North America Events

    Lebowski Fest, United States

   - Louisville,            
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!
    Toofy Film Fest, United States
   - Boulder, CO            
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Toofy was born the only son of a Hippie artist and small woodland creature after a drunken tryst near Eldorado Springs. Ashamed of his pretentious Hippie heritage he fled. On his exodus from pretentious art, he discovered the beauty of the undiscovered artisans. Years later he emerged with the ambition to start a film festival that would liberate his newfound friends, exposing their raw talent to a wide audience and lend a contribution to the independent world of cinema, fashion, fine art and music... so there's your Toofy.
    Brazilian Day Festival, United States
  46th Street - From 6th to 5th Avenue - New York, NY             
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Brazil’s Independence Day (September 7th) is the occasion chosen to bring Brazilian-Americans, Brazilians who live away from home and those many people interested in Brazil together for a very special event. In 1984 the City of New York proclaimed the first Sunday in September as the day in which it celebrates Brazilian Independence from Portugal, which took place on September 7th, 1822.
    Kentucky Derby, United States
  Churchill Downs - Louisville, KY            
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The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies 121 pounds. The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the US and typically draws around 155,000 fans. Source
    Central Park SummerStage, United States
  Rumsey Playfield - Central Park - New York, NY             
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ttendance at SummerStage grew by 10 percent, with highlights like poet and performer Gil Scott-Heron, jazz icons Jimmy Scott and McCoy Tyner, rockers Living Colour, salsa sensations Frankie Negron and Eddie Palmieri, rap pioneers Public Enemy, hip hop legends Big Daddy Kane, Brand Nubian and EPMD, Senegalese singer/songwriter Baaba Maal, white-hot indie newcomers St. Vincent and The XX, Touareg rebel-rockers Tinariwen, Syria's electronic innovator Omar Souleyman, gospel greats Hezekiah Walker and Smokie Norful, contemporary R&B stars Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michele and Mario, dance favorite Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and The Metropolitan Opera among dozens of other performers.
    Daytona 500, United States
   - Daytona Beach, FL           
February 15, 2004
    The MS Walk, United States
  2nd Sunday of April - New York, NY           
The New York City Chapter of the National MS Society helps the thousands of New Yorkers impacted by MS to move their lives forward. We provide comprehensive support services and educational programs to people with MS, their family and friends, and raise funds locally to support the National MS Society’s research initiatives.
    Lesbian and Gay Pride Week, United States
   - New York, NY            
Late June - The world's biggest Pride event kicks off with a rally and ends with a parade, street fair and dance.
    Caribana Festival, Canada
   - Toronto, CA            
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July-August. Caribbean-style carnival with parties, music and parade.
    Festival du Voyageur, Canada
  233, boul. Provencher Blvd - Winnipeg, MB            
February. Winter carnival.
    Edmonton International Film Festival, Canada
   - Edmonton - Alberta,             
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.
    Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada
  1181 Seymour Street - Vancouver, BC           
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.
    Calgary International Film Festival, Canada
   - Calgary - Alberta,              
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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.
    Guadalajara Cinema Fest, Mexico
   - Guadalajara,            
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.
    Festival Acadien, Canada
   - Little Brook, NS           
Sunday, July 4, 2004
    Carnaval de Quebec, Canada
   - Quebec,            
February. Snow and ice sculptures, canoe races on the frozen St. Lawrence, Queen's Ball, parades.
    Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival, Canada
   - Sudbury - Ontario,            
- 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