Remember Basil [now Lighten Up Caterers] Steps Into
The Season With Bloomingdales’s Flamenco Fling

New York – With Gaudi-inspired arches, roving minstrels and a out 800 guests along the B-way, Bloomingdale’s was transformed into a festive Spanish villa Wednesday night to mark the opening of it’s annual fall import event. This year’s is called “Spain: Europe’s Rising Star.”

The evening raised about $2000,000 for the Spanish Institute, which promotes Spanish culture and commerce in the U.S. It also put an upbeat spin on the season’s sow retail pace.

“This is a major event which shows that Bloomingdale’s remains the kind of store it’s always been, ” said Marvin Traub, chairman and chief executive officer.

…There were sherry and codfish cakes at the outset, and later, arroz con pollo with hot sauce and wine. Entertainment included a flamenco gutar trio, flamenco dancing by Mercedes Moreno (in the mattress department, which was converted to a nightclub). Guest also viewed weather bronze furniture, Moorish lanterns, shearlings and shawls, among the varied Spanish assortments…