The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO), provides educational services, communication avenues, and social opportunities to promote the sport of bowling and to enrich lives of individuals through leagues and tournaments worldwide. Calgary will be showing its western hospitality in this “Year of Celebration!” It is IGBO’s 25th Anniversary, and as part of Alberta’s Centenary they would be honoured to have you share in all the fun and celebration. Whether you are planning on coming to bowl or to watch and participate in the fun filled week of festivities, it will be the place to be.

GayCalgary.com contacted Bill Moore Co-Chair of IGBO’s Mid-year, to find out more. Let’s Bowl (2910 5th Avenue NE) will be hosting this event, just a short walk from the Westin, their host Hotel. “In 2004 Let’s Bowl initiated a major renovation program which included installation of new monitors and seating on all the lanes, a new automated scoring system and renovated lounge/snack bar area. During the summer of 2005 they plan to continue with the renovation plans with the complete replacement of all 30 lanes, thus completing a major upgrade of the facility,” Moore told us.

“This centre hosts the two gay leagues in Calgary: Rainbow Riders Bowling League (24, 4-person teams), and, Sunday Unity Bowling League (12, 4-person teams). It also hosts Calgary’s annual tournament: Western Cup XXIII is scheduled to run March 24-27, 2005. Western Cup XXIV is scheduled to run April 13-16, 2006.” Apollo Calgary’s website (www.apollocalgary.com) lists more information.

“The IGBO’s Mid-year prize fund is estimated at $25,000 based on a compliment of 400 bowlers. Cash prizes will be awarded for Singles, Doubles, Team, Singles All-Events and Team All-Events.” Awards will be presented to the top three places in the mentioned categories. Awards will also be presented for:
• Women’s High Game Scratch
• Men’s High Game Scratch
• Women’s High Series Scratch
• Men’s High Series Scratch
• Women’s High Game Handicap
• Men’s High Game Handicap
• Women’s High Series Handicap
• Men’s High Series Handicap

IGBO’s official website, www.calgary2005.com, has a full schedule of all events and times, as follows.

Events listing for IGBO 2005

The Hospitality Suites: November 10th, from 8:00pm until 2:00am, the bidding cities for Mid-Year 2007 will play host, and then on the night of Friday November 11th, from 8:00pm until 2:00am, Calgary’s committee toasts IGBO’s 25th Anniversary.

Women’s “7 Come 11” Casino: Sponsored by Money Pennies. On Friday, November 11th, from 7pm until 11pm, join Calgary’s women at the “7 Come 11” Casino! The casino will be held in conjunction with Calgary’s Hospitality Night and will feature the games of Blackjack, Roulette and Poker. There will be a tip bar and everyone is welcome; women will be admitted free of charge, men will have to ante up $10. So c’mon down to a fun night of socializing on the Mezzanine Floor at the host hotel, the Westin Calgary.

Anniversary Dance: Sponsored by Metro Boyztown. 2005 is IGBO’s 25th Anniversary and Alberta’s Centenary so to celebrate this “Year of Celebrations”, the Mid-Year 2005 Committee is proud to host an Anniversary Dance in the Ballroom at the Westin Calgary. Every bowler (and non-participant) will be granted free admission! Fashioned after our Western Cup dances, they fully expect over 1,200 party seekers ... so c’mon join in the celebrations, on Saturday, November 12th.

The bowling schedule will conclude in plenty of time for everyone to come out and enjoy a memorable blast, right in the host hotel. For those that forget to bring their Ropers or just want a break from the high energy at the Dance, as an alternative, a Games Room will be located on the same level.

Quilt Display: All 22 panels of the IGBO Quilt will be on display at the Westin Calgary on Sunday from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Since the inception of the Quilt, the construction responsibility has been Calgary’s and they are proud to honour the memory of so many of their bowlers during this anniversary year. There will also be a memorial service on Sunday at 1:00pm.

Awards Banquet: Cocktail Hour commences at 4:30pm on Sunday, November 13th in the Westin Calgary Ballroom. Come early and view 25 years of IGBO memories courtesy Ted Lorenzen, former IGBO photographer. At 6:00pm, they will roll out our Awards Dinner presentation.

IGBABE: At 9:00pm on Sunday, November 13th, in the Westin Calgary Ballroom, Calgary’s very own ‘MeLoDee’ hosts IGBABE. And as a special feature, all IGBABE contestants will be invited to perform on stage at Metro-Boyztown following this event! If you’re interested in performing, please indicate so on the registration form and the IGBABE coordinator will contact you prior to the tournament regarding specific details.

Join and support the SHARP Foundation as it continues to affects lives of individuals with HIV/AIDS as they offer support, life change, and hope.

International Gay Bowling Organization
www.ibgo.org
www.calgary2005.com

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