More than just tattoo and art at festival

As well as seeing 250 of the world's best international tattoo artists in action, visitors to this year's NZ Tattoo & Art Festival on November 28 and 29 will enjoy two full days of non-stop action sports entertainment and death defying performances.

Death defying acts will be staged on purpose-built ramps in the Fowler Homes Outdoor Zone starting with four of the country's top BMX riders performing a new show called Freestyle Lifestyle BMX.

Nitro Circus rider Paul Langlands, along with Jon Riddle, Hugh Wotherspoon and Nico Groenendiijk will be executing backflips, front flips, 360s and more in their three, 20 minute performances each day to entertain the 8000 visitors expected this year.

Also ramping it up will be New Zealand's best freestyle motocross talent including Nitro Circus and Red bull X fighters rider Nick Franklin alongside Mitch McHardy, Casey Mcmanaway and Alex Bennet. The riders will be performing three shows each day, showcasing their array of tricks include rulers, superman and backflips says festival organiser, Brent Taylor of Oni Events.

"These are world class action sports riders defying gravity right here in New Plymouth," says Brent.

"Nick Franklin travels the world performing in front of 20,000 or more people every night - so this is as big as it gets!"

Taking to the air on silk ropes is Australian-born aerialist, showgirl and model Venus Starr. Venus will be bringing her new aerial silk and hoola hoop routines to the burlesque stage.

A lot closer to the ground the festival welcomes New York-based burlesque star Raquel Reed who has performed her routines at major international tattoo and burlesque events.

Gracing the stage will also be Strawberry Siren - crowned Miss Burlesque Australia in 2013. And returning to the burlesque stage will be London-based fire dancer Cervena Fox with her new fire dance routines, says Brent.

"Cervena is bringing some of her heavy duty fire apparatus including a 6ft high fire triangle and fire diamonds. Cervena's shows will be even more epic than last year."

Tiki Taane leads the six live music acts which also includes Auckland's City of Souls featuring members of successful Kiwi bands Blindspott and Blacklistt, plus rock outfits Silence The City and Bakers Eddy.

For heavy metal music lovers, there's The Rising Tide, a five-piece deathcore band from Foxton, as well as Suppression - an original four-piece metal act from Wellington.

The Festival will open its doors from 11am until 10pm on Saturday, November 28, and from 11am until 7pm on Sunday, November 29. Entry is $25 a day for adults with under 15 year-olds free (accompanied by an adult), two day passes are $40. For a full line up of events, visit: www.nztattooart.com