Let’s Get Dirty

On August 12, Royal Street Merchants welcomed the annual event that is so New Orleans called Dirty Linen Night. 

Since I am always so fascinated by the history of a tradition, here is a brief synopsis of how this crazy fun event got started.  Tracy Thomson was part of RHINO gallery in the 900 block of Royal and owned a shop (Kabuki Hats) at 1036 Royal. Being the head of RHINO’s  marketing committee, she gathered a group to brainstorm how they could attract customers to their galleries in the summer, a notoriously bad time for retailers.  After several glasses of wine and much laughter, Royal Street Jeweler Linda Sampson suggested the name “Dirty Linen Night” playing off of White Linen Night which is the weekend prior. 

Dirty Linen Night had a two fold purpose: to satirize White Linen Night and to hopefully enjoy some of the success of the annual art event in the Warehouse District.  Since the first Dirty Linen Night 15 years ago,  it has evolved into a major happening that has begun rivaling its Warehouse District namesake in terms of pedestrian traffic and business.  I actually prefer Dirty Linen over White Linen because of the ease to get cocktails and actually see the art.  

Laundry on faux clotheslines were placed outside the participating businesses to add a touch of whimsy to the festivities.  People are also supposed to wear the linens they might have soiled the week before during White Linen Night.

Having missed out on the festivities of the prior week’s White Linen Night, I was sure not about to miss this event and it was a huge success with a great crowd of art lovers, shoppers and seem Red Dress Run leftover celebrants. 

My friends and I managed to make it to most of the galleries starting in the 200 block of Royal at Angela King Gallery who had a fantastic exhibit by Eddy Stevens.  Some of my favorite galleries was the Tresor Gallery who has some incredible artists especially the work of its owner Vinsantos, M Contemporary and Gallery 2.  I also was able to make some great gift purchases. 

The owners of the galleries and the shops were great giving local discounts.  Port of New Orleans Brewery was on hand giving beer samples and all the galleries had wine and specialty cocktails.  The Mezcal cocktail served up by the new Royal Street restaurant Curio Bistro (set to open in September 2017) was tasty. Many of the galleries had live music or DJ’s to add to the party atmosphere.  From models being painted as works of art to a band rocking out on the steps of the Louisiana Supreme Court building, this evening goes down as one of the event’s banner years.  

For more information, visit www.dirtylinennola.com

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Tony Leggio

Tony Leggio is a born and raised New Orleanian. He has over 20 years of event management experience having produced over 5,000 events locally and nationally. Tony has received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements in the hospitality industry. Besides his professional career, Anthony has played an active role in the community.He has served Event Chair of Art Against AIDS for the No/Aids Task Force for the past ten years and was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2010 by the organization. He is also a freelance writer who has written for USA Today, as well as several local publications.He also writes a column regularly In Ambush Magazine, plus is part of Gambit’s Big Easy Theatre Committee.Tony is a social butterfly of New Orleans that not only knows how to put on a great event but also knows how to enjoy one.

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