By BTL Staff
CANTON-
The Motor City will pay homage to Hollywood this weekend with the start of the 26th annual Motown Invitational Classic, Michigan's largest LGBT bowling tournament.
The series of competitive bowling events, held at Super Bowl in Canton, will include more than 200 participants from across the U.S. and Canada.
According to 2011 MIC Co-Director Phil Silvio, this year's Hollywood theme will create a star-studded backdrop for the tournament.
"We have paparazzi, celebrity impersonators and opportunities for bowlers to receive special awards like the Oscars," said Silvio. "A highlight will be our own version of Hollywood Squares that will take place in our hospitality suite on Saturday night."
Although the tournament theme adds a bit of fun for participants, the line-up of competitive events is the main attraction.
A special 9-Pin No Tap event on Friday, open to the public and bowlers of any skill level, allows a strike to be scored when nine pins are knocked down on the first attempt.
Cost is $20 per person and registration in the MIC tournament is not required. Bowling begins at 9 p.m. and participants should arrive early to register.
On Saturday, the MIC tournament kicks off with a singles event that is immediately followed by doubles. Bowlers return to Super Bowl on Sunday for the last two events, including a team competition and an optional scratch master's competition.
"Our scratch master's event lets our more competitive participants bowl one-on-one and be eliminated each round based on their individual scratch score," said 2011 MIC Co-Director Terry Martin. "It's one of the new features for our tournament that we hope our participants will be excited about."
The tournament ends on Sunday night with a cocktail reception and awards banquet inside the SoundBoard at MotorCity Casino Hotel, which will once again serve as the host hotel for competitors.
The party doesn't end until the last drag queen lip syncs. Gigi's in Detroit will host the traditional closing party beginning at 10:30 p.m. with drag shows, raffles and dancing.
To find out more information about the 2011 MIC tournament and its Hollywood salute, visit http://www.mictournament.org for a complete schedule of events.
