About 300 Edmontonians got a top-secret dinner invite Friday evening. Le Diner en Blanc is a French tradition dating back to the 80s that has since spread into its own covert, separate events in 120 cities around the world. Traditionally, guests are specifically invited and chartered to a location even they don’t know until the start of the event. Attendees wear white (as the French say, blanc) and spend the evening celebrating local cuisine, performances and dancing. Edmonton event planner Dasch Productions was in charge of Friday’s event, which was held at – and we can say it now because it’s over – at the University of Alberta’s Aga Khan Gardens. The city has been in on the fun since 2014. “People wanted to get together and just enjoy themselves away from the nightclubs and the dinners and all those things,” event manager Daniel Schieman said from the gardens on Friday. “They wanted to congregate in a public space, dressed in white so they could recognize each other, have dinner, eat, drink, have fun, and then disappear like it never happened … It’s just a fabulous event.” Attendees traditionally bring their own tableware, chairs and food if they so desire, but Edmonton’s dinner included local vendor catering as well. Dasch Productions advertised the event throughout Edmonton, Schieman said, but also relied on repeat invitees from past years. First-time guests Amanda and Chris Post used the night to celebrate their four-year wedding anniversary. They got married just a few metres away from the dinner party’s location in 2022. “She almost wore her wedding dress,” Chris joked. People at the dinner said they would take the opportunity to go again next year. Tickets cost $84 per person. “It’s a surprise. You never know where you’re going to go. You get to dress up for the night, listen to beautiful music, and meet great friends,” one attendee said. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall
