Hello again everyone! StarCityGames.com is on the Atlantic coast this weekend, bringing you an Open Series in the nation’s capital! Washington, DC once played host to the largest Open Series of all time, and it may very well do so again with the enthusiasm for Magic 2013 and the Standard format. That’s not even to talk of Legacy—Merfolk? Goblins? U/W Control?
Is it 2011 in here?
Gear up for the Open by ordering cards online—you won’t want to be caught with your sleeves empty and your deckbox depleted. You can make sure you get what you need by placing an order on our website before noon on Thursday. If you do, and if you select the Event Pickup option in shipping, then we’ll bring you the cards free of charge! Just drop by our sales booth in the morning, and we’ll have them.
Our venue for the weekend is the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. We’re in Ballroom C—check the venue map below to get a better idea of our location.
The Courtyard by Marriott is very close to the venue and has free wireless in addition to a special rate for StarCityGames.com guests. Call 202-638-4600 for more information; they’re on 900 F Street NW if you’d like to check out a map online.
The area surrounding the convention center is rife with food options, and we’ve consolidated a few of them into one handy chart. If you’re hungry between rounds, be sure to consult this page for local eats. Hopefully, you’ve got a smartphone to get you from us to them and back again!
We’re welcoming a trio of talented alterists into Washington, DC once more. Ron Faris is a southeastern staple on the Open Series, and he’s making the trip up to do custom alterations on-site as well as solicit commissions. Check out his Facebook or blog to view his galleries, and email [email protected] if you’d like to arrange a piece!
Lindsay Burley is back on the circuit as well, fully stocked and ready to go with her 3-D cards and tokens. Check out her work on her blog, and use her YouTube page for a look at the work she puts into these pieces. If you know what you want already, email her at [email protected].
Amber Musick has been all over the Open Series for the past few weeks, and with good reason. Her custom playmats and tokens are a big hit! You can find her pricing and current stock online at her deviantART page, but the best way to get in touch with her is email: [email protected]. Use that to request a commission and arrange your pickup!
Can’t make it to the event? That’s a shame, but @SCGLive will have you covered. Join Joey Pasco and Mike Flores as they examine Standard from the trenches on our broadcast, accompanied by Magic: The Newsening’s Reuben Bresler! You’ll see Reuben in the Sideboard while Mike and Joey wrangle the booth, commentating every round of the Standard Open and concluding the weekend with a Legacy Open trophy match on Sunday night.
Follow along on Twitter with hashtag #SCGDC, and keep in touch with the gang. I’ll be on-site as well, but odds are you won’t see me in front of the camera—after all, I’ll be playing!
Event Coverage Coordinator
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Here at StarCityGames.com, we were sad to hear that a member of our community has fallen ill. Last year, Magic artist Cyril Van Der Haegen—the mind behind pieces like Maelstrom Archangel, Joraga Treespeaker, and Springleaf Drum—was diagnosed with leukemia and myeloma, two forms of cancer.
In order to assist Cyril with his fight, StarCityGames.com will be collecting donations at the registration area of every Open Series weekend throughout the remainder of 2012. 100% of the money donated will be sent to Cyril after each event. Those who can’t make it out to an Open Series weekend can read more about Cyril’s situation and make a donation online at his personal blog on Fundly.com.
To see some of the incredible work Cyril has done for Magic, check out his gallery on Gatherer.
Best wishes,
Pete Hoefling
President, StarCityGames.com