New York City - It was haute VIP shopping at its most wonderfully spoiled as Richard Mast, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Bloomingdale's and Ronald K. Brown, Artistic Director, Evidence, A Dance Company welcomed friends and supporters for a very special Holiday Shopping Event to benefit Brown's internationally acclaimed company on December 15.

Bruce Michael, Executive Director and Reginald Van Lee, Chairman of the Board.

Guests were greeted in the luxurious fourth floor Personal Shoppers Suite nestled in the men's designer shops section. Sauvignon Blanc and hors d'oeuvres were passed to fuel the guests before they hit the designer shops.

Nicole Cokley, Operating Vice President Of Diversity And Community Relations introduced the guests to Marian H. Goodman, Vice President Personal Shopping who was filled with savvy advice for the eager shoppers. Also on hand from Bloomingdale's were Richard Pittelli, Lori Griffith and Tiffany Canty who helped in organizing the event. Then Reginald Van Lee Chairman of the Evidence Board gave the "ready set, shop for Evidence" and the guests dispersed often with a personal shopper by their side.

Bloomingdale's elite team of personal shoppers was on hand to offer tips, answer questions and direct guests to the department of their choice in the quintessentially New York designer emporium. "Sable coats are in our Maximillian Fur Boutique," quickly responded one of the personal shoppers.

The only items excluded were furniture and gift cards but purchase of a designer evening gown or a luxurious mink ski jacket would all reap funds for the dance troupe.

Chris Lee, Dalila Kee, and Sule Adams.

The festive and beautifully planned shopping event treated guests to personal shopping with a capital P and allowed some very busy New Yorkers and Hamptonites a chance to shop leisurely with old friends and enjoy an evening in the fabulous environment of Bloomingdale's aglow with holiday decor. Most importantly, they knew that a percentage of their purchases would go to Evidence, a New York cultural treasure and had their purses and wallets open.

As well, with the upcoming Grace in Winter Silver Ball at the Plaza Hotel on February 8 featuring and benefiting Evidence, A Dance Company, many of the ladies took the opportunity to shop for a drop-dead glam dress or the perfect accessories to go with the black tie with a touch of silver dress suggestion for the gala. After quaffing a glass of wine, Monique Nelson Butts and her mother Dorothy Nelson headed off to Bloomingdale's enormous shoe department for that perfect pair of silver slippers. Peter Theil was in search of a natty silver bow tie in Hugo Boss and Princess Keisha Omilana was thinking silver lame gown. This writer had his sights set on the midnight blue mink lined Lora Piana coat and didn't have to be coerced to model it for the crowd.

Board member Andrea Hoffman, Executive Director Bruce Michael and Paula Fenton.

Also on the search for the perfect or "Nifty Gift" from Bloomie's were Evidence Vice Chair Joyce Mullins-Jackson, Board members Gail Monroe Perry, Dr. Ancy Verdier and Andrea HoffmanMarion Burnside, gorgeous sisters Lara and Danielle Schiffren with their handsome cousin Austin Stevenson, realtor Stephen Wald, the always debonair Rasheed Thompson, rare coin dealer Ken Smaltz, newly published author Kelli Goff, Tamara Passee, Jenna Bond, Jacqueline McAllister, Lorrie King, Dan Johnson, Chris Lee and Dalila Kee.

And of course the company members were out in full force adding life to any party - Associate Artistic Director Arcell Cabuag (a recipient of the New York Dance and Performance award "Bessie" for his performance at the Joyce Theatre), Francine Ott, Tiffany Quinn, Lilli-Ann Tai, Clarice Young, Joel Sule Adams, Otis Donovan Herring, Waldean Nelson and Rasheed Thompson.

Ayesha Harrell and Evidence Dancer Francine Ott.

Throughout the evening guests returned for a refresher of wine and to have their receipts validated in the At Your Service Office in the Personal Shopping Suite. Many guests who couldn't attend the evening event shopped at their convenience during the day and Bloomingdale's generously added their purchase to the tally to be donated to Evidence.

Cultural insiders know that Bloomingdale's has always been a strong supporter of the Arts and has in recent years upped their level of funding through a number of innovative strategies. Hampton's International Film Festival attendees are sure to recall the special series of short films underwritten by Bloomingdale's which premiered in East Hampton this summer. The short films, produced by Bloomingdale's along with Young Indies Films, ranged from romance to generational relationship. They were shot and produced entirely in New York City in 15 days in preparation for the store's fall fashion campaign titled "Lights; Camera; Fashion." The films included "The Love Game" by Andrew Hunt, "My Adventures in Ladies' Undergarments, 4(th) Floor" by Antonio Campo; "Recession Special" by Emily Abt; "Tall Enough" by Barry Jenkins and "Tea for Three" by Amy Redford, daughter of Robert Redford.

Board member Andrea Hoffman and Evidence founder and Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown.

Now Bloomingdale's is championing one of the world's premiere dance ensembles. Founded by Ronald K. Brown, Evidence, A Dance Company's mission is to promote understanding of the human experience in the African Diaspora through dance and storytelling and to provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement, and spoken word, leading deeper into issues of spirituality, community responsibility and liberation. For almost a quarter of a century, Evidence under the artistic direction of Brown has won critical acclaim and performed on stages around the world.

2010 will mark the Company's 25th Anniversary which will be highlighted by major celebrations, a special performance at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, a tour of Africa and the Grace in Winter Silver Ball at The Plaza Hotel in New York on February 8. This year Evidence, A Dance Company will honor founder Ronald K. Brown and longtime supporter Chairman of the Board Reginald Van Lee and Booz Allen Hamilton. The evening will begin with cocktails and an online auction of luxury items and once-in-a lifetime experiences followed by a performance of "Grace," Evidence's signature piece, dinner, a live auction and special performances by Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday and jazz great Peven Everett. Victoria Rowell will host the evening. Dress is black tie with a touch of silver.

Bloomingdale's executives Marian H. Goodman, Tiffany Canty, Richard Piittelli, Nicole Cokley, and Lori Griffith.

For tickets for the Grace in Winter Silver Ball contact Alex Diaz, The JFM Group, 438 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY, 212-921-9070, ext. 16 or by email to evidence@thejfmgroup.com.

For more information about Evidence, A Dance Company, its upcoming appearances and special appearances visit www.evidencedance.com.