This week in Chicago, fans of the Academy Award Winning Coen Brothers will gather to pay homage to what is arguably their most popular film. Lebowski Fest, a celebration of all things Lebowski, is a yearly event that first began in Louisville as a way of celebrating The Big Lebowski. The main event of the festival is a night of unlimited bowling followed by a trivia contest. People who are die hard fans of the film generally attend this event in costume. This festival has branched out to the point where it is held in most major US cities, as well as in London.
As a huge fan of The Big Lebowski, I was hoping to be able to attend. But there is a major problem. It’s being held on Shabbos and as John Goodman said while playing Walter Sobchak, I am Shomer Effing shabbos. It means that I don’t turn on lights or an oven, I don’t drive and I sure as hell can’t go to Lebowski Fest.
In the grand scheme of Lebowski Fest, Chicago’s event is relatively minor, drawing mostly a local crowd and attended by B-list celebrities who were involved in the film. However, this spring there is going to be an event that will be attended by both Jeff Bridges (the guy who played the Dude) and Jeff Dowd (the actual dude who inspired the character). This festival will be huge, a gigantic gathering of the Lebowski faithful to honor the 10 year old film. The date, April 20th the night of the first Passover seder.
All I can say is, “This will not stand. This aggression will not stand!”
