From across the pond to the shores of the Pacific, BritWeek LA threw out all the stops to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a gala evening at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica.
Say what you want about the Brits, but they sure know how to stage an invasion – and to party.
The celebration of the creative bond between the UK and California in entertainment, art, music, business, design and sports kicked off with an SRO VIP reception in the hotel’s ballroom.
It featured a performance by British comedian Gina Yashere – who had the crowd in stitches as she solicited Nigel Lythgoe for a role on “So You Think You Can Dance.” “Of course I can dance,” she said, “but if it was a show about swimming, I would fail.”
Also performing for the convivial crowd, Alexander Jean, made up of “Dancing with the Stars”’ Mark Ballas and his fiancé BC Jean, Season 7 contestant of ”American Idol” Carly Smithson and “So You Think You Can Dance” winner Fik-Shun.
British music industry legend Peter Asher also took the stage and had the audience singing along to some of his hits.
The after party moved outdoors to the courtyard of the hotel with its iconic natural centerpiece, the magnificent 80 foot tall Moreton Bay fig tree, which was festooned with red and blue lights representing the Union Jack. Outdoor lounge furniture was also upholstered with the colors of the flag.
An Austin Powers look-alike made the rounds of the room, taking selfies with guests as the entertainment continued into the night.
In addition to traditional food like bangers and mash, meat pies and fish and chips prepared by the hotel’s FIG restaurant, Royal Chef Darren McGrady was on hand with some of his famous confections.
His sweet treats included Butter Toffee Bread Pudding, a favorite of HRH Princess Diana, as well as his Chocolate Biscuit Cake which he has prepared for Princes Harry and William and chocolate birthday cake prepared for HRM Queen Elizabeth.
Guests also got to take their pick of British grocery staples including Burt’s British hand cooked potato chips, HP sauce, Duerr’s marmalade, Fever Tree ginger beer, Wine Gums gummy candies, Shandy Bass beer and Walkers shortbread.
Walkers also sponsored a popular photo booth where attendees could get decked out in all manner of props featuring its famous black and red plaid and pose in front of a street scene reminiscent of Abbey Road.
Other sponsors included the Fairmont, BBC Worldwide Productions, Marks & Spencer and Blue Fish.
Spotted in the crowd: co-founders of BritWeek Bob Peirce and Sharon Harroun Peirce, Celia Imrie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Downtown Abbey, Absolutely Fabulous), Huw Collins (Pretty Little Liars), Kathryn Prescott (Finding Carter, Skins), Nigel Lythgoe, Harry Hamlin, Peter Asher, Fred Willard, Karina Smirnoff, Lotte Verbeek (Agent Carter, Outlander, The Last Witch Hunter), and many more celebrants.
“We are grateful for all of the celebrities, partners, media and guests that came out to celebrate with us at the Fairmont,” said BritWeek Chairman Peirce, who also noted that 2016 marks not only BritWeek’s 10th anniversary but also the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.
BritWeek was founded by Peirce and Lythgoe with a mission to create greater awareness of the many ways in which Great Britain and the US work closely together, and to further build this relationship to advance business, the arts and philanthropy in both of these thriving regions of the world.
BritWeek events continue through May 8 and promote British creativity, innovation and excellence in California across multiple categories including film and television, music, art, fashion, design, retail, sport, philanthropy and business. They take place throughout greater Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and Miami.
BritWeek partners with many charitable organizations including Malaria No More, Save the Children, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
