Cape Town Military Tattoo: 19 – 21 November 2009

Cannon blasts, gun fire, a kaleidoscope of uniforms, brass bands, pipe bands, music and fanfare will mark the fifth Cape Town Military Tattoo that runs from 19 to 21 November 2009. And once again at the historical Castle of Good Hope, you can expect a plethora of entertainment from the military’s finest.

The meaning of a military tattoo dates as far back as the 17^th century and derives from what was called a military drum performance, where a drummer from the garrison would be sent out each evening to call the soldiers back to the barracks. In Cape Town, a drummer would take his post at the Leerdam Bastion near nightfall and beat his drum for half an hour, warning the soldiers who were off duty to return to the barracks for their evening parade and guard duties.

This routine was known as ‘doe den tap toe’, which is old-Dutch for ‘turn off the tap’ and was an instruction to innkeepers to close the taps, stop serving beer and send the soldiers home for the night. The drummer would remain at his post, playing continually, until the curfew was reached, half an hour after he first started.

Throughout the centuries, this military routine has become more of a show, where bands and displays are included, inviting the public into a military setting. And today we have the Cape Town Military Tattoo, just one of many that exist worldwide.

The Cape Town Highlanders - Photo courtesy of Rodney Muller. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bassdrone/

The Cape Town Tattoo is primarily funded by the South African National Defence Force but it is also supported by the Cape Town City Council. Months of hard work go into putting together the show and audiences can expect diverse performances. These include the South African Army Band Cape Town and South African Navy Band, a guest performance by the band of the Koninklijke Marechausseé, the Dutch gendarmerie, the Cape Town Highlanders Drums and Pipes, the South African Police Service’s Mounted Unit and a battle re-enactment. In addition, the moving 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky and the mass pipes and drums.

Each year the Cape Town Tattoo is closely linked to South Africa’s – and the Cape’s – military history and 2009 brings up two significant anniversaries to our heritage. In 1939, 70 years ago, South Africa entered into World War II and further back in 1879, 130 years ago, the Battle of Isandlwana. Music that was specially composed by the South African Navy Band will form part of the Isandlwana historical act.

So book your tickets now, as previous years have sold out, and come along for a unique, fun-filled and not to be missed experience.

• Tickets are available from Computicket.
• Ticket prices:
  Thursday and Friday: Adults  R70 (or R80 if any tickets are available at the gate) and children R40.
  Saturday: Adults R80 (R90 at the gate) and children R40.
• Where: Castle of Good Hope (corner of Darling and Buitenkant Streets, Cape Town).
• Gates open at 18h00 and spectators need to be seated by 20h00.
• You can visit www.capetattoo.co.za for more information.

By Mandy Freeman

Like this post? Share it!

•