Hello darling dancers, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! August is finally here, and with it comes the warmth of sunshine, the joy of summer, and, of course, the opportunity to delve into more breathtaking ballet history! Today we're whisking ourselves back to August 8th, 1966, and, oh, my dears, there's so much to see and experience!
Now, my lovely readers, you know I always love a good outfit change! Today I’m embracing the 60s fashion with my signature pink tutu. It's a vibrant coral this time, you know, a perfect mix of bright and elegant, just like the year itself. My trusty leather rucksack, a timeless classic, is overflowing with all the exciting things I'm going to collect from this era, from the programmes of captivating shows to the most beautiful ballet photos!
And speaking of captivating shows, August 8th, 1966, was truly a night for ballet lovers!
The legendary Royal Ballet, led by the remarkable Sir Frederick Ashton, was captivating audiences at the Royal Opera House, in Covent Garden. Oh, how I yearn for that glorious, historic venue! That evening they performed Giselle, an enchanting and emotive masterpiece that continues to grace the stages of the world. Imagine, darlings, the swirling tutus, the captivating pas de deux, the sheer drama of the performance! Can you picture me, watching it all from the stalls, a single, perfectly placed tear on my cheek, lost in the beauty and pathos of it all?
On the same day, just a stone's throw away from Derbyshire, the wonderful Royal Ballet School, also in London, would have been preparing their talented students for the upcoming year. You see, darlings, in the heart of London, nestled between all those gorgeous department stores where I love to indulge my penchant for fashion, these remarkable dancers would have been practicing and refining their craft, just as I am doing right now! I can see them now, young and enthusiastic, fuelled by that love of ballet that burns within us all.
Meanwhile, in the vibrant city of Paris, a new ballet company, the Ballet National de Marseille, had been launched that year, shaking up the dance scene with its new and daring artistic vision. Can you imagine, darlings, being there on the opening night, filled with the buzz of a brand-new era? The thrill, the anticipation, and the joy of seeing so many new talented artists emerge on the world stage!
Oh, and the fashion, darlings! Oh my, the fashion! The 1960s were all about movement, youth and bold expressions. You could not get a bigger fan of all things fabulous and pink! My favourite look would be the classic A-line dress, so flattering, paired with a stunning statement necklace, or a vibrant head scarf, reflecting that sense of free spirit! And for a truly iconic moment, think the iconic mini-skirt! Can you imagine, a ballerina, so graceful, gliding across the stage, wearing a tutu paired with a vibrant mini? The possibilities are endless, and I'm itching to see if we can bring this glorious 60's ballet style back in my next time travel adventure.
But the time has come, my darlings, to bid farewell to August 8th, 1966, and prepare for our next grand adventure. Thank you so much for joining me! And as always, keep those pink tutus close! Remember, every dance, every spin, every twirl is a step towards our dream of a pink tutu world. Now, I must go, for my trusty pink sparkling Shire horse, Magic Meg, is patiently waiting to carry me through time, ready for our next enchanting voyage.
Until next month, my lovelies, happy twirling,
Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
About the Pink Tutu Blog
This blog is about one young lady’s quest to spread the joy and inspiration of dance with the whole world by creating a fashion revolution with pink tutus, through her travels to different periods of dance history on the back of a very special shire horse, who just so happens to have sparkling pink hooves!
Each month we'll be discovering how, when and why dance is such an important part of human culture across time and countries. I am on a journey, my dear readers, and this is where I am hoping to meet you on a monthly basis for another trip through history! I will also post snippets from time travel trips and snippets of other trips in the diary!
