Welcome to Graffiti Tribute

George Lucas didn’t create cruising, but he canonized it. Then it captivated his home town … and the world. Modesto is now known as the town "where summer lasts longer" and the home of "Graffiti Summer," the annual celebration of a nostalgic time when cruising was king, the world was simpler, and the music sweeter.

So, let’s rewind to a valley not so far away, not so long ago. To celebrate the cult of cruising and the film that jump-started it all. That one celluloid night, released on August 11, 1973, that captured the essence of the Mechanized Mobile Mating Ritual, the Fossil-Fueled Joyride, the Tuck-and-Rolled Pilgrimage that is American Graffiti.

Join us in downtown Modesto on May 31st, 2008, at the historic State Theatre to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the film American Graffiti by Modesto’s own George Lucas, co-sponsored by the Modesto Film Society and Modesto Junior College, in association with the State Theatre, the Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Central Valley Doo-Wop Society, and the Graffiti Summer Committee.

The all-day event – commemorating our city’s special place in the legacy of this unique and influential film – will feature screenings of American Graffiti; educational presentations on Modesto’s historical connection to the film and the film’s impact; appearances by cast and crew; exhibits of local artifacts, as well as American Graffiti memorabilia; and a tribute concert featuring artists performing songs from the soundtrack.

Stay tuned to GraffitiTribute.com and TheState.org for more details!

As the Wolfman would say, "We gonna cruise, baby. We gonna rock and roll ourselves to death. Have mercy!"

The celebrity cinematographer sits for a DV portrait.
By Daniel Frankel (Photo by Owen Roizman, ASC)

Haskell Wexler is an Academy Award-winning American cinematographer, and a film producer and director. Wexler was judged to be one of film history's ten most influential cinematographers in a survey of the members of the International Cinematographers Guild. He served as visual consultant to George Lucas on American Graffiti. DV.com recently did a profile of Haskell for their on-line magazine. Read more about what he's been up to.

Candy Clark is an Oscar-nominated American film and television actress. She is well known for her role as Debbie Dunham in the 1973 hit film American Graffiti, a role which garnered her an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress, a role which she reprised in 1979 for the sequel More American Graffiti. Her other well-known films are The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Blue Thunder (1983), Cat's Eye (1985) and At Close Range (1986). (More)

Gene Winfield – Growin' Up Fast
The early days of Gene Winfield.
By Dick Martin (Photo courtesy of Gene Winfield)
Rod & Custom Magazine

You know him for his custom car creations and trend-setting painting techniques, but did you know that Gene "Windy" Winfield was as hardcore a hot rod racer as ever strapped on a helmet? This is the story of Winfield's racing days. (More)