"Sometimes, there's a man, and I'm talking about The Dude here..."

In that line from The Big Lebowski, the narrator introduces Jeffery Lebowski - more commonly known as "The Dude," "Duder," "his dudeness" or "El Duderino," if, you know, you're not into that whole brevity thing.

And his exploits have become something of a source of inspiration for many fans of the laid-back lifestyle that The Dude, played by Jeff Bridges, enjoyed in the Coen Brothers' 1998 film.

The film - which has evolved into a cult-classic over the years - follows The Dude's adventures involving a throw rug and the help he gets from his bowling team buddies, Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi).

The plot, as with most Coen Brothers' movies (Blood Simple, No Country for Old Men), deviates from that simple setup and builds into a tangled web of deception, kidnapping and mistaken identity.

The Big Lebowski is also a very funny film.

This weekend, fans will gather in Northern Liberties for the Philadelphia leg of the touring "Lebowski Fest" - a celebration of all things "Dude."

Currently touring the United States as part of it's Speed of Sound Tour, a reference from the film - The Dude once worked as a roadie during a Metallica tour of the same name - Lebowski Fest is heading to the East Coast and will be stopping at the North Bowl on 2nd Street and at the Electric Factory on 7th Street, bringing with it a number of events, costume contests, bowling games and more, all tied to the film.

Organizers of the event and best friends Will Russell, 33, and Scott Shuffitt, 37, started the event in 2002, almost as a gag.

The native-Kentuckians were selling T-shirts made at Shuffitt's now shuttered shop at a tattoo convention in Louisville, Ky., when they started quoting the movie to pass the time.

"It started as kind of an accident really," said Russell, during an interview while en-route to Boston, Mass., with the traveling tour.

Russell said that, as they quoted the film during the tattoo convention, others would stop at the booth just to join in the dialogue and share their love of the movie.

The experience led to a eureka moment: If tattoo lovers could have a convention, why not put together something similar for Lebowski devotees?

"We thought maybe we'd get our friends to come and maybe twenty people would show up," said Russell of the first Lebowski Fest held at a Baptist bowling alley in Louisville, Ky. "But, we ended up with over 150."

People from all over the country came to that first event, so, the friends decided to put it on again the next year. That year, Spin Magazine published a blurb about the upcoming festival in an article about events to check out over the summer.

"That's when it really blew up," said Russell.

Over the years, the friends have held events across the country and from time to time, actors from the film and even Jeff Dowd, a friend of the Coen Brothers and the real-life inspiration for the character of The Dude, have attended the festival.

Now, the pair hold the fest yearly in their home state, and every year thousands of Lebowski fans - they call themselves "Achievers" after a Little Urban Achiever program that is referenced in the film - visit the southern state to sip The Dude's trademark drink, White Russians, and to bowl with other fans.

"It's kind of like a bonding experience. I feel a kind of kindred bond with Trekkies (Star Trek fans)," said Russell. "Achievers are fans who kind of like the feeling of understanding something that others might not get."

While Lebowski Fests have been held in various cities since the beginning, this is the first year the fest organizers are embarking on a multi-city tour, stopping here on Sept. 25 and 26.

"Philly's been asking for one for a long time," said Russell. "So, we're excited. If you would have told me in '02 that we'd be doing this today, I would have said you're crazy. But, it's been wonderful. It's been a dream."

According to Russell, The Big Lebowski caught on with fans and has gathered such a following simply because of the laid-back, easy-going outlook on life that The Dude embodies in the film. It's that outlook on life, along with the snappy, quotable dialog, that makes the movie so much fun, he said.

"It's like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, too. It's just a great movie and it's one of those movies you can watch over and over again," said Russell. "And it has a lot you can pull from it."

Overall, he said, thanks to the character from the film, the fest is simply celebration of living life and "takin' 'er easy," said Russell, quoting the film.

"In the end, the film is really about The Dude, who doesn't have anything, he loses his car, his rug...and he just doesn't care," said Russell. "He's takin' 'er easy out there for all us sinners out there . . .You know? The Dude abides, man."

Reporter Hayden Mitman can be reached at 215-354-3124 or hmitman@phillynews.com

Celebrating The Dude

Lebowski Fest, a celebration of the 1998 Coen Brothers' film The Big Lebowski, is on the road with a12-city "Speed of Sound" tour.

The Achievers (Lebowski slang for fans of the flick) will descend on Philadelphia on Sept. 25 and 26.

On Friday, Sept. 25, the Lebowski Fest will host a screening of the film, The Big Lebowski, at The Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St.

In addition to the screening, there will be live music performed by Black Diamond Heavies and the Pin Heads.

Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $20.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, The Lebowski Fest will invite fans to try their hand at The Dude's favorite pastime - bowling.

All Achievers are invited to North Bowl, at 909 N. 2nd St. at 8 p.m. for an evening of bowling and trivia. Everyone is welcome to attend in costumes based on the film, and prizes will be awarded.

Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door and include shoe rental and bowling.

For more information or to order tickets, visit lebowskifest.com.