SAMEDI

by Mary-Devon Dupuy

Those of you who braved the heat in your white linens, it’s time to take your clothes out of the hamper and shake them out for this weekend’s Dirty Linen Night. For the eleventh year in a row, local artists and business owners on Royal St. are poking some friendly fun at their Julia St. counterparts and opening up their doors from 6-10pm. This year’s event promises artful cocktails, family-friendly fun, and even some affordable art.

In case you’re new to the local arts scene, Dirty Linen Night is a friendly parody of its more refined predecessor, White Linen Night. It always falls on the Saturday after Julia St.’s impeccable affair, and visitors are encouraged to wear their dirty linens to the event. No one will stick out in the crowd if they accidentally did their laundry already, but dingy linens are encouraged.

For the first time ever, the Arts Council of New Orleans is managing the event, which will take place on the 200-1000 blocks of Royal St. Director of Marketing and Public Relations Lindsay Glatz said that Dirty Linen has its own atmosphere that combines fine art with casual shopping.

“It’s a little bit more accessible than Julia, I think there’s definitely business that Dirty Linen Night brings in. There’s such a wide variety of artwork and different pieces to view and experience—it’s not just art galleries,” said Glatz.

Tracy Thomson, the creator of the famous Kabuki Hats sold in Dutch Alley, began the event to showcase Royal Street’s local artists. Glatz said that Royal St. tends to get painted inaccurately as a tourist stop, and Thomson wanted people to see what artists on the strip truly had to offer.

“Local artists have their own galleries that they wanted to promote, and they wanted to promote Royal St. as its own individual arts district,” Glatz explained.

Dirty Linen Night follows a similar model to its lily-white predecessor, only with a “tongue-in-cheek, French Quarter twist,” Glatz said.

Dirty Linen Night is keeping it clean enough for the children, with a kids’ tent set up at 4pm at the Arts Market. Local artist and Carnival sculptor Brian Bush will be on site, assisting aspiring artists with their own papier-mâché creations.  During the event, parents can bring their little ones to Angela King Gallery for the Dr. Seuss exhibit, which Glatz promises to be “a great opportunity to introduce kids to the art world.”
 

Of course, Plum St. Snoballs is making their regular appearance so that “kids can stay cool while parents enjoy their cocktails,” Glatz said.   

In fact, there is quite an impressive lineup of grown-up drinks. New this year is “Bars in the Streets,” bringing New Orleans’ best bartenders into the center of the action with custom-crafted cocktails. Sales will benefit the United States Bartender’s Guild (USBG), and the drinks will include Stoli vodka cocktails, Milagro Margaritas, and Sailor Jerry Perfect Storm, Glatz said.

Those who just can’t get enough dirty linen should check out the after party, beginning at SoBou inside the W Hotel (316 Chartres) at 10pm. The newest restaurant from the team at Commander’s Palace specializes in artisanal cocktails, and Glatz said they’ll even give a few away for free this weekend. One of the highlights on their drink menu is the Hendrix Cucumber Collins, which we're told will be a refreshing break from the heat.