One of the entrants in the "worst tattoo" contest during last year's Seattle Tattoo Expo was a man with stars tattooed over his nipples. The guy I've come to remember as "the star-nippled sneetch" didn't win the contest, but he made a lasting impression on me. Who in the hell could sit still through nipple tattoos?

While questions like these are an inevitable part of the Tattoo Expo, they're not what the Tattoo Expo is about. Make no mistake: This is an art show, albeit an art show with mobile canvases. This weekend -- Aug. 8, 9 and 10 --at Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion,  more than a hundred tattoo artists from all over the world will show off the best pieces of skin art from their respective portfolios. More importantly, they'll be creating new work. You could become a permanant part of this annual gallery show.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Even if you're not ready to get inked this weekend -- even if you're a blank slate, and planning to stay that way -- the Tattoo Expo is a great time. This is your only chance to openly stare at other people's tattoos without being ostracized or arrested. And some great bands are scheduled to play, including Nevermore, Nashville Pussy, Tiger Army, Murdock, Throw Rag, Vince Mira and Duff McKagan's Loaded.

Tickets for the Seattle Tattoo Expo are available online for $15 per day and $35 for a three-day pass. On the day of the event, single-day admission goes up to $20, and that just won't do at all. You need your money, every extra cent of it, for tattoos. Maybe even nipple tattoos.

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