Culture

Jeff Bridges Played Some Creedence at the Big Lebowski Festival

The annual Big Lebowski Festival, the twelfth such tribute, has brought all kinds of Lebowski urban achievers to Los Angeles to celebrate the Coen Brothers' cult classic.

By Adam Chandler
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The annual Big Lebowski Festival, the twelfth such tribute to the cult classic, has brought all kinds of Lebowski urban achievers to Los Angeles to celebrate the Coen Brothers' cult classic. 

The Wiltern Theater was decorated with inflatable bowling pins and the drink menu featured white Russians — renamed Wiltern Caucasians, perhaps in political protest — "made with Ralphs half-and -half." The film opens with the Dude writing a check for 69 cents to buy half-and-half from a Ralphs supermarket to make his favorite cocktail."

The two-day gathering includes a party, a screening of the film, and a competitive bowling tournament with countless homages (intentional or other) to the flick along the way.

The Lebowski and Hollywood faithful were dealt a blow earlier this year when Philip Seymour Hoffman, who had a memorable role in the movie, died of a heroin overdose. During the screening, the crowd made note of his absence:

Additionally, star Jeff Bridges performed with his Lebowski-themed band The Abiders. Their setlist included the Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Looking Out My Backdoor," which is featured in the soundtrack. Here's a little clip:

I think it's pretty good. But maybe that's just my opinion, man.
This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.