Photos from the Beat
Enter the White Russians
It’s becoming evident that Lebowskifest is, in essence, a backyard party to which everyone in the world is invited.
But still, it took a while to see the Lebowski effect begin to take hold in Louisville. The hotel was quiet yesterday afternoon, as was the nearby bowling alley where many of the festivities are to be held.
My first glimpse into the Lebowski world came at about 5 p.m., when a dead ringer for The Dude walked by me in the hotel lobby, checkered shorts and blasé attitude in tact. I said hello; he nodded nonchalantly and continued to saunter into the hotel restaurant.
In the adjacent hotel bar, two ‘Achievers’ are sipping white Russians (Caucasians) and attempting to explain the Lebowski phenomenon to another group staying at the hotel this weekend - a reunion of World War II veterans. It’s painful to listen to the gaps in comprehension on both sides of the conversation, so I turn my attention to the ‘Welcome All Achievers’ banner hanging in the dark lounge ... it announces that two of the sponsors of the event are Kalhua and Stoli, the two ingredients in the drinks made famous by the film.
