Tattoos and piercings and porn stars — oh, my!

The fifth annual Slinging Ink Tattoo Expo takes over the Freeman Coliseum this weekend with live music, a custom bike show, human suspension and, of course, tattooing.

This is the first year that the event, which has grown every year since its inception, will be held at Freeman. Organizers are expecting a record 15,000 people to attend.

That may be attributed to the growing popularity of tattoos, which are becoming more mainstream.
“The stereotype of tattoos were gang members only or people in prison. It hasn't completely disappeared, but a lot of stereotypes have been taken away,” event coordinator Sylvia Fernandez said. “You have lawyers, accountants. You have white-collar people with tattoos. Even if they can't be seen, you'd be surprised at people who have tattoos.”

The entertainment lineup includes daily performances by What the Hell, a Houston group that engages in ridiculous stunts and pranks (think Jackass). The music bill is heavy on metal bands, with Boston-based Powerman 5000 headlining; Dallas band Mothers Anthem and San Antonio bands Man of Sorrows, Nancy Silva Project and the Undercovers also will take the stage.

And since this event is all about celebrating the flesh, there will be a meet-and-greet with adult film stars Krissy Kage and Lisa Lovely.

More than 100 tattoo artists from around the country (and a few outside it), will show off their portfolios and ink customers on the spot. If you're looking to get a new tat, Fernandez said meeting the different artists is a good way to scope out what's available.

“If (event-goers are) actually looking for a tattoo, they can be more selective about who they're picking because they can compare,” she said. “It's better than choosing from a phonebook.”

Want to show off your ink? Enter the tattoo contest. Prizes will be awarded on Saturday for tattoo of the day, best of color, black and gray, tribal, portrait, oriental and full-body tattoos. On Sunday, the categories are back, chest, sleeve, people's choice best studio, people's choice best artist and tattoo of the day. There's an entry fee of $10 per tattoo.

“There's something for everybody to do,” Fernandez said. “They can literally be there all day before seeing everything. We're trying to give them the most for their money.”
 

Jessica Belasco | 210SA