A celebration of His Dudeness

You don’t have to guzzle White Russians, bowl like a pro or own a pet marmot to appreciate Lebowski Fest, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Though “The Big Lebowski” died a painful box-office death in 1998, the intervening decade has spawned a legion of cultish fans drawn to this oddball comedy of kidnapping and mistaken identity.

Fittingly for the city that spawned the film, this year’s Lebowski Fest LA will serve as an overdue launch party for “I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski,” a fan’s Lebowski-pedia. Developed over three years by Lebowski Fest Founding Dudes (yes, those are official titles) Scott Shuffitt and Will Russell, as well as co-authors Bill Green and Ben Peskoe, the book contains interviews with nearly every major and minor actor in the film, interviews with the real people who inspired their characters, a minute-by-minute recap of the film’s minutiae and behind-the-scenes pictures. “It’s everything you want to know about ‘The Big Lebowski’ and maybe a little bit more,” says Russell.

The big draw at this weekend’s natural, zesty enterprise is the costumed bowling party and trivia contest. (Though not officially part of the fest, there’s also a Sunday tour led by uber-fan Jane Kennedy, starting at Johnny’s Diner on Fairfax and Wilshire.) “On Friday night we watch the movie; on Saturday night we become the movie,” says Russell. “You might see some nihilists walking down the concourse with their marmots or a giant toe running around with some valkyries. All we want to do is play some good Creedence and throw a great party.” The Dude abides.

-- Elina Shatkin

Lebowski Fest LA, the Knitting Factory, Hollywood, 8 p.m. Friday, $15; bowling party, Cal Bowl, Lakewood, 8 p.m. Saturday, $15. Tour, 3 p.m. Sunday, sold out. lebowskifest.com/la2007.asp