This Festival Won't Abide Without You

This project is personal. The Big Lebowski was one of my dad’s favorite movies, and it became part of the fabric of our family life. After he passed away, I wanted to find a way to keep his memory alive through laughter, creativity, and community. That’s how The Festival Abides was born — a two-day celebration that brings people together through film, fun, and shared experiences.

On Day 1, we’re having a dog show called “Stray Dogs & Nihilists,” along with family-friendly activities like kids’ craft stations (“Design Your Own Rug”), live music, food trucks, and space for local vendors. Pets are welcome, making it a playful and community-oriented gathering.

On Day 2, we move to the bowling alley for a costume contest, bowling tournaments, and a screening of The Big Lebowski. It’s a mix of humor, nostalgia, and genuine community building.

Your support makes this possible. Donations help cover the basics: permits, insurance, venue rentals, kids’ activities, and making sure the festival stays affordable and accessible. With your help, I can keep ticket prices low so families, fans, and neighbors can all join in.

This isn’t just an event. It’s a tribute to my dad, a way to celebrate the film that connected us, and a chance to bring people together across generations for two days of laughter, creativity, and connection.

As a fiscally sponsored project of Creative Visions Foundation (501c3), all donations are tax-deductible. Every contribution, large or small, helps the festival abide.

This first year in Los Angeles will set the foundation, but it doesn’t end here. The Festival Abides will expand to Cleveland, my hometown, and to Orlando, a city that shaped my path in film and entertainment. With your support, this tribute will grow into a community experience that carries my dad’s memory forward while building lasting connections in multiple cities.

If you’ve ever laughed at The Big Lebowski, loved a dog, bowled a game with friends, or simply wanted to be part of something that brings people together, I invite you to support this festival. Help me carry my dad’s memory forward, and help create a space where the community can come together to laugh, celebrate, and abide.