22nd annual Tattoos & Blues

Jessica Murphy of Visalia, ca shows off her tattoo during the 2010 Santa Rosa Tattoos and Blues event (photo by Crista Jeremiason)

Some come for the live blues music. Others come just to gawk. But many come because of their appreciation for beautiful and unique pieces of art inked permanently on body canvases by the Bay Area’s finest tattoo artists.

View photo gallery of 2012 Tattoos & Blues

This year, the 22nd Annual Tattoos and Blues Festival runs from Friday Feb 22 – Sunday Feb 24th, and will host more than 30 world renowned tattoo artists, several blues bands, fire dancers, delicious eats, and some worthy vendors at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. The convention is set up so that those looking for some new body art can get inked right on the spot. And because of the open arena, anyone curious about the process can watch the artists at work.

From seasoned veterans of the world of ink to unmarked skin newbies contemplating the needle, the festival holds a little something for everyone. The doors open on Friday with live music by Fire & Wheels, fire dancers, and a welcome party set to the sounds of band Snake Alley. Saturday boasts more free music and fire dancers, and a tattoo contest that includes best black & gray, best individual, best sleeve, and more. Sunday finishes up the tattoo contests with most unusual, best color, and best tattoo of show, to name a few.

Doors open on Friday at 12pm, and Saturday & Sunday at 11am.  $20 day pass  -  $35 weekend pass

The festival will be held at Flamingo Resort and Spa  (2777 4th Street, Santa Rosa)     707-545-8530 flamingoresort.com

For more information about the show and a full schedule, visit santarosatattoosandblues.com.