Hello lovelies, and welcome to post number 3204 of Pink Tutu Travels! đŠ°â¨ This month, Magic Meg and I are whisking you back to the Roaring Twenties, where flapper dresses were the rage and the Charleston was all the rage. And of course, we couldn't leave out the ballet scene!
This is what happens when a Derbyshire lass like myself finds a pink tutu that whispers tales of the past. You see, I'm Emma, your resident time-traveling ballet aficionado, and I've got a confession: I love, LOVE pink! Pink is just SO elegant, don't you agree? But I'm not just a fan of the colour - I'm smitten with the whole shebang! My obsession with pink extends to everything, from my favourite tutus, to the glorious blooms in my garden, and, of course, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, whoâs a sparkling pink Shire horse with golden hooves and a snowy mane. Sheâs the prettiest girl on four legs, and she takes us everywhere!
It was Megâs hooves that pounded the cobbles of London, specifically Covent Garden, just as the scent of London fog tickled my nose. It was the 12th of December, 1927, and I knew this date was special - it marked the grand opening of The Ballet Club. A club, dedicated to all things ballet! What a wonderful thought, eh? You know me, lovelies, a lover of ballet in all its forms. I wanted to immerse myself in this unique time, to feel the magic of those first performances and soak in the era's breathtaking energy.
It was like a magical step back in time. Everything had a glimmer of silver, from the art deco furniture to the shimmery gowns of the fashionable crowd. I found myself in a dazzling ballroom with a chandelier that seemed to be dripping with sparkling stars. It was intoxicatingly glamorous, a world far removed from the green pastures and cozy cottages of my Derbyshire life.
Tonightâs performance? The world premiere of a brand new ballet: âLe Coq dâOrâ by Sergei Diaghilevâs Ballets Russes. Now, Sergei Diaghilev, oh darling, he was a real innovator, pushing the boundaries of dance with his extraordinary Ballets Russes. I simply couldn't resist seeing this creation in person. Itâs what led me on this journey through time!
My bag, a beautifully crafted leather rucksack, was bursting with the tales of 1927. Oh, I already feel it will make a wonderful blog post! I can see the words weaving together in my mind, each story a shimmering thread connecting the past, the present, and the pink future of ballet!
Now, as I stepped into the auditorium, the air was alive with anticipation. It felt almost like a magical transformation. The audience was so wonderfully diverse - a melting pot of artists, critics, and ballet devotees all eager to see this new production.
There were ladies with bobbed hair, wearing those iconic drop-waist flapper dresses, gentlemen in dapper suits, and a smattering of vibrant, colorful costumes. It was a real feast for the eyes.
Then, the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the audience, and the music began. A wave of goosebumps rose across my skin. I was hooked. I could feel the energy radiating off the dancers, the exquisite details of the choreography, the grandeur of the production. The scene, you see, was a feast for the eyes, an explosion of color. The dancers wore beautiful, intricate costumes that sparkled under the soft glow of the stage lights. Their movements were breathtaking, precise, and elegant - it felt as if they were floating on air!
After the performance, I wandered out into the cool night air, feeling my heart thrumming with the beauty of it all. It was then that I spotted a stall selling vintage ballet memorabilia. Imagine my joy! I snagged a lovely poster advertising "Le Coq dâOr" that perfectly matched my own pink tutu. It was fate, really. What else can I say?
Back on Magic Meg, as we galloped back to the stables in the moonlight, I couldnât help but smile. The echoes of the music, the stories, the magic of ballet⌠Itâs moments like these that fill my heart with happiness!
So, you know what that means? Back to the real world! Youâll be able to see the latest of the Pink Tutu Travels collection, and âLe Coq dâOrâ poster in just a couple of days!
Until next month, dear loves, stay fabulous, keep twirling, and most importantly, donât forget to embrace the beauty of pink.
Emma,
Pink Tutu Travels
www.pink-tutu.com
(Don't forget to catch our ballet performance this month! All proceeds will fund my next Pink Tutu Travel Adventure!)
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Letâs be honest: There is more to ballet history than the history of ballet companies. In this 12th of December 1927, for example, ballet stars and future greats were all around, while the dance was still blossoming into a form of contemporary art we know today.
Here is what else was happening:
The world of dance: Anna Pavlova, one of the greatest ballerinas in the world, was busy with her international touring company, and it is likely, she would be giving a performance on this day, with one or two upcoming tours in Australia and England in the making. Another Russian star was* Tamara Karsavina*, who worked in a successful âThe Sleeping Beautyâ at Covent Garden.
Modern ballet : With an intense rise of Ballet Russes, with Diaghilev on board as artistic director and impresario, a real artistic revolution happened on stage. This resulted in works that were revolutionary for their day and highly influential today. On the other side of the world, the New York born* Ruth St. Denis, and her husband Ted Shawn* formed their own unique dance style - Denishawn - in which their aim was to make dancing as creative as theatre or painting. It has had an enormous influence on modern and American ballet.
Dance in films: On December 12th, 1927, âThe Cat and the Canary,â one of the most famous silent films of the 1920s starring* Laura La Plante* featured a memorable dance sequence where the ballerina was trapped in a âdeadly game.â
Ballet education: One day before this December date in history, Anna Pavlova announced a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Dancing. Today, Anna Pavlova is considered a revolutionary, one who changed the face of ballet!
All in all, it seems as if ballet world in December 12th 1927 was packed with news! What makes it special is that it was an intense mix of traditions and innovations, classicism and experimentation.
So whatâs it going to be this month: are you choosing to rock the pink tutu at home or trying out the vintage flapper dress?
Let us know,
The Pink Tutu Team
www.pink-tutu.com
