North America Events

September/October - Lebowski Fest is a bowling event celebrating all things relating to the Coen Brothers 1998 film, The Big Lebowski. It can be likened to a Star Trek convention in a very loose sense. The event takes place at a bowling alley and includes unlimited bowling, costume , trivia, farthest traveled, and bowling contests, prizes, and what-have-you. The friend of the Coen Brothers who inspired the main character played by Jeff Bridges, Jeff "The Dude" Dowd has been known to make an appearance and drink some White Russians. The 1st annual occurred in Fall of 2002 in Louisville, Kentucky and the 2nd annual took place in July 2003. We then headed way out west to Las Vegas for Lebowski Fest West in Feb., 2004. The 3rd Annual Lebowski Fest in June of 2004 brought over 4000 Achievers and included an outdoor concert with My Morning Jacket. Lebowski Fest New York was held in Aug. 2004. Lebowski Fest hit a milestone in LA when Jeff Bridges came out!

Annual event, always held the first weekend of October. Over 1,500 costumed reenactors and 250 tipis, tents and other shelters of the colonial period. We host over 5,000 grade school children who attend a choice of over 100 demonstrations and classes on colonial America and the fur trade. Food, drink, music, dance, theatre, blackpowder shooting, storytelling.

From its inception, Bargemusic has been committed to attracting local audiences and enhancing the cultural life of New York by offering frequent, year-round performances of chamber music in a fittingly intimate setting—the type of setting in which chamber music is meant to be heard. To make that unique musical experience available to as many people as possible, Bargemusic presents 220 chamber music concerts annually—four days a week, 52 weeks a year—and offers free tickets to a variety of groups every week, plus a monthly free concert open to the community.

Riverfest is Arkansas' largest and most popular music, arts and food festival. The event is held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Julius Breckling Riverfront Park & the vibrant River Market District in Little Rock and the North Shore Riverwalk in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Riverfest, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit corporation, that since 1978 has donated over $700,000 to the development of Julius Breckling Riverfront Park and the River Market District. The mission of Riverfest, Inc. is to produce a quality, recreational, cultural, educational, family-oriented celebration of the visual and performing arts for the benefit of the community.

The Calgary International Film Festival Society was established in 1999 as a non-profit organization providing an annual world-class cinema event for the citizens of Calgary and area. We aim to showcase the best of national and international film to Calgary audiences. The Festival has brought numerous Canadian film premieres and world caliber filmmakers to our city. Your support is needed to continue bringing quality films to Calgary.

October - Norsk Høstfest, North America’s largest Scandinavian Festival, is celebrating its 29th year, starting the evening of October 10th-14th. Tens of thousands of people attend the event annually to celebrate and partake in the Scandinavian culture and entertainment.
Over 200 internationally recognized artisans, craftsmen and chefs participate. The experience is an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional. The cuisine as well as the clothes, art and jewelry are authentic, fine quality and exquisitely Nordic.

Greece celebrates its Independence on March 25th, which is also the day Gabriel announced to Mary that she was with child. In 1821, Greeks vigorously rose up against the oppressive Ottoman Empire which had occupied Greece for nearly four hundred years, embarking on the ultimately successful war of independence. Bishop Germanos of Patras boldly raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, inciting the Peloponnese to rise against the oppressors.

A Main Street Rogers Event, The Frisco Festival derives its name from the Frisco Railroad, which by coming to Rogers in 1881, helped establish the development of the community of Rogers and its surrounding cities.

Celebrating in the true tradition of Munich's famed Oktoberfest, the festival will include nonstop music, dancing, singing, and the very best in German food and drink. The world renowned Chico Bavarian Band will headline our stage!
FAQ - Why two completely separate sessions on Saturday? Happily, demand has outstripped supply and, for the time being, this is the best way to provide access and an all-around better experience (shorter lines, more seating, etc.). So, we'll clear the building at 5pm and start over at 6pm with a whole new group of festival goers. Pick the session that works best for you! We anticipate selling out both Saturday sessions.

Septermber/October. Just a couple hours drive from the glorious Rocky Mountains, Edmonton is known for its big sky and endless sunshine. Located east of Vancouver and west of Toronto, Edmonton is in the heart of the Canadian Prairies and our city is often called upon to be the set for independent and Hollywood movies. With a population of one million people, Edmonton is a city that loves movies. It's reported that the number one, per capita, movie rental city in Canada is Edmonton. Need we say more? Oh yes, and we have the world's largest shopping mall -- West Edmonton Mall.

September/October - This year we introduce a new event program at the VIFF. As part of our hospitality and networking initiatives, the festival is hosting a regular series of receptions at our spacious new Vancouver International Film Centre.

A lo largo de sus veinte años de existencia, el Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara se ha consolidado como un espacio privilegiado para la exhibición del cine de calidad. Desarrollado en un ambiente que favorece el diálogo entre los creadores y el público, el Festival ha sido también un lugar de reunión de cineastas, actores, fotógrafos, funcionarios, distribuidores y críticos, nacionales y extranjeros. Así, este encuentro anual ha servido para dar a conocer jóvenes valores e impulsar sus carreras, al mismo tiempo que ha reconocido y revisado la obra de los ya consagrados.

Sunday, July 4, 2004

February. Winter carnival.

February. Snow and ice sculptures, canoe races on the frozen St. Lawrence, Queen's Ball, parades.

July-August. Caribbean-style carnival with parties, music and parade.

- Has been in existence since 1989. What was initially a three-day festival is now a nine-day event.
- Festival attendance in 2005: 27,500
- Audience: approximately 50/50 males vs. females; ethnically diverse; majority of patrons range in age from 35 to 60 years, but youth do attend; proven consumers of media arts