The London Tattoo Convention returns to London this week. This weekend ink extraveganza is being held at Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, Wapping, London E1W 2SF, on September 25/26/27, promises to be even bigger, better, and more diverse than 2008’s hugely successful, recession-defying, tumultuous, colourful event. To prepare you for the convention, check out some of the events that are lined up for the weekend.

The Tara Art Project Exhibition, will display a collection of original works made by some of the most famous tattoo artists from all over the world, inspired by the typical icons and symbols of the Tibetan culture and religion filtered through the sensitivity of each artist and the beauty of tattoo art. Tibetan art is often mentioned by many artists as being their source of inspiration for many of their pieces and there is great interest in its rediscovery and evolution. A book reproducing these paintings has been published with all proceedings donated to the Free Tibet Campaign, to help raise the awareness of the violation of human and cultural rights in Tibet, and the progressive destruction of the traditional Tibetan culture. For more details go to www.myspace.com/taraproject.

The anthropological / historical Oxford British Tattoo History Museum, hosted by founder/ creator Lionel Tichner, will feature various machines, flash (tattoo designs) and tools used over the ages and early documents and photographs. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the tattoo styles and techniques of different populations, cultures and traditions, searching for the deep religious, psychological and ritual meanings of tattoo art.


(In)Famous model Vikki Blows, the star of the 2010 Tattoo Energy Calendar, who combines punk and fashion in a disrespectful and nonconformist style and is considered the ‘enfant terrible’ of the fashion world, will be signing copies of The Tattoo Energy 2010 Calendar all weekend.


The ‘kick ass, ultra sexy, fire breathing’ Fuel Girls’ rock’n’roll dance and stunt show is bound to be a highlight each day at the Tattoo Convention. Their crazy no-holds barred attitude has already won over a legion of fans, not least Motorhead, who took them out on tour with them across the UK last November. Their recent Playboy TV show was one of the most popular in the UK.
Sexy, provocative, elegantly retro burlesque model / artist Luna Rosa will enthrall with her exotic mystery, all performed alongside an alluring soundtrack of 50’s blues and rock and roll, recalling the golden years of burlesque.


Brazilian Calu C. Fur, who is also a tattooist, will perform her “Return of Calu’s Peepshow”, a breathtaking, nonconformist, energy packed burlesque show, at the Convention. Calu, who has modeled for the likes of Fosters Lager and Sussy Sportswear, loves to give her shows a provocative edge.


Famous femme fatal Scarlett Daggers will enthrall the audience with her sexy show, combining burlesque, striptease, theater and pop art, effortlessly dragging the audience into her dark, ironic world.


Sabina Kelly, the sexy, sensual pin-up model who has become a regular at the Convention, will be the special guest presenter at all the tattoo contests and award ceremonies.


A variety of rock and metal bands will be playing live on two music stages located in separate large arches in the vast, sprawling lower vault floor, which will also be packed with alternative lifestyle oriented stalls, a huge fetish market and bars licensed until 2.00am.


Vince Ray’s Voodoo Crypt Stage will host live music from 7.00pm onwards, interspersed with performances from ‘Twisted Burlesque and Blood’ model Esme, and ‘Cabaret Freakshow Queen of Alternative performance’ Vivid Angel, courtesy of curators Torture Garden.

Legendary hard rockers Zodiac Mindwarp And the Love Reaction, who burst out of the starting blocks with their top 20 hit single ‘Prime Mover’ in 1988, and whose song ‘Feed My Frankenstein’ was covered by Alice Cooper and featured in the Wayne’s World movie, will headline the Vince Ray Voodoo Crypt stage on Saturday September 26th. Crazy Gang, featuring Greggie G and Boogie Boy H from Matchbox, are set to wow the audience with their infectious, foot tapping blend of ‘vintage 40’s swing to 80’s rockabilly’ when they headline the Voodoo Crypt stage on Friday 25th September. Vince Ray himself, and his band The Boneshakers, described as “If Carl Perkins, Screaming Jay Hawkins and Lemmy jammed together, it would sound like this” by The Metro, will perform on the Voodoo Crypt stage at 7.00pm and 9.00pm on Friday and Saturday, and finally 4.00pm on Sunday.


The Marshall Amps & Glorybound Ink Stage, will showcase some of the hottest new metal, rock, and indie bands around over the whole weekend. Explosive British metal band Sylosis, signed to Nuclear Blast Records, will co-headline on Saturday September 26th with Beyond The Grave, while Forever Never, top the bill on Friday September 26th and Brighton three piece The Rocket Dolls, (Ben Knopfler’s group) close the show on the afternoon of Sunday September 27th.

The biggest show of all, however, will once again be that offered by the visitors themselves, who become the lead characters when they compete in the tattoo contests for different categories, such as Best Tribal, Best Backpiece, Best Black & Grey, Best Colours and Best of Show.

For more information visi The London Tattoo Convention Website. See you there.);