In its third year, BritWeek 2009 in Los Angeles was bigger than ever. Food,
fashion, and cars were added to the program and a gala dinner raised over $1
million to combat malaria in Africa.
Los Angeles, California. (May 20, 2009) BritWeek 2009 has just ended, having taken
about a month. This now annual tradition celebrating British contributions to Los
Angeles was bigger than ever. Building on last yearÕs highly successful program of
events in film, music, sports, retail, comedy and the arts, BritWeek added British
automotive technology, old and new, as well as food, fashion and science.
Most notably, BritWeek 2009 featured a gala dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel to
benefit Malaria No More, a charity chaired by Newscorp President Peter Chernin, which
aims to eradicate deaths from malaria, especially in Africa where a million children die
from the disease every year. The BritWeek gala was attended by former British Prime
Minister Tony Blair, Sarah Brown, wife of BritainÕs current Prime Minister, LA Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa, as well as supermodel Naomi Campbell and other celebrity guests.
Rock superstar Daughtry performed. Over $1 million was raised, an amazing feat in
todayÕs tight economy.
Other BritWeek events included: a major fashion show in partnership with Genlux
Magazine, at which the first BritWeek fashion designer awards were presented; a
celebrity soccer game at the Home Depot Center immediately preceding the LA Galaxy
vs. NY Red Bulls match on May 2nd; the BAFTA/LA British Comedy Festival, where
Tracey Ullman received a lifetime achievement award; ÒBritWalks,Ó in Los Angeles and
Orange County, bringing together dozens of British retailers and luxury brands, as well
as food stores and restaurants featuring British delicacies; an art exhibition; concerts by
UB40, Jeff Beck, Travis, Keith Emerson, Katie Melua and Joss Stone; a ÒCool BritanniaÓ
evening at the Petersen Museum which included an exhibition of British classic cars;
and much more.
Chaired by British Consul General Bob Peirce, who co-founded it in 2007 with Nigel
Lythgoe (President 19 Entertainment and Producer & Judge of "So You Think You Can
Dance"), BritWeek has fast become an annual fixture in the Los Angeles calendar.
Peirce says that he is already talking to new people who want to be part of BritWeek
2010, and the BritWeek Board today announced that Peirce will continue to chair
BritWeek for another two years. He will step down as British Consul General in July,
having completed his term, but will stay in Los Angeles in a private capacity.
For more information on BAFTA/LA, visit www.baftala.org.
|