Webster

The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions." --American Statesman Daniel Webster (1782-1852)


Monday, July 2, 2012

Royal Military Tattoo

There is something about watching a precision unit performing drill.  The sheer amount of practice necessary for the individual and the unit to perform the sheer amount of movement and choreograph is very impressive.  On my bucket list is a trip to Edinburgh to watch a tattoo.

    You can go to Link to get more information. 
      And here is another Linkie


The word "Tattoo," is derived from "Doe den tap toe", or just "tap toe" ("toe" is pronounced "too"), the Dutch for "Last orders". Translated literally, it means: "close the (beer) tap". The term "Tap-toe" was first encountered by the British Army when stationed in Flanders during the War of the Austrian Succession.
The British adopted the practice and it became a signal, played by a regiment's Corps of Drums or Pipes and Drums each night to tavern owners to turn off the taps of their ale kegs so that the soldiers would retire to their billeted lodgings at a reasonable hour. With the establishment of modern barracks and full Military bands later in the 18th century, the term Tattoo was used to describe not only the last duty call of the day, but also a ceremonial form of evening entertainment performed by Military musicians.[1]
Although the first Tattoo in Edinburgh, entitled "Something About a Soldier", took place at the Ross Bandstand at Princes Street Gardens in 1949, the first official Edinburgh Military Tattoo began in 1950 with just eight items in the programme. It drew some 6000 spectators seated in simple bench and scaffold structures around the north, south and east sides of the Edinburgh Castle esplanade. In 1952, the capacity of the stands was increased to accommodate a nightly audience of 7700, allowing 160,000 to watch live performances each year.

       More from Wiki





Tattoo Shop
Visit the Tattoo Shop where you will find an exciting range of Scottish gifts and merchandise, together with Tattoo branded clothing, CDs, DVDs and much more. 
» click here to find out more

The 2012 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

In 2012 (3-25 August), Edinburgh once again hosts one of the World's most spectacular entertainment events as The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo draws together a host of creative talent from four continents to pay sparkling tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee and the year of Creative Scotland.
This will be the 62nd extravaganza to be staged at the Scottish capital's ancient Castle - a spectacular and inspiring backcloth for this remarkable and internationally acclaimed event.  With innovative production, heart-stopping sound, imaginative graphics, state-of-the-art lighting and specially commissioned fireworks, the 90-minute show is set to captivate a large cosmopolitan audience.    The line-up of nearly 1000 performers includes hundreds of musicians, pipers, drummers, singers and dancers, as well as one of the World's most sensational percussion groups: Switzerland's Top Secret Drum Corps.
As ever, the emphasis is on sheer scale, colourful tradition, music, movement and spectacle with the show looking forward to delighting an international crowd with a rich story and setting.
The world-renowned display unit from the Norwegian Armed Forces - His Majesty The King's Guard Band and Drill Team - will deliver an extraordinary display of discipline and precision, whilst dancers from home and abroad are set to provide exhilarating and inspired performances, drawn firmly from the Scottish tradition but with a contemporary edge. 
A strong Commonwealth contribution includes pipe bands and performers from Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand, as well as elements from further afield.  
As always, the exciting programme will include the unforgettable music of the Massed Pipes and Drums and the Massed Military Bands.  Among the many bands taking part will be The Royal Regiment of Scotland and a stunning Combined Band drawn from The Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force. 
The show will be brought to an emotional and poignant close each evening as the Lone Piper, high on the castle ramparts, plays a haunting lament.

Programme subject to alteration

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