by BTL staff
A pair of golden bowling shoes will be at the center of this year's Muder Mystery Motown Invitational Classic LGBT bowling tournament.
There's going to be a "Mystery in Motown" during the 24th annual Motown Invitational Classic, Michigan's largest gay and lesbian bowling tournament to be held Oct. 9 – 11 at Cloverlanes in Livonia.
The mystery is part of this year's theme that encourages bowlers to find clues and follow along a whodunit-style game to earn their chance at winning a $500 cash prize.
A pair of missing golden bowling shoes are at the center of the mystery and bowlers will have to choose from 24 MIC committee members to catch the thief.
According to Bruce Van Dike, MIC co-director, the theme is just one aspect of the tournament that attracts and entertains more than 200 bowlers who attend every year from cities across the U.S.
"Our committee hosts fundraisers all year long in preparation for the three fun-filled days during the MIC tournament weekend," said Van Dike. "Whether it's our hospitality suites or stylish banquet, we certainly try to roll out the red carpet so everyone remembers their visit in Detroit."
To kick off the tournament weekend, MIC hosts its annual Nine-Pin No Tap singles tournament on Friday as a way of introducing out-of-town bowlers to the lanes. A Nine-Pin No Tap scoring allows bowlers who knock down nine pins on their first ball to be counted as a strike.
A new twist this year will be the black lights and glow necklaces that will help make the event glow-in-the-dark. Bowlers of any skill level are welcome and do not have to be registered in the MIC tournament to compete. Cost is $15 per bowler and registration begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Cloverlanes.
According to Van Dike, this event sells out year after year and anyone interested in bowling should plan to arrive early.
MIC's three main competitive events, which are presented by MotorCity Casino Hotel, include a Saturday morning singles event at 11 a.m. immediately followed by doubles. Bowlers compete in four person teams on Sunday to finish out the competition.
Although the registration deadline for the MIC tournament was Sept. 24, spectators are always welcome to stop by and enjoy the competition.
"With more than $10,000 in cash in prizes given away each year on average, the tension is high for some," said MIC co-director Michael Odom. "Others are there to just have a great time, have a few laughs and make new friends. Whether participants bowl well or not, the MIC tournament is always a lot of fun."
Crowded among the bowlers will also be representatives from this year's benefiting non-profit charities. Staff and volunteers from Affirmations, Steppin' Out, Michigan AIDS Coalition and the ACLU of Michigan's LGBT Project will sell 50/50 tickets in an effort to raise money for each organization.
According to Odom, MIC continuously supports local non-profit charities throughout the year and is proud of its record of giving back to the community.
Once the tournament is completed, top rankings will be determined for each individual category as well as all-around categories with prizes and awards distributed at an awards banquet Sunday evening.
After the banquet, bowlers will gather at Gigi's in Detroit for the official MIC tournament closing party. The event is a MIC tradition and features one-of-a-kind entertainers, dancing, raffles and prizes.
"Once everything is all over, only then will we find time to relax," said Odom.
Unfortunately, the MIC committee doesn't have too long to sit back and kick up their bowling shoes. The first meeting for MIC's 25th silver anniversary tournament is scheduled for early November.
For more information regarding the Motown Invitational Classic and to find a local LGBT bowling league near you, visit http://www.mictournament.org.
