Hi! I’m Kate, and like many of you passionate about movement, dance isn’t just an activity; it’s etched into my soul. As the studio manager at Saorsa Studio and a dedicated dancer, I’m thrilled to share a Dancer Diary that’s deeply personal. This isn’t just about steps and routines; it’s about an experience that has become a permanent part of me – my Basel Tattoo adventure. Get ready for a story filled with passion, a touch of chaos, and a whole lot of dance!
Kate’s Dancer Diary: Basel Bound
The email arrived, an unassuming notification that would instantly electrify my world: selection to dance with Canadiana Celtic Highland Dancers at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland. My reaction? Pure, unadulterated joy! I leaped up, a physical manifestation of the elation surging through me. Performing at the Basel Tattoo had been a dream, a vivid image in my mind for years. It wasn’t just the allure of the Tattoo itself; Switzerland held a prominent spot on my travel bucket list. The prospect of combining these two passions was exhilarating.
I’d listened, perhaps with a tinge of envy, to fellow dancers recount their experiences with CanCelt in Basel from previous years. Now, it was my turn to create my own “dance tattoo”—an indelible memory imprinted by this incredible event.
Three smiling women pose in front of a sign, capturing the pre-Basel excitement and camaraderie of the dance team.
The weeks leading up to my departure were a blur, a whirlwind of commitments. Saorsa Studio’s recital demanded my attention, alongside the looming deadline of my final university academic portfolio. A trip to Toronto, Nicole’s bachelorette celebration in Arizona, and SDCCS were all crammed into a few short months. Switzerland, in the midst of this hectic schedule, felt like a distant, almost dreamlike concept, a beautiful abstraction on the horizon. Laptop screens, endless to-do lists – life was a race against time.
Then, with startling speed, the distant dream became reality. Suddenly, departure was just a week away. The abstract Switzerland solidified into a tangible, imminent adventure.
Dancers in vibrant costumes form precise lines on a vast stage, demonstrating the scale and spectacle of the Basel Tattoo performance.
My journey to Switzerland commenced with a large group of dancers from Halifax, fresh from SDCCS. While many headed directly to Basel, my route took me to Zurich with Tina, another dancer.
Upon arriving in Zurich and meeting up with fellow dancers at the airport, we were greeted with unexpected news: flights to Basel had been canceled, and luggage had been lost. For those who had journeyed directly to Basel, the trip had begun with unforeseen chaos. It was certainly an eventful start to what promised to be an unforgettable experience – a true “dance tattoo” moment, etched with both excitement and a touch of travel pandemonium.
