Beauty skin deep

From sailors to carnies, tattoos have historically carried an off-putting stigma. Tattooed women were once even the object of circus sideshow attractions. But these are modern times, and the Surf City Saloon aims to celebrate the art of inked-up beauties with a contest.

Each participant in this contest will bring something unique, says Liz Krug, the event’s organizer.

Says Krug, every tattoo becomes a part of its owner’s individual style, and the various tastes are the essence of the competition. “They’re people that are more adventurous than some,” she said. “They’re very much looking for a unique identity.”

That rings true for Mandy McAdams, who’ll be showcasing her various tattoos onstage Sunday. McAdams works at the Surf City Saloon where the contest will be and has 13 years’-worth of tattoo work to show off. Each of McAdam’s tattoos, from her brightly colored fairy tale-like works to other images that reflect a darker side, she says are a part of her. “It’s usually whatever’s going on in my life,” McAdams said. “My thoughts, my feelings, I put them on me.”

The individuality of the contestants will factor in to who walks away with the crown. The judging panel will include a hair stylist, a photographer, a tattoo artist and an entertainment entrepreneur.

Frank Saldarelli, owner of Sick Dogs Tattoos in Westminster, will be judging the tattoo aspect of the competition, as well as being one of the event sponsors. The key to winning him over isn’t how many tattoos or even how good the work is. Those things will be taken into consideration, but the winner in his eyes will be the lady who puts the whole package together with attitude, poise and how well tattoo choices reflect the person’s style.

“It’s just how they represent themselves,” Saldarelli said. “If the crowd likes ’em, we’ll probably like ’em.”

The judges will narrow down the field of competition during the first rounds until 10 semifinalists are chosen. They’ll choose the top three and then leave the final decision to the audience, who will vote by round of applause.

“It’s really based on who captures the audience’s imagination,” Krug said.

The contest also promotes an alternative to conventional beauty where fashion forward thinking combines with a style commitment, says Krug. “It’s not the image that people had in the past that tattooed people are fringe people.”

The Miss Surf City Saloon Tattooed Lady Contest is organized by a group of businesses at the corner of Ellis Avenue and Beach Boulevard, which work together to promote one another’s stores.

With the combination of punk/underground clothing outlet Thirteen Bones, the One Stop Smoke Shop, the Hair International Salon and the Surf City Saloon, a beauty competition for more alternative crowds is a natural fit.

They hope to make it an annual event where the former Miss Surf City Saloon perpetually crowns the new winner.

The inaugural title will be bestowed by Lindsey Lou, one of the most frequently photographed tattooed models around.

The audience’s final choice will receive prizes donated by the sponsors. The contestant that takes the first Miss Surf City Saloon scepter will also get a three-day trip to Cancun.

It may not be a trip to Mexico, but no competitor or spectator will walk away empty-handed. The sponsors will also provide thank-you gift bags for the participants, and TK Burger will be frying complimentary burgers.

Bands including Fono and Stink Eye will provide live entertainment in-between competition sets.

So far there are about 30 contestants, but that number may swell as new challengers will be taken until the last minute.

For more information on Miss Surf City Saloon Tattooed Lady contest, visit www.myspace.com/ ms_surfcitysaloon.