Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and guess what? This month, I'm swirling back to July 1963, a time brimming with ballet magic! I can already feel the excitement, can't you? I can almost hear the strains of Tchaikovsky and the tap, tap, tapping of my ballet shoes as Magic Meg gallops through time.
Don't you just love a little pink tulle, darling? It makes everything feel like a ballet, even the dullest day in Derbyshire! (Well, almost.) And guess what, you can actually channel your inner ballerina with your own pink tutu! You know I believe that everyone can rock a pink tutu – a little bit of twirling in your life makes the world a happier place.
Speaking of twirling, July 1963 was a pretty incredible month for ballet, if I may say so! My beautiful Magic Meg has whisked me back to New York City where the legendary George Balanchine was holding court. He was like the king of ballet back then, creating masterpieces and shaping the future of dance. His company, the New York City Ballet, was flourishing, and you just know that meant fabulous, sparkling tutus galore!
But enough about the past, let’s talk about the present. And guess what? This is exactly the kind of day for a trip to the ballet, isn't it? Just pop on your own fabulous tutu – you can pick a pink one, you know! – grab a friend and get ready to be dazzled. And why not add a little touch of vintage to your ensemble? Maybe some bold, graphic eye-liner and a chic ballerina bun, to make your outfit truly stunning!
But darling, there's more! I’m ready to share some absolutely delightful details of what was happening in the world of ballet back in July 1963. Just hop onto Magic Meg and we’ll zoom off on this dazzling ballet time travel adventure together…
1963: The Year Balanchine Took the Stage1963 was quite the year, you know. And it all revolved around Mr. Balanchine! Imagine it: New York City, a buzz of excitement in the air, the aroma of hotdogs wafting through the streets and all eyes on the ballet theatre…
New York City Ballet was just kicking off their summer season with a programme called ‘A Balanchine Celebration’ – can you imagine? A whole month of pure Balanchine brilliance! There were premieres and revivals of famous ballets like ‘Symphony in C’, ‘Agon’, and ‘Concerto Barocco’. The whole city was buzzing, and all I wanted to do was dance!
This particular evening, July 19th, the company performed a breathtaking show titled 'The Figure in the Carpet'. This masterpiece was the culmination of Mr. Balanchine's creative genius - it's all about dance being pure art. There’s a delicate play on rhythm and the beauty of movement. Imagine a swirling tapestry of tutus, leaping ballerinas, a vibrant symphony, and pure artistry that took your breath away!
As for me, I sat mesmerized. It wasn’t just the incredible choreography that moved me – it was the passion radiating from the dancers. You could see the magic of Balanchine in their every move. Every pirouette, every arabesque told a story, painted an emotion in the air. Honestly, I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world!
But wait! I still haven’t found my favourite part. It was after the performance, when everyone was chatting excitedly about the show and sharing a delicious strawberry ice cream in a perfectly pink sundae glass. That’s when I caught sight of Mr. Balanchine himself!
I nearly fainted, you know? He’s a legend, a titan in the world of ballet. The sheer power of his work radiates from every move, from every stage. He was a legend even then – just imagine! He wore a suit with an intricate pin (was it a dancer figurine? It would have been lovely!), and he had a very particular way about him. But most importantly, he had the most mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Catching a Glimpse of Fashion in 1963Now, when I'm time travelling, I always make a trip to the local shops for a little retail therapy. And of course, in the 1960s, a trip to a department store meant fabulous fashion discoveries!
Imagine those geometric shapes, the dramatic lines – a clash of modern and feminine style! It was the perfect palette for the beautiful dancers, too – a striking contrast to their light and airy tutus.
And the shoes! My word! Gorgeous sleek pumps with bold details - and the pointy toe? Oh my, absolutely divine! Remember, darling, these shoes were about being modern. And let’s not forget those gorgeous bold patterns and prints in the dresses - the kind of designs that would really make you stand out in a crowd!
And, you guessed it - pink is always on-trend, even in the past! Even though it wasn’t necessarily the ‘in’ colour, I spotted several items in delicate pink shades! I was even lucky enough to find a vintage silk scarf - perfect for an upcoming performance. It was light and delicate with a simple pattern of soft roses - perfect for that added touch of glamour!
The Romance of the PastSometimes, being a ballet time traveller really does feel like living in a movie. The romanticism of those past decades makes me dream of golden era ballets!
And let’s be honest, every girl loves a little romantic escape, doesn’t she? Just imagine a Parisian bistro at dusk – with flickering lights, the sound of laughter, the soft melody of an accordion…. and, of course, a dazzling pink tutu! Oh my, you really do have to make it happen for yourselves, darling!
Oh, and darling, I even stumbled upon a little boutique that specializes in exquisite vintage ballet wear – the kind that takes you right back in time. They had everything from dainty satin slippers and silk tights to elegant velvet jackets that had been worn by dancers on the world’s most prestigious stages! I even scored a darling vintage tutu with an embroidered detail. It is so perfect - I just had to grab it!
So my lovely darlings, what are you waiting for? Go on! Grab a friend or two, whip out that fabulous pink tutu and experience the ballet magic yourself.
Oh, and don’t forget, the adventure never ends with a trip through time! Remember to check back in with me next month as I hop on Magic Meg and travel to a different time – because darling, there's always more to discover!
Remember to keep the sparkle alive and always remember… You are beautiful, and you can twirl in a pink tutu.
Love,
Emma
