17th Annual Whitney White Linen Night
August 6, 2011
Julia Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
People who run the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans are no slackers. In the fire pit known as the month of August, they come up with a fundraiser to lure New Orleanians out and onto the streets to celebrate a three-hour, six-block long party along the artsiest strip of real estate in town – Julia Street.
All the organizers had to do was get the words White Linen in the title of the event and they got the attention of the locals. Before we trumped Mother Nature with the invention of air conditioning, white linen was the defense of choice to ward off the rays of the sun for people who could afford it. The white suits and dresses did not absorb the sun’s heat. They not only looked pretty cool, but were pretty effective reflectors of the intense sun.
People down here value tradition and history. They’re altogether willing to dress up in white to relive the genteel feel of the olden times. And practically nowhere on earth do people have promenading down to a social science more than they do in New Orleans.
A person could go snow blind from all the yardage of white linen, cotton, and silk attire. Aside from Aspen, I’ve never seen as much white in one place in my life.
Julia Street is sealed off, concession stands selling food and beverages and tables and chairs (white, of course) line a long strip from the 300 block to the 700 block. Thousands of partiers purchase strips of tickets to exchange for food and drink. Paper fans are being given away in galleries. Thousands of women and men (yes) idly fan themselves with one hand while cradling an icy beverage in the other.
Note to self: next year, ask if the lemonade is alcohol enhanced. My powers of observation briefly waned after I chugged a glass of Ginger Mint Lemonade. The bartender didn’t mention the Absolut part.
No one mentions the eighty-degree heat and sweltering humidity. To them, it would be sort of like saying hey it’s pretty dark tonight isn’t it? Perspiration glistens on faces of all colors and distractingly on womens' décolletage.
The laughter that punctuates the air neutralizes the fact that my white shirt and white trousers are sticking to my skin. A different band plays from a makeshift stage every few blocks. Every art gallery on the street is open. Strollers file in and out of dozens of trendy art galleries.
As far as I can tell, the fact that there’s some sensational art on the walls isn’t the main draw. Promenaders file in because it’s like a carnival midway and no one wants to miss anything. Plus the galleries are filled with walking, talking installations called human beings that are easily as interesting to gawk at as the art on the walls.
The food vendors are doing a brisk business but the lines for the beverage vendors suggests they’re giving drinks away for free – they’re not. Nothing like an infusion of a cool alcoholic beverage to help you forget about your upcoming dry cleaning bill.
Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
MORE PHOTOS
Most of the gallery hoppers didn't appear as dilgent as this young lady. The people watching was as good a show as the art on display.
Two performance artists handed out tongue in cheek placards in front of one of the galleries. The adventurous toted them around all night long.
Hi Paul,
What a coincidence! My son and daughter in law were at the party too. Heat, drinking, music, food...what more could you want?
Jan
Posted by: Janice N | August 24, 2011 at 08:50 AM
That combination seems to be a staple of life in New Orleans. You would have loved it!
Posted by: Paul aka pt at large | August 24, 2011 at 09:06 AM
Have always wanted to go to this event, but never have. Had heard so much about it from friends. Thanks for letting me learn more about this wonderful party through your wonderful wordsmithing (think I just made up this word, but it seems to suit what you do). Thanks...
Posted by: May Louise White | August 26, 2011 at 01:48 PM