Why should you go to Lebowski Fest Chicago November 9 & 10?

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It first came to Chicago in 2008, which was also the first Lebowski Fest I attended. The movie party at Portage Theater had sold out, and I'll never forget the first time I heard a packed theater yell, "Over the Line!" in unison.

This next LF Chicago will be my tenth LF overall, and a record 3rd this year (I also attended the first Lebowski Fest Milwaukee in addition to my annual pilgrimage to Louisville for the Annual what-have-you that started it all).

Inside a Wisconsin bowling alley last June, Founding Dude Will said to me, "I hate to say it, but I think Milwaukee turned out better than Chicago."  My immediate recognition that I had no defense for my hometown - for even though LF has returned to Chicago every year, it hasn't sold out since that first time in 2008. This is why I chose to dust off "Leblogski" and write tonight.

Achievers and Amateurs, I present to you five reasons to attend Lebowski Fest Chicago in early November:

Poster from the 1st Lebowski Fest Chicago

5. Portage Theater

Especially for a movie most have only seen in homes and with small groups, the experience of watching this movie in large glory is vastly underrated. Most aficionados will cite other Coen Brother efforts as more cinematic, but there are gems from the 30 foot tumbleweed barreling down a barren Los Angeles to a beautiful setting for a Folgers eulogy.

Don't be surprised if you pick up on more hidden jokes too (such as how Donny's head is perfectly framed within the Dude's arm when we hear him first say, "That's just your opinion, man").  I'm looking forward to the palpable anticipation of the Jesus Introduction... The ovation that begins at the first notes of "Hotel California" is a traditionally great moment at all Lebowski Fests.

Jeff, Paul, Daniel, Tom, Izaak

4. The Dudes
Fair Warning, I'm very biased but, Chicago is the best "Dude" venue of any Lebowski Fest location. We saw the Best Dude color barrier broken when Izaak won and at last year's LF Chicago longtime Achiever Favorite Paul broke through to take home his first prize. Both made their LF debuts in Chicago, and both have wonderfully different personality traits that encompass The Dude in any form.

The two most famous "Dudes" in Lebowski Fest History: Tom (who was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the 10th Annual Fest) and Jeff (with the best ultra-inside-Lebowski nickname of "Mr. Jamtoss") will be making their official LF debut as the musical act "The Dudes Abide" before the movie. These two have a new tradition of playing the night before the Annual Movie Party, but it's great to see a performance from them officially posted.

[Handicapping this year's race: Tom and Jeff are retired/ineligible and Izaak might be taking it easy. Daniel has been picking up momentum in fan appreciation, but it will be tough to prevent a Paul repeat.]

Liam!

3. Liam
James Hoosier will be there. He was Liam in the movie. This is an awesome thing. We all know he has zero lines (and was barely able to not look into the camera or laugh during his few scenes). But he will be polishing balls the Liam way and will be belly shaking and pointing accordingly.  Word has that his bowling game is almost back to a level that will get him to the next Round Robin... If he's not too busy glancing at Maudes he might vie for a high bowling score of the night.

Chicago is lucky to have Liam attend. He represents a lot of what is unique to the entire inside world of fandom. In any other element he is James Hoosier. A man that likes to post on Facebook about how proud he of the military service of his new son in law and occasionally whines about NFL games. In a bowling alley of Achievers he becomes a personification of something much greater.

Dave, and his special lady friend, at a past LF Chicago

2. All of us
Let me make something very clear. The Portage Theater is a great experience because it's filled with like minded people with an common interest. The Dudes Abide don't have any recorded music available for purchase or download. James Hoosier is not an actor. The attendees make Lebowski Fest. The people are the party.

It hurt to see Chicago not sell out in recent years - hurt like a boombox to the midsection. I've heard the New York Fests are attended by people too hip to wear a bathrobe to a bowling alley. I don't want Chicago to be like NY. I want more people like Dave - who I don't know but have seen at every Chicago Lebowski Fest. Dave is the best Chicago-based creative costumer. He has shown up with a heavy porcelain toilet strapped to his chest ready for head dunking, a bowling lane ready for others to step over his line, and most recently was seen as an oversized Dude Jellie Slipper. I can't wait to see what he has developed for this LF.

1. F*CKING WITH THE JESUS
There is zero debate amongst anybody who has seen him in action... He is the best Jesus in Lebowski Fest history. I don't want to post pictures in case this post is successful and convinces someone to attend for the first time. The Jesus has arrived in a limo, he NEVER breaks character, and for all I know goes door to door surrounding the Portage Theater informing parents that he's a pederast.

He was only challenged once - by a Burlesque Dancer (a "She'sus") who danced and peeled off a purple jumpsuit that created a moment that I will always hold dear in my LF memory... But even that couldn't dethrone him.

You all have a date Friday November 9 & Saturday November 10. Hope to see you all there!
Abidingly,
TQ 

Poster designs by Bill Green

What goes into an 11 hour playlist?

For the fourth year in a row, I have refreshed my iTunes playlist named "Lou'a'vul."  It's about a six hour drive from door to door, and I stuck with the past strategy of whole albums with a few Lebowski inspired songs along the way.

It starts with "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" by The Sons of the Pioneers. This is the song that opens The Big Lebowski. A no-brainer for Achievers followed by "Lookin' Out My Back Door" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. CCR is a must for a Lebowski-minded mixtape.

Next up are both the In Rainbows and King of Limbs (including the "Supercollider" & "The Butcher" add ons) albums in their entirety.  These are the two most recent studio efforts by Radiohead.

After two full albums I'll remind myself why I'm in the car with "The Man in Me" by Bob Dylan. This is arguably, the most iconic song tied to The Big Lebowski followed immediately by "Hotel California (Spanish Mix)" by Gipsy Kings. Ya kinda need to have seen The Big Lebowski at least twice to know why this song is on there. It don't matter to Jesus!

After those two tracks, I'll be in full Achiever spirit, and ready to get caught up on the two most recent episodes of the Lebowski Podcast.

My Morning Jacket will then finally make their much deserved appearance.  There are too many reasons to include this band. MMJ was the first band to perform at a Lebowski Fest. They are from Louisville.  Shortly after their latest release I created an all-MMJ mixtape featuring my favorite tracks from their four most recent albums:

MMJ mixtape

Before getting back into an album focus, one more reference to the film: "Just Dropped In - To See What Condition My Condition Was In" by Kenny Rodgers and the First Edition. I'd say you'd need at least 4 viewing of The Big Lebowski to know why this song belongs here.

The entire Civilian album by Wye Oak. 

The entire Pickin' Up The Pieces album by Fitz & The Tantrums

The entire Veckatimest album by Grizzly Bear

The entire Kaputt album by Destroyer

The entire This Is Happening album by LCD Soundsystem

The entire Cloak and Cipher album by Land of Talk

The entire XX album by The xx

(the back half the playlist is intentionally devoid of Lebowski as it's intended for the return home, and playing Creedence will probably make me start feeling sad that the next Fest is a year away)
Okay, time to get to sleep - I'm hitting the road as soon as I can tomorrow morning.  I'll be on the road less than ten minutes after I get out of bed - "You didn't think I was rollin' out of here naked, did ya?"

Is this the best tweet yet? (I'm sorry I wasn't listening)

I have been more Achiever-focused than usual in the past 24 hours:
Last night Burkhalter posted the official Facebook Event along with the updated 10th Annual Page on LebowskiFest.com.  This morning I made sure to call the official hotel for the Fest to book my reservation under the discounted rate. (Something I highly recommend to everybody that knows they are going - the hotel block always sells out)  And then this afternoon I noticed @lebowskifest started following me Twitter.

It's official fellow Achievers.  The "LeBlogski" link was removed from www.lebowskifest.com.  The Founding Dudes had given me fair warning.  All I had asked was for a simple shout out when they finally did scatter the ashes.  The result is easily the best tweet I've seen in my Feed since signing up on Twitter in late September 2010.  If I could, I'd have Sam Elliot him-Stranger-self say, "Much obliged" to Will & Scott...

Well, I guess we can close the file on that one.

This was my final post on LeBlogski:
I've got to uh-- tender my resignation or whatever (February 19, 2011)

Co-Star in the Beaver Picture

Like a toe (with nailpoish!), LEBLOGSKI is getting cut off.
When asked about the idea of shutting it down, I told the Founding Dudes that its absence will most likely go universally unnoticed.  LF's social media integration (Facebook / Twitter) is strong enough to get it into the next round robin (#amiwrong).  It is a much smoother way for them to connect with Achievers.  But just in case people see this, thank you very much for reading.  There have been a couple instances when people have mentioned to me at a Lebowski Fest that they've read it, which is always surprising and flattering.

Favorite posts from my tenure as the Lebowski Fest Blogger:

• Jury Duty, which I used to convince the Founding Dudes to let me write.
• My open letter to John Goodman (but I did really love my "Stranger" open letter too!)
• The photos I took at the 9th Annual
• Chicago's Jesus Duel (with special mention to any post involving Vaudezilla)
• A small "Behind The Music" on the Nightline story.

For those looking to feed their Lebowski fix by way of a blog, I can't recommend lebowskipodcast.com strongly enough.  In addition to the podcast maintained by Fest-regular Chalupa, the blog on the podcast's website is consistently updated with Achiever-minded stories grabbed from the fringes of the Internet.

Thank you to Will & Scott (the Founding Dudes) for allowing me the privilege of sharing my like love of Lebowski on their website, and in turn with all of you.  This news won't stop me from writing about Lebowski Fests in the future (they just won't be here, but on my personal blog instead).  More importantly, I can't wait to catch ya later on down the trail at an upcoming Lebowski Fest.

Goodnight, sweet prince.[TQ]

Do you have a favorite shirt?

I lack fashion.

This statement is both true in the literal "I don't have own many stylish clothes" as the figurative "I don't know what would define style."  If someone at work compliments a shirt of mine, there is a very large likelihood that it was a purchased by MySister (either as a gift or a commissioned buy with my money).  Even in the genre of T-Shirt And Jeans I think I come up a tad short since 95% of my t-shirts fall into three categories:

1. References to The Big Lebowski 
2. Bands most of my friends don't enjoy
3. Marquette University

Regardless, I have a favorite shirt.  I wore it this past Friday and my friend happened to take a picture of me in it.  The shirt is held so highly in my esteem, I usually prefer these pictures because I find the shirt an important element.

...I went out and achieved anyway...

[POST SCRIPT: In case you didn't know, the blog on lebowskifest.com's days are numbered.   From now on, I'll be posting "Leblogski" type stuff here.  Hopefully my 7 readers won't get too upset.]

He fixes the cable? (It's video, Dude.)

Oh my, what a beautiful web address it is:
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/dude--12311896
Go watch that video.
Go watch that video. (Mr. Lebowski asked me to repeat that)

I knew they were coming.
If you read* my posts, you knew it too.
You'd think I had one leg longer than the other - the amount of circles I walked around that Nightline camera crew for I attempted to get into the background of more shots that I could count... I succeeded twice.

Paused DVR glory! You're allowed to blink once as long as you don't blink the second time I appear in the background.

It was great to see friends like the entire "Chinamen with Lebowski's Legs" Philly foursome get a moment in front of the camera. However, it was an utter shame the famous Mrs. Jamtoss fell victim to the red pen of Nightline's editor.

The highlight of the overall strike of a piece was it's conclusion. I was on the lane with the eventual "Best Walter" (and Trivia 2nd place winner I might add!) and pictured the before and after of the most clutch roll in Lebowski Fest history!

Dios mio, Bob.
*If you haven't read my posts... I guess you just weren't listening... but I do recommend at least two of my posts from this past July:
My Favorite Picture From the 9th Annual
My Top 5 Garden Party Pictures[TQ]

Which one's Logjammin'? (My Top 5 Garden Party Pictures)

And a good day to you sir!

I call the Monday after the Annual Lebowski Fest, unofficially of course, "Annual Upload Day." I take this day off of work (Are you employed, sir?) not only because I've spent a long day prior driving and sifting through my own photos, but also I love seeing all the pictures others have to share and finding the various media reports.

There's a lot to mention and share, which will be gotten to in due time. Today I am focusing on my top five pictures from the Garden Party. You are more than welcome to view my entire album (of the whole weekend).

However, to appreciate the following five pictures - know this:
I almost became a Lebowski Fest Cliche.

While waiting in my hotel lobby circa 1:30 AM post Movie Party for a pizza, I realized my camera was not my pocket (Could you slide your shorts down Mr. Lebowski, please?). It didn't take me long to write it off for good. Thankfully, it took longer for the food delivery and decided to walk back to the very vacant and more dark lawn. The feeling was more disappointing than anger. I really didn't take all than many Movie Party pictures.

I can see you're anxious for me to get to the point.
After too many minutes of using my phone as a digital lantern to no avail, a security guy asked what I was looking for [and if it was the camera he had earlier found]!

Rejuvenated, I was able to take harder than it appears timed photographs of the Garden Party Games the following afternoon. I don't have a high speed camera, but it certainly performed like one. Enjoy the following action shots:

Beach Blanket Toss

Valkyrie Ring Toss

Sheriff of Malibu Coffee Mug Throw

Marmot fling

Ringer Toss

Stay tuned to LEBLOGSKI for pictures of costumes, video and what-have-you.[TQ]

Is that some kind of Eastern thing? (An Open Letter to a Stranger)

Stranger

Dear Mr. Pin Model,

I don't know you, but the above picture of you continues to bring me joy more than a year after I first saw it. Speaking of joy, perhaps you don't realize how much joy that pin costume you so dutifully modeled gave thousands.
The revamped pin head costumes were commissioned by the Founding Dudes to help them embark on 2009's historically epic Speed of Sound Tour. The pins made their debut at the Bonnaroo Music Festival before showing up in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Austin and (of course) Louisville!

Do you have a facebook account Mr. Unknown to Me Bowling Pin Model Man? If you do, you know the importance of one's Profile Picture. Many people quickly changed their Profile Picture to the one they took in between these pin costumes.

Bree

I don't know where in the world you live, but it has to be near one of the upcoming Lebowski Fests. Judging by your facial expression, it appears you are having a difficult time comprehending why such costumes would be custom ordered for professional construction. If you were to attend a Lebowski Fest, all doubt will be removed. And, not to mention, if you come to a Lebowski Fest you yourself can be pictured WITH the pins instead of a stark isolated solo portrait AS it.
What else can I learn from your picture that can potentially give me a glimpse into your life?

You have an awesome mustache. On a personal level, I'm an enormous fan of high quality facial hair - mainly because I'm a fuckin' amateur in the beard growth department. Many key characters in The Big Lebowski have iconic facial hair. You and your mustache will feel at home.

I can see you're sporting a pair of running shoes. And by the looks of it, those things get used. You're not wearing any pristine white, fresh out of the box, kicks. That footwear will serve you well if you happen to attend the 9th Annual in Louisville because there's an outdoor aspect to that Fest. Also at that Fest has side games such as The Ringer Toss and Mug Throw in which athletic footwear will give you a key advantage over those wearing jellies.

Scoop

Come to think about it, I might be making a gross assumption: Have you even seen The Big Lebowski Mr. Bowling Pin Model with Athletic Shoes and a Mustache? All my enthusiasm of getting to you to a Fest doesn't necessarily dissipate if you haven't seen it. True, it's not a good experience to see the movie for the first time at a Fest. (SPOILER ALERT: people tend to shout their favorite lines) Send me an e-mail and I'll overnight one of my many DVD copies. Don't worry about me, I'll give you the Achiever Edition and if I need to, I can always watch the 10th Anniversary Edition I picked up last year. Don't worry about the postage in returning it - you can joyfully hand it back to me when we meet up at your first Fest.

Tickets are on sale now, so I'd recommend not delaying any further. It's a wonderful voyage to your first Fest!

Oh, one final thing... I'll introduce you to John Goodman.[TQ]

Am I wrong? (An Open Letter to John Goodman)

(A quick note to everybody not named John Goodman: Chalupa of the Lebowski Podcast sent me this story yesterday - once you read that you'll get up to speed on this letter)

Mr. Goodman,

Please accept my official invitation to attend an upcoming Lebowski Fest. I should mention now that I have no authority from Will Russell or Scott Shuffitt (the "founding dudes" of Lebowski Fest).

My invitation is merely just a suggestion from one Fest attendee (me) to another potential attendee (hopefully you). As someone who spent years on the sidelines wanting to go to a Fest, and finally did - I find myself uniquely qualified to help convince someone who appears to be on the fence about attending [such as you might be].

Knowing that your time is precious, I'll list a few quick reasons:

-It is as fun as it looks... And that's well before the bowling starts.
-It is not a Star Trek convention... Nobody is going to hassle you asking if you know the name of Walter's dog.
-You might end up taking more pictures than being pictured... I won't lie to you (no funny stuff), you will be very popular at a Lebowski Fest and many people (such as yours truly) will request to be photographed with you. But I can assure you that you are going to want to take pictures of your own to help share your experience with others.

Also, on a personal level, let me say that I get the sense that you will only attend if one of your fellow billed co-stars join you. Please, don't let this be the barrier preventing your decision to come out. The same reason kept me away for years, and I finally decided three years ago to fly it solo. It didn't take me long to meet instant friends. At the very least - you can hang out with me.

I can't offer you much Mr. Goodman. And, no offense, if I had the option of cutting off my toe to get you to a Lebowski Fest I would decline it and keep my toe. However, if needed: I will sacrifice my hotel room. People will be happy to let me crash in their room knowing I gave it up to get Mr. John Goodman to town.

May I suggest the 9th Annual Lebowski Fest in Louisville, Kentucky to be your first Fest? It's the weekend of July 16 & 17. Although there are many more in 2010, the one in Louisville would be your best option. Feel free to e-mail Will or Scott at dudes@lebowskifest.com for more information.

I look forward to meeting you,
TQ

Are you ready to be f***ed, man? (Best Jesus at Lebowski Fest Chicago Bowling Night 2: The Duel!)

The "Best Jesus" from the First Lebowski Fest in Chicago (March 2008) was not exactly a lightweight. You can see his antics prominently showcased in Eddie Chung's The Achievers.

When he strutted (and he most certainly had the Quintana walk perfected) into Diversey River Bowl to defend his title, I don't think he expected the competition to be as good - or as sexy:





Maria May I, did win over the crowd (and me as well), but sadly finished as the runner up. Thankfully for us all, it didn't stop her from dancing.



If you thought these moves were good - I implore you to catch one of the two newly added performances of "Rollin' Outta Here Naked" by Vaudezilla (including this very same Jesus)![TQ]

Oh, you're Bunny? (Very free-spirited)

Lebowski Fest Chicago officially takes place Sunday September 13 - Tuesday September 15.
However, there's much more to do in the area if you are an Achiever in Chicago that weekend.
The Thursday prior to LF-Chicago, September 10, a special screening of The Achievers will play at the Portage Theater.

The Portage Theater, located on Milwaukee Ave in the great city of Chicago, is also the location of the official Lebowski Fest Chicago Movie Party on Sunday September 13.
However, something a lot more... revealing... is occurring just down the street from the Portage at Gorilla Tango Theater.

"Rolling Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque" by the Achievers at Vaudezilla is the perfect pre-party for Lebowski Fest Chicago.

I am very excited to report that this crew is scheduled to appear before the movie is screened at the Movie Party. I asked one of the organizers, Red Hot Annie for some more info and she told me that they are doing a "handful of acts" from their show. Don't be fatuous, I don't think she was being literal with her word choice. But here are five reasons why you shouldn't settle for just their appearance during the Movie Party.

5: I'm not the only one with this opinion. They have recently received mentions from NBC Chicago and Centerstage along with their peers at Burlesque Baby and Candy Pitch. This review from Chicago Reader is hot off the figurative press!

4: There is just one Movie Party and two Bowling Parties with the Founding Dudes, but four chances to see "Rolling Out of Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque." You can catch it every Saturday in September at Gorilla Tango Theater. The opening show of Saturday September 3 is nearly sold out! Yours truly will be in attendance at the September 10th performance and I highly suspect their Portage Theater appearance will make the last two shows a sought after scene.

3: You are not dealing with a bunch of fucking amateurs here. Check out vaudezilla.com to see what else they have done. Now it's tough for me to attribute any level of legitimate opinion to a burlesque show. With the exception of a 15 minute underwhelming performance at the now defunct Tangerine Nightclub (which was located inside Treasure Island, Las Vegas), I haven't had any exposure to the artform. That being said, these people have made a believer out of me. Here's a picture of Wham Bam Pam and Red Hot Annie showing off their costume prep progress:

2: Their level of dedication is beyond your average Achiever. At my last Lebowski Fest in Louisville there were a couple people dressed up as Marty the Landlord. But did any of them make the follicle commitment of a Mr. Dick Dijon?

1: Maria May I.
Jesus.

The first I heard of these performances was when Dick Dijon posted that above poster on the Achiever Forum. He was smart to mention that The Woman Behind the Ball was Maria May I, and that she was in fact performing in the show. Without the help of a Brother Shamus, relying on my powers of logic and deduction (not to mention a junior high quality crush) I was able to find Maria May I's blog, and thankfully received permission to use the above purple jumpsuited picture.

On a personal level, I hope to see a lot of Achievers alongside me at Gorilla Tango Theater as we help make September official Lebowski Month in Chicago.

Was the doctor was a good man? and thorough? (Lebowski On Trial)

For three weeks I served as a Juror in downtown Chicago. It was a Civil Trial - medical malpractice. Basically, I had to evaluate if the Defendant was a good man, and thorough.

The specifics of the case were daunting: the visual torture of doctors' notes, nurses' notes, blood test results and expert testimony became overwhelming at times. For the sake of my civic duty, I took copious notes. (I also kept as quiet and listened as intently as Liam)

I was jolted in the jury box during the cross examination of the Defendant. I don't have access to the official transcript (although I do wish I could have given the court reporter my number - but that's another story related in my quest for a special lady friend), but here's a very close reinterpretation:

QUESTION: ...and the ultrasound showed it to be one by three and a half centimeters in size?
ANSWER: Yes.
QUESTION: About the size of a golf ball?
ANSWER: Obviously you're not a golfer.
QUESTION: But that's what the note said...

Later in the trial, the Lawyer for the Plaintiff said, "The imperial 'we'?"
Close Counselor... Nice effort.

In an action completely unrelated to my love for all things Lebowski, we ruled in favor of the doctor.
He was a good man, and thorough.[TQ]