New Orleans, LA - The Royal Street artists and merchants proudly announce that this year's 8th Annual Dirty Linen Night will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Join the celebration on Royal Street from the 200 block of Royal to the 1000 block ending at Ursulines Street, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Dirty Linen Night will feature more than sixty galleries and shops for an exclusive shopping experience. Most galleries will serve refreshments, and special surprises between!

Free and open to the public, the shops will welcome visitors into their businesses and offer a chance to meet the artists and owners. This has become a favorite New Orleans summertime event for both locals and visitors alike. Dirty Linen Night began 8 years ago as a grassroots effort to bring visitors to this unique strip of Royal Street, and it remains a free event that truly belongs to the Artists.

Beginning in the 1000 block of Royal Street all the way to the 200 block of Royal you'll find venues that feature locally created art, as well as beautifully hand crafted pieces. Each block has wonders to discover. In all, there will be more than sixty unique venues to visit.

This group of artist owned galleries and studios is a great asset to the City of New Orleans, especially since no other arts district can boast so many working artists onsite, ready to meet the public on a daily basis. Dirty Linen Night is a great opportunity to meet those artists and visit our own crown jewel, the French Quarter. Please keep this tradition alive, and come out to support the art and the artists!

Thank you to all the supporters, artists, merchants, and volunteers (too many to mention) that have worked together to ensure that Dirty Linen Night is a success!

Look for the Dirty Linen Night signs hanging at participating galleries and shops.

Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshing beverages will be served in the individual shops and galleries. Summer Casual wear is suggested, but there's no dress code!