popwreckoning

Built to Spill, Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Thievery Corporation, Joshua Radin and Sondre Lerche are the latest artists to join the (RED)NIGHTS concert series. They join Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, Santigold and others for (RED)’s series of 26 concerts in the U.S. to help fight AIDS in Africa. A portion of the proceeds from each show goes directly to the Global Fund.

For the first set of shows, Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, Gomez, Santigold, O.A.R., Lisa Hannigan, The Veronicas, Matisyahu and K’Naan each turned one of their concerts (RED) to bring the (RED) experience to life in a new way. At each of these shows, (RED)NIGHTS and the community of acclaimed artists aimed to inspire fans to participate in (RED)’s mission to eliminate AIDS in Africa by pausing to highlight the many ways to get involved and encouraging those in the audience to share the message and experience with others.

“I believe no person deserves to suffer from a preventable, treatable disease simply because they can’t afford medicine,” said Marc Roberge of O.A.R. “If bringing awareness to what (RED) is doing helps one person receive antiretroviral treatment and live a healthy life, we have accomplished our goal.”

Ultimately, it is the goal of (RED)NIGHTS to build a community—of artists, concertgoers and music fans everywhere—that is passionate about helping to fight AIDS in Africa. A portion of the proceeds of each (RED)NIGHTS concert goes directly to the Global Fund.

“(RED) was looking to engage more people in its mission, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. The (RED)NIGHTS series is an innovative concept that combines the power of Live Nation’s live music platform and venues to use people’s passion for music to raise awareness and, ultimately, generate more money to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.” said Russell Wallach, President of North American Alliances for Live Nation. “We’re building a great line up of artists for (RED)NIGHTS, and believe we can help (RED) successfully deliver its message by connecting them with music fans all over the country.”

(RED)NIGHTS arrives on the heels of (RED)WIRE ™, the innovative new digital music service from (RED). The (RED)NIGHTS artists join an impressive community of (RED) artists who are participating in (RED)WIRE, including U2, Coldplay, The Killers, Jay-Z, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Noel Gallagher, Conor Oberst, TV On The Radio, Death Cab For Cutie, Michael Franti and many more. (RED)NIGHTS and (RED)WIRE mark the first time (RED) has moved into the music arena and are a mutual extension of (RED)’s mission, whereby the music community is coming together as a vehicle to raise awareness and funds to help fight AIDS in Africa.

Tour Dates:
Aug 19 – Fall Out Boy @ The Pageant / St. Louis, MO
Sep 12 – Ingrid Michaelson @ The Paradise / Boston
Sep 13 – Sondre Lerche @ The Paradise / Boston
Sep 24 – Joshua Radin @ House of Blues / Chicago
Sep 25 – Brandi Carlile @ House of Blues / Chicago
Oct 03 – Ingrid Michaelson @ House of Blues / San Diego
Oct 04 – Thievery Corporation @ House of Blues / Dallas
Oct 09 – Thievery Corporation @ The Fillmore / Miami
Oct 31 – Built to Spill @ The Fillmore / San Francisco
Nov 01 – Built to Spill @ The Fillmore / San Francisco

(RED) Nights: website

read about the first night of the 8th Annual Lebowski Fest

Saturday afternoon Garden Party

Prior to Saturday’s Lebowski Garden Party, director Eddie Chung presented a viewing of his Lebowski Fest documentary, The Achievers: The Story of The Big Lebowski Fans, which he’d premiered at the San Francisco Lebowski Fest. It was wild to learn that The Big Lebowski, expected to be a Cohen Brothers crowning achievement hot off the heels of the hit Fargo, was pulled from the theaters only 6 weeks after it opened. The documentary followed original forum members and featured interviews with the Lebowski Fest creators, a friend of the Cohen Brothers and the basis for the film’s Walter character, Jeff Bridges, and Jeff Dowd, inspiration for the film’s main character, The Dude.

The DVD will be released on August 18^th. You can find more information about The Achievers: The Story of The Big Lebowski Fans at http://www.theachieversmovie.com.

A short while after the documentary’s viewing saw the commencement of the Garden Party in the Executive Strike & Spare’s parking lot. The party featured DJ Matt Anthony dressed up as Jesus (from the film, not the religious fellow) mixing as Achievers, many elaborately dressed as the movie’s characters and concepts (the more obscure the costume, the more revered), mingled, played games and drank. The games, played for $1 each – with all proceeds going to benefit Kentuckiana Big Brothers Big Sisters – were all Lebowski themed, naturally, and included a marmot fling, ringer toss, and cornhole.

The greatest part of the Garden Party was checking out all the clever costumes that die-hard Achievers were able to come up with. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I’ll let them do the talking.

Saturday night Bowling Party

The line for the bowling party formed early – Achievers were concerned about getting lanes. The White Russians were abundant as Achievers bowled and formed friendships over their love of Lebowski. The end of the night saw the judging for the Costume competition and a bowl off between the best Dude, the best Walter, the best Jesus and the best Maude.

Having grown tired of bowling, my boyfriend and I joined friends we’d made from St. Louis, Washington DC, and Pittsburgh in the bowling alley’s bar/lounge which was hosting karaoke.

I had a blast at the 8^th Annual Lebowski Fest and want to thank Scott and Will for throwing such an awesome party! I’m definitely stoked for the party to come to Philadelphia at the end of September as part of the Speed of Sound Tour. Check out the dates below of a Lebowski Fest coming to a city near you!

Speed of Sound Tour Dates:
Denver - Sept. 8th & 9th
Minneapolis - Sept. 11th & 12th
Chicago - Sept. 13th – 15th
Toronto - Sept. 17th & 18th
Boston - Sept. 19th & 20th
New York City – Sept. 22nd – 24th
Philadelphia - Sept. 25th & 26th
Washington DC – Sept. 28th & 29th
Austin – Oct. 9th & 10th

Lebowski Fest: website | tickets