‘Helmet Wars: The Art Awakens’
By TIFFANY REPECKI
The Force will be strong in the South Cape on Saturday for a unique, charity art show.
“Helmet Wars: The Art Awakens” will take place from 7 p.m to midnight at Rack’em Billiards. Organized by Gearhead Tattoo, in partnership with Rack’em, Howl Gallery Tattoo and Ink Fusion Empire, the art exhibit will feature over 50 custom-painted and sculpted stormtrooper helmets.
The themed event will also include a silent auction with “Star Wars” memorabilia, costume contest, viewing of the original movie trilogy, appearances by official cosplayers and live entertainment.
“If you’re into ‘Star Wars’, it’s going to be the best night of your life, pretty much,” Kelly Rogers, the owner of Gearhead Tattoo, said. “And the proceeds are going to the Golisano Children’s Hospital.”
More than 50 local tattoo, comic and graphic artists created the pieces from blank helmets.
“They are all different things to create more of an artistic sculpture,” he said.
Each for sale for $200 to $700, the helmets will be available for purchase at the event or online at: http://www.helmetwars.info/home-page.html. A gallery will be set up for viewers to look over.
Buyers will not receive the helmets immediately.
“It’s a traveling art exhibit that’s kicking off here,” Rogers said.
The helmets will travel to various Comic-Con events nationwide over the course of the year – about one event per month. Once the tour is complete, the helmets will be sent to the buyers for keeping.
The art show is free and open to the public.
“But we do urge people to bring an unwrapped toy to donate,” he said, noting that the toys will be handed over to the Golisano Children’s Hospital. “It’s kind of like the price of admission.”
The event is ages 18 and up.
“We have a ‘Star Wars’-themed burlesque troupe that’s going to be performing – Hard Candy Burlesque,” Rogers said, adding that the band Didges Christ SuperDrum will also take the stage.
The auction will consist of approximately 20 to 30 collectibles.
“It’s all fan-based donated stuff,” he said.
There are autographed photos of the actors, a Death Star racing set from 1977 still in box, miniature lightsabers, a mint condition 1977 comic book and more, along with clothing and accessories.
“We have a bunch of exclusive, Lucasfilm limited items,” Rogers said.
“You can’t buy that stuff at Target,” he added.
Newer “Star Wars” memorabilia will be raffled away, with tickets for sale on site.
Local businesses have also donated gift cards to be given away.
“We might so some trivia contests,” Rogers said.
The Fort Myers Brewing Company will be on site serving up a “light” beer and a “dark” beer, its City of Palms pilsner and a toasted coconut porter. Organizers will keep track to see which “side” wins.
He noted that both are “exclusive custom brews.”
Attendees are asked to lean more toward gifts for older youth for their donation.
“What we’re really trying to do is gear it more toward the older kids at the hospital,” Rogers said, explaining that toy drive donations typically end up being things suitable for younger children.
“A lot of the older kids get left out of that,” he said.
Some suggestions are gifts cards to Target or GameStop, craft or model kits, and such.
“Things that are geared more toward the older children,” Rogers said.
Organizers invited to public to stop by on Saturday and celebrate the opening of the new movie.
“And, at the same time, do something awesome for the kids,” he said.
For more information, visit the website or: www.facebook.com/helmetwarstheartawakens.
Rack’em Billiards is at 1011 S.E. 47th Terrace.