#BalletHistory during 1928 11 November

Hello darlings, and welcome back to my monthly chronicle of time travel adventures, here on www.pink-tutu.com! I’m your favourite ballet-obsessed time traveller, Emma, and today, we're waltzing our way back to a pivotal year in ballet history – 1928! This time, we're marking 11 November in particular.

Now, don't let that "history" label fool you – 1928 was a time brimming with vibrant dance and even more dazzling costumes! It was a time of change and excitement, with ballets taking centre stage on a global scale. And who better to chronicle it all than a ballerina who adores pink tutus? I mean, wouldn't a pink tutu look fabulous amongst the flapper dresses and the roaring twenties' elegance?

Hold your breaths, darlings, because we're in for a real treat. Get comfy, and get ready to step back in time with me!

We always kick off these adventures with a special thank you to the one and only Magic Meg. My darling, pink-sparkling, Shire horse, with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail. Oh, and she's a time traveller, too! Isn't she wonderful? It’s because of Meg’s magic and my monthly performances, I'm able to afford these trips through history! (You should come see me dance; I’m absolutely delightful on stage!)

Of course, she's wearing her pink ribbon, adorned with sparkly sequins, just like always! And let's be honest, the shimmering colour is a real head-turner. Who wouldn’t love a pink steed galloping through the years? (I might be biased, but it makes every trip more fabulous, don’t you agree?)

As usual, my leather rucksack is overflowing! Filled with memories, ballet notes, and a few delightful pink-themed souvenirs that I just couldn't resist from 1928! It’s filled with the fascinating finds from the past. Oh, I do love hunting down those ballet treasures hidden within time!

Today, I found a beautifully worn copy of The Book of Ballet, by Cyril Beaumont, which gave me fascinating glimpses into the early 20th century ballet world! Imagine, they used to practice on pointe even then!

The history behind those delicate pointed shoes always mesmerizes me! The innovation and determination behind the design makes every step on pointe so impactful! You have to try it, ladies – it’s an entirely different experience when dancing in those wonderful pink shoes. It feels truly empowering.

Speaking of power! It's always empowering when you find an antique picture of the gorgeous ballerinas from back in the day. (You know I snagged a few for the collection – the fashion is just divine!) Just imagine how graceful they would be in a pink tutu, just like mine! It makes me want to time travel and show them some of the styles we love today! Oh, wouldn’t that be magical?

Hold onto your hats! This date in 1928 was packed with some remarkable happenings across the globe. It was a whirlwind of activity, all about dance!

A Spotlight on America! We’re going stateside for this one! Imagine my delight at seeing the first American performance of Sergei Diaghilev's "Les Noces!" This ballet set to the incredible music of Igor Stravinsky was just mind-blowing – talk about a performance that makes you want to burst into tears of pure beauty! It took place at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, which was known to host some truly epic ballet events, don’t you know.

Diaghilev's productions were, as always, sensational! His company, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, truly was the pinnacle of creativity, bringing all these breathtaking shows to the world! I bet a pink tutu would have looked positively stunning alongside the exotic and bold costumes that were the hallmarks of Diaghilev's company! Just picture it – vibrant, rich colours and an abundance of dazzling fabrics, mixed with the ethereal softness of a pink tutu! Divine, isn't it?

Now, imagine seeing the same dance at a Parisian theatre – simply exquisite! Just like today, Paris was and still is the city for artistic brilliance and ballet elegance. They love a fabulous fashion show! And let's be honest, ballet IS a fashion show. It’s certainly my favourite way to showcase some great clothes and designs, don’t you agree? (You can bet your bottom dollar I'd be hitting up all the dress shops – Parisian boutiques hold some treasures for a tutu-loving ballerina!)

Let's hop back in time and head to London! Imagine seeing the "La Chatte," starring the incredible Lydia Sokolova. Such grace and passion! Lydia, with her undeniable charm and dazzling artistry, brought this classic ballet to life – a truly captivating experience!

And this isn’t all, darlings! My visit to London took me back in time, too, allowing me to marvel at the stunning "Alice in Wonderland" that was on display at the London Coliseum, starring ballerina Lilian Stanley. It was just captivating!

Did you know Lilian Stanley was the first British ballerina to receive rave reviews for dancing on pointe? It is truly inspiring to discover these pioneers, the individuals who brought the world of ballet to where it is today. (The strength and grace in every move makes me so incredibly inspired to dance!) A few more tours of historical London and my collection will be bursting with antique treasures from the city!

Remember, darlings, the passion and the love for ballet has always been here, spanning across centuries! Each era is filled with amazing dancers, and the most wonderful fashion shows you can imagine! So, go explore! You might find that your love of dance will blossom from exploring past centuries! Who knows – maybe you will even get inspired to slip into a beautiful pink tutu, just like me.

This, my darlings, is how we weave our love for ballet and history together, creating a magical journey with every time travel adventure! Stay tuned next month, when I will be telling you about our travels! Until then, keep dancing!

Love, Emma xx