Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad ballerina time traveller, back for another enchanting journey through the world of ballet. Today's post, number 3679 on www.pink-tutu.com, whisks us back to 1967, specifically July, where a flurry of exciting ballets and a dash of pink await us!
My Fashionable Pink Journey to the States
This month, Magic Meg, my beautiful pink shimmering shire horse with those divine golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, took me on a whirlwind trip across the pond. It's amazing how quickly Meg can travel! It seems like yesterday we were gazing at the majestic Derbyshire countryside and now, here we are, arriving in New York, the city that never sleeps. A perfect place to start our balletic escapade, wouldn't you say?
My trusty leather rucksack, packed with notes and treasures, was at the ready, as I stepped off Meg in the heart of New York. The streets were a buzz of life, filled with colourful sights and sounds. I had to do a quick costume change! This was not the time for my usual twirly pink tutu, as I wanted to blend in with the New Yorkers. Luckily, I always have a collection of fab outfits tucked away. A crisp white dress and stylish pumps were the perfect touch for a modern city look.
New York City Ballet: A Ballet Extravaganza!
Our first stop was Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, home to the prestigious New York City Ballet. The atmosphere was electric, with anticipation hanging thick in the air. My excitement, much like a dancer ready for their grande jeté, was bubbling over. The programme boasted a beautiful mix of contemporary and classical works, including a special performance of George Balanchine’s Symphony in C! Oh, darling! The grace and elegance of the dancers were absolutely breathtaking. I sat mesmerized, scribbling away in my journal about the intricate footwork and the stories told through movement. The music was sublime!
It’s fascinating to see the impact of American dance in 1967! It truly felt as though New York City was at the heart of a ballet renaissance. The passion and innovation here are infectious! After the performance, I popped into the lobby, clutching my ballet memorabilia – a charming vintage programme and a perfectly-pink ballet slipper charm, a delightful addition to my collection!
From NYC to the Dance Capitals of Europe!
Meg was raring to go again, so I hopped on and we sped through the air, arriving next in Paris. There, we were captivated by a brand-new ballet at the Palais Garnier! It was called "The Dream" by Serge Lifar, an enchanting creation of swirling colour and ethereal movement. I captured the essence of it in my rucksack with a small, antique programme and a delicate hand-drawn sketch I made while watching the performance. The costumes were simply divine - like something out of a romantic novel!
Our ballet whirlwind continued to London's Royal Opera House, where we caught the world-renowned Royal Ballet in their captivating rendition of "Swan Lake". You see, "Swan Lake" is truly one of the most beautiful ballet classics – a timeless story of love, loss, and the transformative power of art.
It's incredible to be a time-travelling ballet blogger, witness such brilliant ballets first-hand, and have my backpack overflowing with ballet mementos! And of course, after each performance, we would treat ourselves to a little shopping! London, Paris and New York all offer stunning ballet clothing. This month I couldn’t resist a pair of delicate, handmade pink ballet slippers from a Parisian shop. A must-have addition to my growing ballet shoe collection!
Sharing My Ballet Adventures with You!
This journey across time and continents, full of wonder and beauty, has brought home a powerful message: the magic of ballet connects people all around the world, even if centuries and oceans stand in their way! I always try to make every ballet performance special, which is why I like to add a touch of pink to my looks for shows, like a sparkly headband or a pink ribbon tied to my tutu. It just makes it even more wonderful!
After this wonderful journey, I’m so inspired to encourage everyone to find their own way to embrace the joy of ballet. It’s not just about professional performances or elaborate costumes, it’s about finding your own unique expression and passion! You could even start a ballet club, try a beginners’ class or simply pop on a pair of ballet shoes at home and twirl with wild abandon!
As always, darlings, I urge you to embrace the beauty and wonder of ballet, in all its forms! Don’t forget to check in next month, when we'll embark on a whole new, exciting ballet adventure! Until then, dance on and don’t forget to wear pink!
And don't forget, the next time you see a graceful ballet performance, let yourself be swept away by its magic and remember, everyone has the potential to be a ballerina, whether they wear a tutu or not!
Sending you all lots of pink, love, and twirling joy,
Emma xx
