Illegal Ink: The bizarre story of NYC's Tattoo Ban at caveat

A stellar lineup of five historians and tattoo artists who lived this history tell the story of the tattoo ban in NYC that lasted from 1961-1997. Christa Avampato will be your host on this trip filled with fascinating artists who worked under the prohibition of ink for nearly 40 years.

A sordid love triangle involving a top government official and a Bowery tattoo artist led to a personal vendetta and a trumped up health scare. Tattooing in New York City is forced into an unfair and unjust underground existence. The story of our 36-year tattoo prohibition led to unlikely alliances across class lines, sacred safe spaces hidden in plain sight, and an unexpected renaissance that would change the art of tattooing forever.

Join us and learn about this strange chapter of our city's history from five outstanding storytellers who take you on a wild ride filled with twist, turns, and closely-guarded secrets. We will have two artists doing historical flash tattoos, and you can sign up for a slot to get inked right here at Caveat.

Doors 6:30pm, show 7:00pm
Tickets $15 adv / $20 door
Ticket + Tattoo $40 (artists will have flash sheets)
21+
This event is mixed seated and standing room. Seats are first-come, first-served.

Our honored guests include:
Efrain John Gonzalez (author, INK & STEEL and curator of the upcoming tattoo show "Old School") will give an overview of tattoo history in NYC by showcasing a portion of his extensive archive of images. Signed copies of his book will also be available at the event.

Mehai Bakaty (owner, Fineline Tattoo) will talk about the history of Fineline, the oldest continually operating tattoo shop in NYC, and his father Mike Bakaty's role in the tattoo community on the Lower East Side.

Stephanie Tamez (Saved Tattoo) will discuss women in tattooing, and the often-ignored narrative of female tattoo artists.

John Wyatt (author, Under My Skin) will pay tribute to his friend, Thom deVita, a larger than life, one-of-a-kind character in the tattoo world, and talk about the 25-year project that led to his book.