Hello darling tutu lovers! Welcome to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com. This month we are whisking ourselves back to the 18th Century for an absolute ballet bonanza! Now, buckle your ballet shoes and grab your favourite pink feather boa, because today's journey takes us all the way to 11th November 1745 - an absolutely pivotal day in ballet history.
The weather in Derbyshire was positively frightful today - chilly with a biting wind. Luckily, I had my lovely pink thermal leggings and woolly tights under my tutu, because Magic Meg took us all the way to France! I'm talking Paris, darling! Now, this isn't my first visit to this glittering city of romance and fashion, but it always makes my heart flutter to see the beautiful boulevards and grand buildings. And this time, we were on a mission to visit the Salle des Machines at the Hôtel de Bourgogne – oh, how exciting!
As we arrived, I could practically feel the magic in the air! The Salle des Machines was one of the first theatres designed for dance and spectacle, and its impressive dimensions were enough to take my breath away. Today, it was hosting the famous Ballets des Grands Hommes, a dazzling collection of dance pieces featuring a veritable who's who of ballet dancers, complete with incredible costumes and stunning sets.
Oh darling, imagine this – dancers swirled across the stage in silken, colourful costumes – a vibrant kaleidoscope of silks and satins! Their steps were full of strength and grace, perfectly capturing the energy of this exciting new era. Imagine!
What truly made this event stand out was its connection to the very beginning of ballet. Now, we know that ballet started out as courtly dances in the French royal courts, and these dances were full of intricate gestures, poses, and patterns – ooh la la! Well, Ballets des Grands Hommes was a return to that courtly tradition, but this time, the performers were truly dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what dance could be.
In my rucksack, which is always filled to the brim with delightful little ballet treasures, I found an antique programme from this performance – complete with the handwritten cast list! I'm just so fascinated by these early dance masters who dedicated their lives to the development of ballet, especially the legendary choreographers, such as Charles Le Roy and Louis Pécour. Imagine their passion, dedication, and vision!
As the afternoon wound down and the dancing ended, Magic Meg was patiently waiting for me. She nudged me gently with her head and we took off back to Derbyshire. With a light skip in my step, I raced back home and penned this little post. Isn't this just an enchanting bit of ballet history? I am utterly convinced that the dance forms we adore today – like classical ballet and contemporary dance - are rooted in these historical moments. Just imagine the ripple effect, my dears! Every ballet class we take, every show we see, every twirl we make - it's all linked to the incredible performers of the past, and we have this beautiful, powerful, and expressive artform to enjoy.
Of course, a visit to France wouldn't be complete without a spot of shopping, and my bag is overflowing with beautiful ribbon and feather trims for my own bespoke pink tutus. I just adore the delicate and vibrant colors of these fabrics and they truly bring a touch of French charm to my outfits. I must add that every dancer who attends my workshops in Derbyshire must also purchase one of my pink feather boas - just to really bring out the ballerina within!
Before we go, I want to leave you with a few inspirational thoughts from my ballet journey.
Think pink, my dears! Never shy away from embracing the colour that makes your heart sing. Just like ballet, there is something so magical and liberating about embracing vibrant pink.
Always be on the lookout for adventure. As my motto goes, the world is your dance floor! Just like me, you can embrace your inner ballet explorer and discover new and exciting places. Who knows, you might even stumble upon some fabulous ballet treasures from your travels.
Make ballet your superpower. I know, I know, we all have superpowers. For some of us, it might be our determination to do that perfect arabesque or our creativity to make the most incredible tutu out of recycled fabrics. For me, it's the power to make everyone embrace their inner ballerina by dressing in the most magical pink tutu!
Until next month, dear readers! May your ballet shoes always be sparkly and your tutus forever pink!
Yours in pink tutus and time travel, Emma
