Tea and Britweek

Ask any Brit in LA what they miss most about the UK and there’s a strong likelihood that high on their list will be: a proper cup of tea. This means boiling water poured onto tea leaves in a pre-warmed teapot, served with a jug of milk and a side of hot water for extra cups — nothing at all like the sad teabag floating around in lukewarm water that passes for a cuppa here.

Well, KCRW’s own onetime producer Gemma Dempsey (The Treatment; Morning Becomes Eclectic), who now divides her time between London and LA working on all sorts of creative projects, is filling that void for a week, with a pop-up tea shop, called A Spot of Tea. She promises that not only will you find a good pot of tea, but also programmed entertainment and “British gifts, crafts, teas and yummy treats,” like “soap made with Lapsang Souchong and Licorice Tea” and ceramics by British violinist Maya Magub. A Spot of Tea will be at Spice Station in Silver Lake, through May 6.

A Spot of Tea is just one of the many offerings at this year’s Britweek – a now annual showcase of British commerce and talent. Originally lasting just a few days and featuring a few panels, the event has expanded; between now and its closing on May 7, you can take in parties and panels that range from a discussion with “digital innovators” to a charitable gala dinner Friday, to be headlined by British exports Piers Morgan and Jackie Collins. The gala will be attended by such luminaries as Philip Treacy, hatmaker to royalty and anyone else with a zest for extreme style. Click here for tickets and information about all events.