Festival Continues Expansion

May 20, 2009, Halifax, NS: The Tattoo Festival continues to grow. Events will principally be based around the Spring Garden Road Area, with a mini parade along Spring Garden Road every day at noon when there is not a matinee performance. This is a continuation of developments that began last year and were extremely successful.

New features of the Festival include the closing of Doyle Street each day between 12:30 and 1:30 for breathtaking gymnastics acts and displays by army jeep teams. For the first time ever the Festival will be opened to pre-selected local groups that are not taking part in the Tattoo, but would like an opportunity to showcase themselves to local and tourist audiences alike.

Craig Roberts, a distinguished and award winning Brass Band Director from the United Kingdom will be holding a series of Brass Band Clinics in the Metro Centre during the run of the show for any interested local musicians. There will also be Gymnastics Clinics, under the Direction of Club Piruett's Mall Kalve. Pipes & Drums workshops will be held by Captain Ian Ferguson.

The Canada Day Tattoo Parade will also be opened up to any piper or drummer who wishes to take part. They can register their interest by contacting the Tattoo Production Office.

Bands and display acts will not only be appearing at outdoor venues in the area, but also in two malls, Park Lane and Dresden Row Market.

These lunchtime performances will take place on June 30th, July 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th.

The malls, and shop windows on Spring Garden Road will also feature displays of Tattoo costumes, which will allow the public an up-close and personal look at some of the 30,000 outfits that have been put together over the years.

Other components of the Festival include the Tattoo Parade at 10:30 am on July 1st and a series of free performances in other downtown locations on June 30th and July 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th. Other venues include: Grand Parade, Sobeys Stores, Sackville Landing, Victoria Park, the Public Gardens and the Historic Properties.

Further information is available by contacting Tattoo Marketing Manager, Thomas Grotrian at (902) 420-4625 or tgrotrian@nstattoo.ca. The 2009 Tattoo will take place from July 1 to July 8 at the Halifax Metro Centre and tickets are on sale now at www.ticketatlantic.com or (902) 451-1221. The special Buy Three Get One Free offer is available at the Halifax Metro Centre Box Office.

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