Hello my dearest ballet lovers! It's Emma here, and this month, I've galloped through the cobblestones of time, my pink tutu swirling like a sugar plum dream. And this time, itās a trip to the past to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the ballet company that stole the heart of a nation!
Time travel is a funny thing, especially when youāre travelling on a steed as majestic as my pink-sparkling Shire, Magic Meg. You wouldnāt believe how she gets all those curious stares, but don't worry, she's used to it - a girl like me needs a pink horse whoās both magnificent and dependable, especially when weāre travelling backwards through time!
Today's adventure lands us in 1708, a time of lavish wigs, silk gowns, and yes, the birth of the one and only Royal Academy of Dancing - Englandās very first ballet school! Imagine, back then, the buzz surrounding a place devoted entirely to the elegant steps, graceful gestures, and thrilling artistry of ballet. And I can only imagine the delight those fortunate enough to watch would feel, seeing these budding stars learning to dance. It would have been a magnificent sight to see, I'm sure, even without my Pink Tutu on! But what does a time-traveling ballerina like myself do? You guessed it ā I'm headed for the inaugural performance to capture every moment!
Magic Meg carried me, my sparkly tutu swaying behind me, through London's winding streets - what a scene! Ladies in opulent gowns, gentlemen in fine coats, the air humming with the anticipation for the show - I swear, I felt the excitement course through the city! Even a pink tutu couldnāt hold my own bubbling enthusiasm. We finally reached the grand hall, it felt like the entire court had arrived, but when the curtains parted, it was the spectacle on stage that truly stopped my breath.
It was the premiere of āThe Queen of Heartsā ā an opera-ballet. Itās a performance so significant in its day that it actually made history, setting the stage (pardon the pun) for all of ballet that would follow. As I watched the graceful dancers in their elaborate costumes, their expressions conveying emotions through every delicate movement, my mind couldn't help but race to the time we're in. Can you believe it? This is where ballet, as we know it, all began!
Of course, no ballet story is complete without a story about the tutus. While tutus didn't become a major fashion staple until much later in balletās history, there were still hints of this iconic design within these early performances, adding to the grandeur. The costumes in "The Queen of Hearts," I'm told, were particularly extravagant, sparkling with jewels and gold embroidery, making every step more magical!
That day at the opera, in my head, I saw every single Pink Tutu under the grand chandelier, dancing in sync with these glorious pioneers, marking the very first step for balletās future in England.
And oh my dear readers, speaking of the future - the world of ballet on 6 June 1708!
The *Royal Academy of Dancing would, of course, become a beacon of artistic expression, producing countless ballet superstars. I simply cannot help myself and had to include these facts into my ballet history scrapbook. (Did I mention, itās housed within my pink leather rucksack?!). This school set the foundations for everything we adore about the art of ballet ā those elegant arabesques, the breathtaking leaps, the lyrical beauty of a dancer's performance! And as for those in attendance for this historic premiere, the stories of that evening will forever be preserved in my memory.
But thereās another reason I was enchanted by my 1708 visit - it all ties in perfectly with my #PinkTutu campaign, remember?
This balletās legacy reminds us that beauty, expression, and a dash of magic ā a dash of that unmistakable āpinkness" ā are all essential elements of the ballet experience, past and present! I believe we all need a bit of that magic in our lives, that touch of pink sparkle that reminds us that even the most seemingly ordinary moment can be extraordinary.
As you all know, pink is my absolute favorite colour, and there's nothing more delightful than seeing a tutu adorned with it - that playful elegance that is utterly irresistible. Pink embodies joy, warmth, and passion. These are qualities I see mirrored in the beautiful, brave souls that dedicate their lives to this art. It's why my heart fills with joy each time I wear my pink tutu to a performance, and why I encourage you all to find your own, personal pink tutu ā it might be a colour, it might be a feeling, it might be the confidence to embrace your inner passion!
Speaking of pinkness, I recently spotted the cutest pink ballet shoes, and I just had to show them to you!
- (Image insert - Pink ballerina shoes, sparkling with rhinestones). * Don't they scream ballerina time travel!
Whatās even better, you can find your own pink ballet moments every month on www.pink-tutu.com! You can check my ballet blog, my online fashion store, and even join my free monthly Pink Tutu ballet workshops! We're a community, dancing together through time.
But thatās all for now my dear readers! Iām off to celebrate a balletic history I've been blessed to experience with Magic Meg by my side.
Remember: "**pink it till you make it" and stay tuned for next month's ballet time-traveling blog!
P.S. - You wonāt believe what happened in the next time-travel.
Your dear pink tutu blogger,
Emma x
- (Image insert ā a pink shimmering horse, with a leather backpack, with a ballerina standing in a sparkling pink tutu - riding the horse, against a London street backdrop - the background features 18th Century English fashion attire) *
