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CTV News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Some Americans staying away from Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo amid political tensions
Some U.S. acts are staying away from the Nova Scotia International Tattoo amid current political tensions. The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is a global gathering of civilian and military performers, but there seems to be one notable absence: performers from the United States. Scott Long, executive producer of the show, says it's a coincidence as performers are booked in advance and not every country can be represented every year. Some people from south of border are intentionally staying away. 'Unfortunately, the political climate isn't great these days. We did get a lot of emails from Americans who wanted to come up to see the show but felt like they might not be welcome and in fact were embarrassed by that,' Long says. He also confirmed some Canadians expressed frustrations over the potential inclusion of American performers. Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who is on a tour of the Maritimes, is hoping to smooth over those tensions. 'I'll tell them what a great place this is and please come visit Halifax, too. Come visit Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and it's a two-way street. Buy things here and we hope Canadians will come to Maine and buy things there,' Mills says. A recent Statistics Canada report shows a nearly nine per cent year-over-year drop in U.S. visitors in April. It's the third consecutive month of declining numbers. At the same time, the number of Canadians returning from U.S. trips tumbled by almost 30 per cent. 'We've always wanted to visit the Maritimes,' says James Hueston, who notes political tensions were enough for him and his wife to avoid the travel to the U.S. altogether. 'We've been to the States a few times in past years, but we scratched it off our list this year and decided to focus elsewhere.' Long says the Tattoo is built around the bonds of friendship of allied nations and that will continue regardless of where the performers are from. All the acts for 2026 are not yet booked but Long says if American performers are on the program, he's sure they will get a friendly welcome. Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Tattoo tradition returns with global acts and local stars
The Scotiabank Centre in Halifax was full of energy and excitement Wednesday, as hundreds of students and fans got an early look at this year's Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. 'It's a family show,' said managing director Scott Long in an interview with CTV Atlantic's Katie Kelly. 'People were brought up around this show, whether their parents took them, or their grandparents took them, and that carries on through generations. We even have volunteers whose parents volunteer and their parents volunteer and so on. It's a family tradition; it's a Nova Scotian tradition.' The 2025 edition features nearly 700 performers from Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands, Norway, and across Canada. But this year, organizers say there's also a strong spotlight on local talent. 'The Tattoo is a local event,' said Long. 'We want to support our community and make sure our artists have a chance to perform in front of a big audience on a big stage.' Among them is Emma Stevens, a singer-songwriter from Eskasoni First Nation, N.S. Stevens is performing an original song honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 'Music is a good way to bring everybody together and understand what's going on,' said Stevens. 'It's amazing and I'm very grateful to be here and to be doing this.' Also making her Tattoo debut is Paula Braiden, a six-time world champion drum major from Northern Ireland, who leads The Force, a high-impact precision display team. This is her first time in Canada. 'We have travelled quite a lot and performed in many tattoos, but this one was quite special,' said Braiden. Returning to the Tattoo after nearly two decades is the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee - the military police band for the Netherlands- who are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. 'It's a beautiful tattoo with nice music and a great atmosphere,' Captain Ido Kempenaar said. 'We're very pleased to be here.' The theme of this year's Tattoo is 'Flourish.' 'Which is all about when we're protected and we feel safe, we have better communities in the role that our armed forces and first responders and police play in that,' said Long. The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo officially opens Friday night and runs through to Canada Day. 'Tickets are on sale, there's good seats available, kids are free with the purchase of any adult receiving a ticket,' said Long.
