Massive Summer Night’s Picnic-Diner en Blanc
July 24, 2019Secret Location, Until the Beautiful People Arrive Adorned in White
Massive Summer Night’s Picnic–Diner en Blanc. Secret location, until the beautiful people arrive adorned in white at a large park or other open air setting. They dine in white chairs at tables draped in white tablecloths. Fresh white napkins are on display and often gorgeous white flower centerpieces. I knew nothing about it until last year when I accidentally crashed the massive celebration halfway through my usual run at nine or ten at night. With candles glowing and hanging lights adjusted for high spirits, I skipped and dipped my way through the throng of attendees. All kinds of couples enjoyed the night and each other. And dressed in white from head to toe, they all looked stunning, old, young, casual, or fantastic.
Pure White, No Cream, Beige, or Off-White at Diner en Blanc
Pure white, no cream, beige, or off-white–the rule includes plates and picnic baskets (although some opt for catered fare)–not sure about the wine. But even though I can’t drink wine, red would certainly be risky. Last year, the massive picnic in white, Diner en Blanc, spilled out from New York City’s Wagner Park, where the East River meets the Hudson, onto West Street and extended far along the pathway the esplanade all the way to the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
By that time at night women in strapless white satin dresses, fluid enough for dancing, and long white gloves all the way up their arms, seemed to move to their private music in time with lithe, towering men wearing white tails and white top hats. But even the less marvelous couples added their individual glory to the occasion.
So What Was I Doing at the Massive Summer Night’s Picnic?
What was I doing in my black running tights and compression top? That’s what a guard at a white velvet rope suspended between two white poles asked me after I dipped and skipped, wending my way to the end. I told him this was my usual running route to burn off excess adrenaline after writing (actually rewriting, but one flips into the other ). He accepted that but wanted to know how I gained entry. “I slipped in and kept moving.” The guard remained silent and I asked, “Will you let me out?” It took him a few seconds to decide yes, be gone!
This Year I Ran Into the Diner en Blanc at Rockefeller Park
This year I ran into the Diner en Blanc at Rockefeller Park, which is at the north end of the same vicinity. (In recent years the secret location for the Diner en Blanc has been at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and midtown’s Bryant Park.) Anyway, at six-thirty it was still light out and I was circling my way to the grocery store for ginger and blueberries to go with our dinner, thrown together quickly inside our little apartment.
The crowd was beginning to arrive, despite oppressive heat and humidity. Because the Diner en Blanc had yet not begun, I dared to ask one of the less imposing men how one got invited. He came with a friend and said, “It helps to know someone.” I smiled. “Doesn’t it always?”
But, ultimately, the secret, massive summer night’s picnic aims to be inclusive. Those who attended the year before are invited again, and may suggest others, whose names go on waiting list one. Or, you can add your name to waiting list number two.
By the time I left the grocery store, the rain was already a torrent! Yet, the party did not disperse. People who prepare for the event know enough to check the weather forecast. White umbrellas all around!
The Tradition Harks Back Thirty Years, Beginning in Paris
The tradition harks back thirty years, beginning in Paris. Seventy cities now host the event, including Chicago, where I grew up.