The British Invasion Continues As They Celebrate 50 years in Los Angeles with BritWeek

Events to include Duran Duran concert, David Lean 100th Birthday Film Retrospective, BAFTA/LA British Comedy Festival, British Celebrity Soccer Matches, Brit Walk, plus a VIP Invitation-Only Champagne Launch at the British Consul General's Residence.

Spring in Los Angeles this year will have a distinctly British flavor. BritWeek 2008 (www.britweek.org) (April 24-May 10) will feature pop concerts, British fashion designers, film evenings, comedy screenings and a comedy awards gala dinner, as well as soccer and a "Brit Walk" bringing together the many British luxury goods and fashion retailers in Los Angeles.

The Brits are also celebrating the Golden Anniversary of their Consul General's official Residence in Hancock Park, with invitation-only receptions to experience 50 years of British links with Los Angeles - links which include the amazingly strong influences that the Brits have had on the entertainment industries in LA, and also the major investments that British companies have made in LA over the past half century, making the UK the largest foreign investor here.

"The Brits are such a large part of the development of Los Angeles - and have been for well over fifty years. From William Mulholland who established the city's water supply in the early 20th century and Colonel Griffith J. Griffith who built two of Los Angeles' treasures: The Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park," said Bob Peirce, British Consul General in Los Angeles, "to those that entertain Americans in film, television, music, fashion, and sports. We have been more than visitors, we are a part of the fabric of Los Angeles."

"I am delighted to welcome the launch of BritWeek 2008, celebrating the rich relationship between Britain and the City of Los Angeles," said Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. "We are proud of our close ties with the United Kingdom, in trade, business, culture and tourism, and it is my goal that we strengthen these links even further. BritWeek brings us an exciting program of film, music, television, fashion, arts and retail events. It highlights the reasons why the British come to Los Angeles, and what they have to offer us, both as big investors and employers, and also as talented members of our great cosmopolitan community. BritWeek is a terrific addition to the life of Los Angeles."

"From the beginning with Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, to today with Simon Cowell and David Beckham, the Brits have firmly cemented their footprints in Hollywood over the past half of a century," said Nigel Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment. "We add marvelous colour to both the entertainment community and the city, and we are here to stay."

BritWeek 2008 events include*:

Thursday, April 24 Champagne Launch of BritWeek at the Residence 50th Anniversary (Invite Only)

Saturday, April 26 Official 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Consulate Residence (Invite Only)

Thursday, May 1 BAFTA/LA British Comedy Festival Presented by British Airways at the Four Seasons

Friday, May 2 David Lean 100th Birthday Film Retrospective at the Egyptian Theatre hosted by David Thomson

Saturday, May 3 The British in Hollywood from Chaplin to present day (1910 to 2008) hosted by Michael York

Sunday, May 4 Duran Duran Concert at the Nokia Theatre

Saturday, May 10 British Celebrity Soccer Match Hosted by Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center

*In honour of BritWeek 2008, the festival of British directors will be at LACMA from April 4-April 26. There will also be a David Lean festival at the Aero from May 7-May 15. For more details on the screenings, please visit www.britweek.org

The steering committee for BritWeek 2008 is chaired by British Consul General Bob Peirce and includes Nigel Lythgoe.

BritWeek 2008's sponsors are 19 Entertainment, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Megastore, bp, British American Business Council, UK Trade & Investment, Diageo, BAFTA/LA, Rolls Royce/MINIUSA, BBC, HBO, Air New Zealand, UK Film Council US, The Body Shop, and The Douris Corporation.