[Update] Letter on Lebowski Fest: With Pictures

For you old timers, you’ll remember the advertisement for Lebowski Fest.  I promoted it, but I couldn’t attend.  The next best thing is an email, telling me what I missed:


Dear Boo,

The man for his time and place – Jeff Bridges shows in LA!

Lebowski Fest West in Los Angeles was far out! Both events sold out with Achievers coming from over 30 states and abroad. The farthest traveled went to a couple from Ecuador who got engaged at Lebowski Fest! Several actors from the film made an appearance including Jeff Bridges who performed a great set at the Knitting Factory which included originals and a cover of Dylan’s “The Man in Me!” Check out his his album “Be Here Soon”.

Other actors who came out were Jack Kehler (Monty the Landlord), Peter Stormare (Karl Hungus/Uli the Nihilist) Lu Elrod (Family Restaurant Waitress), Robin Jones (Ralph’s Checkout Girl), David Huddleston (The
Big Lebowski), Jerry Haleva (Saddam), Jim Hoosier (Liam), bowling techincal supervisor Barry Asher, and of course Jeff “The Dude” Dowd!
Not since the movie was made have so many of the actors been in one place! When asked what he thought of the whole Lebowski phenomenon, Jeff Bridges replied as only The Dude could, “It all feels like some weird dream I’m having.” I couldn’t agree more.

Other non-Lebowski pop-culture icons showed up to bowl including the actor who played Lawrence “Chunk” from The Goonies! There were so many highlights like Jeff Bridges letting me try on his Jelly sandals and David Huddleston yelling “The Bums will always lose!” over the
intercom at the bowling alley to 1000 cheering Achievers. Check out all the highlights, press, and photos.


David Huddleston (The Big Lebowski) yelling “The Bums Lost!” on the mic to 1000 screaming Achievers

Thanks to Jeff, Michael, Pat and Bunnie who helped raise money for Jeff Bridges’ non-profit, End Hunger Network. The special shirt designed by Jeff Bridges for the event is now available online with a portion of the proceeds going to End Hunger Network. The limited edition, screen-printed, signed and numbered LA event poster by Bill Green is also available while they last. Thanks to all the Achievers, bands and actors who came out to LA and made the Lebowski dream come.

4th Annual Lebowski Fest – July 22nd-24th, 2005!                        

Coming off some great momentum from LA, we are planning for another amazing annual event in Louisville this July! We are working on the details and will publish them as new information come to light. The official hotel is the Executive West and they are already taking reservations. Tickets will go on sale in mid June. All the latest can be found here. We have been receiving signs that this will be the most ridiculously fun event yet.

New Stickers!            
We have added three new stickers to the parlance of our times.

“The Bums will always lose!”

“I dig yer style,  Dude.”

“It don’t matter to Jesus.”

What’s next?

We are still ironing out the details for the fall. We are looking to do at least one more event and possibly two before the year ends. We
are looking at New York and Austin. Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous so stay tuned for all the latest.

Thank you so very much for all of your encouragement and support. We are much obliged.

Take ‘er easy,

Will & Scott dudes@lebowskifest.com
LebowskiFest.com

Author: BooMan

Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.