#BalletHistory during 1701 05 May

Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina! It's the 5th of May, 1701, and I'm positively giddy! It's all thanks to the most magnificent creature in the world – my steed, Magic Meg. She’s a shire horse, with a white mane and tail flowing like the most elegant tulle skirt, and her hooves? They sparkle golden in the sun! This month we’ve been galloping through time, taking us to a breathtakingly grand ballet in the court of the Sun King himself: Louis XIV. Buckle up your tutus, because this blog is bursting with pink-tastic adventures!

Oh, you didn't know about my adventures, you say? Well, every month I take a leap through time, discovering amazing ballet history moments, and sharing them with you here on pink-tutu.com. How? With Magic Meg, of course! We just whisper the year, and poof, off we go! This trip has been particularly dazzling. The colours, the opulence… you’d think you were in a royal dream!

My rucksack, my dear friends, has become rather heavy thanks to the magnificent items I've collected during this trip. My last time travel jaunt involved some very exciting ballet shoe finds! Today’s treasures? A gilded quill pen to write the latest court ballet information in my ballet journal, and the most exquisitely crafted dance diagrams! I swear, the ballet at this time has such elegance and sophistication, you’d think it were designed for fairies!

I’m absolutely enchanted by the way ballet is used as part of grand court productions. You see, back in 1701, there was no 'ballet’ as we know it! This was the era of ‘court ballets’ – massive, spectacular affairs with songs, elaborate sets, elaborate costumes, all designed to display the splendour of the King’s court and impress visiting dignitaries. They used ballet movements for storytelling. Can you imagine having to combine storytelling, acting, singing, and intricate dance all at once?!

This court is an absolute dream for ballet-lovers! You can’t throw a shoe without hitting a dance enthusiast, especially amongst the ladies of the court! We’ve had the privilege of watching the dancers rehearse in their spectacular outfits! You'd never believe what they wore – think shimmering fabrics, satin, jewels… and feathers galore! Every single detail is perfectly chosen to be the height of fashion. Why, I almost gasped when I saw the beautiful dresses, especially the exquisite pink ones that shimmered as the sun shone through the palace windows.

The dancers, of course, are the real stars! Imagine learning an intricate choreography where every movement reflects your noble lineage! I’m mesmerized by their elegance. They dance with such finesse, passion, and drama that it is clear the Royal Ballet is taken very seriously. There's even a special dancing teacher called the "maître de ballet" who leads them in perfecting each dance! The stories I could tell you about the ballet practice at the Royal Palace – but you’ll have to wait for next month’s blog post for the inside scoop!

After our thrilling royal encounter, Magic Meg and I decided to hop into the bustling heart of the world and experience the dance scene outside the royal sphere! We spent a glorious evening in a small inn where they had a charming little ball for local gentry and musicians. You should see these adorable dances, especially a little number they called the "Bourrée" – you'd think the dancers were little butterflies with the way they fluttered! So cute! It felt so wonderful to be part of this simple, vibrant atmosphere, reminding us that dancing and sharing stories were not just a privilege of the royals!

But, my darling readers, I’m not just here to show you my travel adventures. It's about bringing a touch of pink tutu magic to your lives! Imagine a world where pink tutus are the most loved garment! And don’t forget, every pink tutu-clad dream is achievable. So, why not treat yourself to a new tutu? Let’s make this world pink, one graceful step at a time!

Until next month, my little ballerinas! Don’t forget to dance your hearts out and spread the pink tutu joy. You can find me online at pink-tutu.com or even visit me for a ballet performance at the Derbyshire Ballet Centre - we’ll have our tutus at the ready to welcome you with open arms!

Love and pirouettes,

Emma ✨💖