
Celebrities from the Entertainment and Cultural Spectrum Celebrate the Most Ambitious Tattoo Studio Venture in HistoryNotorious illustrated rock stars
Dave Navarro and
Tommy Lee, Platinum recording artists,
Buckcherry, and former Biohazard front man,
Evan Seinfeld, are among an eclectic mix of ink-loving luminaries slated to perform at the gala opening of Mario Barth’s
Starlight Tattoo at House of Blues® Las Vegas on Saturday, February 16.
That evening, doors will open to a revolutionary new way to visit a tattoo studio. Invited guests will be witness to a night of art, culture, live tattooing and a dose of music mayhem as Buckcherry, Dave Navarro & DJ Skribble, The Spyderz (Seinfeld’s new band) and The Lordz all perform live inside the House of Blues. Tommy Lee & DJ Aero will spin electro house music for guests during the after-party inside the exclusive House of Blues Foundation Room. Other celebrity guests that will be part of the grand opening celebration include Ice-T and Coco, Victoria Gotti and her sons, with more expected to be announced.
The inception of
Starlight Tattoo at House of Blues marks the very first time a music venue has joined forces with a tattoo organization. The partnership celebrates two of the most powerful art forms in our culture – music and ink – fusing into one extraordinary location inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas.
“Tattooing has been my art, business and life force for more than 20 years,” says Mario Barth, Founder and CEO of Starlight Tattoo. “This opening is a dream come true.
Starlight Tattoo at House of Blues is more than a studio. I have great reverence for the masters of this ancient art form and this will be reflected in the atmosphere and artifacts exclusive to our shop.”
When patrons enter the doors of
Starlight Tattoo at House of Blues, they will be offered the rare opportunity to select three different styles of tattooing – traditional handtool Japanese, traditional handtool Samoan and the modern techniques of Western-style. Tattoo enthusiasts will be able to book appointments with world-renowned artists who are otherwise unattainable, such as celebrity tattoo artist and owner Mario Barth, Japanese Master Hori Toshi I and Samoan Master Sulu’ Ape Pili Mo’o. “After the grand opening, we plan to fly in a Monk tattooist from Thailand who utilizes two-foot stainless steel spears,” says Barth. “He wears the traditional orange outfit. It’s very ceremonial and quite dramatic. Our links to the Asian cultures are deep and respectful.”
Barth envisions Starlight Tattoo as a destination, not just for individuals looking to get inked, but also for those curious about the rich and mysterious history of the practice. “I was born in Austria, so I first studied the European roots during a very underground period, where tattoos were used to identify prisoners,” he explains. “Marking others identified internment. Marking yourself came later, as a protest, to identify your freedom and your own individualism.”
Barth also spent a lot of time in Japan, learning from and observing the masters, discovering their use of inks and implements. With the rise of the Internet, the cultures have collided and today you see American-style Japanese hip-hop kids clashing with traditional full body suit businessmen. “With our visiting expert tattooists from around the world, Starlight Tattoo will reflect Las Vegas, a melting pot of different cultures looking to express themselves in different and imaginative ways,” explains Barth.
House of Blues General Manager Cheryl Vereen adds, “We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership. Both House of Blues and Starlight Tattoo are dedicated to diversity and the blending of cultures. We look forward to a long and…excuse the expression… colorful run together.”
Mario Barth’s Starlight Tattoo is a one-of-a-kind international tattoo organization specializing in luxury styling tattooing. The first OSHA approved tattoo studios in the nation, Starlight Tattoo features Barth’s groundbreaking, innovative sterile tattoo inks.
House of Blues Las Vegas presents the who’s who of live music, regularly booking the hottest touring acts to perform in its legendary music hall. The venue also plans to host special events throughout the year showcasing the amazing combination of touring bands and world-renowned tattoo artists.
About Starlight Tattoo: Starlight Tattoo
www.starlighttattoo.com is the premier international tattoo organization with six high-end tattoo studios and the online tattoo supply company called, The Tattoo Super Store. Starlight Tattoo sells merchandise in 28 countries on six continents. CEO and inventor Mario Barth has a vast and impressive celebrity clientele including: Lenny Kravitz, Jason Kidd, Nikki Sixx, members of My Chemical Romance, Fieldy of Korn, Ja Rule, New York Giants’ David Diehl and many others. In addition to Starlight Tattoo’s commitment to raising money for CureSearch Childhood Cancer Foundation, Barth began Starlight’s Starting Over Program in 2006, which assists former gang members with getting a fresh start in life by removing their gang symbols in exchange for community service.
About House of Blues: Founded in 1992, this dynamic company with soul, spirit and vision was acquired by Live Nation in November 2006. With 11 branded clubs, including Atlantic City, Anaheim, Chicago, Cleveland, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Diego and Dallas, each House of Blues club features live music and Southern-inspired cuisine in an eclectic environment celebrating the African American cultural contributions of blues music and folk art.
House of Blues – IT IS LIVE!™
www.hob.comAbout Mandalay Bay: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning destination resort, is set on 60 lush acres and offers 3,644 rooms and suites including 424 accommodations managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Mandalay Beach, an 11-acre tropical pool environment features real California sand, a wave pool and lazy river. The property also boasts the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center, award-winning restaurants, Shark Reef and the 1.5 million square foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center – the largest convention center on the Las Vegas Strip. Mandalay Bay’s brands include THEhotel, an all-suite hotel that features 1,117 luxurious one-bedroom suites and the BATHHOUSE Spa, as well as Mandalay Place, a collection of 41 unique boutiques and restaurants.Mandalay bay is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™. For more information and reservations, visit the web site at
www.mandalaybay.com or call toll free at (877) 632-7000.