#BalletHistory during 1968 02 February

Hello darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things ballet, fabulous fashion, and, of course, a little bit of time-travelling magic. This month, we're stepping back in time, quite literally, to the 2nd of February, 1968, a date bursting with captivating ballet happenings across the globe.

I must confess, getting ready for this journey had me in a complete tizzy. Choosing the perfect shade of pink for my tutu felt like an existential crisis! It's all about finding that perfect balance between playful and elegant, and trust me, darlings, finding that perfect pink is a truly magical process. I settled for a shimmering blush, a colour that truly encapsulated the energy of 1968 – bold, vibrant, and utterly captivating. My rucksack, filled with anticipation, was also carefully curated for this particular time-slip, filled with antique ballet journals, a 1968 copy of Dance Magazine, and my trusty sketching pad. After all, inspiration strikes wherever we find ourselves!

And where do you think we went, you ask? Oh, just imagine: Magic Meg (my magnificent, shimmering pink Shire horse, you know, the one with the golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun silver), patiently waiting at the edge of my Derbyshire garden, her silver-toned harness gleaming in the dawn's golden light. We soared through time, past the familiar landmarks, past history and into a moment that shimmered with the excitement of dance.

Our first stop? The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, darlings. I’m just about recovered from the spectacle of Rudolf Nureyev in "La Bayadère"! Oh, the exquisite movements, the pure raw power of his performance, simply phenomenal. Imagine, this was Nureyev’s second year as a principal dancer at the Bolshoi after his historic defection to the West the year prior. He truly embodies the rebellious spirit of this era!

As for Margot Fonteyn, my favourite prima ballerina assoluta, well, she's been back in England, enchanting audiences in the production of "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. I can still hear the gasp from the audience as she woke from her century of slumber! A truly iconic moment.

Across the Atlantic, New York City was abuzz with excitement for the first production of Jerome Robbins's "The Goldberg Variations." I saw it a few years later when it toured Europe, and it was groundbreaking.

Meanwhile, on a slightly smaller scale (but no less significant), a little theatre company in San Francisco was having its premiere, the one and only "A Chorus Line." This, darlings, was a truly historic moment – an intimate dance-drama focusing on the lives and dreams of Broadway dancers. We can trace the influence of that show in countless dance-themed stories ever since, but the most fascinating thing is the raw, human vulnerability, expressed with nothing more than the dancer’s bodies, in stark contrast to the lavish beauty of ballet performances of that time.

Now, while I was caught up in the dazzling world of ballet performances, I couldn't ignore the sheer captivating glamour that surrounded me in 1968. This was the decade of the miniskirt, the bold colours, the experimentation with patterns and textures. You could say the fashions on the streets mirrored the vibrancy of the choreography I'd just witnessed! And as always, the world of ballet took its cues from these exciting changes in the fashion scene. I can tell you, darlings, that the ballet tutus weren't quite as structured as they are today. Think flowing fabrics, unexpected colour combinations, and even glimpses of brightly coloured undergarments for an extra touch of playful audacity.

Oh, and have I mentioned the hair? Picture bouffant styles towering above the heads of dancers, sleek ponytails accented by bright ribbons, and that classic ballerina bun adorned with colourful headbands and jewels – absolutely fabulous! You might not see these details on a ballet stage today, but it really shows how ballet was embracing the styles of its time.

As I was stepping into my vintage shopping spree, it was almost a little bittersweet to be going back to our time.

But I know that wherever you are in the world, you'll always have access to your very own time machine. Put on your most fabulous pink tutu (or any colour that makes your heart sing, of course!), step into your favourite pair of ballet shoes, and allow the music of the past to lead you to some magical adventures in the world of dance!

Remember to share your own stories on pink-tutu.com, and remember, we’re in this together, darling. Because ballet is about so much more than just twirling around, isn't it? It’s about passion, dedication, and a whole lot of sparkling magic. Until next time!