America is the home of Hollywood and of course there is a big fascination with movies, music and stars. An representation of this is the Lebowski Fest a festival dedicated to the Coen Brother classic movie ” The Big Lebowski .
Lebowski Festival History
The Big Lebowski cast members Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges at the 2011 Lebowski Fest.
The festival began in 2002 in Louisville, Kentucky, and has been held in Milwaukee, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, London, Boston, New Orleans, Raleigh, and Pittsburgh.
Various stars from “The Big Lebowski” have attended the fest over the years, including Jeff Bridges, who in 2005 showed up at Lebowski Fest in Los Angeles singing and playing “The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan, which is featured in the film. In 2011, members of the cast reunited at Lebowski Fest in New York, including Bridges, Julianne Moore, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and John Turturro.
Lebowski Festival Highlights
- Lookalike/Costume Contests
- Unlimited Bowling
- Movie Screening
- Cocktails – White Russians of course.
When is the Festival?
July
Where is the Festival?
Louisville, Kentucky. (There is also a version held on occasion on NYC)
Legacy
Lebowski Fest was co-founded by Louisvillians Will Russell and Scott Shuffitt, who, along with Bill Green and Ben Peskoe, authored the book, I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You, described as “a punch-drunk tribute worthy of a bowling-loving stoner named ‘the Dude.'” There is also a documentary about Lebowski Fest, entitled The Achievers.
An account of the first ever Lebowski Fest is included in Mike Walsh’s non-fiction account of his endeavor to bowl in all 50 U.S. states, Bowling Across America.
Lebowski Fest has also appeared on the Food Network program “Ace of Cakes.” The episode named “The Big Cakeowski” features the Charm City Cakes staff creating and delivering a movie-themed cake to Lebowski Fest in Louisville.
The British equivalent, inspired by Lebowski Fest, is known as The Dude Abides and is held in London.