Diner en Blanc: 5th Anniversary!

This year's Diner en Blanc took over City Hall Plaza transforming the epicenter of Center Hall into an all white picnic du jour! What began 3 decades ago in Paris has now spawned an international sensation!

Now in its fifth year in Boston, the tradition continued with volunteer hosts leading participants to the top secret location, revealed to guests, only when they arrived on the very site. Partons bring their own tables and chairs. Table clothes, chairs, and all attire are required to be white. In keeping with the age old tradition, the diner began with the waving of the white napkins. New this year, participants had the option of purchasing a Gold Shimmer Brut from One Hope Wine in celebration of Boston's 5th Diner en Blanc. More than 1,400 participants took part in this momentous event. 

Feast your eyes on Diner en Blanc 2018!

Diner en Blanc: Boston EN BLANC!

Boston: Can you keep a secret???

The World’s Most Elegant Picnic Celebrates its 5^thEdition in Boston on Sept. 9

BOSTON, MA (August 25, 2018) – A leading summer event in Paris for the past 30 years, this elegant and secret affair is now well on its way to becoming THE Fall tradition in Boston. On September 9^th, Le Dîner en Blanc - Boston celebrates its 5^th anniversary. 

Year after year, the breathtaking scene of thousands of white-clad guests descending upon one of the city most prestigious public space becomes more extraordinary for guests and passerby alike.

To maintain the uniqueness of Le Dîner en Blanc as well as staying true to tradition, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:

• Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions.  This is a rain or shine event.
• Dress code:  head-to-toe in elegant and white only attire.  Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
• Table setting:  all white!
• To ensure that the location secret is kept undisclosed until last minute, guests meet at assigned departure location and are escorted by a Dîner en Blanc volunteer.
• In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.

About Dîner en Blanc

2018 marks the 30^th anniversary of Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris! Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. Dîner en Blanc - Paris now attracts over 10,000 people each year. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on six continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful public spaces.  Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in close to 80 cities in 30 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. For more info, photos and videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

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Year in Review: Golden Rules 2017

It is that time of year: time for the Year in Review, a timeless tradition.  As with each of The Red Balloon's Review, we need to reflect on some prior Golden Rules.

If you need to review Golden Rules 1 and 2 then go here:

http://theredballoonreport.blogspot.com/2014/01/year-in-review.html

In case you need a refresher of Golden Rules 3 and 4 then follow this link:

http://theredballoonreport.blogspot.com/2014/12/year-in-reflection-2014.html

And, if you need to, you can find Golden Rules 5, 6, and 7 here:

http://theredballoonreport.blogspot.com/2015/12/year-in-review-2015.html

Okay now that you have completed your time travel experience you are ready to return your seats to the upright position and venture to the future:

Golden Rule #8: The future is now, "Grasp your dreams as if it had handles, for you're the only one who can turn it around." Remember that dreams are essential and that you are the one to take charge and make things happen!

Golden Rule #9: "Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Those words are not The Red Balloon's but rather Albert Einstein. He made this quote many years ago, but it is one that rings true in present-day. There are going to be barriers and obstacles in the way of dreams so as always be positive, be prepared, and be proactive...gosh that sounds like it could be another Golden Rule!

Here's to a new year, 2018, a year full of dreams taking flight!

Sincerely,

The Red Balloon   

Diner en Blanc: Boston

This year's Diner en Blanc Boston left curious onlookers asking the same question: Who's getting married?

Of course, the answer was obvious to those taking part: that this was no wedding but a tradition which dates back nearly 3 decades to the very first "diner en France."

What began in Paris in 1988 by Francois Pasquier has launched an international following. This year's Diner en Blanc Boston's top secret location kept with tradition and was not revealed until the very last minute. It was just before the clock struck 6 pm that the grand location was announced. Keeping with the color theme, the beautiful "green"way served as the posh location for this year's invite only all white picnic du jour! From the waving of the white napkins to signal the start of the diner to the dancing in the greenway fountain after dark, the diner was from start to end an iconic event in Boston.

Pictures from this year's Diner en Blanc Boston:

Until next time: Au Revoir Boston!

Hasty Pudding's Man & Woman of the Year

Woman of the Year: Octavia Spencer

The Hasty Pudding Institute honored Octavia Spencer as the 2017 Woman of the Year. The distinction of Woman of the Year began in 1951 and has been bestowed upon such notable actresses as Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, Shirley MacLaine, Cher, Lucille Ball, Sally Field, Debbie Reyolds, and Dame Helen Mirren.

Octavia Spencer is one of the stars of the film Hidden Figures and has received a SAG, Golden Globe, NCAAP Image, and Oscar nominations for her role. Octavia has acted in a number of films including Zootopia, The Help, Get on Up, and most recently Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water. Octavia Spencer was all smiles upon receiving her very own Pudding Pot.

Man of the Year: Ryan Reynolds

The Hasty Pudding Theatrical's recently named Ryan Reynolds as the 2017 Hasty Pudding Man of the Year. Reynolds has starred in countless films including Deadpool, Woman in Gold, Definitely Maybe, The Croods, Safe House, The Proposal, Turbo, Paperman, and The Change Up.

As part of the Hasty Pudding roast, Ryan Reynolds had to endure tormenting a number of notables including a Meryl Streep impersonator. He appeared not at all at ease with the daunting task. However, he had to complete this task in order to earn his Pudding Pot. At last, Reynolds told Meryl that she was "overrated." Sounds of laughter could be heard throughout the evening from the sold-out crowd in the Hasty Pudding's Farkas Hall.    

TO PURCHASE TICKETS to the Hasty Pudding's production, Casino Evil, contact the HPT Box Office at 617-495-5205 or order online at www.hastypudding.org/buy- tickets.