Phunk-n-Ink Tattoo and Music Fest Entertains

Second annual Tattoo Fest celebrates body art and much more -Bands, bikes and body art were all on display at the second annual Phunk-N-Ink Tattoo & Music Festival held March 26 – 28 at downtown’s Grand Wayne Convention Center.

Organized by Jayson Love, owner of Urban Expressions tattoo shop in Fort Wayne, the three-day festival attracted  a constant flow of thousands of visitors all weekend. Love issued an open call to tattoo shops and licensed tattoo artists near and far. Some of the best tattoo artists from around the midwest and across the country answered the invitation to display their work and do custom tattoos on-the-spot. However, Love’s vision for the festival went far beyond just body art.

“The conventions that I went to didn’t have the aspects of art that I thought were important,” says Love, who added music, stunt demonstrations and other activities to entertain people of all ages.

One surprising demonstration involved “hook suspensions.” For those unfamiliar with the term, hook suspensions are an exhibition of physical endurance. The eccentric folks from Atzlan Tattoo and Suspension Team precisely pierced the skin of a lucky volunteer with two stainless steel meat hooks through their backs. The “hookers” then attached ropes and chains to the hooks and hoisted the volunteer three-feet off the ground. It was amazing although somewhat sickening to watch as they spun and danced through the air.

Alongside the suspension act, BMX stunt cyclists thrilled audiences. All of this was accompanied by live music from heavy metal to hip hop from bands like  The Great Escape, New Definition, Andromeda and many others.

The 2010 Phunk-N-Ink Tattoo & Music Festival was an unqualified success and you could tell by the happiness of all in attendance. Look for this festival to keep getting bigger and better with every year to come.