Now in its 21st year, the festive and funky Royal Street gallery event has grown to include shops, museums, and nearby locations in the French Quarter
Back in 2017, renowned post pop artist Matt Rinard walked into Ryan Tramonte’s office at Galerie Rue Royale and said “Hey, I just took over Dirty Linen Night and I heard we were doing it together.”
Ryan looked at the newcomer quizzically and asked “Who are you?”
As a collage artist who has spent the past several decades managing galleries for French Art Network, Tramonte had certainly heard about Rinard. “He’s called the David Hasselhoff of the art world because he’s famous in Germany,” says Ryan. “But I’d never met him in person.”
They called a meeting with all of the participating gallery owners on Royal Street to discuss the uncertain future of Dirty Linen Night. The previous organizers had announced that the event wasn’t happening that year and the neighborhood’s business owners were concerned. At the meeting, many people offered to help, but the two became three when Catherine Betz, the owner of Elliot Gallery, stepped up.
The initial Dirty Linen Night launched in 2001, the brainchild of local artists at RHINO Gallery (Right Here In New Orleans), a co-op located in Canal Place. The event began as an intracity jest – a friendly, yet competitive jab at Whitney White Linen Night, Warehouse/Arts District artwalk held the first week of August.
The co-op artists of RHINO invited everyone who had attended White Linen Night to don their dirty linens, kick off their heels and enjoy a funkier, more casual evening on Royal Street the following weekend. RHINO jeweler Linda Sampson came up with the snappy name, according to New Orleans hat designer, Tracy Thomson of Kabuki Design Studio, who was one of the original organizers.
For the next few years, Thomson went door to door on Royal, persuading skeptical gallery owners to keep the event going. As the event gained steam, a revolving group of volunteers joined Thomson, (including Joann Abbot Thaxton, Tyra Brown, Rachel Vella, Laurie Toups, Gene Meneray and David Lord).
“Dirty Linen is kind of my baby,” says Tracy, who moved to New York State a few years ago. It’s unlikely the designer ever imagined it would become an event that pulls thousands of art lovers from across the region.
Tramonte remembers Tracy coming into his gallery that first year and asking him to participate.
“I was new to the neighborhood then, but said, what can I do to help? Do you need money?” he recalls. “The next year, she asked me if I would be willing to help her organize it. I asked her to lose my number!” Tramonte says, laughing. “Now here I am! I should have just put in my time with Tracy back then!”
Since those early days, Dirty Linen has changed hands from planning committees to event organizers, but over the past few years, while under the purview of Royal Street gallery owners and managers Matt Rinard (Gallery Rinard), Catherine Betz (Elliot Gallery) and Ryan Tramonte (Galerie Rue Royale), the celebration has grown exponentially.
“The main goal has always been to get people down here to drink and shop during the August doldrums,” says Tramonte. “But it’s expanded away from just galleries.”
Betz, who handles all the record-keeping duties, says the event has seen continuous growth every year and that the 2024 Dirty Linen Night is “poised to be our most memorable event yet.”
“It seamlessly integrates the shops and galleries with the vibrant soul of New Orleans – where creativity hangs like laundry for this French Quarter tradition,” she says, referring to the popular t-shirts on clotheslines banners spelling out the name of the event.
Last year, Dirty Linen Night had the highest participation since the event began, with 62 galleries, museums, and shops getting in on the mid-summer action.
“I think we’re going to far exceed last year,” says Tramonte. “Our map keeps getting bigger.”
In fact, this year’s newcomers include The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum located in the 500 and 600 block of Chartres Street, and tour operator Pirates of the Quarter, and Art and Soul Nola Gallery on Dumaine.
Along with the organizers’ art studios – Elliot Gallery, Rinard Gallery, and Galerie Rue Royale – participants listed on 2024’s signature fan (part of the swag handed out to guests) include Craig Tracy Gallery, Henderson Gallery, Rodrigue Gallery, and All Amzie All The Time (536 Royal Street) . . . just to name a few.
Beyond the galleries, Dirty Linen Night has added The Shop at The Collection inside the Historic New Orleans Collection, Gallier House, the famous (and infamous) wig-designer Fifi Mahony’s, Trixie’s Burlesque Boutique, and jeweler Fleur D’Orleans.
The event’s increased popularity over the past few years enabled the creation of the Royal Street Arts District, a non-profit organization through which Dirty Linen Night can now give back to the community. “Last year we did a lot of work for [NOLA Dogs] Race to the Rescue and several no-kill shelters in the city.” explains Ryan.
This year, Dirty Linen Night’s central donation recipient is the PLEASE Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth receive the best education available in New Orleans. Founded by Yvette Endom in 2007, the PLEASE Foundation provides training and scholarships for inner-city kids, enabling their attendance at college preparatory schools in the city.
Though Dirty Linen has garnered several sponsors, from the Omni Royal Hotel to AMPF Frames, the bulk of funds raised for charity come from a raffle held during the event. Raffle prizes for 2024 include “Théoclyméne,” a framed lithograph by Marc Chagall from the Elliot Gallery, and a colorful pair of Brigette Sunglasses donated by local luxury eyewear purveyor Krewe.
Held in mid-August with sweltering temperatures and weather threats, Dirty Linen Night is an event which wouldn’t survive without support from locals in the Greater New Orleans area.
“We just want to bring people to Royal Street for a span of time that’s safe, secure, and open to the public,” explains Ryan. “It’s $20 if you want to drink, but if not, it’s free to come down and take part in the fun.”
Safety and security are a priority for the organizers of Dirty Linen Night – in fact, the lion’s share of their funds go into ensuring a large police presence the night of the event. This includes having EMTs on standby in case of an emergency and going through the proper channels to acquire permitting.
“The most important part of it is to keep our event safe and for people to talk about how much fun they had, not about the challenges of being down here that you hear all year long.”
With attendance and participation increasing with each passing year, it’s safe to say fun will certainly be had. “It’s the greatest drink deal! You pay the $20, you get the wristband, and you drink free for three hours.” laughs Ryan.
In addition to galleries, shops and museums open during the evening hours, pouring with a heavy hand, visitors will also be treated to Royal Street’s regular busking musicians.
“We have one band strategically placed in the 400 block,” says Ryan. “The rest work it out among themselves and set up where they want. It works beautifully.”
It’s easier than ever to attend and participate in Dirty Linen Night this year. The $20 wristbands can be purchased on their website and mailed to your home.
“Catherine’s efforts have really brought us forward with a streamlined application process and purchasing the wristbands online,” says Ryan. “We don’t even need to have a meeting with the street and other participants. We just send them a link!”
*Although it began in 2001, there was a hiatus during the pandemic years, making 2024 the 21st annual event.
**Article originally published in August 2024 in the French Quarter Journal
***Images courtesy of Ellis Anderson and French Quarter Journal
