The cultural and epicurean phenomena known as Le Diner en Blanc started in Paris 25 years ago as a posh, alfresco dinner for friends. Francois Pasquier arranged to picnic with family and friends in a public park. To easily find one another in the crowd, all participants wore white, and a chic phenomenon was born. Since then it has spread across the globe to major cities like New York, London, Singapore, Sidney and Barcelona - and last night it found its way to Tacoma, thanks to the folks behind the First Night Tacoma celebration who staged the community builder and fundraiser.

Guests donning full white suits and top hats and white evening gowns, including Ryan Loiselle's white "Slut" T-shirt, dined on white tablecloth tables and white picnic blankets in front of the W.W. Seymour Conservatory. Guests brought their own food, white picnic baskets, white cutlery, white stemware and white napkins. The only objects not white were Adam Martin's colorful stars dangling from trees and his large horse of many different colors. Entertainment included acoustic melodies by members of St. Paul De Vence - arranged by The Warehouse folks - fire dancing by L. Lisa Lawrence, the chap portraying an 18th century European who chased away a group of college co-eds, and announcements of what to expect at First Night - including an attempt to break the record for most people clapping coconuts together (Year of the Horse!). My favorite picnic presentation goes to Team Tacoma School of the Arts who didn't have a speck of color in what can only be described as picnic art.   

LINK: More photos from Le Diner en Blanc

See Also

Adam Martin's Oceanic 2013 Lumins Festivus Saturday