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• Zach May and the Maps prepare for Lebowski Achievers Festival performance

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Photo courtesy of Zach May and the Maps.

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The Inaugural Champaign-Urbana Lebowski Achievers Festival »

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• Canopy Club »
  708 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
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The Big Lebowski, everyone’s favorite cult classic by the Coen brothers is jumping straight off of the screen and into festival form. The Inaugural Lebowski Achievers Festival on April 26 will be a day packed with food, bowling, and live musical fun. The festival, co-hosted by The Canopy Club and Old Orchard Bowling, will feature music from World’s First Flying Machine and Zach May and the Maps, as well as a screening of The Big Lebowski among countless other activities.

The up-and-coming Maps put a fresh twist on their hipster-folk music. Quite literally brand spanking new, Zach May and the Maps united earlier this semester, and didn’t waste any time becoming recognized around the CU campus by making multiple appearances at the Canopy Club and Cowboy Monkey.

The semi-orchestral ensemble group brings a fresh side to the typical string group musical style.

Snagging sounds from not only their experiences and classes here at the University, but around the world, the mix-and-match folk group has an eclectic vibe too.

“We like to think of our music as slightly crazy,” explained Zach May on the influence of their music. “It’s folksy Latin and Swedish. Everything is original—we kind of fuse music.”

Being invited to play at the Lebowski Achievers Festival has led the group to curious and excited expectations for the show.

“It struck me as a hipster-indie night,” said Danny Colbert, Maps’ cellist and very familiar with the Coens’ Lebowski movie. “I’m not really sure what to expect.”

While the event will be a fresh surprise to many, the group is planning on leaving a lasting impression.

“We’d like to keep everyone on their feet and clapping,” Colbert said. “It will be really cool to branch out a bit more.”

True to University form, the members of Zach May and the Maps have a full roster of activities that keep them between the road and in the classroom. Seize the chance to hear the debuting ensemble, bowl like a pro, and maybe have a white Russian or two...The Dude abides.