Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "tattoo"

Sub-Q Piercing and Tattoo to shut down Sunday

2011-07-28T00:53:38Z

One of Sacramento’s original piercing shops is closing down Sunday after almost two decades in business.

Sub-Q Piercing and Tattoo owner Scot Rogers said the economy and the shrinking customer base led to the business’ downfall.

“Since 2001, we’ve been in steady decline,” he said Wednesday at the shop at 1715 I St., the most recent storefront since opening in 1994 at 2022 N St.

At its peak a little more than 10 years ago, the business drew 600 customers per month and had 11 employees. Today, Rogers said he is lucky if he can get 100 customers through the door, and he is the only employee.

Unable to pay rent on the building, Rogers said the last day he will have access to the space is Sunday, when he and a group of friends will be moving the last of the merchandise and equipment from the store.

“If anyone else can come by and help, it will be greatly appreciated,” he said.

After that, Rogers said he will still do piercings and sell jewelry, but on an appointment-only basis. He will still be reachable at the same phone number, 446-9777.

But he won’t be working weekends.

“I haven’t had weekends off in 22 years,” said the 43-year-old Rogers.

The other longtime piercing shop in Sacramento, Exotic Body, opened 21 years ago, preceding Sub-Q by a small margin. Owner Michael Hare said he is disappointed to see Sub-Q go.

“It’s one of the only other studios in Sacramento that took good care of their clients and used proper jewelry,” Hare said, adding that the safe jewelry is internally threaded, as explained on the Exotic Body website.

“The economic downturn has definitely hurt the industry as a whole, but what’s hurt the industry more as a whole is a tremendous amount of new lowball studios,” he said. “They’re doing very cheap piercings with inferior products from overseas.”

Hare praised Rogers, saying he is very knowledgeable when it comes to jewelry and only offered the finest quality to his customers.

“It’s sad to see Scot close, but it’s a sign of the times,” Hare said. “People want cheap instead of quality.”

Rogers said a lot of his customers are students and young people who are looking to save money where they can, and that helped contribute to the business’ closure.

One customer, 23-year-old nursing student Christine Ogata, said she is sorry to see Sub-Q closing.

“I’m bummed about it,” she said. “I got my nose pierced here, and I like it here. It’s the first place I think of for piercings. It’s just a really good place.”

Brandon Wilcox, who is a legally blind Yo-yo maker, said he met Rogers in 2000, and Rogers helped him by providing a place within walking distance from his house where he could set up machinery and build Yo-yos.

“That’s his nature,” Wilcox said. “He’s a really nice guy. One of his sayings is ‘It’s your body,’ and he never tries to sell you something you don’t want. And he always gives you quality.”

Wilcox added that it’s unfortunate to see a local entrepreneur go out of business and become a victim of the economy.

“I don’t think Scot failed,” Wilcox said. “I don’t think it’s his fault. The recession is part of it, and if we don’t support our local businesses, this is what happens.”

Rogers said he isn’t sure what is next for him. He is working toward getting another storefront, but he’s not sure if that will happen or if he will do something else, which could range from carpentry to writing.

“I haven’t had a chance to grieve yet,” he said. “And maybe I won’t grieve. I’m seeing this as an opportunity.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Escape the Fate top Dead Masquerade bill at Ace

2011-03-03T06:19:08Z

DGC/Interscope band Escape the Fate will headline the Dead Masquerade tour at Ace of Spades this weekend, joined by support acts Alesana, Motionless In White, Get Scared and Drive A.

Las Vegas-based hard-rockers Escape the Fate are touring in support of their self-titled third album and recently released “Issues Remix” EP, featuring remixes of their first single "Issues" done by Jakwob (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lily Allen), LA Riots (Tiesto, The Ting Tings), Wolves At The Gate (The Cure) and Does It Offend You, Yeah? (Muse, The Raconteurs, Bloc Party).

The band currently graces the cover of Outburn magazine, which declares, “the band’s new album is a compelling modern day masterpiece.”

Bassist Max Green will be returning to the band after entering rehab for drug and alcohol addiction last November.

See all the bands on the Dead Masquerade tour perform this Sunday at Ace of Spades. General admission tickets are $21.95, all fees included. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. The show is all ages.

Growls, screams at Soundcheck showcase at Ace of Spades

2011-02-21T05:31:52Z

Ace of Spades hosted its second event Saturday night, an "all locals" show called "SacShows Presents: Soundcheck", featuring performances by Oneira, Above The City, Carcerys Vale, Batten Down Your Heart, City of Kings, The Winter Formal and Ten After Two.

The theme for the night seemed to be "screamo," and it was delivered in spades (pun intended) with the exception of maybe The Winter Formal, which leans more toward sung vocals.

The tattooed and skintight jeans-wearing band members whipped their hair through quick 20- to 30-minute sets, cheered on by pierced and gauged teenage boys and girls, while overly aggressive males swung their fists around and ran into each other hard in the circle pit. Heavy, metal guitar riffs and machine-gun kick drums were the standard on stage, and by all accounts it was mission accomplished for Soundcheck.

The new venue Ace of Spades looks like a winner. It's a large, open space that fits nicely between Harlow's and Memorial Auditorium, size-wise. There are lots of places to sit, and the audio sounds good. The venue boasts an busy upcoming slate of Boardwalk-type medium-sized acts, including As I Lay Dying, Travie McCoy, and (hed) p.e.

A pending liquor license prevented alcohol sales Saturday night, but it didn't seem to be a large issue due to the largely underage crowd (and band members). A bartender said they expect to have a license "hopefully next week."

Looking for a tattoo in Midtown? Directory part two.

2010-08-13T03:54:18Z

In part one of The Sacramento Press' Midtown Tattoo Parlor Directory, we gave you basic industry terms, safety procedures and the first six shops we visited. The following is part two:

Relentless Tattoo
1422 28th St.
Noon-10 p.m. daily
$50 minimum/$100-$120 hourly, depending on artist

Opened in 2007, Relentless has been in its current location on 28th Street for about a month. The shop, described by artist Chris Hampton as a "traditional shop overall," Relentless employs four artists who have experience ranging from two to 15 years.

"Come in with an open mind," Hampton said. The Relentless artists are willing to work with customers until they are satisfied.

"We have a good vibe; we give quality art; we're friendly and clean," Hampton said.

Exterior : With a large sign over the top of the building, the shop is hard to miss. Plenty of free parking is available in the side lot.
Interior : Inside you will immediately notice the copious amount of artwork, each in individual frames hung in near-perfect symmetry. The entryway is inviting and spacious, with the tattooing stations in their own area, nearly separated by the wall of art. Deeper into the parlor, the symmetrically hung artwork flows into the tattoo station as well. It is set up much like a hair salon with three stations, in front of a long counter. The waiting area seems larger than the tattoo portion, so do not expect your friends to come watch. Windows are on the opposite side of the tattoo station, but they have heavy blinds and face the parking lot, so those who fear being tattooed under watchful eyes should be relieved.

Friendliness: B+
Atmosphere: B
Suited for: If the shop being relatively new doesn't bother you, it's cheaper than most, nicely designed, and the artists are friendly enough.

River City Tattoo
1028 Second St. (Downstairs)
Sunday through Friday noon-8 p.m., Saturday noon-9 p.m.
$60 minimum/$150 hourly in sessions OR varies by piece

Owner Chris Brusby has been in the cozy Old Sacramento location since 2001, employing seven artists with 175 years of combined experience. Similar to other shops, the artists have their own specialties, and none has less than 13 years of individual experience. Six out of seven of River City's artists are award winners, including "Best Back Piece" at this year's All-American Tattoo Festival. Of all the shops attended, Brusby went into the most detail when describing safety precautions.

Exterior : It is nearly impossible to miss River City Tattoo, with its eye-catching, ten-foot high sign facing Second Street. It may be a bit confusing as to how to proceed next, as there are two separate hallways and a stairway leading to a level below. Take the stairway and immediately turn left.
Interior : The place is narrow and long. To the left is a piercing station with separate examples and counters full of jewelry. To the right is the tattoo station. With virtually no sitting or waiting room and only a half dozen example portfolios, one may have second thoughts. But should you decide to be tattooed here, you will be seated in one of the seven or eight tattoo stations, possibly in the very-much-hidden back room (the room forks to the right, unnoticed from the front counter). The place is well-designed with art placed all over the rustic (fitting to Old Sac) brick walls.

Friendliness: A-
Atmosphere: A
Suited for: Easily the most expensive, but you're paying for award-winning artists with the most experience in town by far.

Royal Peacock
2101 P St.
Noon to midnight daily
$60 minimum/$100-$160 per hour ($140 if in sessions)

The 3-year-old Royal Peacock features eight artists, each with between six and 10 years of experience. Though the shop specializes in Japanese and Traditional styles, "each artist strives to do all styles really well," Royal Peacock's shop manager Mitch Wheeler said. The artists at Peacock are "pretty open image-wise." Everything from size, image tweaks and shading is discussed beforehand, so a customer knows exactly what is being tattooed.

"We'll compromise with you instead of pushing our ideas on you," Wheeler said.

Exterior : Without the neon light outside, you might mistake the parlor as a corner convenience store. You might also be intimidated by the amount of heavy bars covering the windows. However, getting past the daunting exterior, the inside has a different feel.
Interior : Royal Peacock's interior is open, much like a barber shop. The chest-high counter separates the L-shaped waiting area from the brightly lit tattoo floor. The entryway is completely covered with flash. You'll immediately notice the big game heads mounted all around the walls. The stereotypical loud rock music plays overhead. Customers are seated in the middle, so anyone coming in can watch. Don't worry, the Royal Peacock will provide a cover screen if needed. As for your friends, while they can watch the entire process, it will have to be from behind the counter.

Friendliness: A-
Atmosphere: B+
Suited for: The Royal Peacock is the street shop you imagine, but twice as nice. They're friendly, moderately priced and have good quality work. Nearly anyone can go here.

Sacramento Tattoo and Piercing
2722 X St.
Noon-10 p.m. Daily
$50 minimum/Price varies by piece

Sacramento Tattoo and Piercing has been in its X Street location for about 14 years, employing three artists with at least 10 years of experience each. The shop is currently going through construction, to complete an expansion by August, but remains open to the public. Unique to the industry, Sacramento Tattoo works only by walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis and relies only on word of mouth as advertising. Offering his advice, owner and artist Dave O'Conner said, "Put some thought into it (first) and take care of it (later)."

Exterior : The structure blends in to the X Street neighborhood well. From the outside, the facility is beautiful and inviting, with a well-kept garden and welcoming steps up to a front porch.
Interior : The inside tells a different story. The room is not well-lit during the day, with the only light coming from the open doors in the front. The back rooms are inaccessible to the public due to construction. For the time being, tattooing takes place in the lobby behind the counter. The current space is very small. Many examples of the artists' work hang on each wall with handwritten prices next to them, most in black and grey.

Photograph unavailable due to remodeling.

Friendliness: C
Atmosphere: C
Suited for: Hard to accurately attribute a feel while under construction, but the guys at Sac Tat say they work mostly by referrals. A bit intimidating, this is not suggested for first-time tattoos.

Sub-Q
1715 I St.
Sunday noon-7p.m., Monday thru Saturday noon-9 p.m.
$50 minimum/Each artist varies on pricing (about $100-$125 hourly)

Sub-Q began as an elite piercing location before getting into the tattoo industry in 2006. Most will remember its K Street location, even though Sub-Q has been in its newest home for four years.

"We are a custom shop," artist Sam Laurent said, which means the shop specializes in custom designs. "This is not the kind of place you come in and pick something off the wall."

The newest of six artists has one year of experience, while the most senior has 14. Artists give their best estimates of pricing beforehand, which naturally varies based on size, style and detail. The shop turns away any hate-based or deeply offensive work, and some artists at the shop avoid face and knuckle tattoos.

As for advice, Laurent suggests to "never ask about price first. Take your time with an artist and a tattoo." The shop also features referral programs, handing out discounts to those who suggest the shop to their friends.

Exterior : Next door to Ultimate Fitness Gym, Sub-Q appears incredibly small from the outside.
Interior : Don't be deceived, once through the door, the shop is massive. With the most square footage of any shop in the area, the warehoused Sub-Q is split into two portions. On the left you will find everything you need for piercings. On the right is the tattoo station. Music can be heard faintly in the distance, and the walls around the immediate entry and wait area are sparsely designed. What makes Sub-Q unique is that artists have their own separate rooms -- which they are able to design and are much larger than normal rooms. For instance, artist Sam Laurent designed his space, the foremost, with comic books and action figures, drawings, paintings and more.

Courtesy of Sub-Q Tattoo

Friendliness: B+
Atmosphere: B
Suited for: The individual artist stations are not only the largest, but each uniquely designed, giving the customer a feel for personality. If you have an extreme custom design, visit Sub-Q to translate it into ink.

Tattoo the Body Embellished
1828 29th St.
Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
$60 minimum/$100 per hour

Embellished owner Court McIntyre boasts more than 20 years of experience. The shop currently has six artists, with one in training, who vary in experience from two to eight years. McIntyre, who does not charge for drawings, prides himself in keeping prices low, but customers should not fear the work will appear cheap. Embellished turns down gang and drug symbols, as well as knuckle and face tattoos. The artists at Embellished will draw your tattoo a dozen times if needed, until the final design is mutually acceptable.

"Ask to see the autoclave," McIntyre said when asked for his best advice.

McIntyre gushed over his establishment, saying, "It's not a scary place: there's no intimidation. We have really good, sweet people."

Exterior : The shop is small but quaint, reminiscent of a barbershop both inside and out. There is one large window facing the street, which from the outside makes it difficult to see inside. Without the spray-painted "Tattoo" sign outside, you might miss the place entirely.
Interior : Inside, there are three tattoo stations separated by a counter. Jazz music plays at a moderate level from the boom box in the corner. The walls are designed as a house would be, a few paintings hung in a spacious design. With not much separation between the waiting area and the stations, your guests can watch you get tattooed from their seats.

Friendliness: A+
Atmosphere: B
Suited for: While the shop is small, the people at Embellished are easily some of the friendliest tattoo artists in Sacramento. Priced low, the artists are very willing to work with you and your design for as long as it takes.

Timeless Tattoo
902 J St. (upstairs)
By appointment only
Chose not to disclose price, but said they are generally "below average"

At Timeless Tattoo you will find a unique experience not found anywhere else. Owner Ezra McCabe is the only tattoo artist at Timeless. McCabe has been tattooing for 14 years, nine of them in the Sacramento area. Timeless is a split shop, tattoo station on one half, the Sacred Heart Salon on the other. While McCabe has experience in each style, if it's Traditional Japanese you are looking for, McCabe is your man. You will not meet another tattoo artist more passionate about his work than McCabe. He beams with delight as he speaks about ancient Japanese styles and the importance of research.

"Styles like this require a deeper knowledge," he said. "There is thousands of years of cultural tradition, it requires scholarly knowledge."

At Timeless, you may bring a friend if you'd like, but otherwise it's a one-on-one experience.

"There is more focus on the client. I'm more involved, which is better for bigger pieces," McCabe said.

You may be able to catch Ezra at The Royal Peacock where he fills in from time to time.

Exterior : Located across the street from Cesar Chavez Park and on top of a Check Into Cash, you might miss it unless you're looking up.
Interior : The stairway up is lined with framed pictures of flash. Upstairs, you'll find more of the same covering the turquoise-colored walls. The tattoo station is very small. Those getting inked don't have much of a view out of the back window.

Friendliness: A
Atmosphere: B
Suited for: For those wanting a more intimate setting and personalized attention and/or Traditional Japanese designs, make an appointment with McCabe.

True Tattoo
1124 Second St.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Daily
$60 minimum/$125-$165 hourly by artist

An online search will not yet yield this 7-month-old shop housed in Old Sacramento. But the three artists at True have 10, 15 and 30 years of experience tattooing. Owner Dan Nguyen says the shop's specialty is "freestyle," the technique of coming up with something and drawing the image from scratch.

"You can come in and talk to an artist for a few minutes, and they'll draw something up for you," Nguyen said.

Unlike most, True will not turn away neck, knuckle and face tattoos, but they will cost you more. Nguyen's philosophy is the customer gets what the customer wants, even if that means it is spur of the moment or chosen off the wall.

New to the scene, True has been working so far off word of mouth. But Nguyen said it's all about the experience.

"Customer service is very important," he said. Nguyen noted customers could bring their children in, something most shops don't allow.

Exterior : A block away from both River City and Capital Ink, True is at street level, unlike the others. Only a small, simple sign over the doorway distinguishes the establishment from the outside, though Nguyen said a new one is being designed in the coming weeks. Up the ramp and through the double doors, you will find two businesses. While the store on the right is Nguyen's brother's woodworking shop, the doors on the left across the way hold True.
Interior : The immediate room is large and well lit. Many hand-drawn examples lay sprawled out across the counter, and many photocopied designs are pinned to the wall on the left of the entrance. Toward the right, a living room setting is complete with sofa and love seat, television and video game console. Woodwork designs loom over the counter, immediately catching customers' eyes. The actual tattoo station is a single room around the corner and behind a curtain. One leather seat lays in the middle of the black and white checkered floor. Windows surround the entire room, and even the door is transparent.

Photograph unavailable at request of owner.

Friendliness: C
Atmosphere: C
Suited for: With the attitude of "if you want it, you got it," True is the place to go if you want something quick and without discussion.

To help decide, you should ask yourself a few simple questions. How much am I willing to spend? Do I need privacy or am I okay with strangers watching? How important is friendly conversation with my tattoo artist during the process? Am I willing to be tattooed by an artist with less experience? How compromising am I prepared to be with my design?

While businesses were graded and characterized based on friendliness, willingness to help and the overall feel of the atmosphere, they were not graded on quality of work and individual artist portfolios. Hopefully this directory has assisted you in selecting a business, however, the selection of an artist is left to you. The last bit of advice, given by all 14 tattoo parlors, is to look through the artists' portfolios and research them as you would any other professional. While a directory can enlighten you on places, only you can decide on who is the right fit.

Looking for a tattoo in Midtown? Directory part one.

2010-08-13T03:49:05Z

After much deliberation, you have finally done it - you have decided to get a new tattoo. Maybe it's your first. Or perhaps you have been inked before but want to try a new place. Money saved, design or idea in place, only a business is left to choose.

Ask 10 friends, and you'll likely receive as many suggestions. A Google search of tattoo parlors in Sacramento only yields more discouraging results: 45 tattoo parlors, each with recommendations. Only through personal research will you be able to decide which establishment is the right fit for you. That is why The Sacramento Press has done the research for you.

We visited 14 Midtown establishments to speak with owners and artists, look through portfolios, check out the space and layout and get an overall "feel" for each one.

At each, we treated the visit as if we were getting a tattoo ourselves. We did all the research a customer would do, asked all the questions that are normally asked and put it all in one spot: right here.

In visiting each shop, we determined ratings for each, based on friendliness and atmosphere, and will provide the "ideal fit" between customers and parlors. Friendliness was evaluated based on discussions with artists and owners, specifically their willingness to help and provide feedback on designs and pricing. Atmosphere includes all details of the shop, including appearances from both outside and in, cleanliness, noise level, space, layout, design and overall comfort.

While trying to differentiate each shop, we uncovered many similarities between them. For example, each shop practices the same standard of safety precautions. Each uses an autoclave, a machine used to sterilize any tools that are used more than once.

Needles that come in contact with skin are single-service use, and unwrapped from their package just before tattooing begins. Customers can ask to see all of these items prior to being tattooed.

The tables and trays the tattoo gun is laid on are covered with Saran wrap to prevent the spread of germs, bacteria and possible skin cells. Most places will even put anything that goes on the wall (artwork, pictures, certificates and licenses) in frames to be even more cautious.

There are a few terms that are common to tattoo parlors that customers might want to familiarize themselves with.

"Flash" is any kind of colorful example on the wall, a design that is not shown in tattoo form. These are primarily the types of things you can pick off the wall.
"Traditional American" is described as "Sailor Jerry" World War II-type designs with bold outlines and dull colors,
"New Style" is more cartoon-like, brighter and with more flair.
"Traditional Japanese" includes characters, dragons, masks and koi fish.
Lastly, there are "black and gray" designs, which are likely to be the standard, very basic design you think of when imagining a tattoo, and portraits.

The process in each shop is the same as well. Customers can go in and pick something off the wall. Others will come in with a design in hand. Some will come in with a verbal and mental idea but require an artist's assistance to draw it up. In any case, once the design is chosen, the paperwork filled out, the tattooing process begins. Depending on design, the process can be very quick or take multiple hours. In some cases, multiple sessions are required.

A few basic requirements: Shops require customers to be at least 18 years old. No shop will tattoo anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and the majority will refuse to do drug and gang symbols. Similarly, most shops will not tattoo designs on the knuckles and the face.

"We don't want to do anything that will lose you a job later," Tattoo the Body Embellished owner Court McIntyre said.

"I don't want to be responsible 10 years down the road when a kid has an old gang symbol, trying to go straight and gets killed over it," Timeless Tattoo owner Ezra McCabe said.

Once you know the requirements, the safety procedures (though you should absolutely still ask) and the process, all that is left is finding a place that is comfortable to you. Not only is a clean place desired, but one with friendly and helpful artists, willing to work with you and your design to make everything perfect and painless. Well, almost painless.

The following is part one (A-M) of The Sacramento Press' Midtown Tattoo Parlor Directory:

American Graffiti
1617 J St.
Noon-10 p.m. daily
$60 minimum/Charge by piece for small/$120 hourly for large

While American Graffiti can tattoo anything you ask for, the predominant design is American Traditional. The shop has been open for 21 years, recently moving from its 19th Street location of 19 years to its new home on J Street a year and a half ago. The shop employs four artists with between four and 10 years of experience, each of whom have traveled to festivals and competitions overseas.

"We get stoked when people come in for their first tattoo," shop manager Grimace Sherwood said. Typically, he said, people end up regretting getting a design too small and "no one regrets getting something too big."

Sherwood said the artists pride themselves in writing various styles of quality script, noting rules such as character spacing and size. The artists have traveled to Amsterdam, Prague and Germany to participate in tattoo festivals.

Exterior : Located on a busy section of J Street across from Hamburger Pattie's, missing the shop is harder than finding parking nearby. The building has a large open window in front, brightly displayed sign, vividly painted walls and a black and white checkered entryway.
Interior : The turquoise and red walls inside are brighter than the outside, but it will be the fake shark head and copious amounts of flash all over the walls you will notice first. The building is spacious, the tattoo station separated from the wait area by a deliberate entryway. Customers' friends can watch from the area or through the half-circle windows in the hall for a closer look.

Friendliness: B+
Atmosphere: A
Suited for: American Graffiti exudes professionalism, and professional experience is something Sherwood said customers will have to trust the artists with, as the artists may add small embellishments -- such as shading -- on the design without the customer's preapproval.

Bonehead
1017 24th St.
Sunday and Monday noon-6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
$60 minimum/Pricing by piece

Bonehead owner Troy Agid has been tattooing for 21 years, 15 of them here in Sacramento. Bonehead has called its new building home since April 2007. Currently, the shop employs six artists, including one apprentice, all of whom attempt to remain well rounded enough to suit anyone's needs.

"We're nice, we do good work and we're clean,"Agid said.

If selecting Bonehead, it's best to do your own design and character research in advance, and Agid also suggests going with original design and not picking something off the wall.

Exterior : Bonehead is located in a large-scale garage-like building with the name painted across the front. Both the building and sign are so large it's nearly impossible to miss.
Interior : Entering Bonehead, customers will find leather couches and chairs to the immediate right as well as a couple of candy and drink machines. The entryway room is very open, much like a lounge. The left and back walls are designed with "flash." What stands out is the vast amount of images containing drug, alcohol and gun references, a quantity not found in any other shop. Under the glass of the front counter a customer will be greeted with skulls, bones and various piercing materials. The tattooing takes place in the another room, which is just as big and spacious. The cleaning room is open to public view in the back corner. On the left lie at least a dozen bicycles waiting to be repaired. If being tattooed in one of the five stations on the open floor makes a customer nervous, there is one private room available.

Friendliness: B
Atmosphere: C+
Suited for: Bonehead is likely best-suited for younger generations or the more "hardcore" tattoo enthusiast, those not easily offended by the overwhelming amount of graphic images. It's not the type of place to take your mother.

Capital Ink
1021 Second St. (Downstairs)
Hours and prices unavailable

Five attempts at communication with Capital Ink went unanswered.

Exterior : Located in Old Sacramento on Second Street almost directly across from River City Tattoo, the shop is one daunting trip down a stairwell.
Interior : Through the door the space looks small at first. Immediately apparent is the copious amounts of examples, from poster-style flip catalogs hanging from the walls to portfolios on the glass counter top. The front space has one bright artificial light, causing the rest of the place to appear very dark. Looking through the doorway you can see two back areas, one well-lit that looks to be the drawing/office area for artists and another large room with furniture which can only presumed to be a waiting area near the tattoo station.

Photograph unavailable.

Friendliness: C- (Owner was unhelpful and chose not to participate)
Atmosphere: C- (Based only on the view from front room)
Suited for: Judging only what was seen, Capital seems best suited for only the most hardcore of tattoo enthusiasts or those directly referred.

Exotic Body
807 30th St.
Sunday through Thursday noon-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon-11p.m.
$60 minimum/Price varies by piece and artist

Tucked into its corner spot for 10 years, 20 total in Sacramento, Exotic Body employs five tattoo artists and two piercers. Exotic owner Mike Hare boasts of having diverse artists with the ability to cover a wide variety of styles.

"We have a personable, attitude-free shop," Hare said. "My advice is to find someone you are comfortable with and not switch for $10."

Exotic Body won "Best of Sacramento" award for tattoo businesses by the Sacramento News and Review in 2006 and the KCRA A-List in 2007 and 2008.

Exterior : From the outside, it fits right in with East Sacramento housing.
Interior : The inside layout may remind you of a dentist office. The space looks the same: mid-size waiting area, front counter "check-in," five rooms down the hall, separate from the waiting area. Each customer has the chance to be tattooed in the privacy of one of these unique rooms. The waiting room displays each of the accolades Exotic Body has received, as well as dozens of books and flip-through poster-style references. Loud rock music plays in the front, but is easy to ignore down the hall. Each individual room is designed differently with paintings, artwork and vibrant colors.

Friendliness: B-
Atmosphere: A-
Suited for: If you want award-winning work done in privacy, go here.

Forever
2418 16th St.
Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
$60 minimum/hourly if large, otherwise by piece

In its ninth year, renowned Forever Tattoo has six regular artists and continually features guest artists from all over the world. Forever artists currently have anywhere from 10 to 20 years of experience and each claim to be so well-rounded that any can tattoo in the styles of Traditional, Japanese, Black and Gray, Portraits and New Style.

"Don't settle," Justin Reinhardt of Forever suggests as a short and sweet piece of advice. Those new to the tattoo world should not settle on a shop, an artist, or getting inked at all if they are not 100 percent convinced and comfortable.

Artists at Forever have participated in festivals in England, Germany, Greece, Japan and Spain, some staying to work in shop overseas for months at a time.

"Our art speaks for itself. It may not be the cheapest, but it will be quality. This is our life; this is what we do," Reinhardt said.

Exterior : Across from Willie's Hamburgers and next to 16th Street Cafe lies Forever Tattoo. The cafe tables overlap the parlor's space, so it may appear as if there is always an overflow of customers.
Interior : Inside, a long and narrow path leads you to the front counter. On your left is a plethora of flash and previous articles featuring Forever's artists. A five-foot countertop scattered with portfolios runs down the center of the shop separating the work station from the wait area. The tattoo station is a chaotic mess of artwork: the walls designed with three or four noticeably large paintings of naked women, many more smaller paintings, graffiti and skateboards, all hung in dizzying fashion. Loud music blares overhead. The tattoo station is as long and narrow as the waiting area, able to seat at least five customers at a time. If you don't like the idea of getting tattooed in front of a large picture window, you won't want the first chair. The public eye can watch any of the other stations' customers get inked just as easily from inside, but from the opposite side of the counter. On three visits, midday and evening, middle of the week and weekend, Forever was always bustling.

Courtesy of Justin Reinhardt

Friendliness: B-
Atmosphere: B-
Suited for: If you are willing to spend extra money for quality renowned work, Forever is your spot. But don't expect the artists to ease your pre-tattoo jitters. They don't come off as friendly or talkative.

Monster Ink Tattoo
1126 19th St.
Noon-8 p.m. daily
$50 minimum/$100 hourly for large scale

Owner Tuan Tran is one of the two artists at Monster, both with 10 years of experience. Tran worked in Davis before opening his 19th Street location three years ago.

"We are definitely different," Tran said. "We're more laid-back and more hands-on."

Monster Ink is not an ordinary walk-in shop. There is not a lot of flash on the walls, and Tran said 90 percent of his customers come from referrals. Unlike other shops, Monster does not do a lot of traditional work.

"We do a lot of lowrider, Spanish influence and Japanese influence," Tran said. He also pointed out their Polynesian artwork, something he said no one else in the area specializes in.

Exterior : Located between J and L streets, the shop appears to be an apartment or loft at first glance. Monster is also one of the few places that has an actual sign, as opposed to graffiti.
Interior : Inside, even during the day, the establishment is very dark. Monster is small: a living-room style waiting area with couch and coffee table, a small seated tattoo station in the back of the same room and a larger private room through a doorway on the right. At Monster, there is no overwhelming smell, booming music or frenzied designs.

Friendliness: B
Atmosphere: B+
Suited for: Those who want specific designs with Polynesian and Spanish influence.

Part Two to follow.

Get inked at the All-American Tattoo Festival

2010-06-18T03:57:10Z

Looking for a little push to get a tattoo? Now's the time to work up your courage, because tattoo artists from all over the world will be inking it up at Sacramento’s All-American Tattoo Festival at the Sacramento Convention Center this weekend.

Hosted by Forever Tattoo and held in the Sacramento Convention Center, the festival celebrates tattoos and the people who love them. Forever Tattoo’s Eiland Hogan said his gang of artists have been to tattoo festivals all over the world, including London, Asia and Greece. The crew decided they wanted something in Sacramento that would operate on an international scale.

“A lot of tattoo conventions are going on in California, but none of them are on an international scale,” Hogan said. “We provide a place where you can come and get a world-renowned tattoo.”

While the festival attracts many tattoo artists from all over California, it also draws artists from Nevada, New York, Hawaii, Florida, and Texas. The festival’s international artists this year hail from Spain, Germany and New Zealand.

“It’s a world scale of what can be done with tattoos,” Hogan said.

Over 100 artists will be on hand to lend their own unique style to human canvases who are looking for something a little different. Hogan hopes to have an attendance of at least 6,000 for this year's festival, coincidentally held on the weekend of Father's day.

The event will also feature a tattoo contests, including Best Leg, Best Sleeve,Best Color, and Best Back tattoos. Some competitions, like the Best Large tattoo, will be divided into men's and women's categories. Each day will end with the best tattoo of the day. Tattoo artists will also showcase some of their own tattoo inspired artwork with over 100 paintings and drawings. This year's live show features the daredevil duo of Tyler Fyre and Thrill Kill Jill, providing a daring Coney Island-style sideshow attraction, complete with sword-swallowing, escape artistry, glass-eating and flame-spitting.

Legacy Tattoo’s Sean Jackson started with the festival five or six years ago as a part of the tattoo artist community in the Sacramento area.

“The festival is a great event, an absolute positive outlet for a lot of the better tattooers in Sacramento, the States and overseas,” Jackson said. “It’s a very positive thing, especially for bringing business into Sacramento.”

Jackson has been tattooing for over 11 years now and enjoys the creative outlet it provides.

“I never know what I’m going to draw until the last second," he said. "I usually pull a really cool rabbit out of my hat. It’s like bringing art to life.”

The All-American Tattoo Festival opens Friday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m and will continue on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., where the celebrations will close with the Best of Show tattoo competition. Fyre will perform his thrill show all three nights.

Tickets will be available all weekend at the Convention Center box office. Prices are $20 per day or $40 for the entire weekend, including admission to the after-hours party. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and are given free admission.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, please visit the festival website.

Images:

1 & 2: Outside Forever Tattoo
3: Artist Chris Danley works on a tattoo
4: A tattoo enthusiast shows off his full back tattoo
5: Brent Patton works on a design
6 & 7: Tattoo art by Jackson
8: Traditional skull with candle by Branden McAfee
9: Praying hands by Mark Matthews

Lots of free (and cheap) events this Weekend!!

2009-06-17T23:55:20Z

It has never occurred to me that Father's Day weekend always happens at the same time as the summer solstice. Is that by coincidence? The longest, sunniest day of the year falls on the weekend that we celebrate our Dad's. That's kind of cool! At least for those of us who celebrate them. Otherwise, think of it as an extended day for you to be having fun! This weekend is packed with family friendly events for the whole family to enjoy at budget friendly prices. There are a few things I've mentioned that are a little more pricey... but they sound so fun! Whatever your budget is and whomever you'd like to spend your time with, check out what this weekend has in store.

Thursday 6.18

Class: Small Business Forum: Going Green -- $FREE
Where: SHCC Offices (1491 River Park Dr)
When: 9am
Why: Every month a different topic is featured in these workshops. From accounting practices, legal issues, buying new technology and creating a business plan—they’ll teach you all you need to know to be more efficient in your business. This month will focus on the latest trend in business…Going Green. It won’t cost you any green to come so check it out!
Details

Food & Wine: Wild West Cheese Adventure -- $45
Where: C’est le Cheese (Penthouses at Capitol Park)
When: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Why: “Artisan cheese makers are pushing the frontiers of flavor into an entirely new world by using the sweetest, creamiest milk from locally raised cows, goats and sheep to create an exquisite array of stupendous artisan cheese. Join Laura Martinez, author of "The Everything Cheese Book", in a tasting adventure of these wild and wooly cheese creations paired with wine and beer from pioneering vintners and brewers. This class is guaranteed to transport you to the best of the Wild West!”~ C’est le Cheese
Details

Music: Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series -- $10 (FREE to Crocker Members)
Where: CSUS Capistrano Hall
When: 5:30pm-8pm
Why: The Garrett Perkins Project will entertain with their versatile range of Jazz from bebop to modern contemporary jazz. The Garrett Perkins Project is dedicated to promoting music that is at once educational and entertaining. Garrett has had a Quartet since the age of fifteen as an avenue for playing his beloved alto saxophone.
Details

Friday 6.19

Festival: Sacramento French Film Festival—Opening Night -- $10/ $9 students (single ticket)
Where: Crest Theatre
When: 6pm (Movie at 8:30pm) ***The festival runs through Sunday, June 28th***
Why: Opening night and reception! You cannot see the film tonight without going to the reception. Enjoy an open wine bar and catered hors d’oeuvres by local restaurants and music by DJ Christophe. The Sacramento French Film Festival is an annual event held in July. It celebrates the present as well as the rich history of French cinema featuring new releases and rarely seen classics. It is the only festival dedicated to French cinema in Northern California and one of only two on the West coast. The Sacramento Bee described the Festival as “the Cinematic Highlight of Sacramento's Summer”. All of the films are in French with English subtitles. (Psst! Check out the website for more fun events like the fashion show on Saturday the 21st!!)
Details

Festival: All American Tattoo Festival--$15 at the door/$30 for the weekend
Where: Sacramento Convention Center
When: 2pm-11pm (also Saturday, 11am-11pm & Sunday, 11am-7pm)
Why: Tattoo lovers unite! Tell all your ink loving friends to come over to the CC this weekend. There will be tattoo contests for prizes in addition to the artwork and music. Whether you’re a seasoned (or should I say fully decorated) tattoo lover or a novice, this is the place to find what you’re looking for. Even if you’re not much of a tattoo fan, you got to come if only to see George the Giant. He is himself a complete sideshow performance- known for his fire breathing, sword swallowing, glass walking stunts and many more, he is sure to entertain! Plus...the world wide debut of SHIGE a book by Horitaka from the Yellow Blaze Tattoo Studio in Japan.
Details

Kids & Families: Wet 'n Wild Family Night @ the Y! -- FREE
Where: Sacramento YMCA
When: 6pm-8pm
Why: Join the Sacramento Area YMCA for a free Wet n' Wild Family Night with musical guests, Prima! Bring your swimsuit, flip-flops & towel, there will be plenty of wet n' wild games including a fundraiser dunk tank! This is a free community event where everyone is welcome so don't forget to tell your family & friends! Jamba Juice and Yogurtagogo will also be on hand selling their tasty juices and yogurt to help beat the heat!
Details

Kids & Families: Disney Train Comes to Sacramento! -- $FREE
Where: California State Railroad Museum
When: 9am-7pm (also Saturday, 9am-7pm & Sunday, 9am-4pm)
Why: Bring your family and friends to Old Sacramento to see the Disney Train on the tracks near the California State Railroad Museum. Disney is pulling out all the whistle stops and taking its show on the road with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour, including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” Enjoy a snowy backdrop in June in Old Sacramento, complete with all of the sights and sounds of Christmas including carolers, decorations, giveaways and many more surprises. This Disney family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public. Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens in theatres November 6 in Disney Digital 3D and in IMAX 3D.
Details

Music: A Classic Rock Tribute with “ATB” -- $
Where: Double Tree Hotel
When: 8:30pm-11pm
Why: After the Beatles, music has never been the same. Or so believes ATB, which stands for After The Beatles. They are a classic rock tribute band keeping the Beatles alive by playing the music that the Beatles made, after the Beatles.
Details

Music: Les Claypool -- $25 adv/ $30 at door
Where: Radisson Hotel
When: 7:30pm
Why: Legendary Bassist from the popular band Primus. Back in their heyday (aka the 90’s), Les was recognized for his inventive, funky style. Advance tickets can be purchased at any Dimple Records store, The Beat and R5 Records.
Details

Saturday 6.20

Art: Stellar Studios’ Summer Solstice -- $FREE
Where: Stellar Studios (23rd & C St.)
When: 5pm-12am
Why: Celebrate Summer Solstice and support some local artists while you’re at it! Stellar will be featuring new work in glass, ceramics, metal & mixed media from all local artists. Get a glimpse into the future of art spaces. Also, it’s a great excuse to peruse and shop around with music & fire to compliment the atmosphere on the longest day of the year.
Details: http://sacramento365.com/event/detail/38873

Art/Class: Figure Drawing Marathon for Adults -- $65 ($45 for Crocker Members)
Where: Crocker Art Museum
When: 10:30am-4:30pm
Why: Back by popular demand! This workshop is for beginners and advanced students looking to learn or improve drawing skills. Draw from nude models while exploring the figure through warm-up exercises, gesture drawings and long poses. Note that this is an adult class! You must be 18 years or older. Drawing materials will be provided. Make sure you call to reserve your spot because reservations are required.
Details

Festival: 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival-- $FREE
Where: William Land Park
When: 11am-6pm (also Sunday, 11am-5pm)
Why: A Celebration of Freedom and the Emancipation Proclamation. What a way we’ve come! This is a two-day event featuring two stages of live musical entertainment, vendors, children's activities, spelling bee, fishing derby, The Juneteenth Educational Theater, essay/poster contests, theater, cultural dance performances, and more on Saturday! The Juneteenth Talent Show is probably the highlight of the event where local aspiring talent takes a stab at the stage. Nearly 8,000 people attend Juneteenth annually. On Sunday check out the 3rd annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament, the Juneteenth Gospel Extravaganza featuring Sacramento’s best gospel artists, food/ware vendors, and all kinds of children’s’ activities. Be there!
Details

Fundraiser: Round ‘em Up Barbeque -- $10 adults/ $5 kids
Where: Swanston Park
When: 3pm
Why: Grab the kids and head to the park for a family friendly BBQ! The Sacramento Children's Chorus will be performing an informal concert for entertainment. All of the proceeds for this event benefit the Sacramento Children’s Chorus. With all of the funding cuts happening with children’s programs, makes sense to support them in family fun ways such as these…
Details

Music: Pops in the Park Concert Series -- $FREE
Where: Bertha Henschel Park
When: 6pm-10pm
Why: This week is featuring the George Bruno Big Band. I don’t know much about the band- and couldn’t find any information on them other than they play at all kinds of family friendly events- but I do know that the Pops in The park Concerts are a great night out for families. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and prepare to have some fun!
Details

Sunday 6.21 (Dad’s Day!)

Film: IMAX Father’s Day Package -- $Varies
Where: Esquire IMAX Theatre
When: 11am, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 (Start Times)
Why: Take your Dad to see an IMAX show this weekend- or dad’s, take your kids out and save. In addition to the Stimulus Deal IMAX has been promoting, this Sunday Dad’s get in Free! You still need the receipt from a restaurant though. So the Stimulus Package Deal goes like this: Visit any Downtown/Midtown Sacramento Restaurant and spend $20…then bring your receipt to the Esquire IMAX Theatre and purchase any ticket to see Dinosaurs Alive 3D, Under The Sea 3D or African Adventure 3D for $5 or get a $5 discount off the full price admission ticket to Monsters vs. Aliens 3D, Star Trek, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. (Subject to availability) Up to 4 Tickets can be purchased with receipt.
Details

Music: Father’s Day BBQ Train -- $49 Adults/ $25 Kids (plus taxes & Service charge)
Where: Sacramento River Train
When: 11am
Why: Why not? When’s the last time you rode the train? This 3.5-hour trip includes a 28-mile train ride with a stop for a barbecue lunch at Elkhorn Park. The Sacramento River Train, which has three open-air cars and three enclosed air-conditioned coaches, operates between Woodland and West Sacramento.
Details

Keep in mind that all of these events and many more can can be found on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events. If you have an event you would like to add to Sacramento365.com, visit the website. Its easy and free to add your events! Also, if you want to mention an event that I didn't squeeze into my little article- add it to the comments below! Have a great weekend!!