Hello lovelies! 🩰✨ It's Emma here, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels!
August the 8th is always a special date in my ballet diary because it marks the anniversary of one of the most opulent balls I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. Can you imagine dancing in a grand palace under the watchful eye of a reigning Queen? I certainly can, and it's a memory that fills me with pure joy even now, many moons later!
Post number 620: The Queen's Ball!
As you know, dear readers, I'm a firm believer that time travel by horseback is the most delightful way to see the world! And that's exactly how I found myself in the year 1712, my faithful companion, Magic Meg, a shimmery pink Shire horse with golden hooves, by my side.
Magic Meg whinnied excitedly as we approached the palace, a grand structure built from golden stone with a roof that glistened in the summer sun. ☀️
Now, I’ve been to my fair share of grand galas, but this one truly surpassed them all! Every window of the palace was illuminated by flickering candles, and the scent of roses and lilies hung heavy in the air, giving it an air of exquisite magic. The courtiers, in their silken finery and lace trimmings, were adorned with jewels that glimmered in the candlelight, their steps precise and graceful as they moved across the polished marble floors.
The Queen herself, a regal figure in a flowing blue gown and sparkling diamonds, graced the grand ballroom with her presence. A hush fell over the room as she entered, followed by a cacophony of elegant laughter and whispers. As she took her place on a velvet throne, the music began, the soft strains of a lute floating over the crowd as courtiers began to dance with an air of both elegance and restrained excitement.
You wouldn't believe the variety of dance forms I encountered. We weren't talking about leaps and fouettes here! This was a much more graceful style, elegant and precise, with emphasis on posture and fluid movements. Even the men, all in their powdered wigs and richly embroidered silk vests, held themselves with a charming air of gentility as they guided their partners across the dance floor.
This, however, did not prevent my pink tutu from drawing a fair share of attention. Some courtiers, though initially hesitant, became utterly captivated by my bold fashion choice. I must confess, seeing the surprised expressions on their faces as my tutu swirled around me with each turn was truly a delight. It’s no surprise that ballet clothing is quite different today - though I must admit, even in the 18th century, my pink tutu, the shade of a cherry blossom just before sunrise, caused a real stir! It seems a love for all things pink transcends the ages!
Naturally, I made sure to take detailed notes on the court dances, their patterns, and their captivating movements. I’ll be including them in my ballet archives – you know, those secret places tucked away within my trusty leather rucksack – so they can be enjoyed by future generations! A pink tutu can’t exist in a vacuum, after all! We must build a history of ballet together!
You can see my notes on these dance forms, which include information on minuets, waltzes and even an amusing 'the jig,' in my archives section. It’s well worth a look, darling! www.pink-tutu.com
One of my favourite highlights was the 'jig', a vibrant, energetic dance full of life, even within its rigid structure. There was a sense of exuberance about it that had the whole court bouncing with excitement. The Queen herself even smiled, her regal facade cracking slightly, which really surprised everyone, making the air hum with laughter.
Later that evening, a most intriguing encounter took place. The Queen herself approached me, her smile as bright as a diamond. She remarked on the bold fashion statement of my pink tutu! We talked at length about the power of dance to unite and express, a common thread that unites all ballets and dancers across time. In fact, she invited me to a private audience on my next visit! How delightful!
My dance with Queen Anne (which yes, dear readers, DID take place – in my pink tutu, mind you!) was one for the books. The Queen, who has never been known to be a great fan of flamboyant fashion, said it gave her the energy to have a good time! She even invited me back for a dance lesson in my honour! (Imagine the history books! ‘Queen Anne takes dance lessons!’ – we'll have to write that down…)
Now, I must share some exciting news with you all: as you may know, I fund my ballet adventures through performances. Well, in preparation for this trip, I honed my skills in all sorts of dance styles! My latest performance – in which I wowed audiences with my performance of 'The Jig', even incorporating some traditional steps from my 1712 adventure! It was an absolute smash hit, which meant a new and glorious journey into the past, filled with magic, dance, and – yes, my dear readers – the beautiful colour pink. I hope you'll come to my next show, because with a successful show comes an even greater, more daring adventure!
Until next time, stay pink, stay beautiful, and stay passionate about the magic of dance. 🩰 And remember: wear a pink tutu today, my darlings!
Love,
Emma 💖
P.S. If you're interested in the ballet scene of the world at the time, 1712 was an era of vibrant musical and theatrical development in London! The Drury Lane Theatre, a hotbed for dance, was just getting started, with performances taking place both on stage and within the upper circles of society. They were starting to really build up that elegant ball scene. If you ever have a chance to catch a period performance – I highly recommend it, my dears! It’s a beautiful glimpse into history!
