Hey gorgeous ballet lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your portal to the world of ballet history! It’s September, the air’s crisp and invigorating, and the autumn leaves are just starting to blush – a perfect time to get that ballet groove on! Today, I’m going to be whisking you off on a time-travelling escapade to the 9th of September, 1695, a date etched in the annals of ballet history. Grab your favourite pink tutu, settle in, and let's get dancing!
My journey began, as usual, in my Derbyshire cottage. The crisp air is already turning the trees into blazing shades of orange and red, and it’s time to slip into my oh-so-fabulous pink tutu! (I swear, this one just twirls like a dream!) Magic Meg, my magnificent shire horse, all gleaming pink sparkles, golden hooves and white mane, waits patiently by the stable. This time, my trusty leather rucksack, filled with my travel essentials, feels a bit heavier than usual – excitement bubbled in my belly at the thought of the stories and treasures this time period might hold.
The moment Meg sensed my readiness, we were off! A swirl of autumn leaves, a whisper of magic, and we were no longer in Derbyshire, but amidst the bustling cobbled streets of London! It was a whirlwind of sights and smells, with the air filled with the scent of woodsmoke and roasting chestnuts, so unlike the scents of my time! It's always fascinating to experience the sensory delights of a bygone era.
My mission, as always, was to investigate the world of ballet on this momentous date in history. 1695? Now, this period wasn’t the glamorous world of tutus we know today! You’re talking about the age of powdered wigs and breeches, of elegant, stylized movements rather than grand leaps and graceful fouettes! But ballet had begun its rise as a celebrated art form, it was taking its baby steps toward becoming the enchanting art form we know and love today!
As I explored the city, I was struck by the lack of designated ballet schools! There weren't dedicated training grounds for young aspiring ballerinas - ballet lessons were taught in the homes of aristocratic families or in private dancing academies. But the love for ballet existed, that was evident everywhere!
One of my most thrilling discoveries was a hidden gem - the dancing classes held at The Duke's Theatre! Imagine – graceful figures gliding through a beautifully appointed, candlelit theatre. I simply HAD to see this!
Fortunately, a friend I met – oh, he was a true gentleman in a plum coloured suit and powdered wig – allowed me to see a rehearsal of a private ballet class held within this beautiful space. They danced a waltz – such poise, such elegance! And though not in tutus, their elegance still resonated deeply with me, for it was in these early dances that the seeds of the modern ballet technique we adore today were planted!
Of course, I couldn’t leave without taking a little souvenir home. A beautiful hand-drawn program of this elegant waltz performance! A little reminder of the elegance and artistry of ballet through the ages.
Now, some of you might be thinking – pink tutus weren't a thing back then, right? And you’d be right. Tutues, those adorable and undeniably beautiful, swirling symbols of ballet, didn't appear until the 1800s. But who says we can't wear them for inspiration, even in a time that couldn’t even imagine such a wondrous, pink-hued creation!
So, to every ballet lover, to every dreamer, wear a pink tutu and dance your way through life!
This was just one fascinating ballet adventure from September 9th, 1695, but there are so many more stories waiting to be discovered. Stay tuned for my next pink-tutu-filled time travel escapade!
Oh, and be sure to keep those fabulous pink tutus ready, for you never know when a magical journey may whisk you back in time.
Until next month, beautiful dancers!
