It’s Tattoo Expo/Hempfest Weekend!

August 13, 2019• byMichael Strangeways

Art: Alejandro Laureano joins #STE2019 from Esoteric Tattoo in Portland, OR

It’s the most Seattle-y weekend of the year this weekend as both Tattoo Expo and Hempfest are happening!

Hempfest doesn’t send me press releases (stupid high hippies) so we’re done talking about them.

(Also: they smell skunky.)

But, Seattle Tattoo Expo always sends me p.r. so hooray for them!

It’s the 18th annual Expo and it’s happening Fri/Sat/Sun at Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer Street this year. As usual, you can expect hundreds of artists to be on hand and hundreds of people GETTING new tattoos as well as swell entertainment from artists mostly covered in tattoos.

Even the milkshakes and ice cream cones are covered in tattoos!

EVERYTHING will be tattoo’d this weekend!

More tattooed poo:

Seattle Tattoo Expo Celebrates Tattoo Artistry And Culture This Weekend At 18th Annual Event, August 16-18

Weekend festivities include ink, tattoo seminars, live music, burlesque,

food and beverage, and so much more at Seattle Center

Get inked, see the beautiful artwork of over 200 artists, and take in all that is Seattle tattoo culture and history at the 18th annual Seattle Tattoo Expo. Hosted by Seattle’s internationally recognized shop Hidden Hand Tattoo, the Expo offers access to the leading artists in tattooing both locally and from around the world. Whether your searching for an artist or looking to get tattooed, the Seattle Tattoo Expo offers enthusiasts a gathering place to share their love for this enduring art form.

RSVP to the Expo for the latest news and updates on all that’s being planned this year!

August 16-18, 2019

Friday – 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday – 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday – 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall

301 Mercer Street

Seattle, WA 98109

TATTOO ARTISTS

Seattle Tattoo Expo makes it possible to have access to the very best tattoo artists in the world right in your backyard for one weekend each year. By invite only, you will find such sought-after artists as Jeff Cornell (Hidden Hand Tattoo, Seattle); VyVyn Lazonga (Madame Lazonga’s Tattoo, Seattle), Shotsie Gorman, Tony Hundahl and Donnie Kizzee (Rock of Ages), reality TV tattooist Big Gus (Big Gus Ink), and dozens more. Find the full list of artists here: SeattleTattooExpo.com/artists

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Expect live music throughout the full weekend, featuring performances from Caitlin Sherman, Alicia Amiri, and DJ Hellbound.

The Expo will also feature daily tattoo contests like “Best Portrait,” “Worst Tattoo,” and “Best of Show” judged by notables from the tattoo community, as well as burlesque performance and live comedy from Chris Mejla.

OTHER

The Expo features a seminar with tattooist Damon Conklin and tattooist Shotsie Gorman. The popular Vendor Village returns for shopping and attendees can plan to eat and drink on-site as a Beer Garden and a variety of food and beverage options will be available for purchase as well.

FULL EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday August 16

(2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

2:00 PM Doors

3:30 PM Contest: Small Color

4:00 PM Music: DJ Hellbound

5:00 PM Contest: American Traditional

6:00 PM Contest: Small Black and Gray

7:00 PM Burlesque

8:00 PM Music: Caitlin Sherman

9:00 PM Contest: Best of Show

Saturday, August 17

(12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

12:00 PM Doors

2:00 PM Contest: Portrait

3:15 PM Burlesque

4:00 PM Music: DJ Hellbound

5:00 PM Contest: Worst Tattoo

6:00 PM Comedy: Chris Mejla

7:00 PM Contest: Best Body Suit

8:00 PM Live Music

9:00 PM Contest: Best of Show

Sunday, August 18

(12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

12:00 PM Doors

1:30 PM Contest: Large Black & Gray

2:15 PM Burlesque

3:00 PM Contest: Large Color

4:15 PM Music: Alicia Amiri

5:00 PM Contest: Sleeve

6:00 PM Live Music

7:00 PM Contest: Best of Show

TICKETS:

$20-$50 – ON SALE NOW

$20 – day pass (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)

$50 – full weekend pass (Friday through Sunday)

For tickets >> SeattleTattooExpo.com

SOCIAL:

Facebook – /SeattleTattooExpo

Instagram – @seattletattooexpo

Twitter – @seattletattooexpo

#SeattleTattooExpo19

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.