The U. Abides › Forums › Departmental Forums › Lebowski Studies › Lebowski Fests?
- This topic has 11 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 7 months ago by Rev. Nolan Graley.
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December 26, 2018 at 7:08 am #9773RevRuss11Participant
Have any of you attended a Lebowski Fest?
I attended my first one a few months ago in Chicago. These events sound like a wonderful place to educate others about Dudeism. Perhaps this is already going on (tho I didn’t see it in Chicago) but I think we could “table” at these events if we had free Dudeist literature to give out (pamphlets) and sell (ex. Oliver’s books, patches, etc) and, perhaps most importantly (at least from my perspective) we could collect names, phone numbers, email addresses, and zip codes of others who could be interested in Dudeism.
Thoughts?
Russell
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December 27, 2018 at 4:04 am #9937JoeyJoeJoeParticipant
I think this is a great idea! Spread the word directly to the most likely to join demographic when they are all gathered together. I’d be interested in pursuing this as an option in Buffalo.
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December 27, 2018 at 4:21 am #9939Dean DuderKeymaster
I (Oliver) have attended four Lebowskifests and always had a table to sell ordinations and give out stuff. Of course Achievers (as the fest goers are known) are very amenable to the message. The bummer part of it is that you sort of miss a lot of the fun because you’re stuck at a table!
Many of the achievers are Dudeists as well at this point. But I highly recommend going to a fest. Such great people attend them. Always a good time.
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December 28, 2018 at 6:06 am #10115RevRuss11Participant
Oliver, did you find it helpful to table at the four fests? Did you try to capture any info (ex emails, zip codes) from those who stopped by? I’m really keen on the idea of trying to form some sort of live community of Dudeists. Sounds like Joey has used Facebook to creat something in his neck of the woods. I wonder if you could appoint/commission a Bishop (or any other honorific) to table in your place if you’re unable to attend?
I live about half way between Chicago and Milwaukee and would be happy to table for Dudeism at either of those future events. I assume the Fest charges a fee for tabling? I think this might be a fairly easy way to begin starting communities of Dudeists around the country.
Of course, that’s just my opinion, man.
russell
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December 28, 2018 at 7:38 pm #10232Dean DuderKeymaster
It was fun and helpful, but it also is a bit preaching to the converted. I think most Festers have heard of Dudeism by now.
I think it might be more interesting to set up a table at a fair or a market or an event or just on a street corner (if that’s allowed). But it might also be more awkward trying to explain it. A place like Venice Beach California would also be more amenable to the message than a conservative Christian town.
Yes, they’d charge a fee but it was quite cheap when I did it. Like fifty bucks. Not sure if they’d allow it now or what they’d charge. I suppose if you weren’t selling anything but just giving away literature (maybe a flyer or what have you) they might allow you to do it for free.
I did a comic book convention in Louisville as well when I was there for a Lebowskifest and that was pretty fun. Although they definitely charge to have a table.
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December 28, 2018 at 7:43 pm #10234Dean DuderKeymaster
I’m going to move this topic to Lebowski Studies
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December 29, 2018 at 7:09 am #10300RevRuss11Participant
This is a great conversation. Thank you Oliver.
I think we are looking at the fests with two different goals in mind. I wouldn’t be trying to create new Dudeists but instead try to measure the level of interest Dudeists might have in creating face to face interactions, perhaps creating an honest to goodness congregation. Seems like Fests would be the place to go, not to convert but to recruit. Does that make sense?
I wonder if there would be value if, during the ordination process, there could be an option of requesting State and Zip Code info? It could be a voluntary opt-in that said something like, “Would you like to meet other Dudeists in your area? If so, please provide your state and zip code. We’re not trying to scam anybody here!”
Russell
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December 29, 2018 at 8:03 am #10316Dean DuderKeymaster
Ah yeah well I think it’s a great idea!
I’ve been meaning to set up a Dudeism Directory where Dudeists can put themselves on a map to help facilitate gatherings, but also to provide a way for people to find priests to officiate at weddings and the like. I’ve hesitated for several reasons, one of which being that no software seemed 100 percent there, but there have been some new options and I’m going to look at doing that again. I was also worried about spam but i’ve found some good spam fighting solutions as well.
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December 29, 2018 at 3:39 pm #10365RevRuss11Participant
That’d be very helpful…thanks!
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December 31, 2018 at 4:03 am #10502JoeyJoeJoeParticipant
Sorry to chime in late, been busy doing nothing. I like both directions this conversation has gone. I like the idea of setting up at local Lebowski Fests to try to build a congregation/meetup group. I also like the idea of getting a table at other local festivals where folks might not know what the Church of Latter-Day Dude is. I feel like county fairs might not be the best place, but hey, those Scientologist folks do it! I’m thinking that setting up at local art festivals would be a prime place to start. In Buffalo, we have a couple outdoor/street festivals that have attendees that would be more likely to sign up and grab a flyer.
I love that this conversation is happening early; before these events happen.
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March 25, 2019 at 2:32 am #22755CoyotemationParticipant
As a Swedish Dude it’d be nice to know if there were any other fellow Swedish Dudes out there so that map thing seems like great idea @duder
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April 29, 2019 at 6:11 pm #27011Rev. Nolan GraleyParticipant
Would love to enjoy a White Russian with some fellow dudeists at a fest.
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