After three years, the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is returning to the Scotiabank Centre.
Through 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 shuttered live music and cultural events – and the Tattoo was no exception.
Now, performers are hard at work, practicing their routines before Saturday night’s opening show.
Ramona Dandl, with the German Cycling Team, says getting back into a performance headspace after scaled-back pandemic-practices can be a challenge.
“It’s very different to perform in front of a big audience,” says the artistic cyclist.
The German Cycling team performs part of their Tattoo routine. Photo: Anastasia Payne
The German Cycling Team is one of the Tattoos new acts this year, alongside the Jordanian Armed Forces Band.
Quebec City based acrobatic group, High Flyer RB3, will also perform in the Tattoo for the first time ever.
High Flyers RB3 will make their debut at the Tattoo on June 25. Photo: Anastasia Payne
Several Tattoo staples will return to the 2022 show, including Flying Grandpas and the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Managing Director and Executive Producer for Tattoo, Scott Long, is encouraging people to get out and see the show, which boasts free tickets for those under age 18 this year.
“We need people more than ever to come out and support live events and live music,” Long says.
The cast and organizers are excited to get back to performing, he says.
Long also notes, ticket sales are doing well, though he wouldn’t say how many tickets have been sold in advance of the first show.
A nod to No. 2 Battalion
This year’s historic scene will be a recognition and commemoration of Nova Scotia’s No. 2 Construction Battalion, which supported military campaigns in the first world war through labour work.
Prior to mid-1916, many Black Canadians were refused when they turned up to recruiting offices to join the war effort. This was due to prevalent racist attitudes within Canada’s government and military.
Some of the members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion (1916). Photo: NS Archives
The battalion was created in response to petitions from Black leaders across Canada, who wanted Black Canadians to be allowed to enlist.
The scene was chosen to align with a national apology, Long says, which will be delivered in Truro on July 9.
