Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts!
It's Emma here, back with another whirlwind journey through time! This month, we're twirling back to 1st January 1945, a momentous year for both the world and the world of ballet.
As the sun rose over Derbyshire, casting a rosy glow on my pink tutu (my go-to colour, as you all know!), Magic Meg and I were already on the road. You'd think a New Year's Day would be quieter than usual, but trust me, 1945 had other ideas!
First stop, New York City, where the dance world was buzzing with anticipation. You see, the Metropolitan Opera House had just premiered On Your Toes on 14th April 1945! Can you imagine, a brand-new Broadway ballet that captivated the Big Apple! I couldn't resist adding some shimmering costume details and sketches of the dazzling dances to my ballet rucksack. The excitement in the air was electric, and I even saw a few fabulous feather boas fluttering around, truly a glamorous touch.
Our next hop brought us to London, a city recovering from wartime hardship. Yet, even in the shadow of war, the ballet shone bright. I found myself mesmerized at the Sadler's Wells Ballet performance, and I can tell you, there was no lack of grace and artistry on stage. Their rendition of The Sleeping Beauty left me completely spellbound, the classic tale filled with so much magic and beauty. Imagine, ballet surviving amidst wartime struggles – truly an inspiring testament to the enduring power of art. It was lovely to find some more ballet history tidbits about Dame Ninette de Valois, one of my true heroines in the ballet world, adding her stories to my precious rucksack.
Next, we took a daring leap across the Channel to Paris. The French, as ever, are true fashionistas! And 1945 saw a burgeoning ballet scene there, with talented dancers and a fresh new approach to the art form. While I did wish I could have lingered for a delicious Parisian macaron or two, I simply couldn't miss the excitement surrounding the premiere of Serge Lifar's Les Mirages - I'm dying to find a vintage recording of this iconic performance, maybe a film footage treasure awaits in a forgotten archive!
Before ending our whirlwind journey, we took a quick detour to a stunning ballet school in Moscow, a vibrant centre for ballet training, with traditions passed down through generations. They say they were celebrating their own unique New Year’s with music and performance in December – such lovely and magical ideas. I added a couple of Russian ballet tutus into my rucksack, I will be modelling them when I return home for the upcoming blog post!
Back in Derbyshire, I’m already feeling the inspiration. Maybe it's the magical glow of 1st January 1945 or maybe it's just my own love for all things pink and tutu-tastic, but my latest choreographic piece is starting to take shape.
The journey back is always a bittersweet one. While I adore travelling back through time, I truly treasure being back in Derbyshire, surrounded by the peace and tranquility of my little haven.
Do join me in our next ballet adventure. Who knows where Magic Meg will whisk us away to next month!
Until then, keep on twirling, keep on inspiring, and remember, the world is your stage, dear friends!
P.S.: My ballet boutique, "The Pink Tutu Emporium", has been getting busier and busier, especially with all the gorgeous ballet designs I bring back with me on each adventure. And guess what? For this month only, I'm offering a special discount on all my handmade tutus - use code “PINK45” at checkout to unlock the magic!
Keep twirling, Emma
