International 3-Day Tattoo Show Returns To Queens

JAMAICA, QUEENS -- Thousands of tattoo artists and enthusiasts from all over the world will gather in Queens this weekend for one of New York City's largest tattoo shows.

Up to 14,000 people are expected to pack Resorts World Casino NYC in Jamaica for United Ink's annual "No Limits Tattoo Expo" from April 20-22, said event coordinator Paul Brown. That includes more than 250 world-famous tattoo artists jetting in from all corners of the world.

"We try to maintain a certain quality and have some of the best tattoo artists you can possibly find," Brown told Patch. "We have people coming in from Eastern Europe, to Australia, to New Zealand and all over the U.S."

Some of this year's big-name international artists include Anton Avtonomov, who hails from Russia, Austria-based "Uber Derek" Entenmann, Chris Rigoni of Perth and Deborah "La Mujer Barbuda" Cherrys from Madrid.

A handful of big-name New York City-based artists will also be in attendance, including Lydia Bruno and Sarah Miller of the hit TV show, "Ink Master."

Participants must be at least 18 years old to attend the tattoo expo, which will feature live tattooing, entertainment, stage shows, educational seminars and more, Brown said.

"We try to have them not just be conventions where people just walk around and get tattood," Brown said. "People who aren't quite ready to get a tattoo can still come in and do some research."

Among the expo's highlights - and one of Brown's personal favorites - are the tattoo contests that take place on stage.

"That's what kind of separates the big dogs from the little dogs," he said. "When you start seeing some of the best of the best lined up on stage to be judged, that's incredible."

The ink-filled weekend will also be packed with live entertainment, including performances by burlesque dancer Emily Shephard and heavy metal band Wolfpack Black. Spouses Charlie and Rachel Atlas will swallow and throw knives as one of many daredevil tricks in the The Death Do Us Part Danger Show. Brooklyn-born, ink-covered actor Robert Lasardo will also have his own booth at the event.

"There's a lot of cool stuff happening" Brown said. "We try to keep it fun."

The "No Limits" tattoo expo runs from 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday, noon to midnight on Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door, and range from $25 for a daily pass to $55 for a weekend pass.

(Lead photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)