SPECIAL EVENTS

As the summer heat begins to set in, so does the buzz as White Linen Night in The Heights  is set to return for its 6th installment August 4th, 2012. With this year’s new theme Local Faces, Local Flavor, Local Fun! organizers hope to shine the spotlight on artists, charities and businesses that thrive in the eclectic Heights neighborhoods. The evening promises to be bigger and better than ever as organizers expand the staging areas, featured activities and participants.

Over 50,000 Houstonians descended on The Heights last year in their white-linen finest to shop, sip and stroll the neighborhood and celebrate the bohemian spirit of community. This year, organizers are focusing on a streamlined bus route to help facilitate the expected crowds. The event is gaining national recognition, as the new cause marketing platform Cause.It, which debuted at this year’s SXSW Interactive in Austin, will conduct a test market launch leading up to the event.

Visitors to this year’s event will once again be treated to a fun atmosphere including the unique local artists, musicians and businesses that can only be found in The Heights. Most participating businesses will host a local artist “in residence” for the evening and the First Saturday Arts Market will feature an expanded artist offering.

Again this year, thirsty patrons will delight in Vinters Own, Houston’s Premiere Custom Wine Makers, who will host wine tents and serve up their fabulous flavors made locally right in The Heights. 19th Street, the original locale for the inaugural event, will again be THE place to be as they host the Art market, WLN Fashion Show and indie favorite Runaway Sun who will rock the neighborhood.

With this year’s new theme “Local Faces, Local Flavor, Local Fun!” organizers of the 6th Annual White Linen Night in The Heights hope to not only shine the spotlight on artists, charities and businesses that thrive in the eclectic Heights neighborhoods but give back some profits to community causes as well. With this goal in mind, White Linen Night is proud to announce their 2012 Beneficiaries: The Houston Heights Association, Spay Neuter Assistance Program of Houston (SNAP) and The Houston Chapter of The Young Survival Coalition (YSC). These fantastic organizations, which are near and dear to many Heights residents, will receive special recognition and much needed funds from the August 4th event.

WLNH is pleased to be raising funds for the Houston Heights Association’s Fire Station Restoration and Renovation Project. This historic locale, built in 1914, is a Heights landmark as well as the venue for many social and charity events throughout the year. With the outside restoration completed earlier this year, a portion of the proceeds from White Linen Night this year will go towards the renovation of the interior spaces to continue accommodating civic and social events at the corner of 12th St and Yale for years to come!

Four- legged patrons of White Linen Night (and their owners) will celebrate WLN’s partnership with SNAP Houston. This local organization’s goal is to help create a world with no homeless dogs or cats. The Houston chapter funds the only mobile clinic in the United States that performs spaying and neutering services for animals in low-income neighborhoods where cost, transportation, and the lack of veterinary services are obstacles to obtaining animal healthcare.

Once again this year WLNH is proud to “think pink” at this year’s event. A small section of 19th St will this year serve as “Pink Street”, where local breast cancer awareness groups including the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) of Houston will host tents with fun education, art, and awareness activities. YSC is familiar to Heights residents for their participation in neighborhood awareness events including “Bingo in The Heights” and Relay for Life event held annually in The Heights.

Over 50,000 Houstonians descended on The Heights last year in their white-linen finest to shop, sip, and stroll the neighborhood and celebrate the bohemian spirit of community. This year both participants and visitors to the event can delight in the knowledge that their support and money will go to three worthy causes that help the neighborhood reach new “Heights”.

To quote Heights advocate and Houston City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen, “I love participating in White Linen Night in the Heights because it promotes two of the subjects I’m most passionate about—District C and breast cancer awareness. Can’t wait until August 4th!”

For an up to date listing of sponsors and activities, please visit www.whitelinennightintheheights.com