We’re cookin’ now!
We’ve got an action-packed few months ahead as the StarCityGames.com Open Series and Classic Series have brimming schedules, and we are going full steam ahead to Indianapolis, IN and Columbia, SC this weekend!
A good place to start would be the Open Series in one of the most popular Magic tournament locales in the nation: Indianapolis, Indiana!
Magic: The Gathering has held many an event in Indy, from Grand Prix to Invitationals to the annual gaming spectacular Gen Con. This weekend StarCityGames.com is bringing the Magic back to the Racing Capital of the World (Their words, not mine! Don’t be mad, Charlotte!) for a weekend full of big-time tournament action! We always get great turnouts for our tournaments in The Circle City (less offensive nickname, I hope!), and this weekend is sure to be no different.
As is so often the case, Magic central will be the Indiana Convention Center.
Ideally located in the heart of downtown, there are plenty of food and hotel options nearby. For sustenance, you can’t go wrong with RAM, a bar and grill with fabulous burgers, for dinner. I often drop by Noodles & Co. for lunch, a welcome switch from my usual fast food breaks. And speaking of fast food, my typical Sunday post-tourney chowdown in Indianapolis traditionally takes place at Steak & Shake with a few dozen of my closest friends. Those are by no means your only choices, so enjoy!
We have once, twice, three times the alterists at the event as well!
Eric Claar brings his unique style of alters to the StarCityGames.com Open Series. Known for his minimalist ‘blueprint’ style as well as full art pieces, you can check out his work on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/claarbar) and Deviant Art (claarbar.deviantart.com/). For commissions, you can contact him through Facebook or e-mail [email protected].
Ron Faris will be painting custom card alterations at the event! Check out his unique alters by following him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BlackWingAlters or his blog at http://blackwingstudio.blogspot.com/ and as always, you can e-mail him at [email protected] for commission information!
Amber Musick will be at this event offering her custom, full art playmats and tokens as well as creating new works of art and customizing your playmat with original art. Pricing and her current offering of playmats can be found on her deviant art page: zhycalui.deviantart.com. You can contact Amber at [email protected] to request a playmat to be picked up at the event.
The Open Series just wouldn’t be the same without live tournament coverage, and for that we’re handing the reins over to long-time voice of SCGLive (and my cohost on the In Contention podcast) Joey Pasco with fellow Esper Control enthusiast Shaheen Soorani. They will be aided in the Sideboard by Event Coverage Coordinator and Above the Curve host Glenn Jones. If you can’t make it out to an event this weekend, be sure to catch them on @SCGLive and use the hashtag #SCGINDY to join in on the discussion. You’ll be glad you did!
But what if you’re located a bit further south? Well you’re in luck, my friend, because the Classic Series is making its Columbia, South Carolina debut this weekend as well!
Last weekend in Louisville we set the new mark for the largest Classic ever, with an attendance record of 286 participants! This is just the latest in Magic’s record-breaking run of tournament attendance, and I don’t see the number dwindling any time soon so Columbia is sure to be just as competitive. But you need a place to call home, and our humble abode this Saturday will be the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
There are restaurants aplenty in the area, and you should have no trouble finding both easy lunches (like Five Guys) or fancy shmancy dinner spots (such as Ruth’s Chris) in the vicinity.
A tag team (back again!) of alterists will be with us in Columbia!
You can see examples of Chris King’s alters and place custom orders at his website: http://magicalteredartcards.webs.com/apps/photos/.
Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Leif Paulson also known as Evil Nerd INC works as a professional freelance artist. Please visit his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/evilnerdinc to view samples of his Magic card alterations. Leif is currently accepting commissions specializing in card extensions (borderless cards).
This weekend we’re crowning three new champions on the Open and Classic Series. Will you come in first place?
Good luck, have fun, and take that checkered flag!
Event Coverage Coordinator