#BalletHistory during 1687 01 January

Welcome to Pink Tutu Time Travels, post number 313!

January the 1st, 1687… that’s the date, my darling ballet bunnies! And you know what that means… it's time to don our pink tutus, saddle up Magic Meg, and embark on another whirlwind ballet adventure through the mists of time!

For this month’s journey, we’re taking a grand leap back to the glorious year of 1687. Can you believe it? Over 300 years ago!

I’ve got my pink tulle tutu, sparkling with just a touch of sequined shimmer, perfectly paired with my darling pink velvet bodice, ready for the sights and sounds of a bygone era. As always, my trusty leather rucksack is on my back, overflowing with fresh notebooks, sketchbooks, and even a few dainty, silk-lined ballet shoes – just in case we come across a little impromptu performance!

Magic Meg is neighing excitedly. You wouldn’t believe how well this beautiful shire horse loves to time travel. Her coat shimmers like a field of wildflowers, and those golden hooves just glimmer with magic. With her white mane and tail flowing like a majestic river, she really is a sight to behold! I'm so lucky to have her as my trusty travel companion.

Now, hold on tight, darling ballet bunnies! We’re going on a time-travelling ballet escapade!

Now, let's dive into the world of ballet in 1687. Just imagine - back then, the ballet was all about elegance, grandeur, and a good dose of theatrical flair! It was a very different world from the contemporary dance styles of today!

Imagine Louis XIV, the “Sun King” himself, leading the way! He absolutely loved ballet! This royal king was not just a dancer; he was a ballet patron of the highest calibre, commissioning dances and sponsoring dancers in an effort to make the French court the heart of this growing art form.

This year, 1687, marks an important point in the development of ballet in Europe. It was a period when the “Académie Royale de Danse,” a fancy name for a “Royal Academy of Dance” founded back in 1661, was really coming into its own. This institution was all about setting ballet on a more formal and professional footing, a far cry from the earlier days where it was mostly done for fun in courts and noble homes.

Our arrival is like stepping into a world straight out of a fairytale. Everything feels so different! We’ve come to the heart of the elegant French court, where life is a blend of grand processions, exquisite clothing, and music filling the air.

My first stop: the Opèra-ballet de Paris, where the most magnificent performances take place. Imagine my delight! Ballet is at the heart of the performance, intertwining perfectly with beautiful opera arias, theatrical costumes, and dramatic scenery!

There are elaborate sets, glittering costumes, and dramatic masks. The dancers are clad in lavish velvet tunics and powdered wigs, swirling and spinning, every movement imbued with grace and precision. I see snippets of theatrical movements that would later become iconic ballet positions - port de bras, the graceful movements of the arms, the delicate steps, the soaring jumps... it’s simply breathtaking!

But, you know, I always feel a bit sad that women at the time couldn't dance in the full, frilly tutus we see in the ballerinas of today! The style was far more restrained and stately, even in the female dancers. Oh how I dream of introducing the joy of pink tulle tutus into this age!

And who would have imagined that I could go for a lovely afternoon of shopping at the Marché Saint-Germain-des-Prés?! It's a true treat to get some local produce, pastries, and some of those dainty, lace-trimmed fabrics to use for my next tutu creation! I’m just hoping my rucksack will fit it all!

Oh, I do love seeing the bustling streets, the magnificent buildings of the French capital... the whole experience is captivating. But I simply have to make sure Magic Meg gets her own time for rest and treats. She deserves the best hay and treats, and it is very kind of the locals at the stable at the Palace of Versailles to allow Meg to stay over with her companions in this beautiful stable complex.

But wait… is that a melody drifting on the breeze? A delightful waltz, delicate and elegant... Ah! The King himself is planning to celebrate a special occasion! This is truly an honour... and it looks like they need a little extra... oomph oomph !

I can’t miss the chance to join in! So watch out for my performance in my pink tutu at the French Royal court – that’s right, this pink tutu blogger is taking this court by storm! I’m not sure Louis XIV will be too thrilled at a newcomer dancing in front of him... but my passion for ballet can overcome any barriers!

It's going to be a grand time travel journey - a ballet bonanza with a dash of history and a generous helping of pink! Follow along with me as I paint the town red… I mean pink... as I experience ballet history in the heart of France.

• Ballet notebook for taking down all my notes from these fabulous events in ballet history!
• A box of soft pink ballet slippers, because who knows what opportunities a ballerina needs to be prepared for?!
• Sketches of historical costumes, dance styles and steps from my time travels
• Samples of fabric, feathers and ribbons from my adventures!
• Tiny pearl necklaces because I need a new bit of sparkle in my tutu for every trip, don't I?!

And you know I wouldn't miss out on snapping a few fabulous ballet pictures of Magic Meg and I enjoying this ballet extravaganza in France! So don't miss my gallery of pictures on www.pink-tutu.com !

Stay tuned, my darling ballet bunnies, for another time travel adventure next month. You never know where I might pop up next – perhaps in the Victorian era, the Renaissance, or maybe even a glimpse into the future?

And as always, never forget: There's a pink tutu for everyone!

* Until then, may your dance shoes always be shiny and your tutus always full of sparkle!*

Emma xxx

P.S. Don't forget to check out the fabulous selection of tutus at my online store! You can find every pink hue and style, ready for your very own ballet adventures.

*This is only a partial example of a 4000 word post. You could extend it in many different ways, such as adding specific examples of ballet history you find from 1687 and using Emma's time travelling adventures in Paris to spark a conversation on dance themes. Consider adding sections about : *

• Ballet and music of 1687: What type of music was prevalent in this time period, how would this influence the style and speed of ballet. What musical instruments might you have heard, what are your thoughts on it?
• Ballet and costumes: Did people like the "costumes" of the period? Would they prefer the style of tutus we see in today's ballet? Discuss different historical influences in costumes.
• Famous dancers of 1687: Could Emma have seen Louis XIV dance, who were the most famous male and female dancers of the time and what were their influences.
• Royal Ballet and how dance was valued
• Ballet and Theatre of 1687: How were dance, theatre and music interwoven.
• The history of pink: Does pink even exist in 1687? This is an opportunity to have some fun talking about how colour symbolism and fashion have changed throughout history!
• *How did the dances of this time period change the evolution of ballet? *