#BalletHistory during 1680 08 August

Hello, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, back from another exhilarating journey through the annals of ballet history! As always, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, our pink sparkling shire with those gloriously golden hooves, was my faithful companion. We left our Derbyshire stables this morning with a skip in our step and a sparkle in our eyes – ready for the magic that awaits in the past!

This month, our Time Travelling Tutu took us to August 8th, 1680! I couldn't resist putting on my fluffiest pink tutu – it felt simply divine with the swishing skirts of the ladies of the court swirling around me. We galloped to the court of King Charles II, landing amidst the cobbled courtyard of Hampton Court Palace. Can you imagine, my darlings? Ballet, right there, within those magnificent walls!

The dance, in the 1680s, was a far cry from the grand ballerinas we know today! But even back then, there was grace and artistry woven into every movement. Court dances were all the rage – think gavottes, minuets, and a bit of playful pas de deux with those stately powdered wigs.

You see, ballet was more than a dance back then – it was a symbol of courtly grace, elegance, and refined entertainment. Think of the intricate patterns, the graceful steps, the theatrical expressions – it was a real art form. But even more, it was a sign of social status! Fancy footwork meant a place at court.

The music was a delight too! The violins would twirl out melodies as sweet as spun sugar. The lute would chirp in with an enchanting rhythm. And even though their tutus were more like frocks and hoops – just imagine that twirling under chandeliers! I felt quite the social butterfly, even without my own ballet shoes – but my trusty rucksack was bursting with stories and treasures from the day, so my imagination ran wild.

You know, my love for ballet, the feeling it evokes, it's something that transcends time. There's this beautiful story I discovered - in the early 1680s, Italian opera came to England, and with it, a passion for grand, extravagant productions, ballet being a key component. You could almost imagine the glittering spectacle - dazzling costumes, intricate choreography - that is the magic of ballet right there! Think of it as our first international ballet collaboration. And what is ballet, but the international language of the human heart expressed in movement!

So, imagine my delight! In a world of bustling courtyards and intricate rituals, I discovered ballet wasn't confined to just a few. The passion for movement and art, my dears, is universal. It crosses boundaries of language, culture, and time, which is what I find so absolutely wonderful. And you know what, my pink tutu felt like it was perfectly in sync with that! It felt as though we all danced in this time and place – sharing the same love for the art, the drama, the sheer exhilaration!

Okay, now I am getting ahead of myself! My horse, Magic Meg, was so excited with this courtly affair that I ended up joining a "country dance" - now that was fun! The King and his entourage loved to get their feet moving – so the court actually turned into a massive ballroom – so, as they say – everyone gets to boogie. We twirled, we laughed, we giggled. There were some funny mistakes too, much to the amusement of everyone. I guess ballet fashion has come a long way!

However, let me tell you, it was all such delightful, wholesome fun! The music was captivating and the rhythm was contagious, I assure you. I simply had to waltz back to our present day with my trusty time-travel steed - my mind still buzzing with those intricate moves!

I absolutely adore looking at the old costume books and designs that I get to gather with my rucksack! Even in that era, they were experimenting with their styles and embellishments! Think embroidered fabrics, elaborate accessories and lace trim – quite charming in a simpler kind of way, eh? The fabric itself is amazing – there are no lycra tutus yet, but I must say, these earlier designs would look fabulous paired with modern tutu styling - wouldn’t they? A touch of classic, a touch of new!

And you know what I found particularly fascinating – even back in those days, there was this quest for perfection, for elegance, for artistry – just like today. Maybe it was less about showing off your calves and more about swirling skirts and graceful movement - I love how these elements resonate throughout time!

As the moon began to illuminate the English countryside, Magic Meg galloped us safely back to our present. I left a tiny sparkling pink tutu by the King's door - as my small, timeless tribute to their love for dance! My bag overflowed with my treasure trove from this ballet time-travel! What an incredible journey this was.

Now, as I often tell you, there's so much beauty in our shared love for ballet. It binds us – even those of us who time travel through tutus and history! What's your favourite bit about ballet? Did you see any amazing shows lately? Do share your experiences, my dears! We are all a family united by our love of pink tutus and graceful moves! And of course, if you don't have one yet – it is high time to change that – because a life without pink tutus – is well – like a dance without rhythm – simply not right.

Remember to pop back on www.pink-tutu.com next month for the next chapter of my exciting ballet time travel adventures! Until then, keep your tutus bright, your spirits high, and let's keep the magic of dance alive!

Lots of love and twirls,

Emma xx