After being absent for three years, the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo festival is returning live this weekend live June 25-July 2, at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
“After three long years, the Tattoo is back live and in person. We have never been more excited to present the show”, says Tattoo Managing Director and Executive Producer Scott Long. “We have an incredibly diverse cast from home and abroad that will provide the best family entertainment in Nova Scotia this summer."
This year, youth aged 18 and under can watch the events for free. Long said it was important that the organization remain accessible and affordable for families and youth.
Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia, commander of maritime forces of Atlantic Canada, said there are 270 members of the Canadian Armed forces who will be performing in the show.
"The tattoo really does celebrate the military culture and tradition, it lets us show that off to the world and to our community."
The festival will be premiering shows from all over the world this year.
Here are some of the performances that audiences can expect in this year's event:
Based in Quebec City, the Russian Bar Trio has made appearances on America’s Got Talent, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, NBA halftime shows, and Cirque du Soleil. They have performed in over 32 countries around the world and will be performing in Halifax at the Tattoo Festival.
This year, many international performances will be making their debut on the stage for the first time.
From Europe, making their debut all the way from Germany, the German Bicycle Team includes some of Germany’s best-talented cyclists and will be performing on Sunday.
From Belarus, Anastasia is a professional contemporary circus artist who specializes in aerial acts, hula hoops and fire acts. Following her mother’s footsteps, she grew up in a circus family in Europe and has been performing and competing since she was four years old as a circus artist, acrobat and rhythmic gymnast. For her performance, she is seen wearing a red body suit bedazzled with diamonds that she had specifically designed herself and had delivered all the way from Belarus.
From the Middle East, also making their debut from Jordan, the Jordanian Armed Forces Band has over 600 people in their organization. The band was first established in 1921 with only 10 musicians. They represent Jordan and will be playing all kinds of instruments, from drums to pipes.
Locally, a Truro native, Julia Deuville is an up-and-coming singer whose repertoire includes festivals, concerts and musical theatre.
Listen to the CKDU story below: