Dancing Outdoors With a Poor English Kid in the Heart of Los Angeles

At LA Plaza, Viewers Connect to ‘Billy Elliot’ and Belief in the Underdog

On the first Friday night of summer in Los Angeles, the Zócalo Summer Movie Series at LA Plaza kicked off with a pirouette and a plié, courtesy of Billy Elliot, the story of a young boy who escapes poverty, politics, and the expectations of his family to become a ballet dancer.

As the sun set over downtown L.A. and the heat dissipated, Angelenos of all ages settled down—some with picnic baskets and blankets, others with dinner, snacks, and drinks purchased on-site—for a night at LA Plaza. Some were there for the …