#BalletHistory during 1692 06 June

Hello lovely ballerinas, and welcome to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-tastic! Today we're time travelling all the way back to 1692, to the 6th of June.

Buckle up, darlings, as we journey through time on my faithful steed, the fabulous, pink sparkling Shire, Magic Meg! Her hooves are gold, her mane and tail like snowdrift clouds, and her spirit, just as bubbly and full of life as my own.

As always, my trusty leather rucksack is strapped securely to my back, ready to collect the treasures of ballet history. I simply adore exploring the past and collecting fascinating ballet trinkets – a forgotten ballet score here, a sketch of a beautiful dancer's shoes there. It's a dream job, really!

Now, 1692, oh 1692! You might be thinking "what on earth could be going on in the ballet world so long ago?" Well, darling, it's a rather quiet time for ballet in Europe, so this trip is going to take us off the well-trodden path of famous ballerinas and legendary theatres. We're heading somewhere a little different today - to the grand palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King of France!

Can you imagine, my loves, the elegance of Versailles! This grand palace, with its stunning gardens, sprawling terraces, and lavish fountains, was the heart of the French court. Imagine strolling through those grand rooms, their ceilings painted with mythological scenes and their floors covered with intricate mosaics. Just divine!

And amidst the courtiers in their finest silks and satins, dancing played a vital role. But it wasn't quite like our ballet today. Courtly dances, elaborate and elegant, were all the rage. They might not be full of the delicate jumps and spins we know and love, but there was an intricate beauty in the court dances of that era, with their bows, curtsies, and sweeping gestures.

This was the golden age of dance for the French court, and to step back into it, to picture those beautifully adorned dancers in their powdered wigs and silk dresses, brings to mind such an elegant scene.

You can be sure I didn't leave home without my pink tutu, naturally! This time, I’m wearing a frothy confection of pale pink tulle, its layers whispering and swirling with every movement. It is the perfect shade of pink for a palace visit, a bit of fairytale charm amidst the extravagance of the court. And, of course, my leather boots are in perfect harmony with my outfit, just the right blend of timeless elegance and girlish fun.

While I may have been wearing a tutu that wasn't quite in fashion, I felt completely at ease. I always say that fashion is meant to be fun and fabulous, a chance to express yourself. Who's to say a pink tutu wouldn't fit perfectly into the glittering atmosphere of the court? After all, the court dancers wore extravagant attire with their delicate bows and flourishes, a perfect expression of that era's fascination with elaborate ornamentation.

While it might not be ballet as we know it today, these court dances held the seeds for ballet's later development. Think of them as the first bloom of a beautiful flower, preparing the way for the grand ballets that would flourish later.

Just imagine, my darlings, if you'd been able to peek back in time! How fascinating it would be to see the seeds of a new form of art germinating in the halls of power, hidden amongst the elegant bows and courtly decorum.

Whether you're dancing at Versailles, or pirouetting on a stage, dancing is truly timeless! The pleasure of movement, the beauty of music, the stories we can tell - they transcend the boundaries of time and culture. And that, my dears, is truly what makes ballet so wonderful.

So let's embrace the beauty of ballet, whether it be in a magnificent palace or a simple classroom.

Well, that’s all for this month! I’m off to my next adventure. Don’t forget to keep visiting my website www.pink-tutu.com every month to see my latest travels and the enchanting world of ballet!

Stay pink,

Emma

P.S. What are your favourite ballet time periods? Tell me all about them in the comments below!