If you're on the East Coast and live near Boston, that place where they make "chowdah," time is running out to buy your tickets for a reading of Adam Bertocci's Two Gentlemen of Lebowski.  This staged reading is a benefit for The Factory Theatre's upcoming production of Limonade Tous les Jours, by Charles L. Mee, in April.  I don't think we'll make it.  There are going to be two readings, one on the 8th and one on the 9th at 7:30pm.  Details in the link below.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/98156

I'm in the process of upgrading the comments.  Nothing has disappeared, but the commenting form is currently not available when you open a post and comments don't appear if you click a link from the Latest/Most comments module.  We're working on it.

UPDATE: Comments are working again.  I fixed the glitch.  Thanks for your patience.

I can't say I've ever heard of women making many waves in the ocean of professional bowling.  I know there was a "women's version" similar to the WNBA, but I haven't heard much about it in a while.  The article actually mentions it shutting down a few years ago.  Luckily, there's still room in the PBA (Professional Bowling Association) for Kelly.  She's the first woman to ever win a Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association tournament.  She's also the first woman to ever earn a two year exemption on the PBA tour.  This means she doesn't have to qualify to enter any PBA tournament for two years.  She can just show up and compete.

This is pretty huge in a world where men are usually considered far superior than women in most sports.  This also isn't a sport that can get awkward with men and women competing against each other like grecco-roman wrestling or football.  Hopefully this can be a bit of a stimulus to the sport.  I remember bowling being on TV constantly as a kid, but today it's not a sport that receives the big sponsors and endorsements.  Maybe Kelly can help turn this around a bit like Danica Patrick has done for professional racing.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/kelly-kulick-strikes-against-pro-bowlings-image-crisis/19330971/

Looks like our fellow compeer in Houston is finally getting some recognition for his artistic abilities!  Jason McElweenie, creator of Houston Lebowski Bash, is being recognized for some of the great posters he has created.  He also introduced me to one of their great local bands, The Tontons.  You should check them out.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/6836532.html

In my previous post I mentioned dates have been set and things are well along for the production of Two Gentlemen of Lebowski in New York. I have some good news for Achievers on the West Coast too - it's coming to Vegas! I know Jim "Liam" Hoosier will enjoy this. Atlas Theatre Ensemble & The Stage Door Theatre are doing a joint production at Town Square Las Vegas. Here's all the basic info. I've basically just copied/pasted from the article I found.

AUDITION DATES & TIMES:
Open auditions will be held on
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 7:00pm
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7:00pm

CALLBACKS:
Thursday, February 4, 2009 by appointment only.

AUDITION LOCATION:
The Stage Door Theatre
6587 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 174
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(Located in Town Square Las Vegas, On The Strip at Sunset)

REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will begin soon. Exact dates and times to be determined.

PERFORMANCES:
We are still working to schedule performances of TWO GENTLEMEN OF LEBOWSKI, but anticipate a 3-4 week run. Additional schedule information will be available by the time Callbacks are held. All performances will be held at The Stage Door Theatre at Town Square Las Vegas.

CONTRACT:
None. All roles will receive a small stipend.

PRODUCER:
Atlas Theatre Ensemble & The Stage Door Theatre

DIRECTOR:
Chris MAYSE

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR:
Terrence R. WILLIAMS

We think this is pretty awesome.  Now if only there was a production in the middle of the US and down South so everyone had easy access....

http://lasvegas.broadwayworld.com/article/Auditions_Announced_for_Atlas_Theatre_The_Stage_Doors_Production_of_TWO_GENTLEMEN_OF_LEBOWSKI_20100125

A couple weeks ago Two Gentlemen of Lebowski hit the internet and spread like wildfire.  This tumbling tumbleweed has definitely slown down a bit, or maybe it's just finally reached the Pacific Ocean.  We're not sure dude.  What I do know is that the Kraine Theatre in New York City, NY will be showing this play from March 18th, 2010 through April 4th, 2010.

I don't think we'll get a chance to get down to the Big Apple and catch a show, I know - it's a bummer man, but maybe we'll get a chance to do that in the future or see a video of it.  The good news is a big chunk of the shows are already sold out and a book deal is in the works for creator Adam Bertocci. I think a book on tape version could be pretty cool, but that's pretty much up to the publishers assuming the book deal goes through.  Don't worry, we have our fingers crossed our compeer.

For information on the plays, along with news and updates, a good place to check would be Bertocci's Facebook fan page - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/twogentlemenoflebowski?ref=ts.  It'll be interesting to see how far this goes.  Later this week we'll also be posting an interview with Adam so stay tuned.

Two Gentlemen of Lebowski - http://www.runleiarun.com/lebowski/ (Full text, FAQs, etc)

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/136143-Two-Gentleman-of-Lebowski-Will-Make-New-York-Debut-in-March-Casting-Announced

The Academy Awards are swiftly approaching and once again, we're crossing our fingers really hard for our favorite dude, The Dude actually, Jeff Bridges.  Here's a man who has been acting most of his life without nearly the recognition he deserves.  This year Bridges has a hot film out, Crazy Heart, that's earning accolades and praise from across the spectrum of film viewers and reviewers.  The Dude has already picked up the Best Actor award at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Broadcast Film Critics Assocation Awards, Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, along with nominations from many other associations and groups.  In the acceptance speeches I've seen so far, Jeff Bridges is really showing his true colors by recognizing his long relationship with his amazing wife and his stand-in.  Seriously, what actor have you ever heard thank their stand-in while accepting an award?  I think this could truly be The Year of The Dude in more ways than one.

Along with Jeff Bridges we're also hoping Fred Melamed and Michael Stuhlbarg have a chance at some Oscar fame for their work in A Serious Man.  Many seem confused by this film, but that seems to be a common reaction to the Coen Brothers' work.  Here are a few articles I thought you might be interested in...

Jeff Bridges tribute at the American Cinematheque - http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-screening14-2010jan14,0,4442828.story

Jeff Bridges interviewed by the A.V. Club - http://www.avclub.com/articles/jeff-bridges,36887/

On Movies: Jeff Bridges abides, and works like crazy - http://www.philly.com/inquirer/entertainment/20091101_On_Movies__Jeff_Bridges_abides__and_works_like_crazy.html

Jeff Bridges to present a Grammy - http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=3669

Jeff Bridges' top five best movies - http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=3669

Scotsman interviews Jeff Bridges - http://www.scotsman.com/features/Interview-Jeff-Bridges-actor.6009185.jp

The Gothamist interviews Fred Melamed - http://gothamist.com/2010/01/21/fred_melamed_actor.php

It is with great pleasure that I inform you we'll soon have more of our "new t-shirts" available.  We unleashed them on the world at Lebowski Fest in Louisville this past summer, but I don't think many got a chance to see what they look like.  If you're interested in owning one, I'll have more details in the near future about sizes, quantities, etc.

I was about to label this as an Achiever sighting, which is true, but not quite.  While this energetic Colts fan from Indianapolis, Indiana does love The Big Lebowski, he's more specifically showing his love for the Lebowski Podcast.  It's like saying a tomato is a fruit, but not all fruits are tomatoes, man.  I don't think a term has yet to be coined for those who tune in to our monthly episodes.  We'd love to hear any suggestions.

Big thanks to @nzcampbell for sharing the photo via Twitter.

There's a decent write-up on Dudeism over at The Guardian.  It appears these guys did not go the way of Larry Sellers and actually did their homework.  They mention The Year's Work In Lebowski Studies by Comentale and Jaffe, Eddie Chung's film The Achievers, Cathleen (they messed up her name a tiny bit) Falsani's The Dude Abides book, Dudeism, Oliver's VW commercial and several other good resources.  I'm a little impressed.

Such connections notwithstanding, the Dude is really more of a Zen kind of guy; takin her easy, after all, is quite different to dying in agony. When Richard Gaughran asked 180 students to name "Dude-like qualities", he reports in Professor Dude: An Inquiry into the Appeal of His Dudeness for Contemporary College Students (also in Lebowski Studies), the results included "serene", "blissful", "Zen", "Taoistic" and "Buddha-esque". Stormy, a fan seen in The Achievers getting a tattoo on her thigh that combines elements of bowling, Buddha and The Big Lebowski, would presumably agree.

Read the complete article here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jan/20/dudeism-the-big-lebowski