.  Registration takes place on a first come, first served basis.   Dîner en Blanc is BYOB and therefore all participants must be at least 21 years old.    For more information on Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia visit their website.

About Dîner en Blanc

Launched with just a handful of friends by François Pasquier nearly 25 years ago, Paris’ Dîner en Blanc now assembles nearly 15,000 white-clad guests each year in a dozen cities throughout Europe and North America. People simply place their names on an online waiting list and those who attend a Dîner en Blanc can become members, are invited back the following year, and in turn, can invite their friends. Dîner en Blanc is about building a pyramid of friends and a network that links memories.

The French capital’s most recognizable sites have played host to it: the Pont des Arts, the Eiffel Tower site, the Louvre Pyramid, the Trocadéro Esplanade, Place Vendôme, the Château de Versailles, the Esplanade de Notre-Dame, the Esplanade des Invalides, the periphery of the Place de l'Étoile, the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Louvre Museum and last year: The Plaza of Notre Dame basilica.

The American premiere was in New York, where over 30,000 people joined a wait list in hopes of securing one of the limited 1,300 spots. For 2012, Dîner en Blanc will be taking hold in outdoor public spaces in 20 cities across 5 continents, from Barcelona to Singapore, from Montreal to Sydney.  In the United States, 9 cities will play host to Diner en Blanc, including Las Vegas, New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Cincinnati.

For more information on Dîner en Blanc International, visit http://dinerenblanc.info/