Lebowski Fest -- But Sadly, No Hollywood Star Lanes to Congregate At

Fans of "The Big Lebowski" will gather in October for the 2007 Lebowski Fest, celebrating the release of "I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski."

But sadly, the obvious place to hold the event no longer stands.


(Pic by Adriene Biondo)

The Hollywood Star Lanes -- where I bowled many games in the late 1990s -- was reduced to rubble in 2003, after the LAUSD successfully pursued eminent domain for the Santa Monica Blvd. property. A recently built school now sits there.


(Pic by utsler.org.)

The bowling alley first opened in 1962, and bowled its last game in August 2002. Hollywood Star Lanes, of course, is where the bowling scenes for "Lebowski" were shot. Remnants of the bowling alley live on at Hollywood & Highland's Lucky Strike bowling alley/nightclub (including one lane, which was refashioned as Lucky Strike's bar). But it's clearly not the same.



Tix for the Lebowski Fest go on sale today (more info at TicketWeb). Events include an opening party at the Knitting Factory Hollywood on Oct. 12, featuring a screening of the movie ($15), and a bowling party at the Cal Bowl in Lakewood on Oct. 13 ($25).