There are dozens and dozens of cult film favorites, but with the exception of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, few rival the level of celebration of the Coen brothers’ 1998 comedy The Big Lebowski. “Achievers,” as the Lebowski-heads are known, can quote the film verbatim and capture the inflections of protagonist Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a stoner turned amateur detective, and his friend Walter (John Goodman), an intensely salty Nam vet. The two run into a bizarre cast of characters, ranging from nihilists to porn producers. The odd comedy touched with Raymond Chandler-style detective novel was a flop at the box office, but quickly found a cult following via video, DVD and midnight movie screenings.
Four years after the film’s release, the first Lebowski Fest occurred in Louisville, Ky., in 2002. The idea took off and soon Lebowski Fest hit the road, going on to host fests in 30 cities across the country and beyond (Lebowski Fest returns to London next month), including Milwaukee.
Lebowski Fests generally consist of two major events. The first day features a musical performance, special guests and a screening of the film. That will happen here in Cathedral Square Park (corner of Kilbourn Ave. and N. Jefferson St.) with a performance by anonymous funk band Here Come the Mummies. There’s also a White Russian Liquid Lunch pre-party at the Pabst Theater Pub (144 E. Wells St.) celebrating The Dude’s signature drink. A “Lebowski-oke” after party is also happening at the Newsroom Pub (137 E. Wells St.). Expect a lot of selections from Credence, but no Eagles, man.
Day two focuses on The Dude’s favorite activity with a bowling party (at JB’s On 41 bowling alley, 4040 S. 27th St.) that includes a costume contest. Trying to get creative in the costuming department is quite a challenge, as every conceivable angle tied to the film has nearly been exhausted. A winner one year, dressed as underwear-clad royalty, was based off a passing line in the film—“the queen in her damn undies.” Expect to also see people dressed as the main cast or as bowling pins.
There’s no word if any of the movie’s cast will be here, but past Lebowski Fest guests have included everyone from the film’s main cast to the film’s more minor characters, like Philip Moon, who plays Woo, the man who pisses on The Dude’s carpet, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, who plays Smokey, the guy who makes a critical error when he doesn’t mark it zero after stepping “over the line” while bowling.
Lebowski Fest celebrated its 14th anniversary this year in Louisville, but at the celebration, life began to imitate art for Lebowski Fest founder Will Russell. After he was discovered smoking a joint and “acting erratically” in the bowling lane parking lot on July 11, Russell was arrested for “possession of marijuana,” “resisting arrest” and “menacing.” To quote the film, “we’re talking about unchecked aggression here, Dude.”
Fortunately, this turn of events hasn’t set back Milwaukee’s Lebowski Fest, which returns to the former bowling capital of the world after skipping the event last year. And that is, as The Dude would say, pretty “far out.”
Lebowski Fest is takes place Aug. 21-22. For more information, visit lebowskifest.com or pabsttheater.org/show/lebowskifest2015.
