Philadelphia To Host Its First Dîner En Blanc

As if the opening of the untraditional Barnes Museum this summer wasn't enough excitement, Philadelphia will also be hosting its first Dîner en Blanc.

We would tell you where and when, but it doesn't work that way.

The first Dîner en Blanc was held in Paris 24 years ago, when François Pasquier and some of his friends had the idea to have a seemingly spontaneous dinner party in public and encourage everyone to wear white. After several years, in which the event grew and expanded across the Atlantic to Montreal, Dîner en Blanc decided to lose its informality, incorporating and trademarking its name. 

Now, the concept is expanding to various cities, including Philadelphia this summer.

"It's essentially an elegant pop-up picnic," says Natanya DiBona, who is co-chair of the Philly event. As she explains it, here are the details so far:

1. The date is being kept quiet until all permits are granted. 

2. Meanwhile, people who want to attend must register online on a wait list at http://philadelphia.dinerenblanc.info. 

3. Once the date and time have been announced, the public venue is kept secret until the table leader leads guests from a gathering point to the actual site.

4. Attendees must show up wearing white. 

5. You can show your individuality by bringing your own picnic (wine and beer are OK; spirits are not) or you can preorder one. 

6. You cannot bring disposable dishes and silverware, and what you carry in you must carry out — or eat or drink it. It may be Dîner en Blanc, but it's 100 percent green. 

For more info, go to the Facebook page: Dîner en Blanc — Philadelphia.