My friends Tom and Carrol helped organize one of the groups for Diner en Blanc in Toronto this year. Tom sent me an e-mail two or three days beforehand asking if I wanted to come and take pictures. I thought it would be neat so I said, yes.
Diner en Blanc was started in Paris about 25 years ago I believe. They hold it in a secret location each year. Diners have to bring all their supplies - tables, chairs, beverages etc. They can order food or bring their own. If you want alcohol you have to order it ahead of time through the organizers. Oh... and everyone has to wear white, hence the name Diner en Blanc.
Tom and Carrol's group met at Alexandra Park along Bathurst Street south of Dundas at 6:15 p.m. There were about 55-60 people. After everyone arrived we walked south to Queen Street where we waited for the eastbound streetcar.
Since our group was so large we didn't think we could fit everyone into one streetcar so we thought we should divide into two smaller groups with Tom taking one and Carrol the other. The first streetcar that came was so crowded with passengers no one fit in.
I started getting a bit worried after that. If all the streetcars were going to be that busy I wondered if we'd be able to get to the venue on time. Luckily the next car was a double-length one. Everyone fit in all together. We were hot and sticky from waiting in the humid, evening sun, but we were on our way.
The secret event venue was a parking lot located on the north side of Queen Street just east of Church Street. I guess it was the only place large enough to hold 1500-1600 people. Still, I read afterwards that many people were highly disappointed with the choice of venues (not to mention the band). Last year it was held at Fort York.
For me, I thought it was pretty neat. 1500 people dressed smartly in white, sitting, row upon row, on white folding chairs at little square tables covered with white table clothes and decorative white centerpieces. It was pretty romantic considering the location.
After everyone sets up their tables and chairs the evening begins with everyone waving their white, cloth napkins. Dinner then starts.
At 9:30 p.m. it's time for everyone to light their sparklers and wave them in the air. This signals the end of dinner and the time to begin dancing.
I believe clean up starts at about 10:30 p.m. or so. The venue must be returned to it's original state and cleared by 11:00 p.m.
Rules from the Diner en Blanc website:
What are the key rules of the event?
Le Dîner en Blanc® is quite different from other special events. The evening takes place in a public place which was not designed for such a purpose and is often crowded. It must necessarily be very controlled in order for future editions to be held.
Seats are allotted on-site in a very specific manner.
• Seats are allotted on-site in a very specific manner.
• In order to participate, one must be invited by a participant from the previous year or get on the official website's waiting list.
• Once confirmed, the presence of each guest thus becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions, as the event is held regardless of weather conditions.
• Colour of attire and table setting: white only.
• Table seating is symmetrical with men seated on one side and women on the other.
• Participants arrive and depart at the same time by chartered bus or organized public transportation.
• Depart with one's belongings, leftovers and trash, leaving the place as clean as it was upon arrival.
What must guests bring?
• A table, two (white) chairs.
• A picnic basket comprised of quality menu items and a china dinner service including proper stemware and flatware.
• Wine or Champagne, if allowed. Beer and hard alcohol is prohibited.
• Participants must wear white and be dressed elegantly.
• Originality is encouraged as long as it stays stylish and denotes taste.
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