Post #2635
Dearest fellow ballet enthusiasts! It’s Emma, your time-traveling ballerina from Derbyshire, here with a new adventure, straight from the archives of my leather rucksack.
July in Paris, oh how it sings! I’ve been skipping through the city in my newest, most exquisite pink tulle confection (the colour is practically iridescent!) as we embark on a journey back to 1880, specifically 7th July. And it's just as breathtaking as you can imagine.
My dear Magic Meg (my trusty time-traveling steed) carried me straight to the heart of the Parisian ballet scene, a symphony of swirling tutus, polished pointe shoes, and a vibrant energy that electrifies the air. Today's Parisian streets are abuzz with preparations for the opening of the "Comédie-Française", a true landmark in Parisian theatre history. This legendary building, a grand theatre in all its glory, is buzzing with rehearsals for the evening’s play, “Le Jouet de l’amour et du hasard” - such romance! I hear tell the performance includes ballets by Alexandre-Louis Le Riche. A truly remarkable moment, to catch a glimpse of this history in the making, the seeds of an enduring love of dance blooming.
While the Coméde Française is on the front of the theatrical scene today, behind it lies a whisper of another artistic movement that’s stirring. I stumbled upon an afternoon performance by “The Parisian Society of Contemporary Dancers”, a troupe of young, passionate dancers challenging the classic ballet style with modern and innovative choreography. I felt their fervor as they spun and leaped across the stage, their tutus billowing around them like dreams caught on the wind. A fresh energy, daring and captivating, inspiring the young and the seasoned.
This year marks a special occasion, one that truly ignited a passion within the French soul – the inauguration of the Statue of Liberty! The world is buzzing with this magnificent spectacle in New York, and the Parisians share this excitement. On the cobbled streets, elegant women adorned with delicate gloves and hats whisper about the bold design and the message of hope she symbolizes. While miles away, the spirit of the Statue resonates even here, in the Parisian air, perhaps echoing the courage of those modern dancers breaking free with their expression.
My time in 1880 has left me with so many fascinating memories - a captivating ballet class under the watchful eyes of Madame Caroline Fiquet at a prestigious studio nestled on the quiet, cobbled streets, her voice full of gentle encouragement for aspiring dancers. I found myself among aspiring ballet students, the echo of their pirouettes echoing with such graceful determination, and felt their desire to master every nuance of movement, and then, a secret glimpse into a workshop of renowned M. Jules Lefevre, a shoemaker to the ballet stars. His workshop smelled of leather, sawdust, and dreams, as he meticulously crafted the pointe shoes that would grace the Parisian stage later that night, every pair, a testament to artistry and dedication.
And oh, the shops! Paris truly knows how to make an entrance! I spent an entire afternoon mesmerized by the dazzling colours of Lunettes de Nuit, a millinery emporium overflowing with bewitching hats and fascinators, a collection of elegant creations designed to enhance and accentuate each lady’s beauty. You see, even in the realm of ballet, fashion holds an unwavering presence! It is not simply about tutus. The entire world around me is a magnificent dance of beauty, and I can't help but get swept up in the whirlwind!
Every street corner offers a new inspiration for my ever-growing collection of pink tutus, and my sketchbook has blossomed with sketches of elegant ballgowns and swirling dancers. The bustling shops, the cafes alive with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and rich, sweet pastries, and the cobblestones echoing the rhythmic footsteps of the elegant Parisians – this, my friends, is the true magic of time travel, a glimpse into the soul of an era through the eyes of a ballet dancer!
As I bid farewell to 1880 Paris, I am left with a sense of enchantment and inspiration. I believe, wholeheartedly, that pink tutus have a unique place in history.
**Join me on my next adventure as we travel through time, exploring the ballet history across the globe.
Don't forget, if you want to travel back in time with me, just head over to www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest from the world of ballet! And remember, always dance with your heart!**
Your dancing friend,
Emma
