Star City Blog

Lincolnite Creates Original Web Series About the Art of Tattoos

By Dustin Hunke

In the last half-decade, reality shows focusing on tattoo shops have exploded in popularity. Programs like "Inked" and "L.A. Ink" are ostensibly centered on the parlors themselves, but the true focus is placed on the day-to-day human drama of the artists and patrons.

A new original web series, "Beyond The INK," aims to put the focus on the actual artwork, and the importance of carefully preparing any time you go under the needle.

“What I saw on the tattoo television shows was nothing like what I saw when I was in a real tattoo shop, or at a tattoo convention," said Kris Richter, who came up with the idea for "Beyond the INK."

"I thought that the reality of the tattoo industry was much more interesting than the scripted Hollywood drama they showed on television,” she added.

On Saturday, June 4th, "Beyond The INK" is hosting their Grand Launch Party in the form of an event at the Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St. Lincoln metal stalwarts Cynge will play, in addition to Beaver Damage, a newer Lincoln band featuring current Big O Tattoo artists B.J. Nigh and Ryan Pinkerton.  The show also features The Goddamn Rights, Topper Go and Kush.  There will be burlesque dancing by the Foxy By Proxy Burlesque troop from Lawrence, Kansas, catering will be provided by Lincoln chef Marcus Rekart, Lincoln magician Rob Beals will perform and there will be a raffle to win original art from various tattoo artists. Richter and Mills will be revealing details about the future of "Beyond The INK" throughout the evening.

ConStellation Nebraska Convention to Combine Science Fiction, Animation, Video Games and More

 By Indigo Zgud

Did your imagination survive so-called “maturity”? Do heroes, villains and other occupants of the imaginary realm awaken your inner kid? If so, then Lincoln’s second annual ConStellation convention is an event you won’t want to miss.

Lincoln’s Guest House Inn and Suites, 5250 Cornhusker Highway, will host the three-day pop culture convention this Friday through Saturday. ConStellation meshes the worlds of science fiction, anime and gaming into a one-of-a-kind event.

Though ConStellation is currently the only convention of its kind in the Lincoln area, this hasn’t always been the case.

“Lincoln has a long history of sci-fi conventions, at least from the '90s on,” said Noel Judd, assistant convention chair and former head of security. “But people ran out of time, money ..."

Then, about seven years ago, founder Jeff Ifland started thinking about how to start conventions in Lincoln again, but with a broader focus.

"He has an interest in science fiction books, anime, animation and game design," Judd continued, "and pretty much everybody he knew that was interested in one those things was interested in more than one of those things.”

Anime NebrasKon Expects More than 2,000 Attendees at 7th Annual Convention

From staff reports

Held at the CoCo Key Water Resort convention center in Omaha, this year's anime convention Anime NebrasKon will feature more than 160 panels and activities, including a cosplay contest, anime idol, anime music video contest, dealer's room, dating auction and artist's alley.

"Previously it was held in Lincoln at the University (of Nebraska-Lincoln)," said Ellene Cudd, promotions coordinator for Anime NebrasKon, which is hosted by the non-profit Nebraska Japanese Animation Society. "We grew out of the university ... We were busting at the seams."

Running today, Nov. 5, through Nov. 7, the convention attracts attendees from around the Midwest, as far as eight hours away, Cudd said -- the block of hotel rooms reserved for the convention sold out. Last year's attendance hit 1,600, and she said they're expecting up to 2,400 attendees this year.

Registration is today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A three-day adult pass costs $45; single day passes cost $25 for today, $30 for Nov. 6 and $20 for Nov. 7.  A child's badge is $15 for all three days or $10 for a one-day pass. 

In Short: CROPS Farm Walk, LUNk Emergency Fundraiser, 2010 World Day

Compiled by Star City Blog staff

Community CROPS hosts 2010 Farm Walk Friday, Sept. 10: Community CROPS' 2010 Farm Walk will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept.10 and will feature events like farm tours, chicken petting, sack races, food samples and the opportunity to purchase some fresh vegetables directly from the farmers. The CROPS farm is located at S.W. 40th and W. F streets. For more information, visit the CROPS website.

LUNk House hosts "emergency fundraiser" on Sunday, Sept. 12: The Lincoln Underground Network Collective, housed at 1213 N. 12th St., is in danger of shutting down. They're hosting a fundraising dinner Sunday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. A presentation of George Carlin stand-up will follow the meal: "Hey, we can all use a few laughs under the circumstances!" For more information, visit the LUNk website. 

New church to host first public service in former Box Awesome space: 2 Pillars Church will be turning a former house of rock into a house of worship with its first public worship service on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m., in the space formerly occupied by Box Awesome at 815 O St. Currently, the space is known as The 815, which 2 Pillars said it aims to use to serve the artists and musicians of the city of Lincoln.

Joe Ganz to Join "The Huddle" at The Holiday Inn

By Dennis Kornbluh

Let's face it, the best way to watch the Huskers is to get tickets to the game and see the action live with 81,066 of your closest friends.  Unfortunately, tickets aren't easy to come by, and prime seats can be both rare and pricey.  If you've got a DVI box, you can get the game on pay-per-view for $29.95, invite some friends over to the house, and have your own little party.  Hopefully the dogs won't get into the chips, the kids will keep out of trouble, and your friends will help you clean up when the festivities are over.  One thing is certain though: Joe Ganz will not be in your living room.

Alternatively, you can attend "The Huddle" at The Holiday Inn on 9th and P Streets for free, an event that takes place every game day.  The hotel's ballroom is transformed into a tailgate party that features comfortable table seating, food and beverages, and an array of flat-panel TVs.  The festivities begin with music, which is followed by commentary from a panel of experts from Huskers Illustrated. 

Doors open tomorrow (9/12) at 8:30am, and at 9am the panel will welcome Joe Ganz, last year's Husker Quarterback, who will talk about the game live and in person.  Following the commentary, there will be music from 11am until game time, at which point you can stick around and watch the game for free in the hotel's spacious ballroom.

When I attended "The Huddle" last weekend I was very comfortable with a table of my own, a flat screen just a few feet away, and plenty of volume from the overhead sound system.  There were four flat screen T.V.s and one large projection screen distributed around the room, which made the game easy to view from practically any seat in the house.  Very reasonably priced stadium-style food (hot dogs, Philly cheesesteaks, nachos) and drinks (pop, beer, mixed drinks) are served at stands inside the ballroom.  For fancier fare you can walk just down the hall to the hotel's Red Onion Bistro restaurant for take-out.  Go Huskers!