Autumn is on the menu at the Australian state dinner. B-52s are not.

Due to what the First Lady called “tumultuous times,” the White House canceled a plan to field the B-52s, instead inviting the musicians as guests. . Root vegetables will take center stage at the table.

The fourth state dinner hosted by the Biden administration, in honor of Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, will offer a menu of autumn vegetables, floral decor and a selection of instrumental music performed by military bands.

“Maintaining our partnerships and our relationships with our allies is critically important, particularly during these tumultuous times. times,” said Jill Biden, the first lady, as she previewed the event at the White House on Tuesday. “Food is comforting, reassuring and healing, and we hope this dinner brings some of that, too.” »

Here are some details of the event, scheduled for Wednesday. evening.

Entertainment

World events prompted the White House to change its plans for the entertainment portion of the visit. The B-52s, a group from Georgia famous for their hits "Love Shack" and "Rock Lobster," were scheduled to provide entertainment, but Dr. Biden said Tuesday they would attend as guests.

The United States Marine Band and the Army and Air Force Strolling Strings will provide instrumental music instead.

“We are now in a time where so many people are dealing with grief and pain, so we have made some adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening,” Dr. Biden said.

Food

Katie Button, a James Beard Award-nominated chef and owner of Cúrate restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina, has worked with the first lady and White House chefs to develop a menu that Ms. Button said highlighted "the bounty of the fall season" in the United States. The menu, shared by the White House, includes root vegetables, ribs and ice cream — a presidential favorite — for dessert.

First course

Salad farro and roasted beets

Puffed sorghum, herb vinaigrette

Butternut squash soup

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0" >Smoked paprika, candied pumpkin seeds

Main course

Sarsaparilla-braised short ribs

Sorghum-glazed baby carrots

Dessert

Hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake

Creme fraiche ice cream

Wine

Windracer Chardonnay Alexander Mountain 2019

Suite Syrah Columbia Valley 2019

Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 2012

The decor

The first lady and Carlos Elizondo, the White House social secretary, worked with Bryan Rafanelli to design the look for the dinner. (Mr. Rafanelli was also hired last year to plan the South Lawn wedding of Naomi Biden, the president's eldest granddaughter.)

The decor has as its theme the idea of ​​painted landscapes. in the United States and Australia, with a palette of blues, purples and pinks. The floral backdrop will feature roses and eucalyptus. Butterflies, flowers, fruits and nuts will also be integrated into the decor.

The guest list

The guest list is traditionally published by the White House just before the arrivals begin, but the Biden administration tends to invite prominent members of the guest country, donors, administration officials and members of the Biden family.