BritWeek Highlights

With your help and the tremendous support of our sponsors, BritWeek 2009 was a smashing success! While thousands attended our many events in April and May, there were millions of eyes focused on BritWeek this year. With major international press coverage on television, in print and over the internet, BritWeek is now known around the globe and is firmly established as an annual Southern California tradition each spring.

Thank you for helping us celebrate British Contributions to Los Angeles and raise international awareness of the rich connections between Britain and Southern California. We look forward to an even more successful BritWeek in 2010.

Click here to read fascinating facts about British influences in a myriad of industries, bilateral trade information and more!

BritWeek Events

BRITWEEK GALA DINNER BENEFITING MALARIA NO MORE

As well as emphasing the critical trade and investment relationship between the UK and Southern California, BritWeek offers critical support to important charities. This year, BritWeek was pleased to support the efforts of Malaria No More, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending deaths from the disease in Africa. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was guest of honor at the BritWeek Gala Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, which featured a live performance by Daughtry and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for this important cause. Click here to read more and find out how you can help fight Malaria.

CHAMPAGNE LAUNCH RECEPTION

The American Idol finalists were among the many celebrities who helped kick-off BritWeek during the Champagne Launch Reception at the British Consul General’s Residence. Click here for photos

COOL BRITANNIA
THE BritWeek Party was set against a backdrop of classic to contemporary British Cars, ranging from Fred Astaire’s Rolls Royce and the Jaguar driven by Steve McQueen in Bullet to the 2009 Aston Martin DBS, a replica of James Bond’s car from Casino Royale. Held at the exclusive Petersen Automotive Museum, one of LA’s most unique and extraordinary party venues, Cool Britannia also featured the LA unveiling of the 2009 Triumph Speed Triple 15th Anniversary Special Edition Motorcycle, and included cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dancing to rocking British Invasion hits from the sensational tribute band Decades. This signature event was a BritWeek favorite!

BRITWEEK DESIGNER OF THE YEAR FASHION SHOW & AWARDS
GENLUX Magazine, a leading fashion and lifestyle publication in Southern California, held the inaugural BritWeek Designer of the Year Fashion Show & Awards at the Pacific Design Center. This cutting-edge, star-studded fashion event that has created buzz on fashion blogs around the globe featured Todd Lynn's fall 2009 collection, and this year's Elle Magazine Accessory Designer of the Year, Rupert Sanderson. Read more and view fashion show photos

COMEDY: THE BAFTA/LA BRITISH COMEDY FESTIVAL
The 2nd BAFTA/LA British Comedy Festival was held on May 8th at the luxurious Four Season Hotel, where guests were treated to a gourmet Brit-themed dinner created by Chef Ashley James. Hosted by Sharon Osbourne, the gala evening celebrated the best in British comedy and gave top honors to Comedian-turned-Actor Russell Brand, Reality TV Spoof “Britain’s Got the Pop Factor” and Mike Leigh’s “Happy Go Lucky.” The coveted Charlie Chaplin Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy, designed and presented with the full support of the Chaplin Foundation, was presented to Tracey Ullman who, like Chaplin, successfully brought her brand of comedy across the Atlantic and established herself as one of the top comics in the US. Click here for official BAFTA/LA photo gallery

SPORTS: CELEBRITY SOCCER & CRICKET
The second annual BritNight with the LA Galaxy Celebrity Soccer Match kicked off prior to the LA Galaxy vs. the New York Red Bulls pro game at Home Depot Center on Saturday, May 2nd. Actress Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) tossed the coin! Miss the game? Click here for player roster, video and photos

BritWeek was pleased to support Hollywood Ashes 2009, a spirited afternoon of Cricket featuring expat Brit & Australian players, showbiz celebrities and cricket legends! Visit the BritWeek Cricket page

FILMMAKERS FORUM: OVER THERE
Another first, BritWeek presented Over There, a fascinating creative forum for US and UK filmmakers about making movies across the pond. The one-day seminar comprised of four fun, informative and entertaining panels with US and UK entertainment industry leaders, including several Academy Award-winning filmmakers! View panels, photos and bios of our distinguished panelists

CONFERENCES
BritWeek was proud to co-sponsor two important conferences:
The Race Goes Green, in conjunction with the Motorsport Industry Association and the Long Beach Grand Prix. Held in the margins of the Long Beach Grand Prix, this unique, one-day conference, featuring senior executives from the car making, aftermarket, aerospace and motorsport communities, explored ways that motorsport and advanced engineering can help solve the fuel economy challenge.

BritWeek helped kick-off the official fifth annual International Music, Media & Technology conference MUSEXPO 2009 on Sunday April 26th at the London West Hollywood Hotel. The invitation-only event attracted some of the leading creative and business mindsets from around the world, and conference-goers were invited to a special music industry reception at the Consul General’s Residence.

CONCERTS
BritWeek featured concerts with top British performing artists, including legendary rock guitarist Jeff Beck, keyboard wizard Keith Emerson, platinum vocalist Katie Melua soul sensation Joss Stone, 70's Glam band Sweet and Reggae rockers UB40.

BRITWALK
British brands are significantly represented in the Los Angeles retail sector. 42 brands doing business here were featured on the BritWalk map, 145,000 of which were distributed with the Los Angeles Times, Daily Variety, Screen International and at events, retailers and restaurants around town. Support British companies and go on your own BritWalk! Visit the Fashion & Lifestyle section to download the BritWalk map