Post 3307
Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another whirl through history, and this time, we're landing smack-dab in the middle of the fabulous, flamboyant, and altogether dazzling year of 1936! Now, put on your favourite pink tutu (because a little sparkle never hurt anyone, right?), grab your favourite tipple (mine's always a pink lemonade, of course), and join me on a journey to 7th July, 1936!
As I mentioned, this post is about my journey to July 7th, 1936. Why this date, you ask? Well, dear reader, because on this date, the world of ballet was bursting with activity. Imagine the excitement of a new production by a renowned choreographer, the elegant outfits, the grace, and the breathtaking stories unfolding on the stage! Oh my, how I do love ballet!
Let's go on a grand tour of this enchanting year through my sparkling pink tutu and the eyes of my magical, pink-hued, golden-hooved shire, Meg! (If you haven't met my trusty travel companion, Meg, well, she's truly the best! She always ensures we're as pink as can be! She’s the ultimate in pinkness – she sparkles under the starlight! If you were to spot us galloping along, you’d think we were on the cover of a fashion magazine! ).
My first stop in this glamorous journey: London, England! It's the heart of the ballet world, the place where dreams take flight and ballerinas strut their stuff with unwavering grace. Let's step into the grand auditorium of the Covent Garden theatre. It's a magnificent spectacle – sparkling lights, velvety curtains, and that unmistakable hush that precedes the curtain rise. This time, I found myself enchanted by the La Sylphide ballet by August Bournonville! (Honestly, how dreamy!)
And speaking of dreams, the one and only Sergei Diaghilev, the true visionary of ballet, had graced London with his phenomenal Ballets Russes company only a few years ago! Can you imagine, my friends, watching those groundbreaking, dazzling, and revolutionary ballets by masters like Vaslav Nijinsky and Tamara Karsavina! It makes me wish for a time machine!
My leather rucksack is filled with the stories of the talented ballerinas who danced in those magnificent shows, and let me tell you, these stories deserve to be shared! Their determination, artistry, and grace will always be remembered.
We then trotted off to Paris. Oh, Paris! The City of Love and the home of Le Palais Garnier (I just adore it!), a magnificent palace for ballet performances and one of the biggest venues in the world! This grand Parisian opera house has played host to legendary performers throughout history! I spent days just listening to the stories, walking the streets, trying to picture the performances on this stage – the sheer artistry must have been astonishing!
From Paris to New York, I couldn’t resist popping over to the Big Apple to experience American Ballet Theatre. I mean, just imagine! In 1936, the company was in its early stages. They performed the ballet “Graduation Ball,” created by the innovative Mikhail Fokine, and what better way to experience that than a performance by Lucia Chase (who would become American Ballet Theatre’s visionary founder, and her story is definitely one to tell in another blog post)!
Back on the trail to more fashion, we ended up in Milan, the centre of the fashion world, as you all know. Giorgio Armani, the true fashion icon, had started his career as a fashion window dresser, and as the designer of choice of a certain Michael Jackson, this talented chap was destined to achieve phenomenal success! Talk about inspiring!. Milan was bustling, overflowing with energy, with the latest styles in haute couture. It was fascinating to see what people wore, where they bought their fashion and their styles for ballet! You'd be amazed by the sheer inventiveness – it's something that always fuels my passion for my own tutu creations, for sure!
But my travels weren't all about fashion, darling! A significant event took place in the world of ballet during July, 1936. Did you know, my dears, that American Ballet Theatre began its first performances in July 1936 at the Manhattan Opera House!? The name wasn't coined until later, of course. The troupe was actually known as the Ballet Theatre until 1940, but the spirit and vision of dance were all the same, making it one of the leading companies in the United States! It’s wonderful how, year after year, this group is dedicated to nurturing and developing new generations of dancers!
It was amazing to witness, from a historical standpoint, Ballet Theatre's rise. It was exhilarating, exhilarating! Just watching their Graduation Ball was inspiring and delightful to say the least. It was this journey in 1936 that really cemented my passion to ensure that everyone and their little doggy wears a pink tutu. I think it was the magical air around these amazing performances and dancers that brought me to this realization!
It’s important to acknowledge the dancers. For example, it was really fascinating to see Irina Baronova’s influence on the choreography and the grace that she exhibited in every performance. The power and the grace she exuded was intoxicating and utterly impressive, even from afar!
My travels never cease to surprise me. Sometimes you'll find me watching performances under a shimmering sky in London. Other times, I'll find myself lost in the bustling, colourful energy of New York City or watching dancers leap in the magnificent palaces of Italy. In all of my travels, what is so inspiring is seeing how fashion has always played an important role in the world of ballet.
Each journey gives me fresh ideas for my own tutus and for our Pink Tutu events (which I will detail in a later blog)! In July, I always celebrate Pink Tutu Day! If you're as passionate as I am about dancing, then we have to get everyone rocking a pink tutu for Pink Tutu Day. (Who knows what we will accomplish with a bit of glamour and magic! Remember my motto! ).
Don't forget to join me for next month’s blog where I am whisking us all away to 1887 – stay tuned, dearies!
And remember, my dearest tutus, wear your sparkle, embrace your passion, and never forget: It’s all about grace, elegance and most importantly, dancing!
Love and tutus, Emma, www.pink-tutu.com.
