Having gone to the 8th Annual Lebowski Fest in its mecca of Louisville, I was stoked that creators Will and Scott would be stopping in Philadelphia on the Speed of Sound tour — a cross country tour bringing all the things Lebowski to major cities including New York, Denver, Boston, Austin and many more. The two-day party started Friday at the Electric Factory with a performance by the semi-raucous Black Diamond Heavies and a very of the fest’s namesake film. Typically a standing room only venue, the Electric Factory had set up row after row of plastic chairs so as to make the Achievers (fans of The Big Lebowski) more comfortable for the 117 minute duration of the film.
White Russians flowed freely and many Achievers showed up in grungy robes, sunglasses and boxer shorts as an homage to the Dude, bobbed red wigs and green robes as the eccentric Maude Lebowski, and cargo shorts and vests with yellow aviators taking on the quasi-explosive persona of Walter Sobchak. The Factory was fairly empty when I arrived about a half late, in time to see Will and Scott wrapping up an opening chat decked out in their Pin Head costumes. Black Diamond Heavies followed with a short set consisting of some dynamic originals and two covers straight out of Lebowski, Kenny Rogers‘ “Just Dropped In” and closer “Man In Me” by Bob Dylan, both of which received wild applause from the crowd.
Black Diamond Heavies – “Just Dropped In” (Kenny Rogers)
Black Diamond Heavies – “Man In Me” (Bob Dylan)
Tonight marks the last stop of the Speed of Sound Tour East Coast dates down in our nation’s Capitol, Washington DC. Tonight you can catch Black Diamond Heavies, the Pin Heads and a viewing of The Big Lebowski at the 9:30 Club. $20 admission, 7pm doors. Tomorrow night, the bowling party will take place at Strike Bethesda for those 18 years and older. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of. Don’t miss out, buy your tickets now!
The final stop of the Speed of Sound Tour is Austin where on October 9th and 10th.
Lebowski Fest: website | tickets
