Hello lovelies, and welcome back to my monthly pink-tutu-tastic journey through time! As you know, my name is Emma, and I’m a Derbyshire girl with a penchant for pink, tutus, and of course, all things ballet. My passion for ballet history led me to a magical discovery - a way to hop through time with my sparkling pink Shire horse, Magic Meg! Each month, we visit a ballet event or performance from a different era. I collect stories and items from the past and share them all here, at www.pink-tutu.com. I hope to inspire you to unleash your inner ballerina and perhaps even find a pink tutu for your own wardrobe!
This month, my diary tells us that January 1st, 1704 was a rather busy day in the world of dance, so climb aboard Magic Meg, fasten your pink ribbon seatbelt, and off we go!
A Royal Ball in France:We arrive at the opulent Palace of Versailles, a dazzling mix of gold and marble. Tonight, there’s a grand ball being hosted by none other than King Louis XIV. He is known for his love of the arts, particularly ballet. We spot the king, sporting a flamboyant outfit befitting his royal status, watching the performance with evident joy.
Tonight’s ballet features a variety of dances – elegant court dances, intricate ballets d’action with fantastical themes, and even a few comical interludes. The costumes are quite extraordinary, imagine intricate embroidery, sumptuous velvet, and plumes of feathers! I sneak a peek at my rucksack – I must add a feather quill to my collection – such wonderful embellishment inspiration for my tutu!
We watch with fascination as the dancers perform their steps with grace and precision. They hold such exquisite postures and move with effortless ease. You’d be surprised how little the basic ballet steps have changed – still there's something rather delightful about watching it performed in an era of powdered wigs and elaborate gowns!
But what really catches my eye is a particular group of dancers. The costumes are exceptionally grand - imagine an elaborate, swirling skirt made of a fine, lightweight fabric, designed to mimic the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings! Could this be the first tutu? Now, I haven’t actually seen one of those swirling skirts before, so this discovery has my inner pink-tutu-loving-heart fluttering! I immediately take out my pink silk scarf to wrap around the arm of one of the dancers after the performance and try to secure some fabric. However, the dancer gives me a quizzical look, which means no luck this time. Maybe I’ll be able to find a similar fabric to recreate in my sewing workshop!
London's Thriving Dance Scene:Back on Magic Meg, we head towards London. The English capital also boasts a vibrant dance scene at this time. Theatres, taverns, and public spaces buzz with energy, hosting everything from sophisticated court ballets to popular, informal "plays of motion" – I must say, some of these are highly entertaining! The energy in London is a real contrast to the grandeur of Versailles.
On stage, the English dancers have a more dramatic flair to their movements – more emphasis on facial expressions and storytelling than pure precision. I have to admit, their unique style is something I can’t help but admire! There’s a real charm to it!
During the performance, we overhear whispers of a new dance that has recently arrived from Italy called "Il ballo delle fate" - the fairies’ dance. The audience talks in hushed tones about this new dance with swirling movements and playful gestures – very alluring. Imagine - fairy wings! It’s tempting, but unfortunately, the performance we are attending isn’t including this dance in its repertoire. My dear diary, I’ll definitely add "Il ballo delle fate" to the list of ballet dances I must see on my time-traveling journeys!
Ballet and The Pink Revolution!As you can see, my time-traveling ballet adventure this month was a wonderful journey through time, where the world of dance was truly alive and flourishing! While today's ballet techniques might seem more refined, the passion and artistry present during this period is nothing short of inspiring. This era has been particularly good for inspiration for my collection of tutus. I even have a very special surprise in store for you.
I’m planning on designing my own line of pink tutus for ballet dancers of all ages – yes, every dancer is welcome to join the pink-tutu revolution! My ultimate dream? Seeing pink tutus gracing stages around the world – spreading joy, love, and most importantly, a whole lot of ballerina flair!
Until next month, stay tuned for more adventures! And remember, always keep that pink tutu close, just waiting to unleash its magic!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
