In New Orleans, every party is an excuse for another party. So it is that White Linen Night, the art-themed street celebration that brought major crowds to Julia Street and the CBD last weekend, gets its unofficial sequel with Dirty Linen Night this weekend on Saturday, August 10. Originally conceived as a funkier, less formal alternative to White Linen, Dirty Linen has become a splash in its own right—funkier because it’s in the French Quarter instead of the Warehouse District; but semi-upscale because it’s on Royal Street, hardly a slouch in terms of well-known artists or world-class galleries. If you prefer to keep it funky, you can also honor the tradition of wearing your as-yet unwashed white linen from last weekend.

The Arts Council's Dirty Linen Night 2013 is Saturday, August 10.

One of the best-known, George Rodrigue of Blue Dog fame, is a sponsor this year, so his gallery at 730 Royal will be hopping. Like its cleaner counterpart, Dirty Linen is essentially a street promenade: Duck into the galleries, browse the shops, and grab enough cocktails to loosen the pursestrings (Not surprisingly, dirty martinis will be the drink of choice). Many of the galleries and antique shops will have event-themed sales and souvenirs, you’ll know by the laundry baskets outside. And as if there wasn’t already plenty of good food in the vicinity, there will be street vendors with more options. And if you’re a tourist doing the promenade, you’re still adjacent to Bourbon Street where the linen gets considerably dirtier.

There’s also an official after-party from 9 p.m. – Midnight in the Lux Lounge at Latrobe’s (403 Royal Street), offering cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (both free with admission), a DJ set by DJ Mattie, dancing by the NOLA Jitterbugs and appearances by Drag Queens Madonnathan & Opal. Admission to that is $30; the rest of Dirty Linen is free and happens along Royal Street from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

More Info: www.artscouncilofneworleans.org